Model A questions

W

woodrow

Senior Member
Came home Friday with my first Model A. A nice car but I have some questions. First, the fuel gauge doesn't work so I expect I'll have to remove the old gauge/float and replace it. I know I need to let the fuel level go down some but how low does it need to be so gas won't run out the hole? Second, all the lights work, including the tail lights but the brake lights won't come on when I step on the brake pedal. The switch under the car looks new and I see a small rod coming out the back side of the switch with a small hole in the end. I'd appreciate comments on that. Third, the speedometer doesn't register---is my best bet to go ahead and get a new one? Thanks for your help.
 
woodrow said:
Came home Friday with my first Model A. A nice car but I have some questions. First, the fuel gauge doesn't work so I expect I'll have to remove the old gauge/float and replace it. I know I need to let the fuel level go down some but how low does it need to be so gas won't run out the hole? Second, all the lights work, including the tail lights but the brake lights won't come on when I step on the brake pedal. The switch under the car looks new and I see a small rod coming out the back side of the switch with a small hole in the end. I'd appreciate comments on that. Third, the speedometer doesn't register---is my best bet to go ahead and get a new one? Thanks for your help.
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Hi Woodrow, welcome to Fordbarn!!

A) Anything around ½ a tank or less is satisfactory. You will need a special set of tools to remove/install the gauge assembly. Might I suggest you consider using the Neoprene floats this time in lieu of the Cork as the Neoprene is much more tolerant of alcohol fuels.

B) Start by checking the bulb in the tail light to make sure the filament is still good. If so, use a jumper wire from the two wires on the switch and connect them to by-pass the switch to verify the issue is indeed inside the switch. If so, those are not difficult to disassemble and troubleshoot.

C) There is not any "new" speedometers being manufactured at this time for the Model-A however there are several good rebuilders that can take your unit and refurbish it. Look in the vendors list at the top of the forum to find a rebuilder close to you.

Again, I hope you enjoy your new acquisition and have many pleasurable miles ahead of you!!

.
 
Some of the AA had a chain that went in the hole on the back
of the brake light switch to activate it, this was not used on the model A.

Bob
 

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Just a quick addition to Brent's comments. It could be the speedometer cable and not the speedometer.

Hunter
 
From my experience, disconnect the speedo cable from the back of the speedometer. Then see if you can turn the inner cable freely from there. If you can you should have a broken cable or a bad gear to the shaft. Disconnect at the shaft end and see if you can turn the cable at one end and not see it turn at the other. IF the cable is sound, then take off the drive gear and look. Pretty easy to troubleshoot this. Keep your fingers crossed that it is the cable or drive gear. Both are much easier and cheaper to fix than the speedometer.
 
Yep, what Brent said. Also make sure there is power to one of wires at the brake light switch. Then jumper it. The inop speedo could be anything from the drive, cable or the speedo head. Check the easy stuff first.
 
Welcome!! Use the search feature on the header and you'll find all sorts of old posts on "how to ....." or just post lots of questions and pictures.
 
Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the response. It's pretty cold in the garage right now but I'll get on all the suggestions as soon as it warms up a bit. Hey, even in Texas it gets cold sometimes. Thanks again.
 
For what its worth, I bought a repop gauge and put the neoprene float on it. I was quite displeased with the quality, especially when the arm disconnected from the gauge and floated away. I ended up taking an original gauge, cleaning it up and rebuilding it. I used cork the second time around. That was just the beginning of the problems I had with the reproductions. I would suspect the new looking brake switch might be another failed repop.
 
Hay I do have the SPEEDOMETERS all rebuild and set to go. Or I can rebuild the one you have. Email me at jrnichols642@yahoo.com for more info or you can find my listing here on Ford Bard. Have fun with your new toy. papanick
 
Welcome to the Barn!!
You'll want to just rebuild that original fuel gauge with a neoprene float.
Use cork gaskets on the glass though.
The reproduction gauges are junk. I know of several that have fallen apart in tanks soon after they were installed.
It's not hard to do but does take a special tool
Good luck with your new toy.

Remember we like pictures!!!!:):):)
Show that new ride off!!!
 
Welcome to Fordbarn. One thing to keep in mind with these cars, although new replacement parts are available for these cars they are not always the best fix. Rod
 
Rowdy said:
Welcome to Fordbarn. One thing to keep in mind with these cars, although new replacement parts are available for these cars they are not always the best fix. Rod
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In fact I find it a lot of fun to do what is necessary to fix or rebuild the old components. Many are built so well it just takes a little tinkering.
 
WELCOME ! ! ! ! !

Before you go playing with the gas gauge DIS-CONNECT the battery.
Use the cork gaskets for the glass with a little oil or maple syrup on them. Ck the speedo cable, as others have stated. Get some vendor catalogs and The "red book" by Les Andrews, lots of info. Don't be afraid to ask questions here, there are no dumb ones. There is also a search function in the black bar at the top of the page. If you give us your location, there may also be someone close by. FWIW

Paul in CT
 
Welcome to the barn. This is a place to get lots of useful tips and directions. Looks like you have received all kinds of hints for you current problems. I always suggest getting connected to a local club, there are usually some help available there too. And they will have suggestions where to get parts and things worked on.
 
As far as the gas gauge goes, I took mine out and cleaned it up and replaced the cork with neoprene. theirs not much to go wrong with the gas gauge that a good cleaning will make it right. original equipment is always better than after market.
welcome to the Barn , your going to love it.
 
Last week in my search for a Model A I headed to Ft. Worth, 5 hours each way, to look at a 1930 rumble seat coupe. After an exhaustive examination of about 20 minutes I passed and headed home dragging my empty trailer behind me. The next day I spotted another A that was about 10 miles away. I originally thought I wanted a coupe, but when I saw this car, a 1931 Town Sedan, (hope I got that right) I decided that was the car for me. And the best part of it is that my wife loves the car. We got lots of thumbs up when we drove it to church Sunday. Really clean and neat. Today I got the stop lights working---just a loose connection--- and have also figured that all the gas gauge needs is a new float. I can move the wire up and down and the gauge seems to be fine except for being a little tight, but I think I can fix that. I can see the cork float and it's probably vintage 1931 and soaked. By the way, how many gallons does an A tank hold? The speedometer is next but I'll wait until I remove the dash so I can do the gas gauge and speedometer at the same time. Thanks again for all the good help here. I'm new to the Model A as well as new to the Ford Barn. Fun stuff. (being new to this site I haven't figures out how to post pictures of the car. I'm open to lessons for that. Suggestions will not hurt my feelings at all)
 
31 holds 11 gallons .Lots of problems with repro 31 brake light switch . Do a search for details . Always good to put your location . Welcome to the hobby . Might want to think about joining your local model a club .
 
Welcome Woodrow. Im new to the model a world myself. Got mine in august,and have learned a great deal so far. You say you bought a town sedan,as far as i know thats a 4 door. Is this correct? If you want to post pics go to www.photobucket.com and register and upload pics to that,then go to your library of pics. Click on the one you want ,after it goes to it then on right side of page youll see links to share this page. Go down till you get to the words IMG , click it and it copies it. Come back to your post on the barn and paste your IMG in the message box. Its easier if your making an album you just click upload photos and find them in your computer and open the file. Hope this helps
 
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