need a little help

CB919ER

CB919ER

Senior Member
I'm finally getting to work on my old A to get her up and running again.

I have two questions and I'll admit i'm completely ignorant on this.

Where is the oil filter or does this car even have one?

What can I expect from the motometer (I think that's what it's called) sitting on top of the radiator. I want to make sure I can monitor the engine from over heating.

Thanks guys and forgive my stupidity.
 
Didn't come with an oil or air filter when new. You can get both after market. Use the search tab on top of the page....there is many discussions about both. I consider the air filter a must. The oil filter, you will get a lot of opinions on that. My thoughts on the oil is if the car is used for only a few hundred miles a year just change oil often. Use it a lot , get an oil filter kit. This is just MY opinion. I'm sure some will not agree.
 
They didn't have oil filters from the factory although I have seen some aftermarket ones around. Not sure how effective they were.

You read the motometer like any other thermometer I thought. Keep an eye on the mercury.
 
Hi there,

Model A's didn't originally have an oil filter. There are aftermarket kits available to add one, but many people don't bother.

If the motometer is in working order, you should be able to monitor engine temperature just fine. There's a thermometer inside that you can see from inside the car.

Matt
 
Just a dissenting opinion on harleynut's comment that he considers an air filter a must. The orig zenith carb was not calibrated for using an air filter, and the restricted airflow caused by an air filter will affect the performance. Roads back in the '30s were far dustier than they are today, and Henry didn't feel an air filter was needed back then. Just my opinion....
 
I have a motometer and a water temperature gauge.

Now it might just be my motometer but it seems slow to react.

You might test yours in hot water to make sure it works before trusting it on your engine.
 
Hi CB,

A. You will learn all about Model A's if you keep up with your intense interest in same and continue to ask Model A basic questions.

B. We "all" started from scratch at the very, very bottom .... those with "intense" interested, who asked lots of questions, learned at a much faster rate.

C. As a minimum, suggest getting at least one (1) copy of a current Model A parts catalog, (two, even better); and a copy of Mr. Les Andrew's "Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook."

D. It is not embarrassing to read this most wonderful book twice, or several times .... nobody on Model A Forums today has all of the minute details in this book 100% memorized; and after reading same, you will far better grasp the Model A's simple anatomy.
 
Keep in mind that the motometer measures the air temp above the water. It will tell you when you make steam.
 
In the opinion of my engine rebuilder, two things hurt the longevity of the Model A engine:
1. No air filter.
2. No thermostat and engine operates at whatever the air temperature will allow.

The air filter is a no-brainer. Dust mixes with the oil on the cylinder walls and serves as "grinding compound."

A thermostat allows the engine to come to temperature quicker and a pressurized coolant system maintains a higher temperature. Both are desirable to reduce wear.

I asked this rebuilder what he thought a typical life of a Model A engine would be: "Oh about 70K miles without either filter or thermostat - perhaps double this with."

To totally undermine my statement - I run neither an air filter or a thermostat.

Joe K
 
The motometer doesn't measure water temperature! It measures vapor temp. I have measured my radiator temp with a heat gun plus just years of driving, and when the red starts climbing, I know where I'm at temperature wise. When I lean towards the center of the car, to get a better view, my wife thinks I'm getting romantic.
 
Thank you for the information. I didn't think there was an oil filter and I will not be driving the car daily, but probably at least once every couple weeks during the summer then store for the winter.

I've heard mixed opinions about an air filter. I have a marvel schebler carb that I need to get cleaned up so I don't know how the filter would mess with the air/gas mixture, but I've read stories of backfires through paper filter that have soaked up some gas.
 
I have been driving Model A's for over 60 years. My two cents, add air filter, and change oil offen. Than enjoy your great car.

I offen like to just sit and look at them. They are to me like a fine painting or piece of art.
 
IF Model As from the beginning, had a K&N air filter & a FULL FLOW oil filter, just think how long the engines would have lasted!!!
Bill Highmileage
 
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