New here and just got a decent A

fordf1trucknut said:
I have been trying to fix up a pair of rust bucket model a's for a few years and realized life is too short (i had a close call health wise around christmas) so I went out and bought a decent one after selling one of the projects off

I took the wife and 2 girls for our maiden voyage tonight.



It is a solid car that came to pa from California in the 90,s

It is all stock except sometime in it's past it was updated with what looks to be 1940 hydraulic brakes.

The kids (5 and 1) and wife love it and so do I!!!!!!
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WAAAH! Reminds me of MINERVA, that I was forced to sell for care home $$$$$ for Pat! (Forgive me Minerva, please!)---Bill W.
 

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Similar story with my 30 coupe. California to Pa, Red wheels, rumble seat, older restoration, 46 Hyd. brakes, But the engine was bored .125 and the head cut about .090. Cam ? I dunno. I put an autolite heater in it, Works nicely. and I took ten lbs off the fly wheel. Only difference is your's was cared for, mine wasn't and it needs a paint job. I may get around to it or I may not. I like driving it while I finish my 30 Town Sedan. Look at"My Coupe" in my profile.
Terry
 
I like your car and agree with your decision to buy a completed one. I am probably about your age and know what you are talking about. Be sure to check the brakes over carefully. I prefer hydraulic brakes but some of the conversions are frightening. When I bought my '31 RDPU the hydraulic brake conversion was so bad that I replaced it for safety reasons, leaky rubber hoses, copper tubing and a master cylinder mounted on the firewall without reinforcement (there was flexing and cracks starting). Another thing is when you run wire wheels on drums designed for solid wheels you should have a spacer (see http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8330045&highlight=stephens#post8330045).

Charlie Stephens
 
Charlie Stephens said:
I like your car and agree with your decision to buy a completed one. I am probably about your age and know what you are talking about. Be sure to check the brakes over carefully. I prefer hydraulic brakes but some of the conversions are frightening. When I bought my '31 RDPU the hydraulic brake conversion was so bad that I replaced it for safety reasons, leaky rubber hoses, copper tubing and a master cylinder mounted on the firewall without reinforcement (there was flexing and cracks starting). Another thing is when you run wire wheels on drums designed for solid wheels you should have a spacer (see http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8330045&highlight=stephens#post8330045).

Charlie Stephens
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Thanks for the tip.. when I bought it I looked of the conversion and it all looks good BUT I did NOT know about the needed support INBOARD of the lugs... I ordered the spacer rings and won't drive it again till they come in and I get them on....I just hope there isn't any cracking on the rims.

I pulled on and checked it over well and didn't see any damage and I also noted that there wasn't any marks in the paint inboard of the lugs ....so no support there.

I also ordered some engine pans since they are missing and ordered some spare parts to keep on hand in case of breakdown (plugs...points..condenser...etc...etc....)

THANKS, AGAIN!!!! Don't want to hurt anyone with a rim failure!!!!

by the way I am 33....not too old BUT not too young either......
 
Welcome to the barn. I also bought a complete after decideing that I didn't what another project. Love the coupe, but I'm partial to 31 coupes. Is it black or maroon?
 
Well my wheel spacer thingys came in and I got them on the car BUT it looks like the damage has already been done on 3 of the rims.... one has a 1/4" crack from one of the lug holes towards the center and 2 of the other rims have 2 cracks going to the center from 2 lugs that are maybe an 1" or more long..

I assume I need to find 3 new rims.....or can I weld the cracks up from the inside? or would it be better to just put a weld near the lug hole and leave the rest be so I don't warp anything or throw off the balance of the rims?

How much should I pay for nice original rims? I have no Idea what a good price range would be.

thanks for your help!!!!
 
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fordf1trucknut said:
Well my wheel spacer thingys came in and I got them on the car BUT it looks like the damage has already been done on 3 of the rims.... one has a 1/4" crack from one of the lug holes towards the center and 2 of the other rims have 2 cracks going to the center from 2 lugs that are maybe an 1" or more long..

I assume I need to find 3 new rims.....or can I weld the cracks up from the inside? or would it be better to just put a weld near the lug hole and leave the rest be so I don't warp anything or throw off the balance of the rims?

How much should I pay for nice original rims? I have no Idea what a good price range would be.

thanks for your help!!!!
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I see very nice rims going for about $50 or less. Try advertising in the newsletter of the local Model A Club since they are heavy and shipping is expensive. Another nice thing about buying local is that you can see what you are getting before you pay for them and have them shipped. Photos are good but they can lie. Also catch a few other nearby Model A clubs. Also remember that in addition to looking good you need to spin them and check for run out and out of round.

Charlie Stephens
 
fordf1trucknut said:
Well my wheel spacer thingys came in and I got them on the car BUT it looks like the damage has already been done on 3 of the rims.... one has a 1/4" crack from one of the lug holes towards the center and 2 of the other rims have 2 cracks going to the center from 2 lugs that are maybe an 1" or more long..

I assume I need to find 3 new rims.....or can I weld the cracks up from the inside?

thanks for your help!!!!
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People weld them, no troubles really. Just try to make the weld tidy & easy to grind/file smooth & you should have no problems.
 
welcome to a great hobby. The car looks great, I hope you get involved with a local chapter of MAFCA. This site is a great resource but having people in your local area to get clues as to where to get things done or help with a project is a real benefit to the participation in a local chapter.
 
Welcome trucknut,

the nice thing about your area is that there are a lot of clubs there and you have the Hershey and Carlisle swapmeets. I envy you. Nice car to boot.

Mike
 
I waxed it and it really cleaned up well



Took my daughter to preschool today in it. I really enjoy driving it more than my other old cars/trucks.

I also installed new engine pans since the originals were missing.

I may look into local cubs if I can find any.

I will try to weld up the cracks from the Inside next time I have a free evening in the garage.

I need to line the coupe up with my other old cars for a group pic.
 
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