New to me Model A

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empeg9000

Junior Member
Hi everyone,
First post here. MY name is Stephen.
My fiances father recently gave me his fathers Model A which was restored many years ago. It's been parked in the garage for about the last 5-6 years since his father passed away. He does have much interest in it since he has his own 1956 Dodge Royal Lancer with 25K original miles.
I had expressed interest in getting it running so he gave it to me.
Here are some pic of me going to pick it up.
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On the trailer
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At home in my garage.
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This past week I drained the gas tank and put fresh gas in it. Then I changed the oil. I replaced the battery since I couldn't get it to take a charge.
It took my a while to get it started. I got out the manual and
starting going through trouble shooting the ignition. Everything was
checking out so I couldn't figure outwhy I wasn't getting spark. I finally checked the points gap which was supposed to be .020. It was set at .025. I was skeptical that it wouldmake a difference. I turned it over again and sure enough it had
spark. So I hopped in and try starting it again. It took maybe 6 or 7
tries and I could tell it was trying to catch. Finally it started.
Here is a video of my starting it and pulling it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf8JsITNtaE

Here is one of us taking it for a short drive down the road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-chxFE-QMA

Here is a link to all the photos if you want to see it.
http://empeg9000.smugmug.com/Cars/Model-A/16891143_SPjvLH
 
Congrats! Welcome to the Model A family! Looks like a great car. Probably the first of many you will have, now that you've caught the bug! Haha!
 
Congratulations! It looks good, sounds pretty good, and it also sounds like you know how to double clutch. I do think I heard the steering worm gear squeak when you were turning the steering wheel while stationary. That might indicate the steering box is dry or filled with grease. In spite of the fact that there is often a grease fitting on the box, it should be filed with transmission oil ( aka 600w). Could be the rear spring is fatigued or not locked in the cross member hole. It appears to be sagging from behind in that one photo, but maybe its just the photo.
 
Your fiance is a keeper. She sounds as enthusiastic as you. My wife could care less about my A, which in a way is a good thing. Good luck with it.
Paul in CT
 
Mike said:
sounds like you better drain the trans & rear and use 600 w gear oil. sounds dry
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Is there a regular drain plug on them? I thought the ****** sounded kind of loud even for an older vehicle.

Congratulations! It looks good, sounds pretty good, and it also sounds like you know how to double clutch. I do think I heard the steering worm gear squeak when you were turning the steering wheel while stationary. That might indicate the steering box is dry or filled with grease. In spite of the fact that there is often a grease fitting on the box, it should be filed with transmission oil ( aka 600w). Could be the rear spring is fatigued or not locked in the cross member hole. It appears to be sagging from behind in that one photo, but maybe its just the photo.
Click to expand...
I do know how to double clutch. Thanks for noticing! Good info about the steering. It does sag on the drivers side. I will looking into the springs. I thought it was the front that had the cross member hole but you would know better than I.

Congrats! Welcome to the Model A family! Looks like a great car. Probably the first of many you will have, now that you've caught the bug! Haha!
Click to expand...
Hopefully I don't get too sucked in. I do love the looks of the Phaetons and the Fordor/Tudor cars. :)
 
yes, fill plug on the right side of trans, drain plug on bottom of trans.
also fill steering box with 600 w gear oil. 35 p.s.i. for tires, 3 gallon sustem for coolant.

good luck
mike
 
both front and rear cross members have the square hole. If you search spring sag or car leaning here you will find volumes of discussion on the subject. Its often the shackles are worn in combination with fatigued springs. The rears are not as common to fatigue as the fronts. But either can be off center if the car was assembled at one time with the center bolt head out of the hole. There were also repro center bolts that had round heads, which allows the spring to slip off center. Improperly tightened spring hanger nuts will allow the spring to slip out too. For now, enjoy the car. I prefer to do repairs/restorations in stages during the winter and finish them in time for driving season. I prioritize them and sometimes plan them over several years so I minimize down time. Getting too far into a restoration/upgrade project too soon can result in the car on blocks for years or worse.
 
pat in Santa Cruz said:
For now, enjoy the car. I prefer to do repairs/restorations in stages during the winter and finish them in time for driving season. I prioritize them and sometimes plan them over several years so I minimize down time. Getting too far into a restoration/upgrade project too soon can result in the car on blocks for years or worse.
Click to expand...
That's what I am hoping to do. I ordered a set of tires, tubes, and rim strips for it. I also need to adjust the brakes. They have a slight pull to the right.
 
That's a good looking Sport Coupe. Please follow all those good directions regarding the lubrication of the transmission and steering box. You should also acquaint yourself with all the grease fittings and buy a grease gun. The Model A uses a different grease fitting and not the Zerk fitting. You can buy the correct fitting to attach to your grease gun. Doing all this good stuff with help you get better acquainted with your car.
Your fiancee sounds like a winner.
Best of luck.
Rog
 
Nice looking car. At 1:10 on the second video it looks like you have a discharge
on the ammeter. Is the battery installed the right way?
 
Rusty Homestead Fl said:
So I guess that means you HAVE TO MARRY HER NOW ???? lol. Congrat's with the car and future wife!
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It sure does! She's a keeper anyway! Best gal ever!
Hopefully the car works out too.

raprice said:
That's a good looking Sport Coupe. Please follow all those good directions regarding the lubrication of the transmission and steering box. You should also acquaint yourself with all the grease fittings and buy a grease gun. The Model A uses a different grease fitting and not the Zerk fitting. You can buy the correct fitting to attach to your grease gun.
Best of luck.
Rog
Click to expand...
THanks! I did not know that. Good info.

Bob C said:
Nice looking car. At 1:10 on the second video it looks like you have a discharge on the ammeter. Is the battery installed the right way?
Click to expand...
I hadn't noticed that but I am pretty sure it is. I will double check just to make sure.
 
Sweet looking car! Sounds as though the young lady is enthusiastic as well. :) Heard you two talking about brakes....it'd be worth while to put that car up on a lift and check all the mechanical connections for the brakes. They're likely fine but it's good to KNOW that! Have fun.
 
Congrats on the A!! It looks to be in very good shape. My wife is very supportive of my hobby/habit as well. You gotta hang on to the good girls!!
 
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