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- Thread starter 19fifty4
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John Butts in CT
Senior Member
Welcome! How about posting some pictures of your new ride?
Jim Baskin III Pa.
Senior Member
Good to see you here 19fifty4.There is a infinite wealth of info here to keep your A going.This site helped me bring to life a basket case 30 tudor.Enjoy.By the way 54 is an excellent year.
Barry B./ Ma.
Well-known member
Welcome 19fifty4 as you can see by my avitar picture I have a 29 Special coupe that I restored and drove many miles since 1981. Can you post a picture of yours?
Meet Horace and Jasper. Both 1929 Special Coupes. Jasper is the black one - have had him about 18 months. Brought Horace home Saturday. I'm not sure what color you call that nor if it was offered in 29.
Jasper is a driver all the way. Put over 2000 miles on him last year. I just installed a high compression head and swapped in modern points. I am currently trying to set the timing correctly. I also need to install a new gear end plate on the steering and the carb leaks like a sieve. That's on the agenda for Jasper.
Horace looked too good to pass up. I wasn't really looking but I couldn't leave without him. I think the ammeter might be bad but still troubleshooting. The little time I had him on the road yesterday he was running a little hot. Time to flush the radiator and see if that improves things. Everything else appears to be in good working order.
I'm sure you'll hear from me as I work thru these issues. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Jasper is a driver all the way. Put over 2000 miles on him last year. I just installed a high compression head and swapped in modern points. I am currently trying to set the timing correctly. I also need to install a new gear end plate on the steering and the carb leaks like a sieve. That's on the agenda for Jasper.
Horace looked too good to pass up. I wasn't really looking but I couldn't leave without him. I think the ammeter might be bad but still troubleshooting. The little time I had him on the road yesterday he was running a little hot. Time to flush the radiator and see if that improves things. Everything else appears to be in good working order.
I'm sure you'll hear from me as I work thru these issues. Thanks for the warm welcome.
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H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
Hi,
Both of them are really beautiful -- they both appear to have been cared for by someone that very much appreciated vintage vehicles -- also wonderful to see & hear that their new owner treasures them also !!!!
Appears the only major Model A Forum answer not yet agreed upon by all is:
If you ask which Model A engine oil to use -- but don't give up -- we are all still working on it.
Both of them are really beautiful -- they both appear to have been cared for by someone that very much appreciated vintage vehicles -- also wonderful to see & hear that their new owner treasures them also !!!!
Appears the only major Model A Forum answer not yet agreed upon by all is:
If you ask which Model A engine oil to use -- but don't give up -- we are all still working on it.
29er
Senior Member
Hey '54! Welcome. Henrietta (over there to the left) is a '29 Special Coupe. Like Jasper, she's a driver with HC head, modern points and a Mitchell gear-splitter. Lots of wise guys here (oops, I mean WISDOM 
). Besides what kind of oil to use, be sure to ask whether to use anti-freeze or water in your radiator. You'll have fun here. Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Feeling Special in Oregon,
Mike
). Besides what kind of oil to use, be sure to ask whether to use anti-freeze or water in your radiator. You'll have fun here. Looking forward to hearing more from you!Feeling Special in Oregon,
Mike
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
Hey '54! Welcome. Henrietta (over there to the left) is a '29 Special Coupe. Like Jasper, she's a driver with HC head, modern points and a Mitchell gear-splitter. Lots of wise guys here (oops, I mean WISDOM
Feeling Special in Oregon,
Mike
Welcome and don't fall for it.
H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
Also, with black walls, looks like you may not get reprimanded for even thinking about maybe getting white wall tires either -- no oil questions & no anti-freeze questions -- & with having all black wall tires on (2) cars -- sounds like you already have all of your bases covered on your first day -- not healthy to stay serious all of the time.
Barry B./ Ma.
Well-known member
19fifty4 my coupe looks similar to Horace, the colors are Mountain Brown and Thorne Brown trim. My wheels were straw but I have since changed them to black. Your front visor should be covered in vinyl to match the top. Nice looking cars you have there. Special coupes really are Special.
Napa Skip
Senior Member
Participating on this forum is a lot like many social occasions; if you're new to the group it might help to have some "ice breakers" or conversation starters. Herewith - for the uninitiated - a short (and, no doubt, incomplete) list of Model A subjects sure to get things going:
a. Ethanol;
b. Detergent vs. non-detergent oil (together with the associated pressurized oil systems and the use of an oil filter);
c. 6v vs 12 v (and +ive vs –ive ground) electrical systems;
d. Alternators vs generators;
e. The existence (or not) of vapor lock and it’s many remedies;
f. The efficacy of modern “upgrades” (electronic ignition, adjustable lifters, etc., etc.);
g. 19- and 21-inch vs 16-inch tires (and the associated radial vs bias ply controversy);
h. Inserted vs poured-in-place bearings;
i. Non-original body colors;
j. Reproduction parts
k. Stainless steel bumpers;
l. Modern spark plugs;
m. Sealed beam/halogen headlights and/or LED brake lights incorporating directional lights;
n. Hydraulic brakes;
o. Modified engine rear oil seals; and
p. Acceptable number of blades (and year of manufacture) on the engine fan.
Don't know that I'm ready to debate any of those topics just yet. I still struggle with regular vs. extra crispy.
Made great progress with the timing today and Jasper (black) is back on the road. Additional tweaking needed but I think carb repair will be necessary to see greater improvement.
Horace (brown) needs a radiator flush before a more robust shakedown run this weekend.
Made great progress with the timing today and Jasper (black) is back on the road. Additional tweaking needed but I think carb repair will be necessary to see greater improvement.
Horace (brown) needs a radiator flush before a more robust shakedown run this weekend.
Flushed the radiator yesterday and doesn't seem to be running as hot but will try and give it a better workout today and verify if there is any improvement. I think the timing on this one is suspect as well. Spark lever has to be almost all the way down to crank and run. Won't crank if fully retarded.
Mitch//pa
BANNED
I would set up timing first before driving and testing it. It sounds like it could be off quite a bit