New to this..

A

ADNC

Junior Member
first let me start by saying, Hello!

i recently inherited a 31 Model A from my grandfather. The car was purchased by him in the late 40's and he did a ground up resto as the car was a "field car"...i remember taking rides in it when i was younger and him taking multiple first finishes in local car show. Flash forward to today, the car has been sitting for at least 12 years and probably hasen't been started in about 8-6 years. My grandfather was a mechanic and meticulous in nature but in his failing health was just not able to keep up what it took to keep her running.

It saddens me to say that in starting my own life i was not able to get to him to learn everything i need to know about this car. my first order of business is checking the fluids and trying to turn her over.. at this time i am looking for the "inside" information...the things you guys know that the books do not. I am a mechanic (in training) so i have a very good mechanical comprehension, i just want to make sure i am doing things right.
 
Well you found the right place to ask. That's good. Welcome to the forum. Need a little information. Does the engine turn over with the hand crank??? If it does your half way there. I would pull the plugs and look down the hole while cranking to see if the valaves are moving. If they are moving then you are 75% there. Drain the fluids and replace with new, put a good battery in it and try to start it. Most of them will take right off. A little sand paper on the points won't hurt either. Once you get it running then you can start diagnosing any problems.
 
My first step and yours should be to buy Vol 1 of the Les Andrews Model A book. Step 2 is to buy the Ford Owners manual for your year car.

Many places have the books.....Synders in Ohio is one excelent choice.

Do you have any books for the Model A ?

Marc
 
i am fortunate enough to have the original owner manual, and "Model A Ford: Construction, operation and repair for the restorer" by Victor W. Page.

I will get some pics of the car up tonight, i haven't tried to hand crank yet as i cannot find the hand crank and i know i shouldn't just hook up a battery and crank..lol thanks for the quick reply's folks
 
When you hook up your battery, it is a positive ground system. I worry about insulting new people with tips like these, but it's the simple stuff that will catch you. If you already knew, sorry, and keep us posted.
 
how was it stored? in a good climate? I would drain the oil and put new oil in and fresh gas... and what others said.. keep us updated... if you can get it on video trying to start... I'm a huge fan of this!
 
It was garage kept in the northern Thumb area of Michigan. The car is a 31 two door tudor (i think?)..hold on i'll snap some pics
 
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Welcome to the club ADNC. What you may want to consider is draining the oil and make sure it comes out black and not milkshake colored. Then add new oil and with the plugs out spin it by hand to get the new oil through out the engine and then redrain. This will get any sludge dirt etc. out of the pan.

Also, look in the tank and make sure there is no rust, sediment etc. that could get in the line and then the carb. If there is then blow it out with a compressor put the line back together and fill it up.

Don't forget to check the brakes and all of the linkages before you take her out. It would be a nasty surprise to not be able to stop. Also, the bearings may need some grease.

Sorry for the list and stuff you may already know about, but this is my 2 cents worth.

Mike
 
That is a nice looking tudor. Congratulations. The picture of the motor may be telling you that you have a bad head gasket by the amount of rust but I wouldn't be to concerned until you fire it up and here it run.
 
flatford39 said:
That is a nice looking tudor. Congratulations. The picture of the motor may be telling you that you have a bad head gasket by the amount of rust but I wouldn't be to concerned until you fire it up and here it run.
Click to expand...

That was my first thought also. Hopefully it didn't leak any coolant into the cylinders, and if only water :eek: was used I hope it never froze. I only used 50% antifreeze both for freeze and rust protection, as well as a good lubricate for the water pump bushing in the rear.

I see someone added a tension strap for the generator. It isn't needed, as the belt doesn't need to be very tight. I also see that someone used an early rear end plate (ball bearing) on a late generator Mid 1930-1931. You can just leave it if you want, but since the car has not been used for so long, it wouldn't hurt to polarize the generator. After the battery is installed with + ground, then just take a short wire and jump across the two terminals on the cutout for one second, then start the car.
 
When its time to grease her she might have the original style grease fittings, not zerks like today. Here is the Adapter for modern guns.
You might find an original style laying around or under the seat also. Another thing, the steering box, trans, and rear use a 600W lube that is about 200 weight. Some use a mixture of other type lubes. .
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Nice car. The seats look to be in good condition. I found my crank unser the fromt seat. Since your appears to be a tudot it may be under the back seat. Good luck.
 
Also looks like an original fan, check it real good for cracks in the hub area.

Bob
 

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Thank you all, In addition to the car i have tons of NOS parts so i will replace anything i need too, but tomorrow i will start with the basics. drain her dry, refill and leak check, turn over manually, and take it from there. she needs a good cleaning as i want to enter her in a local car show this summer (the same one she won in the 61, 62, 65, and 70)
 
I'm sure Grandad will be pleased. Looks like he left it in good hands. May you enjoy many years of happy Model A'ing. Grandad will always be sitting beside you as you drive.
 
Before I start an A that hasnt run for multi years,I change the oil & pour a quart down the dist hole & the other 3-1/2 quarts in the filler tube.This gives the mains & cam brgs oil before the engine is even turned over.After its well warmed up,then change the oil again in the normal way.I like to use 15-40 or 20-50 oil for summer & 10-30 for winter.
 
A helpful tool is the search bar. You can find a lot of info fast by using a quick search because many of your questions may have already been covered already. There's a ton of knowledge on this forum so you have come to the right place!

Welcome to the Forum! I too have inherited a 31' A from my Grandfather. It sure is something special! Have fun with it!
 
ADNC,
Don't believe anything they tell you about Me!
Welcome, and seriously, may I add a couple of things to all the great previous advice. Torque the head,55 Ft. Lbs, first thing, and a jar of Bars-Leaks soon as you get it running. Don't assume that trans. & diff. are full! Awhile before trying to start, put 2 tablespoons of 90 weight gear oil in each cylinder and let it sit overnight. This will help "seal" the rings for better compression to help it start. Spin it over with plugs out next day. After gapping and cleaning points, lubing cam lobe,plugs out, long starter crank & eyeball point contact, should be a barely discernable bluish white arc. If arc sometimes flashes out kinda' yellow at times, clean points better or put in new ones! Remove small bottom carb plug, turn on gas to make sure gas is getting into carb.
After you've run it a fair amount, put in new plugs.
Happy Motoring Bill W.
(Oh yes! buy & install that little standpipe filter that goes in the top of the fuel shut off valve!!)
 
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