Newb... So many questions....

T

TwoRaptors

Junior Member
My grandfather gave everyone in the family a car. I got a 1930 model A. Pretty much stock except hydro brakes has an alternator on it but is still 6volt and is not a stock color, as snob-ishly told by many "A" owners at a few show I have taken it to.

Other then that I know little about it and G-pa -is getting old and remembers nothing about the car. He owned it for many years (think he bought in 80's) and only did periodic maintenance. Basically just sat in garage for 30+ years and got out maybe 1 day a summer.

Ok Here comes my questions:

I know it has been converted to hydraulic brakes. How can i tell what type they are?

When I picked it up last summer brakes worked fine. Drove it to a car show over weekend and when I hit the brakes I almost put it into the ditch. When I got there I felt the drums and the right front was warmer then the others. What could be wrong?

Battery died over the winter and I replaced it with an 8 volt Group 1 battery. Any problems with that? Along that line, Do they make a 6volt alternator? it is still positive ground so I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the electrical system.

attached is a picture. I know its not stock color but is in very good shape. All steel and not one spot of rust. What I need to know is if there is a way to find out what the original color(s) was/were?
 

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Post a picture of the backing plates and master cylinder. If on drum was warmer than the others then the brakes are not all working the same. It is likely that one or more of your wheel cylinders is leaking and/or you have air in the brake lines. Check for brake fluid dripping out at the bottom of the backing plate.

There are 6 volt alternators available either pos or neg ground.

An 8 volt battery is often put in to "fix" poor wiring and poor electrical connections.

Bob
 
Welcome to the hobby! That is very nice little coupe you have there. As far as the colors are concerned they are long gone unless you find a patch hidden somewhere. But if someone restored the car they probably gone. BUT, get a copy of the paint guide from either of the national clubs and see what combinations there were and repaint it to suite you. Or, just find a color you like and paint her that color.

Mike
 
Welcome! Great looking car. Mine isn't a stock color either, but I like it and that is what matters.
 
Congratulations on your new aquisition!

If you find that you don't have air in the lines or the cylinders don't appear to be leaking, it could also be rust or grime in the wheel cylinders restricting the movement of the pistons.
You do get seizing parts sometimes if the car sits for too long a period without use.

I would bleed the lines first and visually check for leaks prior to dissassembling and honing the wheel brake cylinders though.
 
Congratulations! I'm very glad your Grandpa kept his cars in the family. Honor him by loving the car as he did you. My '30 Coupe isn't an original color, but I get lots of compliments on it and I'm color blind!
 
Welcome! I like the color and the h__l with the rest of them. You most likely have 39-48 ford hyd brakes adapted to your A. Parts are readily available, shoes, wheel cyl, hoses, and M/Cyl. Post a picture of the backing plates and we can try to identify them. Have fun with it.
Paul in CT
 
jack up the front in the center
of course ck for leaks or wet backing plates
make sure both wheels spin and one is not dragging
with a helper in the car apply the brakes while you turn the wheel. it should lock up as soon as the brakes are applied. when the brakes are released the wheel should spin free.
ck these things and report your findings

there is a systematic process of elimination to determine the fault instead of jumping around
brakes, wheel cylinder, brake hose, master cylinder, adjustment
 
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The 8 volt conversion is an attempt to overcome other problems that should be fixed. The most common one is that the battery cables were from a standard parts store and are too small in diameter for the 6 volt system which requires heavier cables. A second common problem is that all of the electrical connections need to be clean and free of paint. The person that sold you the 8 volt battery was not doing you a favor. The life of bulbs will be shorter. You will need to take the car to an electrical shop to set the alternator to charge at 8 volts instead of 6.

You may be able to tell the original color by looking in areas that are not generally covered during a repaint.

You should put your general location in your profile since future posts will probably involve recommending things that are near to where you live.

Where are the pictures of the brakes? My guess without a picture would be that they are the 1939-48 Ford type. My guess about the problem would be that there is rust in the wheel cylinders and they are failing to retract. When you pull the rear drums to inspect the brakes buy the best puller and read the archives about how to use it. If you use a cheap puller or short cuts you will be replacing an axle and they are getting hard to find.

Charlie Stephens
 
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Thanks for replies.

The battery shop recommended an 8volt battery. He said he sells alot of 8 volts to replace 6 volt. I didn't question it. Lights were pretty bright when on 6 volt, but now on the 8 they are brighter and the starter turns faster.

I will picture brakes tonight. I am at work right now. I did not notice fluid leaking at any point but will double check backing plates for wetness.

I have a tapered axle puller that is super old and heavy duty. I used it when I had tapered axles on my Jeep without damaging anything. Is that what I need?
 
Welcome! I to like the color and if people keep telling you it's not original color tell them that you would be glad to have it painted the original color if they would like to pay for it. Other wise I am just tickled pink the way it is thank you.
 
TwoRaptors said:
The battery shop recommended an 8volt battery. He said he sells alot of 8 volts to replace 6 volt. I didn't question it. Lights were pretty bright when on 6 volt, but now on the 8 they are brighter and the starter turns faster.
Click to expand...

Like Charlie said;

"The 8 volt conversion is an attempt to overcome other problems that should be fixed. The most common one is that the battery cables were from a standard parts store and are too small in diameter for the 6 volt system which requires heavier cables. A second common problem is that all of the electrical connections need to be clean and free of paint. The person that sold you the 8 volt battery was not doing you a favor. The life of bulbs will be shorter. You will need to take the car to an electrical shop to set the alternator to charge at 8 volts instead of 6."
 
TwoRaptors said:
Thanks for replies.

...I have a tapered axle puller that is super old and heavy duty. I used it when I had tapered axles on my Jeep without damaging anything. Is that what I need?
Click to expand...

You should be using the one that pulls from the groove on the brake drum hub. Of course if is loose almost anything will work.

Charlie Stephens
 
If the brakes were done many years ago there's a good chance the flex hose has rotted inside.It may look good but as they get old they tend to rot and act as a check valve and not release the pressure. Nice car!
 
All the previous advice is good, but I would urge you to pull the brake drum and look inside. Something loose, like a spring or nut, could be interfering with brake operation. I once had a brake lining come loose at one end, which would lock the brake seemingly at random and then just as mysteriously let go. Since your car was parked for a long time, similar things could have happened to it.
 
I wouldn't sweat the color. True Model A enthusiasts are a pretty forgiving group in that respect. I agree with the others that your electrical should be sorted out. The Model A electrical system is amazingly simple and it is very rewarding when you know it is all correct and safe. I don't know a damn thing about hydraulic conversions. I am sure the collective knowledge here on fordbarn will steer you right.
 
I like the color, especially how the fenders and running boards are the same color as the body.

Great looking car!

CH
 
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