Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

A

A_Model_Sarah

New member
Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

To all,

My first post ever. Yah, me!

I was given my grandaddy’s 1930 coupe. I always enjoyed helping him work on it. I am trying to learn about cars in general and A Models in particular. I’m new to all this. I have a son taking Shop in Highschool and now, “mom is cool again.”

While on a recent tour, we had a few roadside seminars. It seems I am always the problem child.
Could I have some help? I am new to FordBarn.

I am trying to put together a tackle box of spare parts. I searched VFF and FB, neither had recommendations for spare parts list. Grandaddy showed me a list in the back of Les Andrews book but suggested I get a membership on FordBarn and ask y’all.

Most of this stuff I have on Grandaddy’s shelf in various conditions of wornout. His car has a trunk on the back. I want to try to pull-my-own-weight. I do not have the knowledge but I can have the parts to help when I breakdown the next time. Or, my hope, that is someone else breaks down, I can provide the part to fix ‘em up.

Assembly or Component:
Distributor
Carburator
Timing gear
Water pump
Fan
Generator
Starter
Ammeter
Cutout (diode)

Fluids:
Steering lube
600W
85-140
Antifreeze
Distilled water
WD-40
PB Blaster
30 wt
Grease
Starting fluid
RTV
Cam lube

Spare parts:
Radiator cap
Gas cap
Water pump packing
Water hose kit
Hose clamps for water hoses
Fan belt
Generator pulley
Timing pin
Distributor cap
Distributor cam
Cam screw
Distributor shaft (2x short, 1 long)
Condenser
Rotor
Plug wires
Spark Plugs
Spark plug Cap screw
Spark plug Gaskets
Points (modern, original)
Distributor wire
Ignition coil
Ignition wire
Terminal box nuts
Jumper wire
Fuses
Bulbs (HL, SL, TL, PL, IPL, CL)
Clevis pins oversive and standard
Assorted nuts (axle, Hd stud, lug, brake rod, etc)
Assorted bolts
Tailpipe clamp
Carburator gasket
Zenith carb filter
Tilotson Carb filter
Gas bowl magnet
Wix gas bowl filter
Oil pan drain plug & gasket
Wiper blade
Brake shims
Brake push rod (7 1/4”)
Zerk fittings
Woodruff keys
Rear brake springs
Taillight lens
Connectors (butt, flag, spade)
Extra wire
Pins (cotter, hitch)

What else should I include?

All the gentlemen say, “Do not worry”, “it is okay”, “we all are here to help” as they are using their parts to fix my car on the side of the road. I do not have the knowledge yet, but I can start to have the parts.

Sincerely,
Sarah
Joplin, MO
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

If your objective is to be a mobile repair shop – which is fine – the main thing missing here is tools. You'll have all these parts but no way to install them. You should also pack a copy of Model A Ford - Troubleshooting and Diagnostics. This will save a lot of time replacing parts that didn't need replacing.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

A_Model_Sarah said:
To all,

My first post ever. Yah, me!

I was given my grandaddy’s 1930 coupe. I always enjoyed helping him work on it. I am trying to learn about cars in general and A Models in particular. I’m new to all this. I have a son taking Shop in Highschool and now, “mom is cool again.”

While on a recent tour, we had a few roadside seminars. It seems I am always the problem child.
Could I have some help? I am new to FordBarn.

I am trying to put together a tackle box of spare parts. I searched VFF and FB, neither had recommendations for spare parts list. Grandaddy showed me a list in the back of Les Andrews book but suggested I get a membership on FordBarn and ask y’all.

Most of this stuff I have on Grandaddy’s shelf in various conditions of wornout. His car has a trunk on the back. I want to try to pull-my-own-weight. I do not have the knowledge but I can have the parts to help when I breakdown the next time. Or, my hope, that is someone else breaks down, I can provide the part to fix ‘em up.

Assembly or Component:
Distributor
Carburator
Timing gear
Water pump
Fan
Generator
Starter
Ammeter
Cutout (diode)

Fluids:
Steering lube
600W
85-140
Antifreeze
Distilled water
WD-40
PB Blaster
30 wt
Grease
Starting fluid
RTV
Cam lube

Spare parts:
Radiator cap
Gas cap
Water pump packing
Water hose kit
Hose clamps for water hoses
Fan belt
Generator pulley
Timing pin
Distributor cap
Distributor cam
Cam screw
Distributor shaft (2x short, 1 long)
Condenser
Rotor
Plug wires
Spark Plugs
Spark plug Cap screw
Spark plug Gaskets
Points (modern, original)
Distributor wire
Ignition coil
Ignition wire
Terminal box nuts
Jumper wire
Fuses
Bulbs (HL, SL, TL, PL, IPL, CL)
Clevis pins oversive and standard
Assorted nuts (axle, Hd stud, lug, brake rod, etc)
Assorted bolts
Tailpipe clamp
Carburator gasket
Zenith carb filter
Tilotson Carb filter
Gas bowl magnet
Wix gas bowl filter
Oil pan drain plug & gasket
Wiper blade
Brake shims
Brake push rod (7 1/4”)
Zerk fittings
Woodruff keys
Rear brake springs
Taillight lens
Connectors (butt, flag, spade)
Extra wire
Pins (cotter, hitch)

What else should I include?

All the gentlemen say, “Do not worry”, “it is okay”, “we all are here to help” as they are using their parts to fix my car on the side of the road. I do not have the knowledge yet, but I can start to have the parts.

Sincerely,
Sarah
Joplin, MO
Click to expand...

That's quite the list. I think you could probably eliminate a lot of those parts.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Welcome to the barn. Start out with short trips, like to town, and gradually increase them. Club tours are a good way to shake down your car. Most people on the tour carry spare parts.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Welcome to the group. If you are looking for great information, check out Paul Shinn on YouTube and if you don't have it, get the first book from Les Andrews. Also known as the red book.

Dave
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Sarah,

Welcome to an incredibly fun, and sometimes exasperating journey.

The 1930 Model A coupe, shown in my reply came into the family when my father purchased it in 1957.

We did a complete restoration in 1965.

We have been members of MAFCA since we began the journey. The Restorer Magazine comes with the membership.

Several excellent publications are available from their store.

You have put together a good starting list of hardware.

But - read as much as you can first.

Talk to many owners.

Read.

Drive.

Have a lot of fun.

Best regards,

Tim & Linda Hammond
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Sarah, firstly, welcome to the forum. My first piece of advice is "Insanity helps!"
More seriously now, what you carry kinda depends on your mechanical abilities. I NEVER carry a compete starter for example. I know the insides of a starter pretty well and I can fix (and have) nearly everything that can go wrong in there. I carry only a new Bendix - much lighter and smaller. The same goes for the distributor. I carry only the components that are most likely to give trouble. I do carry a complete water pump - they can be a hassle to repair without the right facilities. And so it goes. Experience will be your best advisor on both parts and tools to take. Stay friendly with the other members of your club maybe?
Those of us who do long distances are the ones who have gone down this road before you and I'm sure hey will be ready to help you.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Welcome to the barn I personally don't think it's necessary to carry the heavier bulkier items 1 thing I would do is carry 1 of the burnout proof condensers And a set of replacement points You can carry a distributor if you like but I just carry some of the smaller components.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

my harsh opinion.
throw that whole list into the garbage can .
the car will show you what parts to buy. and like above most of you regular tool kit will work on this car.
the most important tool is Les Andrews book #1.
the second most important tool, join a vintage car club.
an AAA membership that will tow you to your house. (some coverages are different so check)

start by driving the car. just around the block for now. close enough so you can push it home.
--fix what is wrong when you get home.
once you can drive the neighborhood and make it home.
--fix what is wrong when you get home. then repeat that until you trust the car.
now drive down the road further 5 miles maybe.
--fix what is wrong when you get home.
work into it gradually until you can drive it with confidence to a car meet. (a close one, not across the country yet)
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

I always carry a spare condenser. The Ford tool set was simple and most of those tools would get a person back home when needed. If you carry a spare tire, then a jack, the hand crank/lug wrench, and possibly a tire pump should be in there. These were part of the tool set as well as a spark plug wrench, two multi-size spanners, an adjustable wrench, and of course a screw driver and pliers.

A person can carry all those previously listed parts and assemblies if they are traveling solo for a long distances. If traveling with several other like minded owners, then the parts can be split up among the other cars in the group. Part of the antique car hobby is the chance of break downs. A person can find a lot of ways to solve problems on the road. One is just being prepared to have a car recovered and moved to a safe place for further transport. You can't carry a spare engine, transmission, or rear axle so be ready to go to U-haul and rent a truck with trailer to get you back home from a far away trip. I've done it with later model vehicles that broke down on me. Once the bugs are worked out, model A vehicles are very reliable but it can take time and some tinkering to get them there. The condition of the fuel tank and radiator are items that can be problematic. Brakes have to stop the car with minimal anticipation so that safety can be maximized. All of the model As have their quirks but good regular scheduled maintenance will minimize those in time.
 
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Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Is this a list of spare parts to keep in your garage or take on the road? If the road, I would ensure your car is in top shape before heading out and eliminate most of the items on your list.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

I'd leave most of the stuff on the list at home. I have a 200-mile towing range on my AAA membership, so if something catastrophic happens, I can always get a tow (and tow truck drivers LOVE my cars!) :p

For my cars, I carry tools for the most part. And basic tools are typically good enough - the reason Ford included them. A couple of flat head screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and the like.

The first time I ever had my Model A die in traffic, a guy stopped and fixed it with a piece of foil from his pack of Marlboro cigarettes - good enough to get me out of traffic and back home! So I always carry foil, a couple loops of wire, and some other basic "farmer type" things to get the car back on the road.

I do recommend carrying flares and/or emergency lights. Having the car die in traffic in the dark could be deadly, so making sure you can be seen is VERY important.

The one thing I splurge on is a nice jack. I found a mini floor jack that's super helpful for getting the car up in a hurry.

Realistically though - I rely on tow trucks more than carrying a parts repository with me. If there's something wrong that is beyond screwdrivers, pliers, and baling wire...call a tow truck.

Dave
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Sarah - welcome to the Barn and to the hobby.

To address your question, I’m with old ugly. Driving a car close to 100 years old means that you have to accept that it may break down. While fixing some things on the road is reasonable, I think the most important spare parts to have are a AAA card with extended tow range, and a credit card.

Having said that, what I carry as spare parts is somewhat driven by what I, and the club members I tour with, have had fail:

Points, condenser, rotor, cap, body, plus a distributor pre-timed to my car.
Water pump
Fan and fan belt
Radiator hoses and clamps
Timing gear
Bendix drive for starter
Complete gasket set, including fuel gauge and sediment bowl
Spare fuel cap and radiator cap
Carburetor
Full set of replacement bulbs, including several spare headlight bulbs
Fuses (may not apply to you)
Roll of baling wire
Set of pre-greased front wheel bearings and races
Plastic can of miscellaneous nuts and bolts

Not all of these need to be brand new. Your spares can be the old parts you previously took off to replace with new.

And be resigned to the fact that will actually fail will be the part you didn’t think to include.
 
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Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Experience is important, a local club can supply some. Old ugly (#9) has good advice, keep your inventory of parts at home base. Baby steps initially. Your attitude is excellent.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

A_Model_Sarah said:
I want to try to pull-my-own-weight. I do not have the knowledge but I can have the parts to help when I breakdown the next time. Or, my hope, that is someone else breaks down, I can provide the part to fix ‘em up.
Click to expand...

I want to highlight the above text because there seems to be a disconnect between the OP’s intent and how y’all are responding. My read was that they tour a lot and like the idea of acting as a mobile parts depot for anyone who breaks down on the tour. I think this is a perfectly fine way to contribute to the hobby and I think it’s presumptuous of us to tell them not to do this if this is what makes them happy. It would be different if they were expressing anxiety or unwillingness to go touring without this long list of parts in tow, but that’s not what I understood the post to be saying.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Carry a multi meter and use it to test things while the car is in good condition so you can tell when it is not. Stay on this forum...you are certainly welcome aboard and you learn a lot just reading this stuff.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Safer to do troubleshooting and repairs off the road. A cross country tour is a different matter.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Hello,and welcome to the barn. My first Model A was also a 1930 Coupe many years ago. In my current Model A I carry a distributor complete and timed to the car and also a rebuilt carburetor that also has been set up to the car , good coil also . If I should have trouble on the road, drop in the distributor if electrical or carburetor if fuel . Condensers are a known problem on Model A so in the case of poor running first place I look. Good luck on your journey.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

Hey Sarah,
Congratulations on your A and your first post!
I’m about in the same boat as far as being new to an A but as I understand your goal. I think you have a decent list to have for touring but as others have said, you need the tools as well. I carry a set of tools similar to the original ford kit plus s bottle Jack wood for a roadside Jack stand,wood for a chock, wire both bailing and some spare electrical and electrical tape and a ball peen hammer as well as a few extra wrenches.
Best of luck in your travels.
 
Re: Newbie’s List for Spare Parts

If not already mentioned: Les Andrews (Red Book) which can be purchased through Model A Ford Club of America and also amazon
 
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