Questions about my new Model A

[jersey]

Hello,

I just picked up a 1930 closed cab pickup. I’ve been into Model T’s for well over 20 years and I had a ‘28 Tudor for a short period a while back but ended up selling it.

This truck seems to runs good, but it has a few modifications that I’m hoping someone can help me identify.

The seller told me it has a Mallory distributor, but the only thing I can make out on the tag is a number “ICG 4705”. A quick online search comes up with a Auto-lite distributor for an early Jeep. Does anyone know anything about running this distributor on a Model A? It seems to run well, but in the future I may go back to the stock Model A setup.

Also, it appears the generator is not a stock Model A and it has a later style external regulator on the firewall. Is this an early V8 style generator?

Fortunately, I gave the fan a good visual inspection as soon as I got the truck home and spotted the infamous cracked blade. Was the first thing replaced!

 

[1930artdeco]

Probable a Jeep dist like you suspect. If it runs well keep it going unless you want to go back to a Model A dist. Nothing wrong with it. The gen looks like early V8 again nothing wrong with it. Grad you got rid of the fan and welcome to the A side of the house.

Mike

 

[nkaminar]

The can connected to the generator is a voltage regular. This is a good modification to a Model A. Adding an external voltage regulator like that to a Model A generator was a common modification in the early days. Changing it back to stock depends on your mind set.

 

[WHN]

You changed the fan, that was needed.

I would now just drive it. Give yourself a chance to get to know the truck.

It’s like dating.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

there is a different coolant inlet elbow and pipe for larger generators

 

[old31]

Wow, you dodged a bullet with that fan.

 

[J Franklin]

I would drive it as is now until those parts failed and then decide what to do.

 

[Marshall V. Daut]

To reduce the number of future electrical problems, get rid of all that extraneous wiring and those magic circuit boxes that would drive Rube Goldberg to a mental breakdown. The stock wiring in a Model A will cause you enough grief as is. You don't need all that extra wiring and gizmos to complicate your life even more. Stick to the standard, stock wiring and most of your known and yet-to-be-discovered electrical problems will go away.
As many "upgrades" that a previous owner put in your car, I'd ask a local Model A expert to go over the entire mechanical workings to ensure the P.O. didn't just slap Band-Aids over grievous damage. From what I can see, he did.
Marshall

 

[ModelA29]

Did they change it to 12V? If so grab a GM 1 wire alternator ($70 new on Fleabay) and get rid of the antiquated gen/reg set-up. You can also get a 6V alternator but it's more $ so I'd only go that route when/if the gen fails beyond needing brushes. Determine exactly what the dist came from - then order a spare set of points and condenser. To go back to the stock dist you'll need to also find all the pieces to reinstall the mechanical advance.

 

[jersey]

I forgot to mention it is 6 volt negative ground.

I spent the better part of my spare time over the last week sorting out the wiring and removing an AM radio, CB radio, cigarette lighter, 6 volt to 12 volt converter, an aftermarket horn, and backup lights and all of their associated wiring.

I ended up installing a new stock Model A lighting wiring harness. The wires on the firewall next to the voltage regulator ane for the turn signals. Fortunately, whoever installed them did a halfway decent job.

My plan is to continue to run the truck and enjoy it with the current distributor and generator. My 13 year old daughter has plans to drive the truck when she gets her license. Having a distributor that does not require adjusting the spark advance will be one less thing for a new driver to have to be concerned about. I do find myself reaching for the spark lever due to muscle memory from my T’s.

Thanks for everyone’s help!

 

[Bob C]

Here is a picture of an original and modified Jeep distributor.

 

[Dodge]

The Jeep distributor was an early fairly common conversion. When done right they work well I would leave it.
I can't comment on the rest of the mod's.