Tools/supplies needed while traveling
- Thread starter 1934ford
- Start date
Assuming you have had your A for a long time, I would review the tools you needed (sizes) to perform the following tasks:
. setting timing and timing check
. changing points and adjusting
. lubricating and greasing - including wheel bearings
. changing fluids - oils and coolant
. fan belt tension and replacement
. voltmeter
I would carry all of the tools you used to perform the above tasks
As far as replacement parts, I would carry"
. complete set of ignition parts (plugs, points, rotor, cap)
. quart of oil
. small oil can of oil
. fan belt
. hoses
. gallon of coolant
. 1 set of replacement bulbs
. some zip ties
. coil
. hand crank
. Always a spare tire - mounted on the rim
. I would also carry the MAFCA directory in case you need some local help.
. Extra gallon of gas -outside your vehicle please.
I am sure there are additional items I have forgotten - but this gets you started. I know other people carry starters, water pump, distributor. But if you are travelling in a larger group and one person has these, that would be sufficient.
bruceincam
Senior Member
Don't forget your AAA (or equivalent) card!!
Synchro909
Well-known member
What are you calling a "long" Model A trip?
I know a fellow who undertook a 8,000 miles trip across the continent through country that rarely sees a person. At times, he was days from help, even if he had communication, which he didn't. He took no spares or tools other than a list of members of Model A clubs anywhere near where he was going. His only problem was a rotor button leaking spark to earth. It took quite a while to find the problem but no time to fix - even with no spare.
IMO, the best thing you can take is an ability to find a problem and go around it. No matter how much you take, you can bet Murphy will have other ideas. Believe me, I know about that after so many looong trips myself.
Kurt in NJ
Well-known member
Every time I have had a problem I put a spare under the seat, then I never need it again.
It will vary with the car and recent experience. Oil and water/antifreeze, plus some basic tools, a couple feet of baling wire, zip ties, a gasket set, and torque wrench. …a rag or two, fuses, disposable gloves, a few cottar pins.
Mostly I need nothing on a 500 mile drive, but I over prepare. The key in my mind is to always be sure everything is in good condition well before any trip. I take short trips before a longer one to try and find out any weaknesses. I am not a club member so my trips are by myself for my personal enjoyment with my car.
Mostly I need nothing on a 500 mile drive, but I over prepare. The key in my mind is to always be sure everything is in good condition well before any trip. I take short trips before a longer one to try and find out any weaknesses. I am not a club member so my trips are by myself for my personal enjoyment with my car.
Y-Blockhead
Well-known member
More Model A Pilots should heed this advice. We have people in our club that don't even look at their Model A for a month or more then expect it to start, run and drive without a problem the morning of a tour.
I always check and drive my car during the week(s) leading up to a tour date and hopefully spot any problem before we get on the road.
Not much fun working on a car you are unfamiliar with on the side of the road without the proper tools and parts.
redmodelt
Well-known member
When our Model T club goes on tours; if you break down, the club goes on and the trouble trailer picks you up. Most of the roads in my tour area don't have room for the whole club to stop, so is safer for everyone just to keep going.
There are those people that don't have a clue about the condition of their car and expect if there is an issue, someone will fix it for them (on the road restoration and repair service). But these are around 100 year old cars and even the best can have problems, Ts or As. Then there are those V8!
There are those people that don't have a clue about the condition of their car and expect if there is an issue, someone will fix it for them (on the road restoration and repair service). But these are around 100 year old cars and even the best can have problems, Ts or As. Then there are those V8!
Cape Codder
Well-known member
SYNCHRO909- I would think my 400+ mile one way trip is a run around the corner for you living in Australia!
Oldbluoval
Well-known member
Cell phone……to call a rollback!
Synchro909
Well-known member
Not wanting to sound cocky but many are the times we have done 400+ miles in a day, then the same next day. Our best is 700 miles in a day followed by a good sleep.
You guys in the lower 48 have just as much room as we do so I see no reason for you to not do similar. Only the place names need change.
MAG
Well-known member
"What wrenches/tools and replacement parts should you carry with you on a long Model A trip?
There have been some good suggestions made.
The best suggestion I can make is to start at the front bumper and go to the rear one and check every area to be as near perfect as possible. Just completed a road trip just under 4K miles. Needed no parts, adjustments, oil, coolant, etc. But I will tell you that I did my homework before I left.
There have been some good suggestions made.
The best suggestion I can make is to start at the front bumper and go to the rear one and check every area to be as near perfect as possible. Just completed a road trip just under 4K miles. Needed no parts, adjustments, oil, coolant, etc. But I will tell you that I did my homework before I left.
Osage Orange
Senior Member
Be nimble and creative. I once changed out a shifter fork pin in my '29 coupe using only a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and the nail I pried from a utility pole. Did it over lunch in a bad part of town. I'm pretty sure that nail is still holding the left fork in place to this day, wherever the coupe ended up. Shifter tower bolts were tight and determined, but not as much as I was.
Bob Bidonde
Well-known member
I list the events that can befall me on a tour far from home, and I carry enough tools, spare parts & materials to cope with the events.
shew01
Well-known member
That’s a good resource.
https://www.mafca.com/tqa_m_be_prepared.html
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Eccentric Old Guy
Senior Member
I believe it was Paul Shinn who said he carries a spare carburetor with him, and If I could add something to the list, it would be a jack.
eog
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