Travel Breakdowns

R

rally 1

Senior Member
What is your procedure used when one of the travelers cars breaks down while on tour.
How much time do you allocate to getting him/her running again when you are under a time constraint?

Just curious.
Thanks
Ken
 
You don’t leave them. Never. If it’s a tow job, someone stays with them until they are comfortable with the plan. No one gets stranded.
 
A good plan with a time constraint would allow travel time for a roadside clinic. Living on Long Island, my club traditionally plans to travel with a ferry schedule in mind. We leave early enough to cope with a minor breakdown.
 
If it is a long distance group tour, like an all-day or overnighter, typically there is a modern vehicle in the rear for assistance and sometimes spare parts. Jackson is right.
 
700rpm said:
If it is a long distance group tour, like an all-day or overnighter, typically there is a modern vehicle in the rear for assistance and sometimes spare parts. Jackson is right.
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And sometimes a "trouble trailer".
 
In the American Austin Club, NONE of the cars traveling are expected to stop and render assistance. The last vehicle is a modern one with a trailer and tools that stops for assistance and capable of putting the vehicle on the trailer. The local model A clubs seem to be of the opinion that everyone stops, diagnoses and decides next steps before proceeding or repairing on the spot.
 
In the tours I have been on the person who is stopped by the side of the road will indicate if they are OK (able to fix the problem themselves) or need assistance with a thumbs up or thumbs down. If the stopped driver knows they will need a lift from the vulture wagon they will give a thumbs up. Before or after a tour, if someone lifts a hood, there will immediately be a dozen people with their heads in the engine compartment.
 
Back in the spring I went the 2 miles to get gas and it would not start,points with under 50 miles were burned up in a completely rebuilt modern ignition system..Progressive paid the $100 tow bill.I now carry a full tool bag with many parts.
 
Steve, Were the new points original style or modern points? Was the condenser changed at the same time? Chinese origin or domestic? Some additional information might help others avoid the same problem.
 
stevemclark said:
Back in the spring I went the 2 miles to get gas and it would not start,points with under 50 miles were burned up in a completely rebuilt modern ignition system.
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I have seen many problems like this with points made in China. Be sure none of the electrical components come from China.

Chris W.
 
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We’re on our way back from the Mafca tour in New Hampshire . The morning we were leaving one of my West Virginia friends who replaced a starter the day before had a starter bendix bolt lodge at the worst possible location at the pocket of the engine mounts web and bolt holes . Any slight movement locked it in the ring gear.

Fortunately I trailered ( he didnt and was 900 miles from home) and I brought two tall jack stands and enough tools for a rear end or trans job if necessary . He had a v8 synchro trans in it too. I pulled the rear axle and trans back as a unit but the bolt was still pesky. Worst I’ve ever messed with in 40 years. I didnt even think of not doing it and leaving him. Yes it was crazy doing it on sparking lot and what I brought but we finally got it.

It could always be you so you do what you absolutely have to do to get he mission accomplished. A day and a life of a Model A repair guy .
Larry Shepard
Expert Model A Service.
 
Having just read your comments that you encountered in New Hampshire. I must say that you sure a ONE GREAT guy to have on a trip like that, to stay with him and get the car back on the road. I too have been involved with some non-running cars on trips like that, which we would not leave, but never one that had to pull the rear end back!

Was wondering what you thought of the the tour? Anything special that was done?

Several years ago we did one up into Maine but kept moving each day ending in Bar Harbor! Really a wonderful time with no breakdowns amongst the five cars in our group from the Cape, which always make it a Great trip!

Hope you all had a nice drive home!
Take care.
Joe Grobleski
Cape Codder
 
Joe
Thanks for the kind words. You do what you need to do. The good Lord gave me the talent and you have to use it. It was a good tour but I prefer more group involvement and interaction with fellow A folks. The hub tours like that and no real scheduled events didn’t give us much exposure to other folks. The point to point tours in my opinion are much more fun. We missed the Maine tour several years ago but we’re on the Blue ridge parkway tour in 2013 and it was wonderful even throw it had lots of rain. It along with Colorado had been the best so far.
I lead and organize many tours locally for our guys so I’m probably more scrutinizing.

It was great to be out and looking forward to more the remainder of the year.
All the best!
Larry
 
I agree with Larry about not having a lot of interaction with others ( we stayed mostly with our group) but we enjoyed it a lot. The scenery was absolutely beautiful with all the lakes, mountains and covered bridges. We climbed Mt. Washington Wednesday morning about 9:30 in our A's and the temp was 31 degrees with 57 mph wind (chill factor was 14) spitting snow and ice and very foggy. The fog had frozen on all the surfaces but it was refreshing after temps in the 90s. :)
TOB
 
TerryO said:
I agree with Larry about not having a lot of interaction with others ( we stayed mostly with our group) but we enjoyed it a lot. The scenery was absolutely beautiful with all the lakes, mountains and covered bridges. We climbed Mt. Washington Wednesday morning about 9:30 in our A's and the temp was 31 degrees with 57 mph wind (chill factor was 14) spitting snow and ice and very foggy. The fog had frozen on all the surfaces but it was refreshing after temps in the 90s. :)
TOB
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Talk about having brass ones! Wow, I am white-knuckled driving that road with a modern car. As soon as the frost hit the windshield my wife would be hysterical.
 
Terry,
Super kudos for making the trip. A true testament to the ability of you and your car. My wife was skittish this time and we can just didn’t do it between time and touring with our group . I’ve driven up twice before and it is an adventure. I’ve driven my 30 tudor up pikes peak and mt Washington is much more grueling .

Model a folks are the best!!! I always enjoy parking lot time and listening to everyone’s adventures and experiences .
You guys are the best!
Larry
 
It was the last day of a two week tour. Sparks, Nevada to Yellowstone and back.
We were on the last leg of the beautiful drive around Lake Tahoe when the crank broke.
Two lane road... plenty of traffic.
We were very fortunate out traveling mate was not too far ahead.
They turned around and helped get us off the road....and towed to the final stop.
Most thankful for good friends.
Gil. NoCal
 
Somebody travels prepared.
 

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