Jul 21, 2012
When travelling in a Model A convoy here is the least understood rule of the road. When you have 6 cars lined up at a stop sign, the first car takes off and then 5 seconds later the second car takes off. Remember car #6? He is still sitting at the sign! Five seconds later car 3 takes off and 5 seconds after that #4 takes off. Remember car #6…he’s still stopped at the sign! Now it’s been 5 second and car 5 takes off. Once car #5 departs the sign and car #6 stops and then proceeds, the time between the lead car and the back door is not 5 seconds. It’s almost 30 seconds! The time difference is cumulative. It’s kind of like cracking the whip. If the lead car goes 30 MPH, the distance between car #1 and car #6 is now about ¼ mile. If car #6 goes 60 MPH, it would take 30 seconds to make up the difference. Meanwhile, car #1 has gone another ¼ mile or a total of ½ mile. Car #1 can’t understand why car #6 is so far behind and car #6 can’t understand why car #1 doesn’t slow down.
Now add to the problem…if you should increase your convoy size to 10 or 12 model A’s in one caravan or if you add some traffic, throw in a red light, maybe a light rain, have a few newcomers to convoying and now you have the Convoy Factor times 3. This is when tempers can flare! Be considerate to your other convoy members and pay attention to the movement of your group.
This tech tip was provided by Neil Heiss and was printed in the September 1993 “A” Quail Call.
Jul 14, 2012
This story only pertains to those Model A owners that have chosen to run on a generator. First, if possible, choose a generator cutout made so that the cover is not welded to the base. Your favorite Model A vendor should have such a unit.
Some of you may know how these “critters” work, but it may be a good idea to review a few details. The circuit has a set of points very similar to the ones found in the distributor. Over a long period of time they will carbon up and when this takes place the current that the generator is producing will not pass through them and the result is a burned out generator.
If you select a cutout that does not have the cover welded to the base, you can remove this part and clean the points, and thus, prevent the possibility of a damaged generator. Cleaning will also eliminate the chance of points sticking should the spring be weak.
A tip for an emergency condenser is to buy a good condenser that has a “foot” on it and a “pig tail” about 3” long. Loosen up one of the screws that hold the coil to the firewall, slip the “foot” of the condenser between the coil bracket and firewall and then tighten the screw down again making sure there is good contact between all units. This gives a good ground connection. Leave the “pig tail” hang free for emergency use. Should your condenser located in the “A” distributor burn out, just loosen the coil terminal nut, attach the “pig tail” clip, tighten terminal nut again and be merrily on your way. If you should wish to use this modification, the condenser will serve for years as it is located away from intense heat of the motor. Heat is the worst enemy of the stock Model “A” Ford condenser.
This tech tip was provided by Bill Brex and was printed in the August 1993and November 1962 “A” Quail Call.
Jul 7, 2012
During a restoration of a 1931 Panel Delivery, a situation arose that stumped Dick and his chapter members at the time, as they tried in vain to solve the problem of a discharging AMP meter. After installing a new generator, a cutout, polarizing it and recharging his battery, none of which helped. What was the solution…reversing his wires to the AMP meter.
This tech tip was provided by Dick & Sherry Huff and was printed in the July 1993 “A” Quail Call.
