444 replies to this topic

[Zippity]

A narrative with a slight southern tipsy slur could make for some interesting reading...

[Rob Voska]

They do set both camber and caster in the old straight axles, but it was rare. Find an old service book. They twisted and bent them into shape! You should see the mid-evil looking tools they use!

[MattD]

All the straight axles had the correct camber and caster forged into them when new. If they got adjusted  after assembly, it would have probably been at a blacksmith shop! There were talented guys back in the day (1950's) that converted the old axles to dropped axles, lowering the car. They drilled a lot of them to lighten the axle. That was in the days before mailorder street rod parts.  
 
Wobbling and a loose feeling on a bumps can be caused (usually) by king pins a little worn. In extreme cases they wobble so bad you have to pretty much stop the car and than start up again. I had one Model a friend that had five-six cars and never fixed or spent more than necessary to keep them running. He had a roadster so bad that if he hit any bumps while out on a tour, he would have to stop his car to quit the shaking!
 
One thing I can tell you about the Model A front axle is if a dog chases your car and gets in front, that axle will kill him immediately if it hits his head! Ask me how I know!

[Cheater]

How's the water pump now?

Seems to be doing well. I had to tighten the packing nut a couple of times as the packing seated, but it wasn't leaking at all when we stopped for the night,
 

A narrative with a slight southern tipsy slur could make for some interesting reading...

If you could understand it... LOL!

[Bill from NH]

With no ignition lock, how do you disable the car at night so it doesn't grow legs and walk off?

My Datsun 280Z had 3" wire clip that when pulled would kill all the electronic circuits. 

[Jairus]

Best report so far Greg, both for photos, content, and performance.

Love eastern Oregon!  Land of big sky.

That "through the windshield" shot should be your header picture for Facebook!

[Champion 507]

Big fat ditto to Jairus' post above. The "through the windshield" views are my favorites as I have always treasured my time behind the steering wheel of a Model A. There's something about seeing the road and world ahead of you as you view past the narrowing hood, radiator ornament and the back of the left headlight. Makes me want to be there with you. Thanks for the pics!
 
Glad the water pump is good now. 
 
Keep those points adjusted for max MPG!
 
BTW, the bumper on the modern white car is from a 1928-29 Model A.

[Pablo]

Triple dittos, fantastic photos - great narrative - makes me feel like I am there - three thumbs up.

[Cheater]

With no ignition lock, how do you disable the car at night so it doesn't grow legs and walk off?

 
Bill, the car does have a key, so they'd have to hot wire it.

But it also has a fuel shutoff and no one but a Model A guy would know that.
 

That "through the windshield" shot should be your header picture for Facebook!

 
Great suggestion, Jairus. I'll try to make that happen tonight at the hotel.
 

Glad the water pump is good now. 
 
Keep those points adjusted for max MPG!

We're stopped at Burley, ID, for gas and lunch, and the pump seal was leaking again, but a turn or two tighter fixed it right up. Hit the grease nipple with a couple of pumps from the grease gun as well. Still have two new packings, if needed, so the problem is just a minor annoyance now.

I've been adjusting the points by guess, as the car didn't come with a hand crank so I can't turn the motor to position the dust cam precisely. Haven't been able to bump the starter to set it on the cam either.

Will you query your A guys to see if anyone has a crank they'll bring when we get to you? If anyone has a spare to sell me, I'm a buyer if the price is right.

Just computed the gas mileage from the 115.5 mile run to Burley - 15.7 MPG. I can live with that!

[James Wendel]

You can turn the distributor cam by putting the car in top gear (engine off) and rocking it forward.

[Zippity]

 - four thumbs up.

 

Maths wasn't your best subject, eh?

 

I can only count 3

[Champion 507]

"Will you query your A guys to see if anyone has a crank they'll bring when we get to you? If anyone has a spare to sell me, I'm a buyer if the price is right".

 
I'm on it boss!

[RodneyZ]

You know if you go I-86 to Pocatello drop down a little on I-15 catch 30 to Soda Springs then down to Montpelier to Kemmerer then to I-80 save a lot of miles and pulls on hills.

[DPmax]

Are you able to record some video while driving?

Would be great to see some wonderful scenery through the windshield while hearing that Model A "purring" along.

 

As other have said, the end of day 3 post is the best so far!

Love the pictures and story.

[Jairus]

I am starting to get worried. Been dark here for over an hour and no confirmation they arrived in Ogden.  

[Cheater]

That's because we went all the way to Evanston, WY, and arrived a few minutes after dark.

Then we rushed off to eat at the same restaurant where we ate here last Wednesday night, as they close at 8 PM.

James, your trick to get the dist cam positioned worked a treat!

[Jairus]

And there was much rejoicing! 

[Champion 507]

Whew!

[Cheater]

I'll say this - a 340 mile day is a real butt-number. Dunno if we'll do that again...

[Phil Hackett]

Greg, seeing as you are returning through some of the same roads you used to go to Oregon, are you getting a different perspective of the landscape driving at a slower speed or are you too busy driving?

 

You'll have to say there's a lot of no people out west, right?

[Pappy]

I'll say this - a 340 mile day is a real butt-number. Dunno if we'll do that again...

Just as long as you get home by Monday afternoon so I can win the pool.   
 
Don't let me down, Greg, pedal to the metal.

[MantaRay]

Thanks for the great "Third Day" pics.

[Samiam]

Pretty sure it's: "Foot to the wood" Jim.

 

I'm giving him some more time to enjoy the scenery. But will most likely go with Pablo's plan on making a donation no matter when he pulls up to the Ponderosa.

[Cheater]

Greg, seeing as you are returning through some of the same roads you used to go to Oregon, are you getting a different perspective of the landscape driving at a slower speed or are you too busy driving?
 
You'll have to say there's a lot of no people out west, right?

Phil, so far we have only retraced about half of the outbound route. That percentage will increase over the next couple of days.

We went to the car via the Columbia River Gorge, which is along the border between Oregon and Washington. We left Jairus' place in Salem going southeast on a two-lane state route to avoid the steeper mountain climbs we'd be facing in the eastern part of the state if we returned the same way. When we go into Idaho, we got back on I-84, which goes south toward Salt Lake City then skirts it to the east before getting on I-80 which goes across Wyoming and into Kansas, I think. About halfway across Kansas, we'll head south to Oklahoma to meet up with Doug Azary.

I have been noticing that most of the western states have about half as much population as the city of Atlanta, but the traffic on the interstates in still pretty heavy, most of it big trucks.

At half the speed of the outbound rip, I am able to see a bit more of the scenery. It's pretty spectacular.

OK, off to crop and tweak yesterday's pics and to do the trip report.

[Cheater]

Just as long as you get home by Monday afternoon so I can win the pool.

Not a chance, Butch... LOL!