I was about 4 years old when my dad (1920-1989) who was 37 when I was born.. took me to see his father (1892-1968) who lived in the county seat 15 miles away... This visit I was allowed to explore the small fenced back yard where there was all manner of wonderful things... One of those objects was a huge black behemoth sitting in the center of the yard... I reached up to a silvery handle on a door and it opened.. thus inviting me to mount up the great step on the side and climb into the musty cavern which had a seat waiting for me... Once in I saw that while different it was much like my dad's 1957 Mercury four-door with the push-button auto... There was something about it that fascinated me... It was as if I had known her for a long time and belonged to her... I took hold of the steering wheel and like any boy would.. began to pretend drive to my hearts content... As I turned the giant wheel left to right a rubber skeleton hanging from the rear-view mirror danced merrily... I was in love... Suddenly the door flew open and I heard my dad say.. 'Boy.. get out of there'..! Quickly followed by my grandfather telling him.. 'Oh let him have fun.. he can't hurt it'... I got to sit in her a couple more times after that but then one day we went to visit and I slipped out to the back yard.. she was gone... My grandfather had sold her for $400... How could he..?! The 1929 Model A Ford Coupe that I just told you about was not just my grandfather's daily driver.. it was his only car... His first was a 1923 Model T touring that he raised 11 children in when still on his Tennessee farm... In the 30s he took off the back seat and made a wooden truck box to haul produce to town... I have one rear fender from it and as far as I know nothing else exist... That Model A started a life long love of antique cars most of which have been Model Ts and early Dodge Brothers... Now I am almost twice the age that Model A was when I discovered it... Lately I have been thinking about finding a 1929 Model A but a pickup instead of a coupe... Thank you Paul Shinn for your videos... I started watching just a few weeks ago and have learned so much... Mainly that the Model A was perhaps the best auto ever designed...
The more I watch of these, the more I appreciate how "serviceable" the design of the Model A is. Everything is just so easy to get at, but also everything is design to actually come apart. I've always been interested in a Model A (just need to get a place with a garage before I get one) - learned a ton so far from your videos!
I've had a 31 Deluxe Coupe since I was 9 years old...I am 55 now. It was Gramma and Grampa's "Datin'" car. I remember going to lunch and ice cream in it with Gramma and Grampa but when I got it was the first experience I had ever had with death. They passed away just two days apart, both from heart failure. Anyhow, for the first several years I just wasn't interested even though Dad taught me to drive it and yeah, I did use it for my driver's license test. Then for many years it went from I'm going to restore it to it would make a killer hotrod to apathy and back and forth. I discovered your channel only a couple of months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning. My old coupe is in pretty good shape. Most who see it say it should just be cleaned up and shown as a survivor. It does have original paint, 92 year old mohair and is 100% stock, I'm just not at all into the "patina" thing so I am going to go for a full restoration. With the exception that is of some hop-up goodies that Grampa bought way back when the car was about ten years old. I do have an overdrive unit and various other items for the engine but the cream of the crop is a NOS Frontenac head. I've got me a little gal that calls me Grampa now and I think she needs to go out for lunch and ice cream with Gramma and I.
Excellent! In your grandfather's memory, I'd be tempted to restore it to the point exactly like your grandpa had it when he was driving it. Then, when you pass it on, you are passing on a part of him and you both. If you modify it with the hotrod head and whatnot, then he is gone and it's just you. But, it's obviously your decision. I've just been involved with a LOT of those "my grandpa left me this Model A, what should I do with it" and see the regret every time it got heavy modification away from "as-given".
@@ModelA Yeah, but he bought the parts and wanted to hotrod it...Gramma vetoed that idea! LOL I would never consider going any farther then he wanted to go. It will always be Baby S**T Green with black fenders, black wheels and tan interior. It would forever look bone stock. Like Grampa said, if I would have just done it she would have never known... Gramma didn't drive.
At least we know where you got your sense of humor from. I look forward to the post mortem to know what's going on with this engine. That said, the more I watch, the more I want a Model A pickup.
Model As wouldn't be half as much fun to own if they ran perfect all the time. Half the fun is when they act up and you get to tinker. Maybe not changing out the engine 3 times, per se, but other tinkerings for sure! Haha. Good luck man!
Thank you for the entertainment tonight Paul...I appreciate that your videos show not only the good days but also show when things DON'T turn out as expected. Just earlier today I was thinking of you when I got ready to take my new-to-me 68C for a short ride after obtaining plates and registration from my local DMV office. First I checked fluids and while checking things decided I'd better lubricate the distributor cam as well...I had no idea when the last time the previous owner lubricated things. Off came the distributor cap and rotor, then as soon as I touched the cam with lube the spring on the points broke and went flying off into the grass! My heart immediately sank as I knew I did not have a spare set of points. But then I looked closer and realized this distributor had a later set of Ford V-8 points....so a quick call to our local NAPA resulted in an in-stock part sale (with delivery) and 30 minutes later I had the new points installed and I was driving around the neighborhood. Gotta love the Model A! Such a simple car that can be easily fixed and maintained. While I hope I don't have anything as big as your engine problem to resolve anytime soon, I am comforted to know that nearly everything that may (and probably will) go wrong on my car can be fixed with a reasonable amount of time, effort and money.
Best Model A content anywhere, and a great couple too. God bless you Paul & Tina, really appreciate the time and effort you both put into these videos.
Starting dad’s old model T with hand crank sucked. Especially if it didn’t start 1st or 2nd try. Electric starters were a blessing. Kids today would have just kept riding their horse.😂 If that engine was rebuilt they may have broke a ring. Pull the plugs a check for oil. If just 1 has oil, you can remove the piston and replace broken ring. If all show oil you’ve got a different problem.
Ouch ! Mom said there would be days like this.Love to see Model T get more goodies.New engine,you and your day will make her run great AGAIN.Keep us up on that beautiful cars progress. Thx for your time....Much appreciated.
A model A taking a dump is a bad omen to an average joe. However happening to Paul Shinn is like having it happen to Henry Ford himself couldn't find a better smarter guy for it to happen too. Love your videos. Enjoy them every week as well as model Ts. Thanks a million Paul.
@@ModelA true. But seems like you and Bob get to have some more fun with this engine. Thank God your not the type to say needs a motor let's drop a 427 cobra jet motor six pack in it.
It may be bad form on my part. But it is comforting to see things do not always end well in someone else's shop. Thanks for your inspiration to keep on going.
My dad used to have a Simpson 260 meter just like that! (Watching this on my lunch break. :) It's so helpful to have you show us how to problem solve on a Model A. Thank you Paul!
My father was an auto machinist that would wrench on cars on his off days. I can remember him rebuilding these old engines. He would have to find someone to rebabbit his bearings and all the different things. He also taught the auto machinist class at the Vo-tech in my home town. In his retirement years he built a model A, I think, just to use up some of his spare parts. Love your channel.
Did you ever figure out why the little green coupe smoked? I'm pretty sure you have, but just in case you haven't , I'd like to offer my thought on the matter. As there was no plug fouling, no oily exhaust ports, and the fact that it ran so smooth, my guess is that there was still a lot of oil in the muffler & tailpipe that would have to burn out before the smoking would stop. Disconnecting the exhaust pipe at the manifold would prove that. I rode a many a mile in a 1931 model back in the late 1930's and early 1940's. I would sit between Mom & Dad & shift gears for Dad sometimes. I enjoy your videos, and I've learned a lot about the Model A, details mostly, as I never worked on one, but was an automotive machinist from 1955 until 1966 until I left & went to work in a petrochemical plant, best 11 years of my life. Thanks & keep up the good work, R.C. Russell Bridge City, TX
I can't believe you stayed as calm and collected and, above all, PG when the engine blew up! 😁 That's why I can't make UA-cam videos when I'm fixing my cars, the air turns very blue on occasion. Please make a teardown video of that engine, I'm dying to know what caused it to blow. Maybe it's fixable. Because just throwing engines at it until you find a good, working one could take a a while, better build one yourself that you know is good. These are, after all, not off the shelf items.
Thanks! I have mild autism, and I'm always the same- emotionless. Model T calls me a robot. Never get riled up. The next video is a teardown and investigation. Dad and I built this motor, like we have many others before it. Lots of things can go wrong with a 92 year old block.
So sad to see "Gandolf" take a crap. I know if anyone can get this back on the road, it's you and dad! Model "T" is doing an incredible job on restoring it's finish. I would hope she received a fancy dinner in addition to the Cool tool box, the nifty buffer and a short time supply of buffing compound and wax! We can all learn what caused the issue and marvel in awe as you return this glorious automobile back the road. All the best! Watching this from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Heading back to AZ next Friday. Carry on!
Thanks for showing us the "non-starts" instead of editing them out. Not knowing if the attempt would be successful made it much more realistic to watch, almost like being there in the garage with you. Keep up the great videos!
Hey Paul, I am a relatively new subscriber and want to tell you how much I appreciate the content you put out. I am a retired Mechanical Engineer who kept my old Doges an Chryslers running years. I was interested in Model A's because in 1938 my uncle Ernest Hackel (1920 -2016) drove a 1930 or 1931Model A Deluxe Coupe from Albany NY to LA with my invalid grandmother to visit family. That adventure was a family legend. I have a picture of Ernest in his car but don't know how to share it here.
New subscriber here, thank you for making these ModelA informative videos. I purchased thru estate sale a well used 1929 enclosed cab pickup (very basic model). Spouse and I are currently working on steering gearbox issues and hope to have resolved soon.
Man, I could just bring a lawn chair and watch the goings on. Long time ago I used to hang out at a guys shop and watch him work on Ford Galaxies and Starliners, it was fun. Sometimes I'd even hand him a tool.
The key to torquing down a head is that word. Torque. Tight is tight. Especially on relatively low power situation. A sequence is more about making sure every bolt gets tightened. Unless it’s hot
Thank Paul for keeping it real. This is real life. Things don’t always go perfect. Example= drop the key-way for the waterpump fan under the modern car never to be found again. We think it only happens to us but Reality happens to us all. Well maybe not same. But always enjoy your videos. 👍
Ha ha! The other guys on UA-cam who work on cars make it look like everything always goes their way. I', not a star, just a regular guy, so I show the good and the bad. Even when it means I'm the idiot. Why the heck not? I have no ego to protect.
Ha ha. I was expecting you to hand crank it and it goes Ka-boom! And the engine and hood launch straight up to the Moon. …like a Laurel and Hardy film. 😂. It looks like so much fun. Maybe I can get one next year. I’d have to drive one first, and watch all your videos, especially the ones with the guy from the USS Johnston! I like that guy. You make great videos! 🙂. I’m going to try that polishing technique on my ‘old’ 2001 Tundra.
That sucks that it's blown up!! I have two Ford Model A's and work on small engine machines for a living. I noticed that you were draining the fuel from the carburetor into a gas can. With 10% ethanol fuel these days (might be 15% soon?) this ethanol blend fuel in vented carburetors and fuel tanks will get moisture from the atmosphere and "spoil" it quickly!! I usually drain some fuel into a clean glass mason jar and hold it up to the light. If it is cloudy then it is bad or if it has water in the fuel you will see the separation of the two easily in the clear jar.. luckily you just had a clogged main jet. Model T can still buff the car out in the meantime!!! Nice video!!
I am used to completely disassembling, inspecting, and renewing unknown engines. The parts generally cost much more than my labor and i wind up with a smooth trustworthy mill.
Aloha Paul & Tina, I look forward to Wednesday and Saturdays so I can watch yours and Tina’s videos. Love to see you and Tina together❤️ Looks like black smoke not white like some say, unless I’m color blind😂😂 or the video shows it different. My experience with black smoke is oil rings. There is no blow by and the engine runs smooth so that tells me the compression rings are good. If there’s no emulsion in the oil pan after you ran it then water is not getting into the oil, meaning no crack block or head. These things I know you already know. I’m just thinking out loud. 🤔 I wish I was there to help you and learn from the best. Looking forward to your next video!! Aloha, Malama Pono, Ryne
Hi Ryne, It's raw oil coming out the muffler. There was a puddle of motor oil on the ground and splatters from the muffler. It is as if we poured fresh clean oil on the ground. The smoke was blue. It's the same color as when you inject oil into the manifold of an airplane to make smoke trails. I will be tearing into this motor to figure out what is going on. I did the rings and assembly of this myself, so I know I didn't forget to install them!
@@ModelA I was thinking that the engine was sitting so the oil ring broke. That happened to me. Blue smoke and oil pouring out the exhaust?!? 🤔 Dang that’s a whole different ball game. Please let me know what you find.
Sorry about the Motor - but your video was really helpful to show how to troubleshoot a car that's not starting. I've got a 27 chevy that I can get to turn like you did, but it won't start. I'll follow your troubleshooting sequence and hopefully I can get it to start.
My Dad bought a 1955 Pontiac that hadn't run in 3 years. We got it running and it smoked for 1 month until the rings repeated. It was fine after that. I would give that engine time and if it still smoked then change it out.
Smokin good video !!!! At least Model T can take her time polishing now ……haha The step by step diagnostic with the car right there instead of just an explanation was really good .
WOW, That's a TON Of Smoke right there. Just saw this video 09/19/2024. My best guess is the Rings were Installed Wrong On the Pistons. Or, the this is just toasted, Rings Stuck or something silly.
Tough break! But I’ll be watching for how she gets fixed! Also I recently bought an engine that has an serial number that begins with SOS? There’s no joke here! But there is! It doesn’t have A or AA or anything that I have found known information on…. It starts out SOS….and the numbers. Not that it changes anything for me, but have you heard of that before? It was rebuilt years ago and then run with a piston in backwards…. Underneath the green paint is what looks like fire engine red paint.
Right! It’s different! And it’s a model A engine! And it’s stamped SOS 206366… the second S is even double stamped! Unique!? I’d be willing to send the best picture I can! It’s a puzzle….🧐
Great Looking Coupe Delux !! Pre-internet My older brother bought a 1930 Fordur four door with a Briggs wood framed body. OMG No body framing parts to be found anywhere. But J.C. Whitney still sold some bits for it... ( those days are long gone) Is that a repaint ?/ - 6 Volt systems are a joy :-) Best of Luck !!
As a youngster, Dad would come home from some auction or swap meet with a pile of wheels/tires/tubes. We would mount them and set them off in the corner somewhere to 'ferment'. A day or two, or more later we'd be doing something in the shop and,,,,KABLOOOOEEYY,,,,one of those tires would blow out. Dad would say"well, that one was junk."
Just found your channel. Great videos! Restored a couple of model A in my younger days for a friend unfortunately I have never been able to drive them due to my 6 ft 9 inch frame. Keep up the great videos.
Actually I would love to have the resources they have. Most of the machine shops have closed in my state and the rest do not service engines that old and if somebody has parts the are worth the price of gold.
I love your cars! Can I own a Model A without being a mechanic? I love how starting the car is like starting a Cessna 172 and most legacy general aviation planes!
I had a Cessna 150 a long time ago, you're right! Yes, if you find a good Model A club nearby that is very helpful. No problem! Don't forget- When these were new, most of the buyers were not mechanics either.
Paul , thank you so much for the videos . I would love to see some on rumble seat cushions , trim, just a general video that doesn’t cover alot of the things not easily found . Like how to replace repair and diagnose a constant breaking of the Speedo cable . How do rumble seat cushions attach? How do you know if you have the right ones . How to service shock links ? Just dumb stuff .
My first thought was rings as well. I am wondering if all 4 sets are locked to the piston and just not in contact with the cylinder. I saw a lot of smoke coming out of the engine compartment. By any chance did you have the oil filler cap off? If rings are a no go then a ton of bypass would flow out the oil filler.
Enjoyed the video, that hot dry air in california is tuff on rubber I've had to replace tires on a couple of my vehicles because of dry rot. To bad about that engine well I guess it will probably just provide more video opportunity.
Take your exhaust off and run it. I just figured this out with a willys wagon I'm working on. All the crap previous owner poured in cylinders settled in muffler. Clouds of smoke. Ran great though. Took off exhaust and no smoke. Put on new muffler runs like a champ. Might be your fix might not. Easier than swapping engines. Shouldnt run good if dumping lots of coolant or oil in cylinders.... best of luck
That needs a stronger battery. Model T doing a great job on the polishing. Going to look very nice shade of green. Owner of car must have lots of complete engines lying around. This was interesting but will never know the smoking cause.
Because you would have to remove the distributor to use a straight extension. The tool I used reaches around the distributor. All the good Model A parts suppliers sell them.
New to your channel,have watched a few videos. Am thinking about getting a model t of some kind,I’m not a mechanic. I hear folks say you drive it you fix it something is alway wrong. Starting to have second thoughts. Would I be better off getting help and building something from a kit knowing everything is new? I like your videos will keep watching. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.👍👍watching from Boise
Hey Tony. A Model T requires a lot more tinkering than a Model A, but is a fun toy. If you lack mechanical ability, then it is THAT much more important to get hooked up with a good active club. If not, chances of failure and disappointment are very high.
I see you got your wife a tool box, WOW... So do you have a LIST or Video of the TOOLS in the box? I have too many various tools and want to narrow down the tools to just what I need for the car. Thanks
when you hooked up the Polar jump start unit, you hoked it to something under the left side of the engine, not to the battery!!! What did you hook it to? I always thought you have to pull the floorboard and carpet and other stuff to access the battery for trickle or jump? What can you hook up to on the left side in engine bay to jump it???????
A quick dirty way to check if gas is really getting to the engine is to choke while cranking. After about 5 seconds you should have gas dripping out of the carb intake onto the ground
There's a big stretch between the Model T fans and the Model A fans. Some A fans are just not going to bother with the T's transmission bands, and the limitations of the high and low transmission being able to pull the car, especially on hills. I guess, way back then there were those who saw and drove the A and decided that the T wasn't going to cut it any longer. Of course, 100 years later it's a passion for both groups since neither model has to be a daily driver.
The Model T earns respect in its own right. They say that car put America on wheels, and it really did. The Model A id a lot more drivable in today's traffic.
Well, I'm sorry your having engine trouble with Gandalf. The things that cause the smoking aren't very good, as you know, but with a new engine, hopefully you and your dad can get it running and figure out what happened with the rebuild. Please let us know what you figure out, I am real curious to know what it is. Thanks for sharing, I hope you have a nice weekend, despite the issues with Gandalf's engine. See you next time.
Good video. Sorry about the engine. I have to say that I didn't like the television running in the background. It was a distraction from what you and Tina were working on.
That much smoke from the exaust is indication you have bad rings,bypass if you know what i mean,simply take engine out, take apart engine, inspect internal engine,for other possible problems,
What is one of these going for one of these days? One like this, fixer upper that don't run. I don't ever see them for sale around me, but I'd love to pick one up but I'm not sure what a reasonable price should be.
Will you come back to the current motor and tell us what you find regarding it bad smoking problem?Your lucky you have a spare motor !most of us don’t have that luxury
Wow, you went from cleaning the carb to be worried about CARB!! Ha! No, Mr Officer, I was Not Smoking! I was merely fogging for mosquitoes! See? None around, job completed!
Looks to me that the rings are in backwards or at least the second ring is in upside down acting as a oil pump ( you do know how I know this right ) I can’t remember it’s been about eight years or longer since I did the my model A engine. If the second ring even has a chamfer on the inside of it. The chamfer goes towards the bottom of the piston I think they call it oil control ring or second compression ring. I say this because you said the engine had just been rebuilt and not been started, so this is the first time it’s run since ( or second time with the same results a smoker ) rings could have been marked wrong or just installed wrong ( it happens ) and it does run very smooth. Good running Mosquito fogger of sorts. Not enough O’s in smooth to describe it. 6 one, half a dozen the other. I’d hate to waist a fresh rebuild. So not a numbers matching car A ? You can pull the head and the oil pan and have a piston in your hands 🙌 in less than two hours with the block still in the frame. Sounds good to me but of course I’m in Indiana far far away from those Mosquitoes 🦟. If I were there we’d almost be done with it or at least I’d like to think so. Thanks for showing the problem with the carb it’s funny how the lack of fuel and the lack of electricity ⚡️ ack the same. Until next time. Much regards. Thanks for the video.
a fully charged 6 volt battery is actually 7.2 volts and for the generator to be able to charge that 6 volt battery it need to be capable of producing 8 volts. I never thought I would hear you grind on a starter when it turns so slowly awaiting a miracle, kind of like some of the others who have video shows on UA-cam. The speed it was cranking was too slow to ever start, at about half the speed you would get from using the hand crank.
I've had starters turn that slow before. My aport coupe was like that and still started every time. Then I rebuilt and rewound the starter and it cranks faster.
I was about 4 years old when my dad (1920-1989) who was 37 when I was born.. took me to see his father (1892-1968) who lived in the county seat 15 miles away... This visit I was allowed to explore the small fenced back yard where there was all manner of wonderful things... One of those objects was a huge black behemoth sitting in the center of the yard... I reached up to a silvery handle on a door and it opened.. thus inviting me to mount up the great step on the side and climb into the musty cavern which had a seat waiting for me... Once in I saw that while different it was much like my dad's 1957 Mercury four-door with the push-button auto... There was something about it that fascinated me... It was as if I had known her for a long time and belonged to her... I took hold of the steering wheel and like any boy would.. began to pretend drive to my hearts content... As I turned the giant wheel left to right a rubber skeleton hanging from the rear-view mirror danced merrily... I was in love... Suddenly the door flew open and I heard my dad say.. 'Boy.. get out of there'..! Quickly followed by my grandfather telling him.. 'Oh let him have fun.. he can't hurt it'... I got to sit in her a couple more times after that but then one day we went to visit and I slipped out to the back yard.. she was gone... My grandfather had sold her for $400... How could he..?!
The 1929 Model A Ford Coupe that I just told you about was not just my grandfather's daily driver.. it was his only car... His first was a 1923 Model T touring that he raised 11 children in when still on his Tennessee farm... In the 30s he took off the back seat and made a wooden truck box to haul produce to town... I have one rear fender from it and as far as I know nothing else exist...
That Model A started a life long love of antique cars most of which have been Model Ts and early Dodge Brothers... Now I am almost twice the age that Model A was when I discovered it... Lately I have been thinking about finding a 1929 Model A but a pickup instead of a coupe...
Thank you Paul Shinn for your videos... I started watching just a few weeks ago and have learned so much... Mainly that the Model A was perhaps the best auto ever designed...
Thanks WW CAstle! What a neat memory. So glad you shared it with everyone! I hope you do get a 29 Model A. You won't regret it.
The more I watch of these, the more I appreciate how "serviceable" the design of the Model A is. Everything is just so easy to get at, but also everything is design to actually come apart. I've always been interested in a Model A (just need to get a place with a garage before I get one) - learned a ton so far from your videos!
Thanks Aaron!
I've had a 31 Deluxe Coupe since I was 9 years old...I am 55 now. It was Gramma and Grampa's "Datin'" car. I remember going to lunch and ice cream in it with Gramma and Grampa but when I got it was the first experience I had ever had with death. They passed away just two days apart, both from heart failure. Anyhow, for the first several years I just wasn't interested even though Dad taught me to drive it and yeah, I did use it for my driver's license test. Then for many years it went from I'm going to restore it to it would make a killer hotrod to apathy and back and forth. I discovered your channel only a couple of months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning. My old coupe is in pretty good shape. Most who see it say it should just be cleaned up and shown as a survivor. It does have original paint, 92 year old mohair and is 100% stock, I'm just not at all into the "patina" thing so I am going to go for a full restoration. With the exception that is of some hop-up goodies that Grampa bought way back when the car was about ten years old. I do have an overdrive unit and various other items for the engine but the cream of the crop is a NOS Frontenac head. I've got me a little gal that calls me Grampa now and I think she needs to go out for lunch and ice cream with Gramma and I.
Excellent! In your grandfather's memory, I'd be tempted to restore it to the point exactly like your grandpa had it when he was driving it. Then, when you pass it on, you are passing on a part of him and you both. If you modify it with the hotrod head and whatnot, then he is gone and it's just you. But, it's obviously your decision. I've just been involved with a LOT of those "my grandpa left me this Model A, what should I do with it" and see the regret every time it got heavy modification away from "as-given".
@@ModelA Yeah, but he bought the parts and wanted to hotrod it...Gramma vetoed that idea! LOL I would never consider going any farther then he wanted to go. It will always be Baby S**T Green with black fenders, black wheels and tan interior. It would forever look bone stock. Like Grampa said, if I would have just done it she would have never known... Gramma didn't drive.
At least we know where you got your sense of humor from. I look forward to the post mortem to know what's going on with this engine.
That said, the more I watch, the more I want a Model A pickup.
Get one! You won't regret it
Model As wouldn't be half as much fun to own if they ran perfect all the time. Half the fun is when they act up and you get to tinker.
Maybe not changing out the engine 3 times, per se, but other tinkerings for sure! Haha.
Good luck man!
Thanks HK!
Thank you for the entertainment tonight Paul...I appreciate that your videos show not only the good days but also show when things DON'T turn out as expected. Just earlier today I was thinking of you when I got ready to take my new-to-me 68C for a short ride after obtaining plates and registration from my local DMV office. First I checked fluids and while checking things decided I'd better lubricate the distributor cam as well...I had no idea when the last time the previous owner lubricated things. Off came the distributor cap and rotor, then as soon as I touched the cam with lube the spring on the points broke and went flying off into the grass! My heart immediately sank as I knew I did not have a spare set of points. But then I looked closer and realized this distributor had a later set of Ford V-8 points....so a quick call to our local NAPA resulted in an in-stock part sale (with delivery) and 30 minutes later I had the new points installed and I was driving around the neighborhood. Gotta love the Model A! Such a simple car that can be easily fixed and maintained. While I hope I don't have anything as big as your engine problem to resolve anytime soon, I am comforted to know that nearly everything that may (and probably will) go wrong on my car can be fixed with a reasonable amount of time, effort and money.
Most excellent. Yep, you're right
Best Model A content anywhere, and a great couple too. God bless you Paul & Tina, really appreciate the time and effort you both put into these videos.
Thank you! God bless
Starting dad’s old model T with hand crank sucked. Especially if it didn’t start 1st or 2nd try. Electric starters were a blessing. Kids today would have just kept riding their horse.😂
If that engine was rebuilt they may have broke a ring. Pull the plugs a check for oil. If just 1 has oil, you can remove the piston and replace broken ring. If all show oil you’ve got a different problem.
Ouch ! Mom said there would be days like this.Love to see Model T get more goodies.New engine,you and your day will make her run great AGAIN.Keep us up on that beautiful cars progress. Thx for your time....Much appreciated.
It's a model A not T !
@@jerryparks6123 Thats correct.I was commenting on Paul's wife(Model T) getting more goodies
A model A taking a dump is a bad omen to an average joe. However happening to Paul Shinn is like having it happen to Henry Ford himself couldn't find a better smarter guy for it to happen too. Love your videos. Enjoy them every week as well as model Ts. Thanks a million Paul.
Thanks Scott. Well, it still sucks, right?
@@ModelA true. But seems like you and Bob get to have some more fun with this engine. Thank God your not the type to say needs a motor let's drop a 427 cobra jet motor six pack in it.
It may be bad form on my part. But it is comforting to see things do not always end well in someone else's shop. Thanks for your inspiration to keep on going.
That's real life, man! Thanks, Phil.
My dad used to have a Simpson 260 meter just like that! (Watching this on my lunch break. :) It's so helpful to have you show us how to problem solve on a Model A. Thank you Paul!
Thanks QSG!! I have 3 or 4 of these meters. I love them. I grab a Simpson before I grab the Fluke almost every time.
My dad always used a Simpson 260. I been using them for yrs..
@@lindamackwer4082 You rock!!!
My father was an auto machinist that would wrench on cars on his off days. I can remember him rebuilding these old engines. He would have to find someone to rebabbit his bearings and all the different things. He also taught the auto machinist class at the Vo-tech in my home town. In his retirement years he built a model A, I think, just to use up some of his spare parts. Love your channel.
Thanks Leslie!
Did you ever figure out why the little green coupe smoked? I'm pretty sure you have, but just in case you haven't , I'd like to offer my thought on the matter. As there was no plug fouling, no oily exhaust ports, and the fact that it ran so smooth, my guess is that there was still a lot of oil in the muffler & tailpipe that would have to burn out before the smoking would stop. Disconnecting the exhaust pipe at the manifold would prove that. I rode a many a mile in a 1931 model back in the late 1930's and early 1940's. I would sit between Mom & Dad & shift gears for Dad sometimes. I enjoy your videos, and I've learned a lot about the Model A, details mostly, as I never worked on one, but was an automotive machinist from 1955 until 1966 until I left & went to work in a petrochemical plant, best 11 years of my life. Thanks & keep up the good work, R.C. Russell Bridge City, TX
Wow! That does run smooth. I'm looking forward to finding out what the issue is.
You and me both!
I can't believe you stayed as calm and collected and, above all, PG when the engine blew up! 😁
That's why I can't make UA-cam videos when I'm fixing my cars, the air turns very blue on occasion.
Please make a teardown video of that engine, I'm dying to know what caused it to blow. Maybe it's fixable. Because just throwing engines at it until you find a good, working one could take a a while, better build one yourself that you know is good. These are, after all, not off the shelf items.
Thanks! I have mild autism, and I'm always the same- emotionless. Model T calls me a robot. Never get riled up. The next video is a teardown and investigation. Dad and I built this motor, like we have many others before it. Lots of things can go wrong with a 92 year old block.
So sad to see "Gandolf" take a crap. I know if anyone can get this back on the road, it's you and dad! Model "T" is doing an incredible job on restoring it's finish. I would hope she received a fancy dinner in addition to the Cool tool box, the nifty buffer and a short time supply of buffing compound and wax! We can all learn what caused the issue and marvel in awe as you return this glorious automobile back the road. All the best! Watching this from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Heading back to AZ next Friday. Carry on!
Hey Eloso!! This car is beating me up, wey! We will figure out what is wrong and make it right, or die trying.
@@ModelA Muy buen! Tranquillo.(Very good. Don't stress) Enjoying some time with my wifes family. Always a good thing. Haven't seen a Model A yet!
Thanks for showing us the "non-starts" instead of editing them out. Not knowing if the attempt would be successful made it much more realistic to watch, almost like being there in the garage with you. Keep up the great videos!
Thanks Brian. I'm just a regular guy, so I share everything, even the failures.
I wish we were neighbors. Love both of your channels and you make my Saturdays and Wednesdays. God bless.
You'd hate being my neighbor. God bless
Enjoyed hearing the Derek (Vice Grip Garage) - like comments ie. "Bring the thunder"
Hey Paul, I am a relatively new subscriber and want to tell you how much I appreciate the content you put out. I am a retired Mechanical Engineer who kept my old Doges an Chryslers running years. I was interested in Model A's because in 1938 my uncle Ernest Hackel (1920 -2016) drove a 1930 or 1931Model A Deluxe Coupe from Albany NY to LA with my invalid grandmother to visit family. That adventure was a family legend. I have a picture of Ernest in his car but don't know how to share it here.
Hey Jim. Neat family story!! Feel free to email the picture if you have it in digital form or can scan it.
Love your channel. I see you have 2 antique radios to the left. I am with you collecting cars, and old radios etc.
Hey Brian! I have been restoring antique radios since I was 7. Have restored thousands of them.
Another great video Paul! Sorry about that engine! Will we find out in the follow-up what went wrong with it? Best of luck!
Yes indeed! Filming as we speak.
You are just going through, step by step, exactly what I'll need to do when I pickup my first Model A. Thanks for these videos :)
Glad to help!
New subscriber here, thank you for making these ModelA informative videos. I purchased thru estate sale
a well used 1929 enclosed cab pickup (very basic model). Spouse and I are currently working on steering
gearbox issues and hope to have resolved soon.
Excellent! Welcome aboard!
Man, I could just bring a lawn chair and watch the goings on. Long time ago I used to hang out at a guys shop and watch him work on Ford Galaxies and Starliners, it was fun. Sometimes I'd even hand him a tool.
You'd get pretty bored at my shop
In Germany, we call these engines "Oil Pumps" xD
The paint is turning out wonderfully though!
A car that looks pretty but doesn't run is called...... A museum exhibit
The key to torquing down a head is that word. Torque. Tight is tight. Especially on relatively low power situation. A sequence is more about making sure every bolt gets tightened. Unless it’s hot
Thank Paul for keeping it real.
This is real life. Things don’t always go perfect.
Example= drop the key-way for the waterpump fan under the modern car never to be found again. We think it only happens to us but Reality happens to us all. Well maybe not same. But always enjoy your videos. 👍
Ha ha! The other guys on UA-cam who work on cars make it look like everything always goes their way. I', not a star, just a regular guy, so I show the good and the bad. Even when it means I'm the idiot. Why the heck not? I have no ego to protect.
@@ModelA
I with you. We learn from our mistakes. I had my share. Thank you again. Keep the videos coming. 👍
Nice to see you looking better Paul😎💪🏼……changing the wheel is always challenging ……keep up the good work🤩
Thanks Colin
Most fuel problems are electrical (but not this time). Love your channel.
Ha ha. I was expecting you to hand crank it and it goes Ka-boom! And the engine and hood launch straight up to the Moon. …like a Laurel and Hardy film. 😂. It looks like so much fun. Maybe I can get one next year. I’d have to drive one first, and watch all your videos, especially the ones with the guy from the USS Johnston! I like that guy. You make great videos! 🙂. I’m going to try that polishing technique on my ‘old’ 2001 Tundra.
Torquing back-to-front is what Terry Burtz is now recommending in the latest version of the builder's guide.
Yea, I saw that too. My pal who builds Formula1 and drag racing engines says the same.
That sucks that it's blown up!! I have two Ford Model A's and work on small engine machines for a living. I noticed that you were draining the fuel from the carburetor into a gas can. With 10% ethanol fuel these days (might be 15% soon?) this ethanol blend fuel in vented carburetors and fuel tanks will get moisture from the atmosphere and "spoil" it quickly!! I usually drain some fuel into a clean glass mason jar and hold it up to the light. If it is cloudy then it is bad or if it has water in the fuel you will see the separation of the two easily in the clear jar.. luckily you just had a clogged main jet. Model T can still buff the car out in the meantime!!! Nice video!!
Thanks JT!
I am used to completely disassembling, inspecting, and renewing unknown engines. The parts generally cost much more than my labor and i wind up with a smooth trustworthy mill.
Excellent troubleshooting video. Amazed you keep your patience so well.
Glad you enjoyed it Dave. I have mild autism, one of the traits is no emotions. Therefore, no moods or moodswings or temper.
What's a little smoke ??? Thanks for really doing a video on how to start the Model A and the check list you go through to find the problem!
Aloha Paul & Tina,
I look forward to Wednesday and Saturdays so I can watch yours and Tina’s videos.
Love to see you and Tina together❤️
Looks like black smoke not white like some say, unless I’m color blind😂😂 or the video shows it different.
My experience with black smoke is oil rings. There is no blow by and the engine runs smooth so that tells me the compression rings are good.
If there’s no emulsion in the oil pan after you ran it then water is not getting into the oil, meaning no crack block or head.
These things I know you already know. I’m just thinking out loud. 🤔
I wish I was there to help you and learn from the best.
Looking forward to your next video!!
Aloha, Malama Pono,
Ryne
Hi Ryne,
It's raw oil coming out the muffler. There was a puddle of motor oil on the ground and splatters from the muffler. It is as if we poured fresh clean oil on the ground. The smoke was blue. It's the same color as when you inject oil into the manifold of an airplane to make smoke trails.
I will be tearing into this motor to figure out what is going on. I did the rings and assembly of this myself, so I know I didn't forget to install them!
@@ModelA I was thinking that the engine was sitting so the oil ring broke. That happened to me.
Blue smoke and oil pouring out the exhaust?!? 🤔
Dang that’s a whole different ball game.
Please let me know what you find.
It will be a video
@@ModelA looking forward to it!!
Sorry about the Motor - but your video was really helpful to show how to troubleshoot a car that's not starting. I've got a 27 chevy that I can get to turn like you did, but it won't start. I'll follow your troubleshooting sequence and hopefully I can get it to start.
Good luck!
My Dad bought a 1955 Pontiac that hadn't run in 3 years. We got it running and it smoked for 1 month until the rings repeated. It was fine after that. I would give that engine time and if it still smoked then change it out.
Smokin good video !!!!
At least Model T can take her time polishing now ……haha
The step by step diagnostic with the car right there instead of just an explanation was really good .
Thanks Eugene! I will probably have to finish the polishing though. Model T already lost interest in it.
@@ModelA well palm polishers can work pretty good on sore shoulders and legs with light pressure ( reduce-reuse-recycle )
Happy Birthday Miss Tina😊🇺🇸.
WOW, That's a TON Of Smoke right there. Just saw this video 09/19/2024. My best guess is the Rings were Installed Wrong On the Pistons. Or, the this is just toasted, Rings Stuck or something silly.
Looking forward to meeting you and Tina in Kerrville. Have a safe trip! Jim and Rene’.
Thanks! You too!
Happy belated birthday Model T!
Thanks Justin!
Just found your channel. Those old fords were great, fun to drive. Very familiar with Valley Springs. Played a lot of golf at LaContenta.
Very cool!
I put coolant wafers from napa when I re fill my cars / trucks and water pump lubricant it helps with weak head gaskets etc .
A great video showing how much patience you showed in waking Gandalf and then realize there was a major problem.🤢🤢
I'm autistic. I am always the same. Never get wound up.
Tough break! But I’ll be watching for how she gets fixed! Also I recently bought an engine that has an serial number that begins with SOS? There’s no joke here! But there is! It doesn’t have A or AA or anything that I have found known information on…. It starts out SOS….and the numbers. Not that it changes anything for me, but have you heard of that before? It was rebuilt years ago and then run with a piston in backwards…. Underneath the green paint is what looks like fire engine red paint.
Never seen that before. SOS might mean "sauce", as in, the builder got drunk and put a piston in backwards.
Right! It’s different! And it’s a model A engine! And it’s stamped SOS 206366… the second S is even double stamped! Unique!? I’d be willing to send the best picture I can! It’s a puzzle….🧐
Simpson 260 roll top ,had mine for 50 years all I want now in a model A
They are great, aren't they?
Great Looking Coupe Delux !! Pre-internet My older brother bought a 1930 Fordur four door with a Briggs wood framed body. OMG No body framing parts to be found anywhere. But J.C. Whitney still sold some bits for it... ( those days are long gone)
Is that a repaint ?/ - 6 Volt systems are a joy :-)
Best of Luck !!
Thanks! I think it was repainted at least once. Whoever prepped and painted the fenders was drunk.
As a youngster, Dad would come home from some auction or swap meet with a pile of wheels/tires/tubes. We would mount them and set them off in the corner somewhere to 'ferment'. A day or two, or more later we'd be doing something in the shop and,,,,KABLOOOOEEYY,,,,one of those tires would blow out. Dad would say"well, that one was junk."
HAHAAHAAAA!!! Sadly, my dad does almost the same thing. Still.
Just found your channel. Great videos! Restored a couple of model A in my younger days for a friend unfortunately I have never been able to drive them due to my 6 ft 9 inch frame. Keep up the great videos.
I bet a lot of people call you "sir"!!
Actually I would love to have the resources they have. Most of the machine shops have closed in my state and the rest do not service engines that old and if somebody has parts the are worth the price of gold.
I love your cars! Can I own a Model A without being a mechanic? I love how starting the car is like starting a Cessna 172 and most legacy general aviation planes!
I had a Cessna 150 a long time ago, you're right! Yes, if you find a good Model A club nearby that is very helpful. No problem! Don't forget- When these were new, most of the buyers were not mechanics either.
Paul , thank you so much for the videos . I would love to see some on rumble seat cushions , trim, just a general video that doesn’t cover alot of the things not easily found . Like how to replace repair and diagnose a constant breaking of the Speedo cable . How do rumble seat cushions attach? How do you know if you have the right ones . How to service shock links ? Just dumb stuff .
OK, thanks for the ideas! Eventually, I'll be able to cover everything
A Simpson analog multimeter-I haven't seen/used one since the mid-late '80's!
I see them every day!
My first thought was rings as well. I am wondering if all 4 sets are locked to the piston and just not in contact with the cylinder. I saw a lot of smoke coming out of the engine compartment. By any chance did you have the oil filler cap off? If rings are a no go then a ton of bypass would flow out the oil filler.
Filler cap was on. No blowby coming from filler. Spark plugs are clean, no oil. I think it's happening after the cylinders.
I'm a new subscriber. And like me I think you probably got a lot of subscribers through vice grip garage. 👍👍👍😁
I picked up close to a thousand from Derek. What a great feller!
Great trouble shooting video. I am Getting excited about buying a Model A. Like to find 31 Pickup…. I use a wheel chair so need way to haul a chair.
Always entertaining and educational.
Thanks!
Enjoyed the video, that hot dry air in california is tuff on rubber I've had to replace tires on a couple of my vehicles because of dry rot. To bad about that engine well I guess it will probably just provide more video opportunity.
As the pro youtubers say, "More content!"
Good luck! I really enjoy both your channels!
Thank you Steve!
Take your exhaust off and run it. I just figured this out with a willys wagon I'm working on. All the crap previous owner poured in cylinders settled in muffler. Clouds of smoke. Ran great though. Took off exhaust and no smoke. Put on new muffler runs like a champ. Might be your fix might not. Easier than swapping engines. Shouldnt run good if dumping lots of coolant or oil in cylinders.... best of luck
I did that. Great minds think alike! Next video...
I got quite chuckle watching T Model give Gandolf CPR! You may have to change the name of your Channel to Model A Rescues by Model T.
The Amateur!
I can't afford that much "coffee in a can"!
Here from the Vise Grip Garage channel!
Welcome! Wrenching revival video next week!
That needs a stronger battery. Model T doing a great job on the polishing. Going to look very nice shade of green. Owner of car must have lots of complete engines lying around. This was interesting but will never know the smoking cause.
In the next video on this car, we will find out! Maybe..
10:54 you know her Dad isn't going to believe you had car trouble.
Hahahahaaa!!!!
Just awesome love the model A
Thank you for sharing
Just 'cause the engine doesn't run shouln't stop model T from her project of bringing back that fine color.
You're right. But I think she lost interest.
On a old engine i worked on the oil pressure relief was stuck and it did the same thing smoked like crazy, filled the exhaust with oil
If this was a pressure oil system, I would suspect that also.
8:08.karate kid!!😂😂
Paul why would you use not a straight extension socket on the head gasket??
Because you would have to remove the distributor to use a straight extension. The tool I used reaches around the distributor. All the good Model A parts suppliers sell them.
New to your channel,have watched a few videos. Am thinking about getting a model t of some kind,I’m not a mechanic. I hear folks say you drive it you fix it something is alway wrong. Starting to have second thoughts. Would I be better off getting help and building something from a kit knowing everything is new? I like your videos will keep watching. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.👍👍watching from Boise
Hey Tony. A Model T requires a lot more tinkering than a Model A, but is a fun toy. If you lack mechanical ability, then it is THAT much more important to get hooked up with a good active club. If not, chances of failure and disappointment are very high.
I see you got your wife a tool box, WOW... So do you have a LIST or Video of the TOOLS in the box? I have too many various tools and want to narrow down the tools to just what I need for the car. Thanks
when you hooked up the Polar jump start unit, you hoked it to something under the left side of the engine, not to the battery!!! What did you hook it to? I always thought you have to pull the floorboard and carpet and other stuff to access the battery for trickle or jump? What can you hook up to on the left side in engine bay to jump it???????
The battery cable where it connects to the starter switch.
A quick dirty way to check if gas is really getting to the engine is to choke while cranking. After about 5 seconds you should have gas dripping out of the carb intake onto the ground
This car has engine pans. That creates a safety problem.
There's a big stretch between the Model T fans and the Model A fans. Some A fans are just not going to bother with the T's transmission bands, and the limitations of the high and low transmission being able to pull the car, especially on hills. I guess, way back then there were those who saw and drove the A and decided that the T wasn't going to cut it any longer. Of course, 100 years later it's a passion for both groups since neither model has to be a daily driver.
The Model T earns respect in its own right. They say that car put America on wheels, and it really did. The Model A id a lot more drivable in today's traffic.
Did your dad tell you Never ever give your wife electric tools .lol
HAA!!
RATS PAUL. Happy birthday Tina. and Mothers day.
Thanks OJ!
Well, I'm sorry your having engine trouble with Gandalf. The things that cause the smoking aren't very good, as you know, but with a new engine, hopefully you and your dad can get it running and figure out what happened with the rebuild. Please let us know what you figure out, I am real curious to know what it is. Thanks for sharing, I hope you have a nice weekend, despite the issues with Gandalf's engine. See you next time.
The next video on this car will be me figuring out what went wrong. Or dying trying.
Good luck 🤞
Good video. Sorry about the engine. I have to say that I didn't like the television running in the background. It was a distraction from what you and Tina were working on.
A small piece of tape on the screen would fix that. We were watching "Extreme Trucking" on the TV.
¡Bien por tu mujer!. Buen complemento...
Gracias!
Nice job Paul
Thanks John. I can ruin ANYTHING!!!
I hope you tear down that motor Paul .. curious about the smoke, especially on a supposedly fresh one!
Next video...
You have temporarily removed all of the mosquitos from your neighborhood!
Ha ha!! Yes.
That much smoke from the exaust is indication you have bad rings,bypass if you know what i mean,simply take engine out, take apart engine, inspect internal engine,for other possible problems,
Watch today's video for the answer. Hint- It wasn't rings
What is one of these going for one of these days? One like this, fixer upper that don't run. I don't ever see them for sale around me, but I'd love to pick one up but I'm not sure what a reasonable price should be.
All over the place. This might help- ua-cam.com/video/zWzHRJ7UFkQ/v-deo.html
Will you come back to the current motor and tell us what you find regarding it bad smoking problem?Your lucky you have a spare motor !most of us don’t have that luxury
I'm in the process of taking it apart still in the car to see if I can figure out what went wrong. A future video.
Wow, you went from cleaning the carb to be worried about CARB!! Ha! No, Mr Officer, I was Not Smoking! I was merely fogging for mosquitoes! See? None around, job completed!
I know, right??!!!
Usually this would indicate, either a bad piston ring pack or perhaps even a valve seal.
The spark plugs look clean and new. No oil on them. It's happening after the cylinders.
no seals on model a valve guides (split guides)
@@ModelA Ahh I see.
oh no!!! well..... I firmly believe the car is in good hands and will get sorted. Curious question: Tina likes coffee, what dose Paul like to drink?
Water. An occasional RC Cola.
Looks to me that the rings are in backwards or at least the second ring is in upside down acting as a oil pump ( you do know how I know this right ) I can’t remember it’s been about eight years or longer since I did the my model A engine. If the second ring even has a chamfer on the inside of it. The chamfer goes towards the bottom of the piston I think they call it oil control ring or second compression ring. I say this because you said the engine had just been rebuilt and not been started, so this is the first time it’s run since ( or second time with the same results a smoker ) rings could have been marked wrong or just installed wrong ( it happens ) and it does run very smooth. Good running Mosquito fogger of sorts. Not enough O’s in smooth to describe it. 6 one, half a dozen the other. I’d hate to waist a fresh rebuild. So not a numbers matching car A ? You can pull the head and the oil pan and have a piston in your hands 🙌 in less than two hours with the block still in the frame. Sounds good to me but of course I’m in Indiana far far away from those Mosquitoes 🦟. If I were there we’d almost be done with it or at least I’d like to think so. Thanks for showing the problem with the carb it’s funny how the lack of fuel and the lack of electricity ⚡️ ack the same. Until next time. Much regards. Thanks for the video.
The plugs look perfect and no oil in cylinders. I think I put the rings on properly. But I am not perfect, you never know.
Hi Paul, what should the tire pressure be on an A-Ford. I have mine set to 3 bar. but don't know if that is correct. I like to hear it. Regards Fred
The correct pressure should be stamped on the sidewall of the tires. Typically at or near 35 pounds per square inch.
@@ModelA Hi Paul Thank you. i thought it was too much. thank you. Regards Fred
a fully charged 6 volt battery is actually 7.2 volts and for the generator to be able to charge that 6 volt battery it need to be capable of producing 8 volts. I never thought I would hear you grind on a starter when it turns so slowly awaiting a miracle, kind of like some of the others who have video shows on UA-cam. The speed it was cranking was too slow to ever start, at about half the speed you would get from using the hand crank.
I've had starters turn that slow before. My aport coupe was like that and still started every time. Then I rebuilt and rewound the starter and it cranks faster.
Thanks!
Thank you SO much, Martin!!
Opinion on those washers that take up space under the lug nut in the event of the lugs bottoming out before being properly tightened?
They cause more wheels to come off unexpectedly than anything else known to man.
Paul are you sure it is oil and not water vapor?
I had a bad head gasket that produced white smoke in an old Datsun I once owned.
It's oil. There was a puddle of oil on the ground from the tailpipe and it splattered all over my concrete.
Hi where can I buy the angled wrench. That you have attached to the tourque wrench. Does it have a name? Thanks
It is a Model A tool available from all the Model A parts vendors.