Help for the newbie
Help for the newbie
Hi folks - I have wanted a ford AA truck for some time. But got the bug bad right now, so thought I should get educated on the years, features, parts and truck pricing, what to look for and look out for when buying, etc. Perhaps there is a thread that is a buyers guide?
I am typically a hands-on DIYer and don't mind a project, rescue effort, and learning. I am a car guy but mostly small cars Datsun, VW, Audi, etc. Have built a 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 but sold that a while back due to gas consumption Heavily addicted to VW diesels, but have aircooled also. Grew up around muscle cars from older brothers too. Now my son is into cars, has a rock crawler Toyota that we have enjoyed building together and we are building a Rabbit diesel for him now.
So as you may see I have no exposure to the Model A or AA, just admired for many years.
I am looking for any advice or pointers to good resources out there that will help educate me. I searched Ford AA truck on amazon and a few books came up but if you have a favorite that is comprehensive lease let me know.
I have also found a potential truck so if you are willing to offer opinions on that PM me and I can send a link to a fair number of pics.
Thanks for your time.
Sean.
I am typically a hands-on DIYer and don't mind a project, rescue effort, and learning. I am a car guy but mostly small cars Datsun, VW, Audi, etc. Have built a 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 but sold that a while back due to gas consumption Heavily addicted to VW diesels, but have aircooled also. Grew up around muscle cars from older brothers too. Now my son is into cars, has a rock crawler Toyota that we have enjoyed building together and we are building a Rabbit diesel for him now.
So as you may see I have no exposure to the Model A or AA, just admired for many years.
I am looking for any advice or pointers to good resources out there that will help educate me. I searched Ford AA truck on amazon and a few books came up but if you have a favorite that is comprehensive lease let me know.
I have also found a potential truck so if you are willing to offer opinions on that PM me and I can send a link to a fair number of pics.
Thanks for your time.
Sean.
- spectria
- Posts: 1874
- Joined: May 15th, 2008, 9:53 pm
- Body Type: Mail Truck, Stakebed
- Model Year: 1931
- Location: Quincy, Ca.
Re: Help for the newbie
Welcome to the Forum, Sean.ofiwo wrote:Hi folks - I have wanted a ford AA truck for some time. But got the bug bad right now, so thought I should get educated on the years, features, parts and truck pricing, what to look for and look out for when buying, etc. Perhaps there is a thread that is a buyers guide?
I am typically a hands-on DIYer and don't mind a project, rescue effort, and learning. I am a car guy but mostly small cars Datsun, VW, Audi, etc. Have built a 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 but sold that a while back due to gas consumption Heavily addicted to VW diesels, but have aircooled also. Grew up around muscle cars from older brothers too. Now my son is into cars, has a rock crawler Toyota that we have enjoyed building together and we are building a Rabbit diesel for him now.
So as you may see I have no exposure to the Model A or AA, just admired for many years.
I am looking for any advice or pointers to good resources out there that will help educate me. I searched Ford AA truck on amazon and a few books came up but if you have a favorite that is comprehensive lease let me know.
I have also found a potential truck so if you are willing to offer opinions on that PM me and I can send a link to a fair number of pics.
Thanks for your time. Sean.
Please post the link to the pics here, it's easier for everyone to jump in.
Dave in Quincy, Ca. I love Pics!!!! Post them All!!!
Join the Ford Model AA Truck Club - membership form at http://www.fmaatc.org
Join the Ford Model AA Truck Club - membership form at http://www.fmaatc.org
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: August 4th, 2014, 12:20 pm
- Body Type: n/a
- Model Year: 1930
- Location: Oakland, ca
Re: Help for the newbie
Hi Sean,
Welcome, if you can work on an air cooled VW, then the Model AA truck should be no big deal, other than everything being English. The mechanics are about as complicated as your Chevy, with the obvious peculiar quirks to the AA design. Just remember everything on an AA is mechanical-no big deal once you figure it out. Also, since the trucks and cars are somewhat the same, you may want to visit the Ford Barn as well for more knowledge.
Mike
Welcome, if you can work on an air cooled VW, then the Model AA truck should be no big deal, other than everything being English. The mechanics are about as complicated as your Chevy, with the obvious peculiar quirks to the AA design. Just remember everything on an AA is mechanical-no big deal once you figure it out. Also, since the trucks and cars are somewhat the same, you may want to visit the Ford Barn as well for more knowledge.
Mike
Re: Help for the newbie
Hi, Sean,
Welcome!
I'm not a real mechanical sort of guy but I've had a lot of fun, learned a lot and generally enjoyed the process of trying to figure out how to keep my truck running.
Two things that really are helping out. I spend time just reading what's been posted on the forums and I got a manual for my truck. The manual's pretty good. By any chance, do you remember "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive"? The manual I have is just as easy to use as that one is.
I'd love to see some pics of your truck! When you get a minute, how about posting some?
-Eric
Welcome!
I'm not a real mechanical sort of guy but I've had a lot of fun, learned a lot and generally enjoyed the process of trying to figure out how to keep my truck running.
Two things that really are helping out. I spend time just reading what's been posted on the forums and I got a manual for my truck. The manual's pretty good. By any chance, do you remember "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive"? The manual I have is just as easy to use as that one is.
I'd love to see some pics of your truck! When you get a minute, how about posting some?
-Eric
-
- Posts: 478
- Joined: June 3rd, 2013, 6:15 pm
- Body Type: 186-B stake
- Model Year: 1931
- Location: LHC Arizona & UP Michigan
Re: Help for the newbie
Also fill out at least some of your "profile", ofiwo. Everyone here should at least give a hint what part of the country you live in. If you are looking to buy anything or looking for help, we want to know where you are.
- Chris Haynes
- Posts: 2203
- Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
- Body Type: 82A
- Model Year: 1930
- Location: Camarillo, CA
Re: Help for the newbie
A Model A is like a 5 year olds jigsaw puzzle. Big pieces that only fit one way.
Re: Help for the newbie
I live in Cool, California - literally though not always cool temps... A small town with one stop sign in the Northern Foothills two small towns over from THE spot of California Gold Discovery, Coloma California. Thanks for the warm and friendly welcome, too!
- spectria
- Posts: 1874
- Joined: May 15th, 2008, 9:53 pm
- Body Type: Mail Truck, Stakebed
- Model Year: 1931
- Location: Quincy, Ca.
Re: Help for the newbie
Who knew there was a town called Cool in NorCal... I'm around the corner...ofiwo wrote:I live in Cool, California - literally though not always cool temps... A small town with one stop sign in the Northern Foothills two small towns over from THE spot of California Gold Discovery, Coloma California. Thanks for the warm and friendly welcome, too!
Dave in Quincy, Ca. I love Pics!!!! Post them All!!!
Join the Ford Model AA Truck Club - membership form at http://www.fmaatc.org
Join the Ford Model AA Truck Club - membership form at http://www.fmaatc.org
- Chris Haynes
- Posts: 2203
- Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
- Body Type: 82A
- Model Year: 1930
- Location: Camarillo, CA
Re: Help for the newbie
Cool is a nice place. Both buildings.
- spectria
- Posts: 1874
- Joined: May 15th, 2008, 9:53 pm
- Body Type: Mail Truck, Stakebed
- Model Year: 1931
- Location: Quincy, Ca.
Re: Help for the newbie
Lol... and the outhouse...Chris Haynes wrote:Cool is a nice place. Both buildings.
Dave in Quincy, Ca. I love Pics!!!! Post them All!!!
Join the Ford Model AA Truck Club - membership form at http://www.fmaatc.org
Join the Ford Model AA Truck Club - membership form at http://www.fmaatc.org
-
- Posts: 1223
- Joined: June 14th, 2007, 7:29 pm
- Body Type: Grainbox
- Model Year: 1929
- Location: Illinois
Re: Help for the newbie
haha i like it to me they feel like a huge model kit with no instructions and missing pieces...Chris Haynes wrote:A Model A is like a 5 year olds jigsaw puzzle. Big pieces that only fit one way.
- Chris Haynes
- Posts: 2203
- Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
- Body Type: 82A
- Model Year: 1930
- Location: Camarillo, CA
Re: Help for the newbie
The Mayor of cool Is also the proprietor of the beauty salon. At least she was a few years ago.
-
- Posts: 108
- Joined: June 18th, 2014, 10:22 pm
- Body Type: express
- Model Year: 1930
- Location: N. Calif.
Re: Help for the newbie
Hi, I live in Grass Valley, CA not too far from you. If you wish to look at trucks, engines, transmissions axles, in pieces or together then stop by (I am not selling anything). I will show you as much information as you can handle. 530-274-7079. The engine is the most expensive item to have rebuilt correctly having babbit bearings. It is not like a small block Chevy or VW, you have to pay for the crank, bearings, rods to be professionally done. A truck stored in a barn for 60 years is a bargain, the trans won't be full of water, the brake drums will not be rusted stuck, the wheel bearings will be OK. Be cautious on an amateur restored truck, the expensive corners are ALWAYS cut, especially the engine work. Anyone on this forum will tell you that nearly any old worn out Model A engine will run OK (temporarily) with rings, piston knurling, valve lapping, bearing shim adjustments, 50 wt and STP. Wire brushing and painting an old engine shiny green is cheap (and evil)! Steve.