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Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 1:40 pm
by CannonballRally
I did some searches throughout the forum prior to posting this just to be sure. If I missed it then please send me down the right path.

I will be picking up my new truck in the next 4 to 5 weeks and floating it home. Once I get it home I will then have to have it certified - I hope that wont be an issue since there is SFA to it :) - that being said since I will be taking it to a mechanic for this what should I really have looked at whilst it is there?

I suspect it wont be much different then my other cars however outside of ..

a) Change the Oil
b) Check and adjust as required brakes, linkages
c) Do a visual underneath - check hoses, clamps, radiator etc

Is there anything one should be on the look-out for when doing the above. I do have the chart regarding greasing point but am not sure if all of this is truly required.

Thanks David

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 2:04 pm
by Stakebed
Since yours in an AA the front half is pretty much the same as an A but the rear springs are a different animal. go over them closely and hit all the grease zerks.

also dont forget the throwout bearing under its excess plate

also dont forget a drop of oil on the starter, generator, accel linkage, crank hole, and distributor bushings.

Might not be a bad idea to pull all the brake drums and inspect brakes and repack wheel bearings.

Dont forget to grease the U joint housings and check oil levels in rearend and trans as well.

Take it to a mechanic that knows model A's - dont just take it to the local lube place and expect them to know whats up.

also clean and check tightness on every electrical connection since this truck is new to you and do a bulb check.

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 5:43 pm
by 1crosscut
Stakebed has a lot of very good suggestions.
This takes a bit more work, time and expense but it would be a very good idea to drop the oil pan to clean it out and check and adjust the mains and rod bearings. Also opening up the valve chamber and cleaning it out would be good. Might as well check the valve clearances then too. Hopefully you will find adjustable valves. That is unless you have documentation showing that it is a recent rebuild of the engine. Someone saying it was rebuilt without documentation is not something I trust. Too many people consider a new coat of paint a rebuild.

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 6:09 pm
by Bob C
If your going to adjust the brakes I would follow the instructions in the Service Bulletins.

Bob

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 2nd, 2018, 3:56 pm
by KimVanOrder
Lots of GREAT suggestions!!!! :shock: you guys just took all the fun out of it. :( Do the basics, then start in on all the rest. Week by week, that will give you something to do, and look forward to. Oh. write it all down with dates. That way you can evaluate what is good for a longer term and what should be done more often. Of course doing it all every year, would be best. Pick your battles.. And enjoy. ( I need to do mine soon also).

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 2nd, 2018, 5:42 pm
by SHELBY MESSER
Your lube chart is for the Model 'A' . Only from the steering forward applies to your truck :shock: Maybe someone can post a lube chart for your truck, see what happens :) Very nice truck if that is in your space. Shelby, Sacramento

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 2nd, 2018, 9:12 pm
by Chris Haynes
Image

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 5th, 2018, 7:53 pm
by SHELBY MESSER
AA lube chart

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 5th, 2018, 9:02 pm
by SHELBY MESSER
Lube chart for the Motel 'AA'
AAlubepic.jpg
AAlubepic.jpg (159.36 KiB) Viewed 10935 times

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 23rd, 2018, 3:58 am
by CannonballRally
Well the truck is running but the carburetor had to be changed. Float broke off likely got some moisture in it from sitting froze and broke. Regardless getting closer to seeing it running properly. Thanks for the input and charts. Appreciate it.

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 23rd, 2018, 1:52 pm
by Farrell In Vancouver
Neat truck! Any more Photos?

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 24th, 2018, 1:35 am
by Chris Haynes
Your wheels are from a Lincoln.

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 24th, 2018, 3:15 pm
by KimVanOrder
Should the Leaf Springs be lubricated? The leaves that rub together? Just a question for you guys..

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: March 25th, 2018, 1:07 pm
by Chris Haynes
Sometimes you will find a lube fitting on top of the through bolt that holds the springs together. This was not original but I have seen some. Ford dealers had a C Clamp type of tool that would spread the leaves enough to get some grease between the leaves.

Re: Spring Start-Up - What to look for?

Posted: April 3rd, 2018, 2:42 pm
by CannonballRally
<t>I was fortunate to find a fairly local gentleman that has years of experience with these beasts. I now have the truck home and sitting in the barn. Next step is to now sort out the carburetor. I woke up on Friday morning to a puddle of fuel under the carb. I did not know one should always turn off the fuel petcock leading from the tank to the fuel bowl to avoid any type of down pressure leak. Good to know now... <br/>
<br/>
SO decals are off now and I am hoping to get things in and sorted out very quickly. Had certification completed today. All good. Just need some warm weather - calling for snow here tonight.</t>