mrcvs

From other posts, I had addressed this indirectly, in my search for a better property in which to pursue my hobby. Trouble is, if you want a decent income, you have to live in suburbia. I had visions of living somewhere with lots of garage space, or, better yet, a farm with land and barn space. Trouble is, in suburbia, that's rare and expensive. Only places I could find needed much work, and are prohibitive based on my salary given the repairs that are necessary.

Turns out the 6 volt battery was delivered to Tractor Supply today when I inquired after finding it in line. 700 CCA. The last time my Model A ran it ran fine. Dead battery last year. All fluids changed and full, gas line open, key on, choke adjusted properly and it turns over but won't fire. I listed this Model A for sale. I no longer find this hobby rewarding.

Nope, I'm at the point where I think I want out of this AWFUL and most unrewarding hobby. Not sure why English and math are stressed in high school and not important stuff like getting your car started. I did the right thing and listed the Model A for sale. Last time I ran it it ran fine. Then the battery wouldn't hold a charge. Wasted $100 today on a battery (which should be selling for $35) and put it in. Fresh gas, gas line open, key on, oil is full, as is radiator (not that those get the car going) 700 CCA and it turns over but makes ZERO attempt to fire. If all you old timers have no one to sell your cars to and there's no one to actually buy them...you have no one to blame but yourselves. I hate to lay blame, and ultimately it's myself, but not sure how younger folks can even be interested at all. I had a great interest in this at one time. It's gone! ZERO interest in dealing with the LAST thing that went wrong and you fix that and still it doesn't work.

Wow, $187.99! I know when the Exide battery was purchased Spring of 2014, if I spent half that, it was a lot. Surprisingly, even when you put in 1930 Ford Model A on the Exide site, nothing comes up. Perhaps the Optima is the only currently made 6 volt battery. Any cheaper options come to mind?

Well, that's the huge dilemma! I bought it thinking that I would drive it, especially when my 1917 Maxwell is laid up pending finding parts, which is currently the case. I thought I would buy a farmhouse and barn by now, and have it on my property, but that is much easier said than done, so I rent space in someone else's barn. Not ideal, and removes any spontaneity from driving it, especially when I cannot easily access it sometimes. I find my interests are early cars, the earlier the better! I would buy something pre-1915, this time around. My abilities suggest that I would end up driving something rarely, stuck with pesky repairs that take me an incredible amount of time to resolve. Diagnosing, then obtaining parts, then fixing, then actually getting it to work, can easily eat up months.

In another thread, an Optima battery was recommended. When you select year, make, and model on the site, it doesn't have the right battery available for the Model A. Suggestions? I am replacing an Exide battery. I know I bought it locally in 2014, but where? Tried Wal-Mart as well as AutoZone and Tractor Supply, and no luck.

I need a few days to think about this. In the meantime, what seems like a good price for this to ask? I'm thinking $12,500 but maybe that's high. I've never been crazy about the Fordor body style and that's a motivating factor. Replace it with something I, personally, like. Until a few days ago, I was not even aware the Fordor was remotely popular.

I am posting this in case others need it as it is uncommon and early. The "AK", no doubt, stands for Atwater-Kent. I assume the "19" means this dates from 1919, although originating on a 1917 Maxwell.

I used an emory board.

Where would you get that? The battery I have I replaced 5 yrs ago and I know I got it locally. If you don't get locally, how does exchanging for the core fee work?

Okay here are some photographs. I don't know...up in the air about letting her go. But I don't drive it much. In fact, 25 miles since engine refurbished as club project. Other club members have gone over this car and said its fairly sound except front two quarter panels in lower portions need work. Built 13 October 1930. Ran fine 2 yrs ago. Dead battery last spring. Went to Wal-Mart AutoZone and Tractor Supply to purchase a replacement 6 volt battery this morning to run her today and no luck. Where are you finding batteries today? Interior redone in 1970's I was told.

I'll post some photographs soon. I have no idea what it is even worth these days.

What did you get?

The thread about long distance driving of early automobiles made me think of this. Lately, this hasn't been a problem, however, as both antique cars I own are not running. In any event, 35 to 45 mph is maximum comfortable driving speed. A bit less is more relaxing. 50+ is not possible. What really takes away from the enjoyment of driving these is the impatience of all one's fellow motorists. Tailgating, passing in a no passing zone, being given the finger, nearly run off the road, etc. The rudeness seems to be getting worse! Not to mention no one else realizes early cars have mechanical brakes and can't stop on a dime. ☺

What modern one do you recommend? Also, how do I know if it's LH or RD?

Is the author of "Chasing Grandpa" on this forum? I'd love to discuss this with him. He drove a 1917 Maxwell a few years ago from New Jersey to California. I'm lucky if mine can make it 4 miles to Das Auwscht Fecht!

Thank you!!! Where can I get this? That is, a Delco unit?

I want to drive them, and I actually enjoy working on them. Trouble is, I feel like my cars are lemons. Need to be worked on all the time, rarely run flawlessly. Others seem not to have such problematic cars.

Here is what I need:

Well... I'll admit I'm rather frustrated. I have 2 antique cars that I have driven maybe 300 miles total for both in the nearly 8 years since I bought the first one. I can't drive them if they don't run. I remember first getting the Maxwell and running it 20 miles and had a blast. Then several shorter runs. Then threw a fan blade. Fixed that. Then the awful gas we now have not enabling the carburetor float to work. Dumping gas...and now I think the points. Not much fun...probably will run another 10 miles and it will be something else. I kind of am thinking of just selling both and be done with a hobby that's really no fun. I can't even do that. Easier to sell a car when it actually works. Believe me, I'd love to say what a fun, rewarding hobby. I'm to the point where I think it really sucks. I guess old cars are just unreliable. Or, how do I make mine reliable? I kind of want to just send them to someone and say take this pile of junk and fix it so it actually works.

Wow! Right on both counts! Folks want comfort. This surprises me! I have a 1930 Fordor. Might consider selling as might lose storage space.

I should state that some trepidation could (not saying would) disappear if I didn't work so much. I think being retired and breaking down isn't as bad when you only have this problem as your concern vs breaking down far from home and having to worry about making it to work at 5:30 am the next day.

That is, if given a choice today, what style would most folks prefer? I won't reveal what I heard yesterday but I just about did a backflip. After several responses, I'll reveal what I was told--and why.

I have to give y'all credit. I have two vintage cars, 1930 and before, and, admittedly, it's with great trepidation I wander more than 5 miles from home in either of them. For fear of breaking down or overheating, which has happened, and the inability to be able to get my car home if not running, before the weather breaks, which is of concern in an open touring car. I don't know how to overcome this fear, which has actually been realized. The Model A had a crack in the engine which was there but not evident when I bought it (between 2 cylinders). Fortunately, the car was parked after a trip and wouldn't start at home. Then after this I broke down a mile from home. Turns out a replacement coil was defective. The Maxwell had a Johnson carburetor that dumped gas due to a gas logged cork float that wouldn't float. Replaced with an original A-D carburetor. Success TBD as now no spark which seems to be points and condenser. Have fear of being in the middle of nowhere with no gas as carburetor was dumping it unbeknownst to me. Also a few overheating issues, increasing rpms seem to have resolved. Believe me, I'd love to drive both of these 300 miles and back, but what do you do if you even make it 300 miles and are that far from home and broken down?

1917 Maxwell Model 25 Touring Car