Doodlebug revival part 2

I posted a few months ago about a Model A Doodlebug I bought in February that was in pretty rough shape (<a href="http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=ttalk&th=1932707">Original post</a>). Here is what it looks like now after several months of work. The engine runs really well after freeing it up and a lot of cleaning and replacing the fiber timing gear. It is running in the pictures. Most of it was assembled with bits and pieces I had on hand. The seat is a bench from a 1950s breakfast nook and was just the right width. We plan on taking it to Canandaigua this coming weekend.

Dan

Neat - there's a group near me that gets together and goes on drives with them. They come to our cider mill once in awhile - it's interesting to look at the mechanics of them
Pete

You are doing a good job. Does this have a two or four blade fan? The two blades are very efficient but develop hair cracks near the hub. If so DO NOT repair, replace. Blade through your hood! Bet that "Bench" seat rides pretty well? Did you put the original type exhaust pipe back on? Looks like a really long cone shape piece of stove pipe. Makes a Very big difference in the sound of a model A. Very distinct note. Little pricey but when you hear it you will agree. There are several of us on here with Model A experience so just ring us up. Have fun at the show and take pictures.

i like it!

The breakfast nook seat looks great.

awesome !!!

Opps. Picture.

It did have a very old two blade fan which I took off. I had an older four blade fan I had picked up years ago that we looked at very carefully for cracks and it seems very solid so that is what we are running now. The bench seat does work well. We installed it with a bit of tilt to the back, then made the cushion from some car seat material, some thick egg crate mattress foam and a plywood bottom. I also had an old (probably repro) cone shape model A muffler in my parts pile as well so we put that on. Whoever positioned the rear axle set it up so the original tail pipe curve that normally goes over the rear radius rod goes over the axle so it fit perfectly. You can just see it in this picture.

I look up a lot of information on the Ford Barn site, but haven't posted anything there. This isn't a 'restoration'!

I think Richard's big fuzzy black dog would approve !

You are right. The Bear would not let you drive that unless he could ride.
Richard

Not a restoration but it sure looks as if you are having a blast! Glad you changed out the airplane blade. They are very desirable but one of my dads friends put a blade through the hood on his Delux Roaster! By the way, that fiber cam gear is there to make the engine run quieter. Less mechanical noise. Did anyone show you how to find TDC ? On the cam gear cover you unscrew that pin and flip it around. Then you gently turn the engine with the crank and that pin "bumps" when you get there. Henry and his engineers did all kinds of neat stuff. Another thought. The gas gauge window in the tank. If it works and doesn't leak leave it alone! They are a real bear to get not to leak. They used white lead or something. Other folk on here know the exact thing but just leave it alone. In your first post I just love the red kit machine. Wish you could buy one. Another thought. Are you rear hubs nice and tight? They are an easy fix with "Beer can shims". You cut a METAL beer can and wrap it around the axle. Then ya slip the hub back on and all fixed. They sell repair kits with the correct gauge of sheet steel precut. The linings on your brakes are the same as used on UNIT cranes spool brakes. There are all sorts of fun things with these cars. Keep us in touch.

Still has that valuable piece of Model A stainless trim.

Yep, did the timing with the pin in the timing gear divot, then used a test light to time the distributor cam. To late on the gas gauge, put a new seal and float kit in last weekend. No leaks so far with half a tank of gas sloshing around, so we will see.. I haven't felt any movement in the rear hubs, they seem tight when you try to shake the wheel. They are the TT Ruckstell hubs so not sure how much they differ from the A. There is always something new to learn about these things. This is good practice before I tackle the slant windshield Fordor.

OK..glad you are having so much fun with your toy. Be careful driving this thing down the road. They get a little twitchy. Want to swap ends. Be sure to wear wrap around saftey glasses. Bugs can really hurt even at 30 mph. You should see how fast a Model A can go with an overdrive unit that was made for them. You should also see the engines that are available for these. They use Chevy inserts and blue print balance the engines with little crescent shape weld on weights. Running 55mph is a breeze with those custom built engines. In the couple of grand range. The original engines did Not have aluminum pistons. People also shave the flywheels. Your engine the crank has a slight tendency to whip in the middle. The shaved flywheel eliminates that whipping. A bit later they made B or C engine. Think it is B. Looks the same on the outside except for the external oil pipe. Much heavier crank and counter balance weights. Far smoother and better response engine. Think it was 1932. My dad put one in his AA dump truck. Sorry for the rambling but these cars are a hoot to play with. Just have fun at the show and take pictures.

That is cool, wish I had one....