[AT] History Exam

[CEE VILL]

Rick,

Back in that day, the spark advance was not automatic as we know it.  In 
order to prevent kickback while starting, either by crank or by starter, the 
spark had to be put in a retarded position.  After the motor was running, 
the spark needed to be advanced as necessary to obtain proper power at 
running R.P.M., just as with many of our older tractors. In addition to 
that, on the model A ford at least, the choke lever was on the far right 
side of the cab so the rod could go directly to the carb on the right side 
of the engine.  The driver had to reach across and hold the choke pulled 
because it would return by spring load when you let go.  The plot thickens.  
Along with that, the choke also included a carburetor adjustment.  To keep 
the thing running when cold, you could rotate the choke lever to richen the 
mixture.  After some warm up the lever knob would be rotated back to the 
closed position for normal running conditions.  When I was a kid, these 
things were considered driving 101.  The words automatic and computer were 
not in the vocabulary.

Charlie in WNY


>From: "Rick Cook" <cookrick at istar.ca>
>Reply-To: Antique tractor email discussion group 
><at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>Subject: Re: [AT] History Exam
>Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 23:38:29 -0300
>
>This topic has raised my curiosity.  I have to admit I have never had the
>opportunity to be around a Model T or engines of that vintage, but my 
>father
>often spoke of them.  Why would you want to be messing around with the 
>spark
>advance?  Would the setting change that much during operation or from day 
>to
>day?  Would you not want to set it one place like the timing of a
>distributor and leave it alone?
>
>Thanks for enlightening me.
>-----Original Message-----
>From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]On Behalf Of Louis R Godena
>Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 7:34 PM
>To: Antique tractor email discussion group
>Subject: Re: [AT] History Exam
>
>
>Yes, you had to have the spark "up" and the gas "down" when cranking the
>Model T, or you might lose the use of your arm for awhile if the crank
>"kicked back".
>
>Louis G
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Ralph Goff" <alfg at sasktel.net>
>To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 11:26 AM
>Subject: Re: [AT] History Exam
>
>
> > RonMyers at wildblue.net wrote:
> >> Ralph,  I don't remember which car had them but it had the Throttle on
> >> the
> >> steering wheel and another lever that i am not sure what it did. All I
> >> know is they were hard for a kid to move them.
> >
> > I can't speak from experience but have heard that the Model T Ford had
> > the spark and gas levers on the steering column. Must have been quite a
> > process getting one of these cars started.
> >
> > Ralph in Sask.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > AT mailing list
> > http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>
>_______________________________________________
>AT mailing list
>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>AT mailing list
>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at

_________________________________________________________________
Get a preview of Live Earth, the hottest event this summer - only on MSN 
http://liveearth.msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthhm