Most important question of my hot rod life

Hey guys, ive got a big question here, making a big decision. so some of you know that im working on a 1929 Ford Model A. Ive purchased an 2.5 Iron Duke, T5 trans, and Ford 8 inch rear end for it. My reason for doing so is because this car will be driven as a DAILY driver. Not just a Sunday afternoon.

My question now is this, after doing lots of thinking, should i honestly just keep everything original and just beef up the 4 banger? How reliable would it be? And what could i make the comfortable cruising speed increase too? Reliablity is very important to me, keeping it somewhat original is too though.

Please help haha.

 

you are too vague. are you talking about keeping the stock model A drivetrain reliable or changing out for the 2.5/T5 etc? for a daily driver, a stock model A leaves a lot to be desired. that why hot rodding was invented.
now if you are talking about modifying the Iron duke, I wouldn't much crazier than factory stock if you want ded nuts reliable.

 

There is no doubt that the original running gear will work for a daily driver but,,you will always be plagued with annoying repairs,probably on a regular basis.

If you check out the living with a model A 365 you will see the trials and tribulation he faced.

http://www.365daysofa.com/

Personally,I like the idea of the iron duke and 5-speed,a heck of a lot more reliable and user friendly. HRP

 

im referring to making to Ford Model A original engine reliable

 

find another ch***is, put the iron duke, t5, etc in it and swop it out when it is ready. this will allow you to see if you like the original for a daily [my guess you won't].
do you have anything else to drive as a backup?

 

My experience with a stock Model A is limited to spinning wrenches for a local guy that owns a 30 coupe.

I would go for the Iron Duke setup without another thought. The A banger isn't a bad engine, but the late model engine and drivetrain is just light years better.

The stocker I fool with doesn't like to cruise much over 50 and the mechanical brakes scare me to death in a panic stop.

 

When I was shopping for a Model A last year I drove several stockers and one with a Pinto four banger, C4 and juice brakes. I drove it in fast moving traffic and it was a breeze, would have made a great daily which was what I was looking for (but it was more than I wanted to spend). The stockers were fun but had their limitations and I didn't feel like they would make a good daily.

 

Someone has an insert bearing modification for an A. The A engine can ber made reliable and somewhat powerful if you have lots of money.

 

This is hotrodding. The original engine is for the resto guys. Flop in the Duke setup and carry on.

 

I have a 28 AR Roadster stocker with insert bearings, it's been balanced, etc. And it has a GM 4 speed bloted to it. It can do almost 60mph with that trans, but it's scary when **** gets hectic. Modern drive train, juice brakes makes a big difference especially for a daily. JM2C

 

Never owning one, but riding and driving them I believe the STOCK format was a good daily driver BACK THEN and upgrading technology for todays highway speeds would make a better daily driver in todays world. If your daily commute was from your house 2 miles from your work, the stock stuff would be ok. My commute is 75 miles round trip at 55-65 mph ( only 5 blocks to the freeway) and I would want the later model stuff disguised as early as best as I could to get me there and back.

 

duke it...

 

For a daily, there is no doubt that I would go with the modern engine.
You don't want to be working on a daily frequently, you want enough power to deal with traffic, you want to be able to get parts any time and anywhere.

 

Upgrade to hydraulic brakes, the T5, and the Duke... or find a Ztec and keep it Ford

 

I had a '29 Coupe for several years. It was original engine, trans and rear end with electronic ignition and Stromberg 97 carb modifications. It also has '35 wire wheels and 16 inch tires. Still had mechanical brakes. It was reliable as an occasional driver, i.e. a couple days a week but not real far or regularly on highways where speeds are much greater than 45.

 

Go with a modern engine and juice brakes. I have a '30 Model A coupe that I use as a daily driver. It's powered by a 302 Ford engine, a C4, an 8" rear, with juice brakes. I enjoy driving it and I can do highways speeds.

 

If you live 2 miles from work and can get to the mall by surface streets the stock Model A will be fine.

Any hiway commuting and you should look for a newer car.

 

Michigan, daily driver, first thing I would work out is the heater.

 

You must be very young.

 

There is a very good reason Henry quit making the Model A.

 

Most A's from the north east had 411 rear gears and 2500 top rpm wont give you cruising speed not to mention the unbalanced crank, go with the duke and8 inch