Projects Trying to get my Banger to Freeway speeds???

I was browsing for a 1930 - 31 Model A couple years ago to discover that there were upgrades on some to make them touring cars. One is adding a hi compression head and the other was an overdrive. This is one site with an A owners upgrade to get to highway speeds and to stop.
http://www.lainefamily.com/ModelA.htm
http://www.lainefamily.com/ModelAFiles/ModelAT5.htm
You see the occasional Model A for sale on the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA) with Volvo(Laycock) overdrive. There are a couple of overdrives but the better one seemed to be the the Volvo OD that is added into the driveline behind the transmission. It is electrically actuated with a switch and engages smooth & easy. There are a couple people that do the Volvo OD conversions for Model A's & T's. Volvo OD are made by Laycock. The only weakness is accidentally putting them in reverse so some install a reverse lock out switch.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74119
http://www.maximum--overdrive.com/
If you do some research there is lots of good information about these OD's with Model A's.
I think if some one found a good one and had a machinist friend that they may create their own to keep the costs down.

 

I'm a little sad that you gave up, I'm happy you didn't give up on hot rods all together! And I love that you found what you want, and I'm disappointed that you didn't post pics!! [emoji41][emoji12]

 

VOLVOBRYNK:
Thanks for the reply, yes I am sad too, but it was a long term money vs place to work decision... Not a easy one.
I looked into the OD route... again looked like a $2000 + investment. I will be in the new car for about the same as what I have in this one, as soon as I can sell the 29 I'll be OK., so I'm out a few bucks now, but get it back when I sell.
I only had a couple cell pics, which I had not downloaded yet..
Along with this thought process, is the fact I will be retiring in the next 90-120 days (I hope) and may not be able to afford to keep any car anymore..
PATTERG2003 good info, one of the big issue I current have, is I have had to move to a small Apartment, and it has no garage. So I keep the 29 in a storage unit at UHaul.. Just enough room to open one door and crawl out, no lights and no power. So I depend on friends to help me... (And good friends they are...Hot rodders are a great bunch...). And the HAMB is the BEST. I just hope I don't regret selling the 29, But this 27 has so much more that I was looking for..It will be nice, just step on the gas, and go (like hell I might add, wow..).
So when I pick up this car, I'll start a new post, I'm sure I'll look to everyone's expert advise again..
Here are my cell pics I took last night..

 

That is a nice rod! Needs a little, but not a lot.
And the rest of the things, is small things, that makes giant steps forward.
What mill? SBF or SBC?

Plan to paint it, or drive it first?

Nothing but respect!
Not a great fan of steering collum, but love the full package!

 

Tie Rod,
The 27 Tudor is a nice looking car and a true classic. I had a 27 Tudor as a kid. They have a different look but it is a good different.
Drive it & have fun.

 

I had a T Tudor that I didn't get to build, so I have a soft spot in my heart for them, I really like the looks of that one.
The one thing I would do if it was mine is look to make it full fendered, that was what I wanted to do with the one I had. Anxiously waiting to see a bunch more pictures of it.

 

nice looking 27. I did like the 29 except for the 4 banger. if you need so helping working on the 27, give me a call, I'm retired and plenty of free time

 

volvobrynk: Drive it for now, learn about it..nice 350 Chev, 400 turbo trans, 9" rear, custom frame. Solid build.
Dick Stevens: I am geting some fender parts with it, I have thought about it,, "Lil John's" "T" is the best...
40Standard: Thanks I'll keep you in mind... I should of thought out the 29 more before I dropped that chunk of change ..but hey, I enjoyed it.. This is more of what I wanted.. This car has been to Calif and back...good road trip worthy.

 

No reason to apologize there is nothing wrong with a 27. Appears to have the good stuff - no fenders, Chevy Small Block, 400 Trans and Ford 9 inch. Shouldn't have any trouble keeping up with the pack but I wouldn't want to go to California in it.

 

PATTERG2003: That Laine post, T-5 is the same conversion I have in my 29.. It's a clean install.
http://www.lainefamily.com/ModelAFiles/ModelAT5.htm
And, it has a Snyder 5.5-1 head, not a lot of increase but some, it also has a super "Bubba's Distributer" on it, boy , it made a difference, it starts better, and no advance lever... I also went to http://www.maximum--overdrive.com/ web site..."Call for Pricing"" that's scary...
Thanks for the advice..

 

5280A2,: Thank you for the great post.. I am printing some of the posts here to include with the 29, for the next owner. I really wish I still had my house, but sometime life throws stuff at you. So now,, I'll do the best I can.. I'll be on Social Security soon, and may not even be able to afford to keep the 27, but for now.. I hope to drive the wheels off it.. AGAIN, SOME OF THE BEST STUFF I'VE READ... Keep up the good work..

 

can you get a part time job after you retire? that's what I did, all money goes to my projects

 

40Standard: that is the plan...The cars are in storage, so I need to make enough to pay that,, car show money and upkeep ..

 

Correct, you need the torque to pull the higher gear.

 

Smaller gearing changes for improved highway driving are easy with just a tire size change.

 

dennis g: That's a thought... I guess, I would have to measure a stock tire. Then measure what I have now, then calculate what size would make a significant difference, Although I do like the "Big and Little's"..

I did take her out last Wed to the Indy 500 track.. for a little spin..

 

did you sell the Model A?

 

When I'd get my 26 T touring up to 35-40 MPH it felt like the front end was gonna fall off and I was going 100.
My Model A was about the same over 55MPH. These were both stock and I wouldn't want to be on an interstate highway with either. Maybe that's why so many were modified and lowered.

 

?? Back in post 118, thought you sold model a & moved on to model t??
Maybe I missed a few posts, but saw you recently drove it out on Indy Speedway?
Regardless, thats cool.
I'm subscribed, because there's cool banger tech.
My stock 31 does 60mph... but that's downhill & wind behind your back & I'm concerned it may be harmful to the over rpm stock bangr. I'll have to calculate my rearend someday, seams to be higher geared, but everything's completely stock.
I'll keep watchin. ..good tech here.

 

40Standard,, Still have it. dropped the price, etc.
Model T1: I feel OK with it at 50-55 just have to keep the brakes adjusted correctly. The juice brakes and shock help.
Bam.inc; I did not sell the "A" yet... see the "T" on Post 123. I get 55 with the modification, but I have not felt I should push it harder.