Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical Model a strength

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Corey Wilson, Oct 4, 2019.

  1. Corey Wilson
    Joined: Mar 6, 2018
    Posts: 10

    Corey Wilson
    Member

    How hard can you push a stock model a in a drag race. what would brake first and why?


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  2. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,941

    squirrel
    Member

    40 hp isn't that hard on a car. Even a Model A.
     
    Jet96, dana barlow, Hnstray and 6 others like this.
  3. Doublepumper
    Joined: Jun 26, 2016
    Posts: 1,534

    Doublepumper
    Member
    from WA-OR, USA

    My first thought is spider gears. Over the years there hasn't been many spiders that survived my side step.....no matter the horsepower:eek:
     
    mgtstumpy and dana barlow like this.
  4. My experience tells me stock Model A's are damn near indestructible. As a 13 year old kid I put my first RPU through hell and I couldn't destroy the running gear.
     

  5. F-ONE
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 3,271

    F-ONE
    Member
    from Alabama

    It depends on the push truck.
    [​IMG]

    Usually the push truck will brake first because if the Model A brakes first...... there will be some crunched sheet metal.
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2019
  6. The chassis rails are most often boxed and cross braces added...... for SBC engines as an example. Just keep adding metal until nothing breaks.
     
  7. Hotrodmyk
    Joined: Jan 7, 2011
    Posts: 2,302

    Hotrodmyk
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    The rear axle keys :D
     
  8. flamedabone
    Joined: Aug 3, 2001
    Posts: 5,441

    flamedabone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The only way to truly know is when you are standing on the starting line picking up parts. You never know the edge until you go over it.

    -Abone.
     
    Jet96, mgtstumpy, Hotrodmyk and 3 others like this.
  9. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    "Race him Johnny, race him"
     
  10. thirtytwo
    Joined: Dec 19, 2003
    Posts: 2,639

    thirtytwo
    Member

    Are you talking about present day sticky drag strip? And are you dumping the clutch?
     
  11. Yeah, there's so many variables. I'd be thinking they rear axle keys or spider gears.
     
    clem likes this.
  12. flatford39
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 2,799

    flatford39
    Member

    The axle keys are the weakest link
     
    clem and gimpyshotrods like this.
  13. 1930 turbo
    Joined: Sep 9, 2006
    Posts: 19

    1930 turbo
    Member
    from pa.

    My dad drove stock Model A Fords for over 60 years. He drove them hard, and put on alot of miles. By far the weakest link in the drivetrain was the poured main bearings. The rod bearings were 2nd.
     
  14. Colonial Coupe
    Joined: Dec 22, 2010
    Posts: 74

    Colonial Coupe
    Member

    The cheap reproduction parts will break first. I'm told 4000 rpm tops for dipper rods, school me if that's incorrect. They're darn near indestructible if you keep grease and oil in them. Like said above dumping the clutch can be hard on axle keys.
     
  15. klawockvet
    Joined: May 1, 2012
    Posts: 580

    klawockvet
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Back in my mid teens I bought a neighbors model A for $50.00 to beat around in the hills. My friends and I were pretty hard on it and never did break anything. They are a remarkably strong and forgiving car under normal circumstances.
     
    clem likes this.
  16. raven
    Joined: Aug 19, 2002
    Posts: 4,698

    raven
    Member

    Rear axles, that’s what I broke first.
    r


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
  17. Fuse
    Sent from my Mi A1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Jet96 likes this.
  18. Back in the 40's and 50's a lot of guys were using Ford rear ends in their circle track cars. They ran saftey hubs but were breaking axles at the base of the keyway.
    We experimented on a stock model A first and lapped the axle to the hub to get 100% bearing surface.
    Cleaned the surfaces off with acetone and assembled it dry at 150 ft lb
    with a heat treated high nut and NO KEY. We drove that car like it was stolen and never had the tapers slip so we tried it on the race car with a key. We broke axles once in awhile but never had a taper slip or a keyway mushroom out.

    More on:
    https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38703&showall=1

    Sent from my Mi A1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  19. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
    Member

    The non-synchro transmission will take a beating if you try to powershift it like a newer car.
     
  20. Stan Back
    Joined: Mar 9, 2007
    Posts: 2,179

    Stan Back
    Member
    from California

    Won "X Eliminator" at Colton with my stock pickup. Didn't break anything. Beat a Willys station wagon for X Stock, then a GoKart for X Eliminator (he broke his chain). Big deal for a 17 year old.
     
  21. brjnelson
    Joined: Oct 13, 2002
    Posts: 605

    brjnelson
    Member

    traction brakes parts
     
  22. ironandsteele
    Joined: Apr 25, 2006
    Posts: 5,918

    ironandsteele
    Member

    Definitely rear axle shafts/keys. Not enough power to break much of anything else.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.