The Distributor

Director’s Chair May 2014

The apparent departure of the never ending winter months has brought out renewed interest in getting our"As’ out and on the road. On Saturday April 10th 55 members gathered at Ken Ehrenhofer’s "Barn". Asurprise hail storm with a deafening noise on the tin roof failed to interrupt the talk or damage the 6 ModelA's parked outside. An extraordinary tech talk was put on by Ken, Dan Manola, Mark Maron, and JackThomas. This hands-on class began with a film about overdrives for the Model A. My veteran '29 Tudorwas the candidate car for a new overdrive unit. Having removed the rear end the day before, we removedthe torque tube, drive shaft, and pinion gear. We installed a new Mitchell overdrive unit into the rear endassembly. Attendees viewed and participated in the disassembly/reassembly of the replacement of theoriginal parts with the new Mitchell unit which fits into the car with NO modifications to the chassis. Aftera hot dog lunch, several members gave me a hand reinstalling the unit in the car. It was on the road by 4:00p.m. Mark Maron provided me with driving instructions on driving it on the maiden trip down the road infront of Ken's barn. Wow! It is amazing how the car "smothins" out when you shift in to overdrive andreduce the RPMs by nearly 30%. Even more amazing is how you get up to 50 mile an hour or more!Beware! If you drive in a car equipped with this you will want one for your car. Oh, by the way you willneed to have those brakes working well too!

On Sunday, May 4th Roger and Paulette Halvorsen are inviting the club to join them for breakfast and aride to East Troy Wisconsin. We will visit and ride vintage trolleys there. I still can remember mygrandmother taking me on a Chicago trolley and telling me to try and remember that ride as the trolleyswere being replaced by buses. Sixty years ago? This is our first true driving event of the year so I hope tosee a big turnout of members with our vintage iron. As I like to say, "they’re not lawn ornaments' so let’sget out there and ride!

Dan

2014 Officers and Staff

Director: Dan Pritchett (847) 980-5076 Web Site Manager: Mark Maron (847) 302-7900danbpritchett@yahoo.com Photographer: Mike Gaimari (773) 631-3902

Assistant Director: Mike Kochevar (847) 827-1555 Property Chairman: Ken Ehrenhofer (815) 337-4656Treasurer: Don Mormon (847) 827-5046 Raffle Coordinator: Jim Patterson (847) 934-6582Secretary: Melinda Borck (630) 842-7065 Technical Coordinator: Dan Manola (630) 935-8070Editors: Colin James (773)936-3981 Winter Swap Committee: Mike Sargis (773) 507-5144

cijames80@yahoo.com Val Maron (847) 951-5858Carl Hagland (224) 595-6587 Mike Kochevar (847) 827-1555hags333@comcast.net Refreshment Staff: John & Christine Rozny (847) 823-7919

Regional Correspondent: Melinda Borck (630) 842-7065 Awards Committee Mike Kochevar (847) 827-1555Activities Director: Andy Stockinger Ladies’ A’s Staff: Val Maron (847) 951-5858

Jim Stockinger Youth Coordinator Amy RoznyClub Sales: Pat Maroney (847) 490-3543Distributor Staff: Jim Dodaro (847) 398-1957 Resident Experts

Carl Kalbhen (847) 635-5083 Judging Standards: Ken Ehrenhofer (815) 337-4656Membership Staff: Mike Kochevar (847) 827-1555 Ron Ehrenhofer (847) 255-6758Announcements: Susan Szymanski (847) 455-8815 Era Accessories: Vince Scalabrino (847) 934-8167Mini Swap Chairperson: Carl Kalbhen (847) 635-5083 Interiors & Upholstery: Jim Antoni (847) 698-2637PayCarShow Chairperson: John Drengenberg (847) 272-7192 Dave Jahn (847) 488-0486New Member Coordinator: Ron Ehrenhofer (847) 255-6758 Electrical: Marty Brown (847) 673-1157Marketing & Advertising: Sheryl Stier (847) 669-3948 License Plates & Tags: Frank Smith (847) 942-0905MAFFI Liason: Mark Maron (847) 302-7900 Fashion: Marilyn Krenger (815) 338-4008

www.illinoisregion.com

Illinois Region – Business Meeting April 1, 2014

Meeting called to order at 7:34 PM by Dan Pritchett.Motion made and seconded to approve the MarchBusiness Meeting Minutes as printed in the Distributor.

Old Business50’s Rock and Roll Party – Don Mormon reported 64people attended. The food was great. Thanks to JimAntoni.Pizza Party – Mike Kochevar reported that 52 peopleattended. There was great food and everyone had a goodtime.

New Business

Treasurers’ Report (Don Mormon) – Report given asprinted in the Distributor.

Membership Report (Mike Kochevar) – There areapproximately 120 paid members.

National Membership Meeting (Vince Scalabrino, Kenand Ron Ehrenhofer) – There are at least two groupsattending the National Meet. Ron told everyone aboutwhat would be happening. There are over 200registrations. He is traveling via Route 66 and anyone iswelcome to join him.

Upcoming Events

Garage Seminar (Dan Manola) – Tech talk on overdriveswill be held April 12 at Ken Ehrenhofer’s garage.

Trolley Tour (Roger Halvorsen) – Roger reported it willbe a nice drive with a private train ride. The tour will endup at the Elegant Farmer. He needs a final count andrequested people sign up or call him this week. Hesuggested people check out the website.

Safety Check (Mike Dennis) – The check will be heldApril 26 at Niles North. This is not a repair clinic. Thepurpose is to check cars out and confirm they are safe todrive.

Directory – (John Silvestri) He needs to know if membershave any changed data since last summer. He is planningto have it completed late May or early June. Please emailJohn with any changes. We will definitely have a 2014directory.

Committee ReportsEditor (Colin James) – No report

Club Sales (Pat Maroney) – Maintenance logs and drivinglogs are available.

Announcements (Susan Simms) –Jay Lipka has a newgrandbaby, Stella May, that was born last Thursday.

Activities (Stockinger) – May 18 Model T Swap, June 1Sharon Wisc, June 1 Skips Swap Meet, June 8 Tri-Chevy

Pay Car Show (John Dregenberg) – Evanston,Northbrook and Skokie have signed up. We need 32spaces filled.

New Member Coordinator (Ron Ehrenhofer) - MichelleHartmann joined last month.

Awards (Mike Kochevar) – Mike passed out awards toDon Mormon, Jim Antoni, and Mike Kochevar.

Greeter (Mark Maron) – 64 members are signed in andtwo Model As.

Quad Meet (Mark Maron) – Ken and Mark have arrangedan additional feature. There is a display of munitionsfrom the turn of the century. They are also restoring a 50caliber tank. At no charge we can tour these two places.Mark says the most important thing is that we must leavethe place exactly the way that we found it.

Dan said Mark has more name badges that need to bepicked up.

Comments from members – Patsy Lesiak wants to knowthe user ID and password to access the Distributor . MarkMaron is providing it.

Raffle (Blanche Eilken) – Blanche said the club made$35.00. Blanche told her joke.

Motion made and seconded for adjournment at 8:09 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Melinda Borck

Illinois Region Upcoming Events:

2014 Illinois Region Safety Check Photos

Reader Tip - Briggs or Murray?

By Rick Black, Medford Oregon

Question:How can you tell a Briggs body from a Murray body?

Answer:One of the easiest ways is to look at the door windows. Murray doors have a slight arch at the top of the window. Ford and Briggs bodies havewindows that are straight across at the top. Click on the photo below to compare various Model A doors and windows.

There are exceptions. Slant Windshield Fordors made in 1931 had bodies made by Ford, Briggs, and Murray but the bodies were identical and hadthe arched windows typical of the earlier Murray Fordors.

Most Briggs and Murray bodies had a body tag on the firewall. Through the years, many of these are no longer in place. And, through the years, areplacement body tag could have been placed by an owner.

Finally, Murray bodies incorporate "caged" nuts where items are attached to the body (like the firewall) whereas Briggs used "D" nuts. Examples canbe noticed in the engine compartment in case the body manufacturer's tag is missing or believed to be added.

Below is a photo showing many Model A Right-Front doors. Looking at the Briggs Fordor and Murray Fordor doors side-by-side, it's easier to see thedifferences. Click on the photo for a larger view:

Youth Advisor – Amy Rozny

Learning to drive a Model A with Dad

Last month I started driving school. I have been so excited to get my licence and looking forward to being able to drive. Growing up in theRozny family one of the rules in the process of getting your licence is learning how to drive in a Model A. While spending my whole life ridingshotgun in a Model A I thought it would be easier. Throughout the lessons my dad is experiencing strained vocal cords, rapid heartbeat andwhiplash from my smooth operation of the clutch, I’m still trying my best to perfect my driving skills. My dad is suffering from mental trauma andhis hand never leaves the emergency break throughout the lesson, but I know he would never give up on me no matter how many mistakes Imake. I don’t know if he will ever be the same. And as Henry Ford said “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time moreintelligently.”

Everyone should get to experience the challenge of learning how to drive stick shift on a Model A, because in the end it is worth it. All in all Ifeel lucky to be able to learn to drive on a piece of American history!

See you on the road!- Amy

Cover Photo – The Second Time Around

On November 26, 1985, Bankruptcy Judge John L. Peterson held“claims of general creditors totaling zero have been allowed.”Thus, all rights, title and interest in my 1931 Slant window townsedan were gone. I will not revisit my feelings that I still hold butam past on this event.

This old beat up ’31 was my first driver car. It took me on theback roads to and from work in the summers from 1964 through1966. Then law school, family and work as well as living 600+miles away from my childhood home kept the project dormant.

In 1978 I trailered the beast to Palatine, IL and between my 1930coupe and the 1931 slant window, I got some work done on it. In1983, the car was sent away for partial restoration. Periodicreport and photos showed the progress until April of 1985 when Iamong others got notice that all cars on the lot were in partssubject to bankruptcy referee. No one was able to identify butengine #parts and all were sold to satisfy secured creditors.

With empty garage and heart, I would from time to time tell mytale of woe to sympathetic listeners until 2012 when RonEhrehoffer went to MARC National. He advised me that a 1931slant was for sale and it was a “nice one.”

With spousal review and approval, we purchased this car to fill theempty gap that still existed in my car life.

I have been to Gilmore, Lexington, St. Louis, mid-Iowa… And withthe good people who help me when I error in driving, it runs.Thanks to Jack Thomas, Ron Ehrehoffer, Carl Hagland, MarkMaron, Dan Manola, Mike Gaimari, Ken Ehrenhoffer—all havefinger prints on this fine car. I thank all those and more for thehelp and friendship of Model A Ford Illinois Region friends.

--James R. Patterson

Ken Ehrenhofer asked me to post the list of tools available for club use.

They are as follows:

1. Head removal tool2. Steering wheel removal tool3. Rear spring spreader4. Distributor removal tool (to be used when the distributor body is rusted into thehead)

Please contact Ken at the following:kehrenhofer@msn.comHome: 815-337-4656Mobile: 630-697-3906

2014 Tech SessionOverdrives

TECH TALK

Battery Polarity - Submitted by John Barry, membership chapter

It makes no difference to the model a starter which side of the battery is grounded-positive or negative, it also makes nodifference to the lights, the wiring or the coil. The ampmeter couldn't care less. It's just going to tell you which way current isgoing. The generator cut out isn't going to get into the argument either. It's going to close when the generator starts putting outand open up when the generator stops generating. The generator itself isn't going to fuss a whole lot, because if you put thebattery in backwards you will make its job a whole lot easier, that is, generating current.The battery is the one that's going to get upset! You are going to confuse the hell out of it. If you don't burn up a generator, cutout or wire because of too much current passing through them, you will run the positive side of the battery down to zero chargeand then back up to full negative charge (in other words reversed the polarity of the battery itself). Now that battery will put upwith all the shenanigans for a while, but it really isn't going to like this. After a little while, it's going to get tired of thisfoolishness and quit. Please bear in mind that if you happen to turn the car off at a time when this battery is close to the zerocharge level(either positive or negative). It's going to start the car.By the way, the positive side of the battery in a model a Ford should be grounded and the cut out does know the difference, butjust hasn't got the guts to say anything about it.

A Dead Battery! by Tom Endy

It's not uncommon for a Model A Ford to incur a dead battery, especially those that are still operating on sixvolts. Model A's are usually not driven daily and prolonged periods of sitting around tend to run the battery down. It is usuallydiscovered when you climb in to go somewhere. You push on the starter button, and nothing.

What a lot of Model A hobbyist may not understand is that we the modern day owners may be contributing to this phenomenon.In a modern car when you switch off the ignition it shuts off all the electrical systems in the car, except maybe for the digitalclock. In a Model A Ford when you switch off the ignition, at least the original pop out type, all you are switching off is thepower that goes to the ignition points. That may have been fine in Henry's day, but stop and think about what a lot of us havedone to the Model A Ford to improve on Henry's design.

The cutout:The cutout used with the generator disconnects the battery from the generator whenever the engine is shut down. Without it thebattery would discharge itself through the generator and you would have a dead battery. The cutout has a simple set of contactsthat are either open or closed. The problem with the cutout is that the contacts can sometimes become welded shut over a periodof time and not open, thus draining the battery when the car is parked. This is highly likely with the poor reproduction cutoutsthat are on the market. Modern day advancements in electronics provided the world with the diode. The diode is like a switch(sort of) in that it has a high resistance to current in one direction and a low resistance in the other. The low resistance pathallows the generator to flow current to the battery to charge it. The high resistance path is supposed to not allow the battery todrain itself through the generator. An abundance of diode mod kits were made available at all the Model A hobby stores. Thecutout contacts are replaced with the diode (hopefully in the right polarity) and welded contacts are a thing of the past.However, that high resistance direction is still allowing a small amount of current to flow out of the battery through thegenerator to ground. The amount of current is minute, in the milliamps, but over time it draws the battery down. Turning theignition key off does not shut the circuit off. Only removal of the fuse on top of the starter (if one is installed) will open thecircuit and prevent the drain.

The alternator:Another modern convenience seen on many Model A's today is the alternator. It is much more efficient than the old fashionedgenerator. You can buy them in either six volt or twelve volt. In fact you can even buy a six-volt positive ground alternator.However, the alternator has six diodes in it and the high resistance path will eventually drain the battery. This arrangement isalso not switched off with the ignition key and it sits there and draws a smallamount of current from the battery. A failed alternator: It is also possible to have an alternator that from all appearances isworking fine. You start the car up and the ammeter shows it is charging. However, you can have one or more diodes that arepartially shorted. With this situation the current drain from the battery is considerably more and in just a day or so the battery isdead.

Good advice:Whenever you park your car for the night or any other extended period of time. Pull the fuse out of the holder and stand it on itshead in one end of the holder. This way everything except the starter switch is disconnected from the battery and there is nochance that a sneaky diode will ultimately cause you to have a dead battery.

Fashion In The Model A Era (1928-1931) - Paper Dolls

It is interesting to see how people were able to keep their children happy during the great depression.Below is a paper doll from a newspaper published on January 13, 1930. ANGIE, a very pretty paper doll,was created by Margot Lucile Ridge. She was a popular writer of children's books during that time andher paper dolls, wearing clothes of the era, appeared in a book published in 1929, in which certain pageswere published in the newspaper.

Easter weekend finally brought some nice weather so we were able to pull myDad’s new 1929 roadster out of the garage, take the top down and run it around.The tech session held at Ken’s was a lot of fun and very informative. I continue todebate whether I want to put an overdrive in one of my cars one day, so we’ll haveto see how Dan enjoys his this summer.

Financial Report (3/21/2014 - 4/20/2014)

Intake $1,301.00 Exhaust $930.15Local Dues (5 @ $25 & 3 @ $30) $215.00 Distributor Postage $44.59Dues upgrade $5.00 Distributor Printing $90.00Pizza Party (54 guests) $756.00 Pizza Party - Giuseppe $728.0050/50 Raffle $35.00 Meeting Refreshments $47.31Name Badge $10.00 2 Name Badges + Postage $20.25Spring Tour $280.00

Total In Account 3/21/2014 $7,196.05Total In Account 4/20/2014 $7,566.90

ClassifiedsFor Sale

1. For Sale – 1928 Ford Model A Special CoupeOlder restoration, well cared for. Everything has been rebuilt. Hi compression head on rebuilt engine. Caris very road worthy. 6 volt alternator, turn signals and fog lights. 5 straight wheels, newer tires, sealedbeam headlights, Borg Warner overdrive, oil pressure and temperature gauges, tachometer. Asking$14,000. I also have extra parts. Jack Scrambler (847) 392-7096

2. For Sale - 1929 Ford Model A Fordor1929 Ford Model A Fordor – no title – Jim Blakley (Huntley) (847) 456-5124

3. For Sale – 1929 Ford Model A TudorVery Nice Restored 1929 Tudor. Patrick Maroney (847) 490-3543

Wanted

Editor’s NotesColin James

If and when your name will be used in articles and pictures on our club website, you fill name (first and last name) will appear unlessyou explicitly notify Mark Maron that you do not wish to have your full name on the website. You can call Mark at (847) 302-7900, orEMAIL him at mark@maron.com. The MARC National requires that all members of MARC Regions must also be members of thenational club, however the Illinois Region By laws supersede this, please see your bylaws or a member of the current board for moreinformation.

2014 Official Illinois Region Events CalendarJanuary

General Meeting 7

Awards Banquet 19(Buca di Beppo)

Swap Committee Mtg. 24

February30th Annual Swap 2

General Meeting 4

50’s Rock n Roll Party 15

Milwaukee Swap 23

Buick, Caddy Swap Kane 23County

MarchGeneral Meeting 4

Garage Tour 9

Pizza Party 22

AprilGeneral Meeting 1

National Membership 3-6Meet (St. Louis, MO)

Safety Check 26

MaySpring Tour to Trolley 4Museum

General Meeting 6

Rosehill Cemetery 18(Model T Club)

JuneAnnual Sharon Model 1A Day (Sharon WI)

General Meeting 3

National Meet & 22-28Tour (French Lick IN)

Barnstorming at Galt 28-29Airport

JulyGeneral Meeting 1

Parades 4

Summer Tour to 18-21Clear Lake, IA

Annual Picnic 27

AugustIL Railroad Museum 3

General Meeting 5

Sycamore SteamEngine Show

Jelly Belly Tour 10

SeptemberGeneral Meeting 2

QUAD Meet by Ill Region 7

International Model 20-21A Day at Gilmore - Swap

OctoberGeneral Meeting 7

Newport Hill Climb 4-5

Hersey PA Swap 9-11

Fall Tour 17-19

Autumn Drive 19

NovemberTurkey Dinner 2Fox Valley Region

General Meeting 5

DecemberGeneral Meeting 2

Ladies Night 6

The Illinois Region MARC holds its monthly business meetings at 7:30 PM the 1st Tuesday of every month (exceptions

made for holidays) at the American Legion Hall, 9757 Pacific Avenue, Franklin Park Illinois.

(Corner of Ruby and Pacific ) The meeting is open to all members and visitors.

Model A Restorers Club Membership:http://modelarestorers.3dcartstores.com/Membership_p_39.html

Model A Ford Club of America:https://mafca.com/cart/index.php?mafca_new_member=yes

Colin James

PlaceStamp

7704 W. Balmoral Ave.Chicago, IL 60656

To:

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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS:

Advertise in the Distributorand Support the Ill. Region

Email Colin James for details.