Expert: jack bahm - 5/27/2008

Question
I have a 1930 Ford Model A ...live in San Francisco...trying to find someone to maintain the car...the problem is that the power going up hill is very slow and now not at all...it does not seem to spark..and it is really smoking where the fuel meets the engine...spark plugs are rich..we changed them but did not do anything...car runs...jump start it but will not make it on the slightest of hills...thanks

Answer
You do have a problem with that car.  Don't keep changing plugs because they are black and fuzzy (dirty).  Just clean them and they will do just fine.  My best advice for you is to find and join a local Model A club.  There are two national clubs, MARC, and Mafca. MAFCA is based on the west coast, and MARC is all over.  MARC has only 4 clubs in Ca., so go on line and search MAFCA, that;s Model A Ford club of  America.  There has to be one close to you and they will be able to find someone who will take care of your car.  I take care of two cars on Hilton Head Island, SC. for two friends, and I am able to get them running good and they stay running good until I come back the next winter.  All you need is a good check of the car.  The timing, the points, the carb, carb gasket, carb mounting flanges, condenser, and maybe the dist shaft bushings.  All easy stuff for a A guy to fix, with little cost too.  If you don't want to become your own mechanic, then find an old timer to do it for you.  The A club is the best bet, even if it is not close to you.  I won't cost very much to join it.  Our dues are $15 per yr.  They will probably want you to join the national club, and you should do that anyway.  
You can have  a lot of fun with that A, so stay with it until you get it running well.
Good luck
jack

ps: Go to ahooga.com   A good site to start with.  jack