Message from the President

Submitted by lriss on Mon, 2012-03-26 20:48

April 2012

By the time that you get this newsletter spring should have sprung. It is time to start your Model A's. If you have not changed your oil before you stored your Model A, now is the time to change your oil and check your vital fluids.

Last month's newsletter we had the draft 2012 Tour Schedule and 2012 Roster. You might want to check to see if your name, address, email and phone number is correct in the Roster. I know when I type my fingers lie to me. They sometimes type what they want to type. If there is an error please contact Larry Riss at risslarry@comcast.net or phone 812-342-7644.

The final 2012 Tour Schedule is included in this newsletter.

Just a reminder about the Chattanooga National Tour in September - Phil Sutton has 9 rooms left for someone if you do not have a room you might want to call Mr. Phil @ 812-369.9915. Phil needs to confirm reservations by mid-May.

Something to look for at swap meets, would be turn signal arms/trafficators. The Model A did come out with turn signals. They would not flash but they would light up after they were opened out. Click on this link to go to an article about trafficators.
 

March 2012

There will be a Garage Tour and Electronic 

 

Ignition seminar on March 17, 2012 at Randy 
Hughey’s, 1139 Janet Drive Greenwood, IN 
46142.  We will leave Eastbrook Shopping 
Center at 7:44 am.   RSVP Randy at 317-694-1838 or Ronnie Lawson at 812-343-2434. You can drive your modern car or Model A.
 
We have included a draft of the 2012 Tour 
Schedule. Please check it out and plan your 
driving events for the year. This year there are 
some very interesting long driving tours that take a lot of planning and organization. If you are thinking about attending one of these tours, please make sure you notify the trip leaders in plenty of time so that they can make reservations. It takes a lot of effort to put these tours together, so let’s give them thanks for their efforts!
 
We have released the 2012 membership roster. We make every effort to print accurate addresses and phone numbers. If, however, you find an error, please let us know and we will correct it in our data base and on the website. You should have received the roster in your newsletter. You can also get a roster by logging into the website and follow the "Roster" link. If you don't have a logon ID, click on the Email Us link and request a logon ID from the Webmaster. You must be a current member of the Columbus Region to get a logon ID.
 

February 2012

Another year has started and I would like to thank everyone who volunteered to run for office. My congratulations to the new board! And my thanks to last year’s board members for all their hard work.


Our Christmas party was well attended and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The food was great and plentiful, and we had a very energetic small choral group from Columbus North High School as our entertainment. Thanks to Connie and Gary Lawless for arranging everything! We hope to see all of you out “going places” when our touring season starts.


Our touring committee will be meeting in February to start putting together our touring calendar. So PLEASE, if you have a new tour you would like to try, or an old favorite we could go on again, let one of the board members know. We need as many ideas as we can get to ensure everyone will have an enjoyable touring season!

--Ronnie Lawson

 

January 2012

With fall being here, now is the time to prepare the car for winter storage. Certainly everyone has their own techniques for cold climate winter storage. I've seen some recommend draining fluids (engine & gear oil) and replacing prior to winter storage. Others say wait and change fluids in the spring.

 
I believe in changing the engine oil before storage, due to the PH or acidity in the oil, as a result of normal combustion. Don't forget, you are never able to change the oil completely, as one quart remains in the dipper pan. Changing the oil in the fall and running the engine a bit to mix old with new takes care of most of the acid issue. However, over the winter periods, condensation occurs. So, whether one chooses to change fluids in the fall or spring is personal.
 
The transmission and rear-end gear oil change interval could be based on driving condition. Possibly once per year to check for metal particles or possibly water.
 
Use antifreeze 50/50 mix. Some use Sierra Antifreeze because if it seeps into the crankcase it won't hurt your Babbitt like regular antifreeze will.
 
Fill the gas tank and add a bottle of Sea Foam and/or a squirt of Marine Sta-Bil or/and good ole Mystery Oil.
 
Time to MARC your calendar for some hot dates:
 
MARC and MAFCA JUNE 2012 Meets...
 
June 2012 looks like a lot of fun all tied up in 12 days running...
 
MARC National: June 11-15, 2012 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
 
MAFCA Central Midwest: June 11-15, 2012 Altoona, Iowa
 
MAFCA Texas Tour: June 14-16, 2012 Marble Falls, Texas
 
MAFCA Northwest Regional: June 14-19, 2012 Boise, Idaho
 
MAFCA National: June 18-22, 2012 Marquette, Michigan
 
12 straight days of pure Model A/AA Ford FUN!
 
--Ronnie Lawson