North Penn Model A Ford Club
Minutes of the Meeting – February 3, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Carol Allen. There were 38 people in attendance.
Secretary’s Minutes – The minutes of the December meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer’s Report –For the period December 1-February 3, deposits of $1,140 were made for dues and the Holiday Party. Expenditures of $4,370.66 were for MARC dues, Holiday Party, Green Lane picnic deposit and others. The current balance is $12,677.72.
Update on Members
Past Activities
Briefly reviewed the holiday parades in Lansdale and Souderton and the Holiday Party.
Upcoming Activities
Suggestions for Car Tour (TBC)
Other Business
John Rossi presented a very informative program on fan blades. Here are John’s notes.
The original 1928-31 Model A fans were hollow 2-layer stamped steel construction, seam welded around the perimeter. Stress cracks often occurred near the hub, allowing water to enter, creating rust and corrosion internally unseen. These fans often would break and fly apart, causing engine compartment damage and possible injury.
In 1932 Ford redesigned the fan, known as the “Holly Fan Design.” It was a single piece 2-blade steel stamping, not hollow. Cracking and internal rust problems were eliminated. This design, like many other 1932 changes, was only used for one year. It looks almost exactly like the 1928-31 fan.
The 1933 4-blade design was introduced on the Model 46 4-cylinder engine. This fan then became the service replacement part for Model A’s and B’s. When the original fan exploded, this is what Ford replaced it with. Not at all correct looking but a dependable replacement. To replace a water pump, you will need to remove your hood and radiator when using this fan (not necessary with a 2-blade fan).
2-Blade fan replacement options: (1) 2-blade cast aluminum fans can be purchased from the Model A part suppliers. They are not hollow like original steel ones and are very strong. You can not easily tell the difference between these and the 1928-31 fans.
(2) 2-blade stampled steel fans are also available. The fan bolts to the hub and can be removed in the car if necessary. (This is the fan John uses.)
Note: You can change your water pump studs to special bolts. Then you will be able to remove the water pump and 2-blade fan without removing the hood, and tilting the radiator forward. This is not possible with a 4-blade fan.
Minutes taken by Diane Hall
The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, at 7:00 pm at Trinity UCC Church in Skippack. Refreshments will be provided by Kriebel, Rogers, Ogle, Dehaven, George.
Members Celebrating January Birthdays – John Posen, Karen Roth, Mark Human, Jim Ford
Members Celebrating February Birthdays – Cliff Craley, John DiMinio, Patty Rogers, Chris Martino, John Elliott, Georgia Dixon, Ken Valeri
Minutes of the Meeting – February 3, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Carol Allen. There were 38 people in attendance.
Secretary’s Minutes – The minutes of the December meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer’s Report –For the period December 1-February 3, deposits of $1,140 were made for dues and the Holiday Party. Expenditures of $4,370.66 were for MARC dues, Holiday Party, Green Lane picnic deposit and others. The current balance is $12,677.72.
Update on Members
- John Posen is in the hospital in intensive care with pneumonia.
- Pete Watson was in the hospital and is now home.
Past Activities
Briefly reviewed the holiday parades in Lansdale and Souderton and the Holiday Party.
Upcoming Activities
- April 5 – South Central PA Spring Dust-off Tour – 75-mile tour of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Detailed notice was sent to club members on Feb. 9.
- April 12 – The Running Board A’s and the Active A’s are hosting a joint run, starting in Franconia. Our club has been invited to join them and we could meet the group half-way through the run and for lunch. Details to follow.
- April 27 – Steve Ryan Car Show and Swap Meet (hosted by the Lehigh Valley Model A Club), Breinigsville, PA
- May (TBC) - Tech Session
- May 17 – Phoenixville Dogwood Festival Parade
- June 21 - Club Picnic at Green Lane Park
Suggestions for Car Tour (TBC)
- Tour of Five Saints Distillery, Norristown – hosted by John and Amy George
- Carson Helicopter – offered by Brian Geyer
Other Business
- We need people to arrive early for the club meetings to help set up the room – the head table, chairs and refreshment table. A motion was passed in December for the refreshment providers to arrive early and help set up the chairs.
- Tom Hudecki and Jim Reed are updating the list of parts suppliers and specialty repair shops. If anyone has had a good experience with a repair shop (i.e., radiator, upholstery, engine, etc.), please forward the information to Jim. The final list will be updated on the Club’s website and will be shared with other local clubs.
- Joe Silverman mentioned an Amish upholsterer in Nickel Mines that he and Ed Roth had used (Daniel Petershein). He does upholstery on the Amish buggies, sleighs and cars. He uses compressed air, and not electricity, to run his machinery.
- Carol Allen reported that Steve Davis opened his own shop in Collegeville. Steve previously worked for Pete Watson at Old Forge. He loves working on old cars (and newer). See Carol for contact information.
John Rossi presented a very informative program on fan blades. Here are John’s notes.
The original 1928-31 Model A fans were hollow 2-layer stamped steel construction, seam welded around the perimeter. Stress cracks often occurred near the hub, allowing water to enter, creating rust and corrosion internally unseen. These fans often would break and fly apart, causing engine compartment damage and possible injury.
In 1932 Ford redesigned the fan, known as the “Holly Fan Design.” It was a single piece 2-blade steel stamping, not hollow. Cracking and internal rust problems were eliminated. This design, like many other 1932 changes, was only used for one year. It looks almost exactly like the 1928-31 fan.
The 1933 4-blade design was introduced on the Model 46 4-cylinder engine. This fan then became the service replacement part for Model A’s and B’s. When the original fan exploded, this is what Ford replaced it with. Not at all correct looking but a dependable replacement. To replace a water pump, you will need to remove your hood and radiator when using this fan (not necessary with a 2-blade fan).
2-Blade fan replacement options: (1) 2-blade cast aluminum fans can be purchased from the Model A part suppliers. They are not hollow like original steel ones and are very strong. You can not easily tell the difference between these and the 1928-31 fans.
(2) 2-blade stampled steel fans are also available. The fan bolts to the hub and can be removed in the car if necessary. (This is the fan John uses.)
Note: You can change your water pump studs to special bolts. Then you will be able to remove the water pump and 2-blade fan without removing the hood, and tilting the radiator forward. This is not possible with a 4-blade fan.
Minutes taken by Diane Hall
The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, at 7:00 pm at Trinity UCC Church in Skippack. Refreshments will be provided by Kriebel, Rogers, Ogle, Dehaven, George.
Members Celebrating January Birthdays – John Posen, Karen Roth, Mark Human, Jim Ford
Members Celebrating February Birthdays – Cliff Craley, John DiMinio, Patty Rogers, Chris Martino, John Elliott, Georgia Dixon, Ken Valeri