A great subject, thanks guys! Here's a few more points: Some folks run without a spare tire, not a great idea. We know most new vehicles no longer have them, but that's no excuse. If you are running a Pertronix Ignitor, carry an extra... or the old set of points to get you home. A good flashlight, and a warning red flasher to put behind you. A spare alternator belt; it's just cheap insurance. Things to check before the trip: Steering coupler (rag joint). They deteriorate over time, brake fluid leaks will hasten that. How old is the master cylinder? If it's a cast one, when was it replaced last? They rust over time... just one particle of rust plugging a brake line orifice... you ain't stoppin' one day, brother. There's more, as we're sure many readers will add to this list.
I was fortuned to have my 68 Mustang in episode 347. We live in Ocala and have taken our Mustang to North Georgia and to Alabama. Our first Mustang was our 65 that we had for our wedding. We drive this one the same as our first. They are good traveling cars. We have no regrets taken it on long trips on vacation. Just maintain it as with any car or mechanical vehicle. Keep up the good shows. We are currently repainting and did a rain gutter delete. Last year I did a complete cooling system rebuild, runs and stay cool as design, no problems.
I think having a shakedown period is becoming even more important these days because of issues many of us are having with new parts failing. For example, two projects I've completed recently, an old Ford Van and a WWII Ford GPW (Jeep) So far all of the problems we have encountered are related to new parts failing. And these are parts bought from reputable companies, not eBay specials. The Jeep in particular is problematic because the vast majority of parts out there now are repro. At least my van I have been able to track down NOS parts. Now on the subject of what to carry, a tow strap can be invaluable.
Had better luck when I didn’t plan. Went all the way to Georgia college about 3 hours one way in the 63 wagon. No plan not even a phone. Best trip ever. Worst trip is usually 10-30 mins For me. Never fails !
Thanks for sharing, it always the little. One year before putting car away. The heater core puked on floor. Toke it home and bypassed it. Put it away.. added it to the list.
Learned the importance of lubricating the distributor cam when changing points at 2 AM once. Luckily I had a dwell meter and timing light with me. Found a gas station with enought light to see by to get it reset so we could continue to Houston. I still have that tube of cam lube I bought that next day in 1987.
Spare tire! While many of us have one, what is its condition? Does it have air? Are you traveling with the original 50 year old tire in the trunk? Spare, wheel diameter: I know of an instance where the spare was required, however the front discs were upgraded ( larger) and those 14” or even 15” wheels are a no go and the rear wheels, due to width/offset would not fit, in essence they did not have a spare for the front Search out a good space saver spare, they’ll fit both front & rear and get you down the road far enough for repair or replacement
Great video. I don't think the stock cooling system on my 68 Falcon was even capable of keeping the engine cool on a warm day at idle for more than a few minutes. I don't think the car was designed to do it. The 4 core aluminum rad and electric fan I added were much needed.
Timely content. I hate oil leaks, but if all I have to do is wipe a little oil off the bottom of the bellhousing, I am fine with that now. Back in the day, even new cars leaked. Mine runs cool thanks to a modern radiator and electric fan and is fun to cruise in. Get the car out of the garage and drive it.
One tool you should of mentioned is a 12v test light. Besides basic lighting problems you can used it to diagnose ignition problems just by probing the pos and neg sides of the coil
Suggestion for another video, top (ten+) safety improvements to original vehicles (my 66 Ford f100): 1. three point safety belts, strongly agree with you 2. Fire extinguisher 3. radial tires that are not outside age limits 4. Dual master cylinder and front disc brakes 5. Sway bars preferably on both front and rear 6. Move gas tank outside cab 7. Install Head rests on seat. (I used your video to install a 1994 f150 seat with head rests) 8. Install cat 3 receiver hitch to protect gas tank installed under bed. 9. Add third stop light on receiver hitch 10. Install a safety roll over shut off switch for fuel pump 11. Install an efi engine to eliminate carburetor problems
Obviously, Jeff, you have never owned a Fiat 128 Spider. You always carry a spare electric fuel pump or two or five. Two of my friends had Fiat 128 Spiders, and they both ate fuel pumps.
I must have missed something about Fiat? I have almost owned ever Fiat 128 models. My favorite was my x19. I rolled a 128 4 door at high speeds and walked away. My oldest Fiat was 1959 1100 D. Never had a problem with them ever. My Alfa’s was a different story, always carried spare parts and a fire extinguisher. We lived in Italy and drove Fiats all over Europe. Note, my 500 l cost 45,000 lire (50.00 dollars) to rebuild the engine.
I preach the element fire extinguisher. Two small ones on each side. Lightweight. No pressure vessel inside car. Like halon it doesn’t leave residue, either.
Hey now, I wouldn't be cracking all them FIAT jokes there, Mr. Ford man. Mr Fix Or Repair Daily. Mr Found Only Red Dust. OK, I'm done. Time to go work on the dentside - ironically one of my less rusty vehicles, at least where it counts...
Corporate Head Executives' Votes Rule Over Letting Engineers Triumph. A division of Generally Malfunctions. (That one Actually took a bit of effort, as I didn't steal it from my Dad)
Thanks for the video! Just for fun, Id include servicing bearings on the safety checklist. One of the scariest parts that can fail unexpectedly. My experience with my 78 F250 taught me this the hard way just two weeks ago. No one got hurt and I made it to my destination in Pensacola but not before a 4-hour pit stop under the Georgia summer sun, replacing bearings in an O'Reilly's parking lot. Lololol good times!
