drivin' home tomorrow - wish me luck that the ol' car makes it

[mckitterick]

EDIT: We're on our way! After I get a second headlight (call me paranoid...), we're outta town. I'm expecting at least a 10-hour drive.

So I've done all I'm going to do to prep the 1951 Chevy for the drive home:

. Changed the oil using a durable semi-synthetic. Got extra to replace that which leaks ;-)
. Replaced one headlight that doesn't work on high-beam. I'll be driving with high-beams on all the way in the dark - have you ever driven a car with a 6-volt electrical system? You get the idea.
. Replaced a cracked length of fuel line.
. Rinsed out the oil filter. Yeah, high-tech ;-)
. Fixed the brake pulling action. This consisted of driving with the parking brake on for a bit, heating it up and releasing the stickiness. You get the idea.
. Filled 'er up.
. Cleaned and Rain-Xed the windshield (fog-proofed it inside). This is because I couldn't replace the freakishly small wiper blades.
. Tightened up a hundred loose screws and bolts on the engine which had been causing leaks. I'm sure there are more I missed.
. Replaced the rusty, unusable radiator cap that had been allowing the radiator to overflow as soon as the engine heated up.
. Sledge-hammered the open muffler seam back into place and strung it with baling wire (yes, from Fleet Farm no less) to hold it shut for the trip home so I don't go completely deaf. I'll be replacing the muffler at some point in the near future, but that'll require cutting and stuff with tools in my garage.
. Adjusted the carburetor and made it so that the choke actually turns off when the lever is pushed in.
. Cleaned and checked the spark plugs. Look good.
. Cleaned up the stray oil on the electrical connections under the hood.
. Lots of inspections.
. Will fill the tire air to max tomorrow.
. Other stuff I can't recall, I'm sure.

Wish me luck that I make it at least to within 200 miles of Lawrence (the max tow AAA Gold will give me).

Best,
Chris

Comments

[keikaimalu.livejournal.com]

Luck!

[orin2.livejournal.com]

You are a mechanical genius! I know who to call if I have problems from now on. Be careful ok? Long drives in old cars can be hectic. Remeber to take care of yourself too:

. Sleep
. Eat
. Take breaks
. etc

[blzblack.livejournal.com]

Good luck (You'll make it)! You'll have to let me see the hotrod next time I stop in town.

[radcliffe.livejournal.com]

Good luck good luck!

*safe travels*

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

Safe travels to you.


D.

[solan-t.livejournal.com]

Good luck! May the weather not frown on you.

[bellanorth.livejournal.com]

Sounds like quite a lot of work, but that will save you time once you get home so that you can dig into the bigger stuff (i.e. muffler), right? Good luck and safe travel returning.

[roya-spirit.livejournal.com]

Safe journey.

Wheee!
I'll be driving with high-beams on all the way in the dark - have you ever driven a car with a 6-volt electrical system?

Two words: British Leyland

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mac_/]

Glad to hear you two are on your way home. Safe travels, Godspeed, and all that. :-)