What's your average trip, and furthest distance traveled?

[bobss396]

Everything on my car is new, fuel system, ignition, cooling, wiring, suspension, brakes and I did all the work myself or with friends pitching in on the big jobs. I've been making other improvements to make it better to drive, new rear, rear springs, front sway bar, flex fan, etc.

Now I'm to the point where I trust the car and take longer trips and drive at night quite a bit. I have to make a Montauk trip (100 miles each way) before the tourist season hits.

[bobioknight]

Originally Posted by bobss396

Everything on my car is new, fuel system, ignition, cooling, wiring, suspension, brakes and I did all the work myself or with friends pitching in on the big jobs. I've been making other improvements to make it better to drive, new rear, rear springs, front sway bar, flex fan, etc.

Now I'm to the point where I trust the car and take longer trips and drive at night quite a bit. I have to make a Montauk trip (100 miles each way) before the tourist season hits.

That's awesome Bob, let us know how it goes and what your mpg averaged. Beautiful car by the way, must get lots of waves.

[bobss396]

Originally Posted by bobioknight

That's awesome Bob, let us know how it goes and what your mpg averaged. Beautiful car by the way, must get lots of waves.

Thanks, surprisingly the car goes under the radar since I quieted it down. And the primer keeps it low key. The body is straight, zero rust with some shallow dents in the hood and trunk. Actually the hood has a rust issue in the lower front edge.

I tracked the mileage once, about 10 around town. I'll have to take that trip or drive it like a normal person for a tankful.

[zoegrant]

I cannot imagine making a long trip in my 56 T-bird due to the fact that it is a standard shift and the heat from the tranny area will cook a person even with Dynamat and fiberglass wrapped front exhaust pipes.If I had an automatic and AC then I would take a long trip. ....
I also have a 55 Ford sedan but that also does have a standard shift....both cars have overdrive so highway speeds are no problem....
I trust both cars as I have them extremly mechanically sound and could repair most problems on the road and am willing to use my credit card when repairs are out of my control.
I love to hear about all your road trips. i guess I live vicariously thru your experiences.....zoegrant

[willowbilly3]

My mind is not comprehending the whole "heat from a standard transmission thing"
I drive my 59 pickup everywhere, just not very far because I have no place to go,lol. And my 29 has never been more than 30 miles or so from home under it's own power. Hauled it to Bonneville a couple years back.

[dmsfrr]

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Originally Posted by zoegrant

I cannot imagine making a long trip in my 56 T-bird due to ...
the heat from the tranny area .....

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

My mind is not comprehending the whole "heat from a standard transmission thing"

T-Bird mufflers are on either side of the transmission, right under the seats. Heat from them is a definite problem, and at least one supplier sells/makes heat shields that mount between the muffler and floor of the car.

[raceron1120]

Max distance in our '56 Fairlane is maybe 120 miles round trip. We love driving it short distances to small cruises, shows & what-not, but wifey likes the 'creature comforts' - AC, cruise, etc. for the longer drives. Honestly, I do too; am getting too up in age to not take advantage of what the newer vehicles have, compared to the older ones. And I don't want to make the '56 any less stock than it is so no add-ons will be done to her. The Vicky is our fun car and the land yacht Expedition is our trip vehicle

[zoegrant]

The more I think about it...the mufflers are more likely to blame for heat than the tranny or maybe it is coming from the engine compartment or a combination of both. I do have the muffler shields that are sold by the t-bird vendors but on a warm day the interior is not comfortable, it is too hot. It is worse with the hard top on because the back window is stationery.....at least with the convertible one can zip the back window down. I think I will move the mufflers further back to see if that helps....thanks for the coments.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by zoegrant

I think I will move the mufflers further back to see if that helps....

Let me know if it works out, I'm considering the same thing. Their normal position is a pretty tight fit between the frame sections and I have to pull mine out anyway to re-fit them to the new outlet pipes from the exhaust manifolds.
I saw a comment (somewhere) that straight pipes weren't as loud as they'd thought.
.

[bobioknight]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Let me know if it works out, I'm considering the same thing. Their normal position is a pretty tight fit between the frame sections and I have to pull mine out anyway to re-fit them to the new outlet pipes from the exhaust manifolds.
I saw a comment (somewhere) that straight pipes weren't as loud as they'd thought.
.

I am not sure what is worse, heating your seat or your fuel. I would be concerned about vapor locking with a tank of hot gasoline. What do you think, is that a consideration?

[dmsfrr]

True enough, I'd forgotten about that. There's not much other space for the mufflers except next to the gas tank. That can't be a great idea.
Those straight pipes are looking like a better option by the minute. Haha
The seat and carpet are out of this car, it's a good time for something extra on the floor.

[bobioknight]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

True enough, I'd forgotten about that. There's not much other space for the mufflers except next to the gas tank. That can't be a great idea.
Those straight pipes are looking like a better option by the minute. Haha
The seat and carpet are out of this car, it's a good time for something extra on the floor.

Heck yea, definitely drop some insulation under that carpet. I would consider deflectors if I was planning on long trips with the hard top on, but I don't notice any heat radiating up at this point.