Road trip!!!!

[1930artdeco]

I thought I would post a road trip thread about my moving Barb up to her new digs in Washington. I am taking all week so have plenty of time and am doing about 200+/- miles a day.

Left Walnut Creek at 0915 and arrived in Redding at the hotel about 1445. So about 6.5 hrs or so, not bad. Averted a big catastrophe when I felt the radiator and it was cold so I added more water and antifreeze-a lot more. Then I remembered she has a crack in the block either at a exh vale/water jacket into the cylinder or into the exh manifold. So after driving some and feeling lots of engine heat and checking her radiator I can confidently say that if I am super warm, the radiator has not lost any coolant.

I am thoroughly enjoying just getting her on the freeway and cruising about 50-55. She really needs an OD and that is on the list of goodie to buy when I restore her. Next up is the Siskiyou pass and into Oregon. I expect rain so I added several coats of Rain X to windshield, so that when the vacuum wiper does not work (like that would ever happen) the rain X is there to take over. Plus I have lots of towels for the inside of the car. Hope all goes well tomorrow.

Mike

[Synchro909]

I'm still laughing after looking at the first picture. And you guys say we are up side down!!!!
IMO, 50-55 mph is too fast without an O/D. If you want to get there, remember the fable of the hare and the tortoise.
All that said, Have a safe trip.

[Ivan in southeast va.]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I'm still laughing after looking at the first picture. And you guys say we are up side down!!!!
IMO, 50-55 mph is too fast without an O/D. If you want to get there, remember the fable of the hare and the tortoise.
All that said, Have a safe trip.

Focus on the journey, not the destination.

[Big hammer]

Keep the shiny side up and enjoy your experience!

[1930artdeco]

Yeah, I fave up posting pictures correctly. Sometimes they show up correctly, other times you get that. So I have to save them and reorient them and re-save them to the thread. She seems to love to cruise about 52 so that is where I try and keep her.

Mike

[1930artdeco]

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Just pulled into 7 feathers casino for the night. I could have gone further but a friend of mine told me they have security that drives around the lot. So I decided on the extra safety. Car ran very well on the freeway but had idle and top end issues. Found the issue and 20 minutes in a NAPA parking lot was all it took. Idles much better now and a little more top end. After she cools down I am going to go out and adjust her points. They are new and I think they are wearing in so a regap is probably in order.

[burner31]

Any time you can leave California is a good day, made my escape in '98 and have not looked back.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip and keep this pictures coming...it's good exercise for my neck.

[mercman from oz]

1930artdeco setting out for a trip in his 1931 Ford Model A Fordor Sedan

[1930artdeco]

Just made it to Portland and am spending the night with my folks. I am averaging about 16+ mpg which is not bad going through the mountains. So far the only issues I have had are the vacuum line was broken and the points were closed down as they were new and wearing in. Other than that she is driving great.

Mike

[GerryAllen]

Go Mike go. I love your spirit of adventure, look forward to driving with you after you guys settle in.

[katy]

Is that a vacuum hose in the first picture?

[Bill Cilker]

Now that you have gotten her warmed up, it is time to go on a long trip.

[1930artdeco]

Katy, yes it is. The wiper does work after it gets warmed up. Last night pulled into Puyallup with a bit of a headache☹️. Better so next stop is lynden via 405, wish us luck!

Mike

[Big hammer]

Dad are we there yet! Let us know when you have !

[katy]

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

next stop is lynden via 405, wish us luck! Mike

Lynden, nice little town, been there, used to live just across the border in BC.

[1930artdeco]

Pulled into our new house yesterday and introduced Barb to her new daughter, 57 country sedan. I am hoping Barb will talk some sense into Betty. Betty likes to fight me big time whenever I try and fix something on her. Not real problems and got about 16-20 mpg. Will be fooling around lynden today learning where things are and doing errands. Thanks for following along.

Mike

[Big hammer]

Glad you made it safely! Rest a bit !

[1930artdeco]

Wish I could. I have a house to pack up in two days and then back on the rod north again after the movers come. Then I can go to work and relax��.

[burner31]

IM006405.jpgCan we see the little sister? 1957 Country Sedan
Here's the '57 companion to my Model A

[1930artdeco]

Burner here ya go. She is about a year off from being road worthy.

[slatgrille]

May not be roadworthy yet, but looks good on a ceiling...lol. These must be 'Fred Astaire' cars!

[burner31]

Looks pretty good to me, don't see them very often, more rare then my '57.
And sure like that big garage of yours, you have fun now, ya hear

[P.S.]

Good work Mike! We are sure going to miss you and the Mrs. TS and I would leave Kooky Kalifornia also, if not for our business here. When we retire, we're right behind you!!

[jack backer]

You have a cracked block? And drove it hard from CA to OR up 5? Ya got more guts than a slaughterhouse..


I left Cali in January.. time warp to West Virginia.. it’s like the mid 1960’s here

[1930artdeco]

I ‘think’ there is a crack. All I know is I lose water over time. Not the normal ‘finding her level’ though. It is also possible that the block is not totally flat, I seem to remember checking it with a straight edge and the being a few thousands fat in the middle. So that may be it. I just keep tabs on it and carry extra antifreeze and water. At least I hope that is it.

Mike

[1930artdeco]

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Hi Paul, the movers came today and emptied the house in about three hours-and that included the garage��. Can’t wait to join up with the lions gate club and start touring around Washington and Canada. Yes we miss you and the rest of the Diablo A’s but we want to own our house and be able to retire someday.

Mike

[jack backer]

Try putting a little hose on your overflow tube to extend it ( under the cap) if you haven’t already, could be your issue.

[katy]

Pull the spark plugs and look at the tops of the pistons, if it's leaking into a cylinder the top of that piston will be washed off.

[1930artdeco]

Katy, thanks. Hadn’t thought of that. And I need to pull the plugs for inspection anyways. Just to see how she did on the trip.

Mike

[History]

It has to be bitter sweet leaving California. I’ve never lived there but visited many times, it is an absolutely awesome state!!! Imagine if it was still as it was in the 1950’s as far as culture and attitude over all. We went through San Fran the last time out and saw 4 iv drug users shooting up on the sidewalk and many other things. It doesn’t have to be that way obviously but it’s like someone wants it that way. I believe we stayed at that casino your talking about and met Frank Zappas sister as my son had an NCSU shirt on that caused her to speak to us. I love California and pray that one day you can take your A back to that state and live in a sane world.

[1930artdeco]

Yes California has its share of problems that every state has. You can’t beat the weather as there is really only two seasons in most of the state. But there were multiple reasons for moving, with a really big one being able to retire and own our house-at some point before I croak.

Mike

[SHEC]

Sweet spot for our 30 Dlx. Cpe. -52 mph also..... all stock.
All the best - Godspeed ✔️🇺🇸