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Old 07-16-2017, 12:22 PM   #1
Old Henry
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Default Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

This was the last big item on my bucket list, to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco north clear around the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Of course, we had to get to that road and back from our house in Utah. Total distance 2,892 miles in 8 days, average 361 miles per day. This is our story.

Here's the map of the route



And the interactive version: https://goo.gl/maps/zkyz8rKCTDP2 Of course, to get to Reno from home we had the option to take the I-80 freeway or The Loneliest Road in America, US 50 from Delta, UT to Reno. I've driven that road before and love it so we took it.

We had only climbed over a couple of the 17 mountain passes on that road (many 8% grades as high as 7,000 feet) when the engine started losing power on acceleration and hill climbing. Letting up on the gas restored power, just like a plugged fuel filter. But, I have no filters except the metal one just ahead of the electric fuel pump, just the stock settling bowl. The electric pump filter was new so it was not suspect. Vapor lock crossed my mind but it wasn't acting like vapor lock that totally kills the engine and I had the electric pump running which eliminated that as the cause. Then I thought of plugged gas tank cap vent so removed the cap. Didn't help. It was a mysterious problem I had on my last Pike's Peak climb that I solved by propping the hood up a few inches to get air into the engine compartment. The ambient temperature was only 92° but I propped the hood up anyway. Didn't solve the problem this time.

I then decided it was time to open the hood and look under it to see what I could see. When I did, I saw this: https://youtu.be/ULqipGdY-nA Air was coming into the top of the settling bowl. That indicated vaporization of the fuel in the fuel line ahead of that. That could only be caused by two possibilities: overheated fuel line coming up the firewall or not getting enough pressure from the electric pump to keep it from vaporizing.

I didn't have my pressure gauge (yeah, the ONLY thing I didn't have in the trunk) so couldn't check that. So, I disconnected the fuel line from the firewall to break that source of heat, got a couple of paper towels and a rag, wet them and wrapped them around the fuel line to cool it. Worked like a charm. That's the first picture below. At the next gas station I pulled a string of towels from the dispenser and wrapped the line better to better insulate it. That's the second picture. That got us through Sacramento when it was 105° out. Eventually I bought the real heat shield from a NAPA store and put it on. That's the third picture. When I got home, I bought 1/2" pipe insulation from Home Depot and put that on. That's the 4th picture.



Unfortunately, on my trip a week later to Yellowstone with a couple of grandsons, the old problem came back on the hot freeway in spite of the insulated fuel line. So, today I checked the fuel pressure coming through my Holley pressure regulator. It wasn't even a pound of pressure. So, I'm now convinced that had been the problem all along. I adjusted the regulator up to 2¾ psi and believe that will solve my problem. On my next trip I'll remove the insulation and see how it goes.

Now, back to the story.

We stayed in Reno the first night and headed west from there the next day. Driving through Sacramento the ambient temperature climbed to 105°. Up to about 95° we are fairly comfortable with the air coming through the car to cool us. But, above that temperature, it really starts to get uncomfortable. The moving air no longer cools but actually heats us up. At 105° we were really uncomfortable. At that point we started creative methods to keep cool. We'd heard that spraying water on us from a spray bottle would help. So, we tried that. But, it was so hot the light spray evaporated almost before it hit us and did very little good. So, we started pouring water on us. That helped. But, the thing that worked best was to rub ice cubes on our clothes until they melted and soaked our clothes. The best for me was to pour water in my cotton Gatsby hat to soak it good and put in on my head. That eventually was all I needed to keep cool.

It was a relief to finally get to the coast where the temperatures were always pleasant and comfortable.

Now, the good stuff.

We reached California Highway 1 at Point Reyes Station just north of San Francisco and headed up the coast. Video: https://youtu.be/rOzG3-SEoFg

Sanoma Coast State Beach, Gleason Beach:


Point Arena Lighthouse:





For the most part, my second gear held well on descents. But, occasionally I had to hold it in with my bungee cord:



Eventually we reached redwood territory and, of course, had to drive through a redwood tree. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/MOrc-hserVY

And through Redwood National Park. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/PA48bHKypmM






Sunset was a beautiful time to be driving the Oregon coast. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ECMSwRkI3eE



More Oregon coast. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/QnDQGY6YGak



Haceta Head Lighthouse



Eventually reached historic Astoria and its historic tower:



Right at sunset:



We then diverted over to Castle Rock, WA to visit some friends where I spent some time getting my window to go up and down. Duct tape again comes to the rescue.



Drive over the historic Coos Bay Bridge: VIDEO: https://youtu.be/U3NYCUZZ60E

Drive along the coast at Ponsler State Park: VIDEO: https://youtu.be/SmPxBQJEvVM

Stayed the next night at Ocean Shores where we could drive out on the beach and watch the sunset. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/83JlzRPk-48



With little Lady:



Eventually we reached Olympic National Park and took a very scenic drive through the rain forest there: VIDEO: https://youtu.be/7NGiPwhD_Hs



From Port Townsend we took the ferry over to Whidbey Island.



Poor little Lady had a panic attack on the ferry from the low vibration of the ferry engines:



Otherwise, she was a great little traveling companion and loved every minute of the trip.

We loved driving Whidbey Island, as we always do, then headed for home.

On the way home we stopped in LaGrande, OR and visited a fellow Ford Barner, Richard and Debby Comstock (50fordcoupeman), whose street that they live on was the actual original historic Oregon Trail. Took a ride in his powerful and nicely decorated 50 coupe.



Stopped and visited our daughter in Star Idaho then made it home. The only other car trouble was the old seat belt buckle broke apart and had to buy a new seat belt at NAPA and install it and the battery gave up the ghost. Had to start the car with BoltPower jump starter the whole last two days of the trip. Very glad I bought it just before leaving. It is the most powerful jump starter with 900 amps of power. It started my car at least a dozen times over the two days without every recharging it. https://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Power-D2...PBPRPX65B2A7J7

Previous road trips:

Southern Utah and Northern Arizona in March 2017: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216069

Western Utah Desert in the snow in December 2016: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211692

Mt. Whitney and Death Valley in November 2016: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209009

Teton National Park in September 2016: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205574

Alaska in May 2016: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196219

Moki Dugway in April 2016: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193764

Four rivers in Idaho and Montana in March 2016: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190776

Red Canyon, Utah February 2016: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188740

California Highway 1 November 2015: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182600

Great Basin National Park and City of Rocks October 2015: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181134

Pike's Peak September 2015: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ht=peak&page=2

Uinta Mountain Range, Utah, August 2015: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173539

Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower, July 2015: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173539

Pony Express Trail in April 2015: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=166241

Mexico and around in February 2015: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162633

Ghost towns of Modena, UT and Pioche, NV in November 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155331

Million Dollar Highway, Durango to Montrose, Colorado in June 2014 https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142975

Transcontinental Railway Grade in May 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139471

City of Rocks, Idaho in April 2014:https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137684

Capitol Reef National Park in March 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133018

Grouse Creek and the AAA garage in February 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130966

Grand Canyon in January 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128820

Moab, UT in December 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127222

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument November 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123694

Across Nevada on US 50, "The Loneliest Road in the Country", October 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120098

Mount Evans (the highest paved road in North America) August 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115013

Canada in June 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109872

Monument Valley in March 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99523

Bryce Canyon in February 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97822

Milford, Utah in December 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93137

Nevada and Idaho in November 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89080

Rocky Mountain National Park in September 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83966

Yellowstone National Park in May 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72864

Death Valley in February 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62705

Pike's Peak in July 2011: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19141

Route 66 in April 2010: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57511
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"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

Last edited by Old Henry; 07-17-2017 at 12:08 PM.
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Old 07-16-2017, 12:42 PM   #2
flathead48
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

What a great trip, thanks for sharing
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Old 07-16-2017, 01:22 PM   #3
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Thank You for taking us along, magnificent scenery.
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Old 07-16-2017, 02:16 PM   #4
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Did you notice the denuded land right up to the fence of Olympic National park? You missed Neah Bay, the northern most tip of Washington! Did you see Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National park, one of my most favorite places?
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Old 07-16-2017, 05:22 PM   #5
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

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Originally Posted by mrtexas View Post
Did you notice the denuded land right up to the fence of Olympic National park? You missed Neah Bay, the northern most tip of Washington! Did you see Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National park, one of my most favorite places?
No, yes, and no. I'm afraid our time was limited to be able to see all we would have liked to see. Maybe we'll go again someday.
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Old 07-16-2017, 08:14 PM   #6
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

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Looks like 'Ol Henry bearly fit through that tree, your previous trips inspired me to visit Arches National park and Grand Canyon this past May, unfortunately we flew to Arizona so I didn't have my '41 Ford with me.
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Old 07-16-2017, 09:17 PM   #7
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Thank you for posting.
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Old 07-16-2017, 09:48 PM   #8
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

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Originally Posted by corvette8n View Post
Looks like 'Ol Henry bearly fit through that tree.
If you watch the video you discover that he didn't fit exactly. Something hit. What was it? (Quiz time)
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Old 07-16-2017, 10:00 PM   #9
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

It was a real highlight of ours to have you stop here Craig!!!! Bought a Bolt Power jump starter because of what I saw you do with it. The quiz answer I would say was the radio antenna hitting the tree.........was it?? And thank you for being kind on describing my ol Ford )
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Old 07-16-2017, 10:00 PM   #10
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Thanks for sharing another one of your trips.

Looks/sounds like the antenna may of left it's mark on the tree?

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Old 07-16-2017, 10:22 PM   #11
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Yes. It was the antennae. I had someone push it down for succeeding takes driving through.
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Old 07-17-2017, 12:02 AM   #12
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Great pics ,as usual Henry,you make our week away in the 33 at only 949 miles seem trivial,this was to go to a town that was only 60 ms away,we went via the back roads.
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Old 07-17-2017, 06:30 AM   #13
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Glad you had a good trip. Excellent video's.
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Old 07-17-2017, 06:51 AM   #14
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Another adventure in the record books - you are the flathead road trip McGyver, tackling problems, and getting back on the road. Thank you for taking ys along with you ....
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Old 07-17-2017, 09:32 AM   #15
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Quote:
Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman View Post
Bought a Bolt Power jump starter because of what I saw you do with it.
This is the "American Express" gadget, i.e. "Don't leave home without it". It is the highest amp jump starter that I found, 900 amps. It can also be used to charge/run any USB stuff for any still on 6 volts like me.



I hooked it up for one man start without sending 12 volts through the car system by clamping the negative clamp to the starter side of the solenoid then just touching the positive clamp to the positive battery post. Starts right up every time. More info and to buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Power-D2...WZYBB0HVFE8J88

P.S. Always take it on my boat, just in case. Nothing worse than a dead boat battery miles from shore.
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Old 07-17-2017, 09:46 AM   #16
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Your travels never cease to amaze me. You are truly the master of the original car road trip!
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Old 07-17-2017, 10:05 AM   #17
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

As always a wonderful uplifting report. Thanks Henry
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Old 07-17-2017, 12:15 PM   #18
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

As always (from me and soooo many others); thanks for sharing your adventures!!! Love 'em all. Have a question relative to the FORD trim piece across the center area of your trunk lid. I have a 48 Tudor sedan and it has the lighted version (3rd brake light). It's held in place by 3 bolts that are attached via 3 holes in the trunk lid. How can I get them to stop leaking water? I enjoy driving my car; often 6 hours to the FL panhandle. If it rains, I use a sheet of heavy plastic to cover whatever is in the trunk (or move it all to the back seat). Any suggestions? Also; to get to the door mechanism, you have to remove the window trim, etc, etc. Any tips for installing the window trim (with the vent window) back onto the door? Many thanks!!!

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Old 07-17-2017, 12:44 PM   #19
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Thanks Henry for the ride, With you all the way. I enjoy looking at the U tube videos of building the coast road. Over the past few years they's had to replace many of the old bridges.
Thanks again Ol'Ron
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Old 07-17-2017, 12:48 PM   #20
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Default Re: Pacific Coast from San Francisco to Olympic Penisula

Quote:
Originally Posted by ricklove View Post
As always (from me and soooo many others); thanks for sharing your adventures!!! Love 'em all. Have a question relative to the FORD trim piece across the center area of your trunk lid. I have a 48 Tudor sedan and it has the lighted version (3rd brake light). It's held in place by 3 bolts that are attached via 3 holes in the trunk lid. How can I get them to stop leaking water? I enjoy driving my car; often 6 hours to the FL panhandle. If it rains, I use a sheet of heavy plastic to cover whatever is in the trunk (or move it all to the back seat). Any suggestions? Also; to get to the door mechanism, you have to remove the window trim, etc, etc. Any tips for installing the window trim (with the vent window) back onto the door? Many thanks!!!
Sorry, I don't know about the lighted emblem. My stock emblem doesn't leak. I would think you could seal yours with some silicon sealant along the top out of sight to stop your leakage. The leakage problem I had with my trunk was the seal around the edge of the lid. Bought a new one and glued it on then had to seal it with silicon to keep the water out.

As for re-installing the window frame and getting the vent window seal to fit, I just use a small flat screw driver to lift the seal to get around the door. One challenge is where the seal meets the divider bar between the window and vent window. Gotta pry that some to get it to fit.
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