Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

[Lonestar]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

Tires, tires, tires..... check the age of those puppies before placing them on hot pavement @ speed for hours. You do not want to tear up a fender or wheel well by having one let go.

If the car has the few miles noted then it is going to throw wear metals like crazy. Might want to make sure you start with a fresh fill of oil and change it about half way home. Do not use a synthetic in that engine.... Mobil Clean 5000 or the old stand by Pennzoil conventional in 10W40 would be nice choices. If the 428 has valve train noise w/10W40 you might need to move up to 15Wor 20W50. As you know, it is not like today's engines.

[Gobird]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

Loanstar, I really hate to say this but I think DavidA knows how to cover this and the simple things involved in making this drive back. Did I just say that?

With a car this old and the low mileage it's hard to say what problems he may run across with this drive home. Just wish him good luck and if he doesn't blow it up some of us may get to see it sometime.

[DavidA]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

WOW, Gobird actually gave me a complement. This is a first!!

The tires are pretty new, not the originals. I have all that covered, thank you, but I am curious why you say not to use synthetic in that engine?

[Gobird]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

David, Facts are facts and no matter my personal views I have to support you and my opinion of your knowledge of these matters.

I think I just lost my mind.

[FritsB]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

but I am curious why you say not to use synthetic in that engine?

I think the classic type mineral oils contain less 'dopes', which are agressive to materials older engines are build from.

[FEsTbird]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

Hope that the temperature is OK for your trip. The last time I was in that neighborhood was a drive north from Oklahoma to Wyoming. It was a long time ago and it was pre-airconditioning time. I remember hitting Abilene in the early afternoon with the temp being over 100. Boy were we hot!!! The car was doing OK, but the passengers weren't.

We were with my Dad on that trip. His way to beat the heat was to get up real early and get on the road when the air was still cool. Then we would stop early and enjoy the swimming pools.

Great looking car! Have fun with it.

[PaulD]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

Another option...rent a U-Haul truck and car trailer and haul it home. Avoids adding miles to it as well as the risks of unknown issues along the way.

[Lonestar]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

WOW, Gobird actually gave me a complement. This is a first!!

The tires are pretty new, not the originals. I have all that covered, thank you, but I am curious why you say not to use synthetic in that engine?

First, I did not mean to imply that you did not know what you are / were doing. I guess that is must be OK if some give advice / suggestions but not for others. Understood.

However, DavidA, you asked about my comment on synthetics so I will take the liberty to explain my opinion about that.

When that engine was made, and assuming it has not been torn down recently, all the gaskets are cork or robe. It is more then likely that all of them are extremely brittle even if the car has been kept in a climate controlled environment. Conventional oil will moisten the cork and rope and unless they are physically cracked they will absorb the conventional oil and hopefully provide an adequate seal. Synthetic oil simply will not do this and will leak past the old hard cork and rope gaskets. Additionally, depending on how the car has been stored, if any slugging (really wrong term for this situation with only 2900 miles) has formed around seals the synthetic will start cleaning these areas and then slip on by. Also, if the car only has 2900 miles the rings may have never seated to the cylinder walls and although synthetic is light years better for ring packs in a properly broken in engine it will not help seat the rings with the tolerances used in 1966. I am almost hesitant to suggest conventional Pennzoil for their formula has recently change and there is a lot more detergent in it and it is already GF-5 rated. GF-5 is OK for 2004 and up engines but not 1966 engines. So, I am back to Mobil Clean 5000 or Valvoline conventional. Again, I believe the book called for 10W40 in the summer for that engine but you might have to go to a 15Wor20W 50 if the valve train is noisy with 10W40. Clearances in those engines can handle oil that thick.

One other note – gas… If the tank has not been kept filled then I suspect you know that trash has developed in the tank. Might want to have a couple of fuel filters in you bag.

And I agree 100% with you in regards to the interior... That was one of the "riches" looking interiors ever placed in a passenger car - breath taking.

[DavidA]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

Lonestar -- Thank you and please note I did not comment about my knowing or not knowing what I am doing. I appreciate all the comments and help from you and everyone else.

BTW, it has 29000 miles, not 2900 so I am sure he valves seated long ago. It currently has a new oil change of 10-40. Great idea on the extra gas filters.

[snowbird]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

So which one of you is Thelma and which one is Louise?

These are for you Steve.
btw. They used five of these '66 convertibles for the movie.

[DavidA]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

Thelma and Louise blue Ford Thunderbird car up for auction

• 
• 

17/09/2008
One of Hollywood's most famous cars, Thelma & Louise's blue Ford Thunderbird is up for sale.
The convertible, which starred in the 1991 hit film alongside Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis - could fetch £20,000 at an auction next month in Italy.
The Oscar-winning movie about escaping dull lives ends in a blaze of suicidal glory as they drive off a cliff.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

David,
Five to one odds it doesn't make it 1000 miles. Looks like a piece of junk! I will salvage it for 500 bucks and a Greyhound ticket to Nashville

[LuvOurBird]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

David made it safely to Grand Junction last night. He is planning on hitting the road about noon today. The mechanic has to put in the bearings this morning.

[Black Bird]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

David made it safely to Grand Junction last night. He is planning on hitting the road about noon today. The mechanic has to put in the bearings this morning.

Jeannie

Talked to frits yesterday and he is alllllll excited about the Tbird David is getting. He said he thinks he already has a buyer for it it. Bunny Lou

[Wyo_Bird]

Re: Driving from Grand Junction, CO to Nashville

Temps around 100 today in Colorado.
Hope all goes well on the trip...