We'll the Midwest Bolter's Roundup 2023 is over and, as is all Stovebolt get togethers, it was spectacular. Great people, tech sessions and food was the rule of the day.
Our trip home will take a bit longer than the 18 hours it took to get there from Ontario. Tomorrow (the 17th) we head west on I 70 to Kit Carson, Colorado for the night. Then up Pikes Peak sometime Monday. After that, we will head for Albuquerque NM.
If any Bolters happen to see a blue '60s Chev Panel truck with a gray top along are route: wave! I'll will most likely be seen at gas stations filling up because I do that a lot.
If anyone is interested in our travels let me know, I will post on this site of our further adventures.
A prized posetion long distance travel award
Last edited by Peggy M; 01/07/20247:43 PM. Reason: title spelling
John, Vicki and I had a great time getting together again with you and the other folks today!
Please post up a general time table of your trip. I’m sure others would like to hear and see about your US tour in a 1960 Chevy Panel.
Don
Last edited by Peggy M; 10/06/20237:46 PM.
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery '46 2-Ton grain truck | '50 2-ton flatbed | '54 Pontiac Straight Eight | '54 Plymouth Belvidere | '70 American LaFrance pumper fire truck | '76 Triumph TR-6 Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
This is what happens when you live with a house-full of women, the wife and daughters name all the cars: 1960 Impala - "Frankie" (Frank Sinatra) 1961 Apache - " 'Mater Jr." (wrecker) 1965 Corvair Monza Convertible 1967 C20 "Ol' Blue" (hidden in a log cabin for 30 years) 1972 SuperBeetle Convertible - "Juliet" 1976 SuperBeetle Convertible - "Olaf" 1988 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce - "Romeo"
Made it from Independence MO to Cheyenne Wells CO on Sunday. Monday we headed for Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak but we failed. Just climbing the hills to the visitor's entrance was a hard grind and got the truck up to 200 degrees.
Once I got through the gate and climbing, it got hot enough to boil the gas in the filter attached to the carb. I pored water on the filter and headed up again, with the same result.
The third time this happened about four miles up. I gave up as I was too far from home to risk a serious brake down, especially with no Bolters around to cheer me on.
It cooled down pretty good going down hill but I could smell the brakes heating up. Just couldn't win.
At this point, we headed for Albuquerque, fighting what must have been a 45 mile-an-hour wind of the port bow and climbing what seemed like a constant uphill grade limiting me to 60 mph with the heater on to help with cooling.
Once we got to the Las Vegas, NM area there were some mountains on the left breaking the wind and I got my old easy going truck back. The cruise from there to Albuquerque was effort less.
I am now at a friend's house for a few days and will try to figure out why my cooling system won't handle 80 degree weather.
It was good to meet you. I am not a fan of misadventures but your adventure would be good to read about. Be safe. This might make you hang your head a little.. You will have to back it up. But he did go up pikes peak.
Last edited by Peggy M; 10/06/20237:53 PM.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am. 1954 3100 Chevy truck In the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix 1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
Ron, no "misadventures" were had -- just different ones. Lots of people make it up that mountain, but how many can say they pulled a Rockford -urn in a 20 ft 6,000 lb truck on the mountain no matter how ungraceful it was.
It was approaching 200 deg in city traffic. It has never gone that high before, nor has it ever boiled over which it did when I shut it off. Running with heater on helped.
I have since installed an over flow bottle along with the fan.
Tomorrow we head west into Arizona for a proper test.
John, We need another update on your travels with pictures!
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery '46 2-Ton grain truck | '50 2-ton flatbed | '54 Pontiac Straight Eight | '54 Plymouth Belvidere | '70 American LaFrance pumper fire truck | '76 Triumph TR-6 Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Made it from Gallup NM to Williams AZ today with stops in Winslow and Flagstaff. Weather is in the 70s and we got some rain as well, some of which got under my hood but I knew that was doing my motor good.
With the cooler weather the truck is running great.
After spending the morning in Williams AZ, we headed to Kingman after an interesting stop in Seligman. Got some interesting comments when people notice the plates. One guy was sure I trailered it.
The pusher fan seems to help at slower speeds (i.e., city traffic) but I haven't been pushing it as hard and it's been in the 70s. But this thing has performed admirably to say the least which is good as I'm not done traveling west yet.
Back in Winslow for the night, heading east on a meandering path home.
Finally had it with problematic heating issues and pulled the thermostat. I retarded the timing a bit as it pinged a bit when hot. Put a whole day in without passing 190 on longer climbs on I 40. The temp outside has decreased as well. It all helps.
Other than that, the truck runs fine. Developed some rattles after driving on some wash board roads but this will be addressed when once again make a pit stop at a friend's in Albuquerque.
We really enjoyed western Arizona. We'll see what the next few days bring.
Let me know when when you get close to Missouri. Maybe we can get together again for a mini meetup?
don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery '46 2-Ton grain truck | '50 2-ton flatbed | '54 Pontiac Straight Eight | '54 Plymouth Belvidere | '70 American LaFrance pumper fire truck | '76 Triumph TR-6 Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Two weeks and 3500 miles into this trip, it's time for an oil change and to chase down some rattles developed on a wash board dirt road we found ourselves on. We'll spend a couple of days here then continue on east.
Truck is running much cooler with the thermostat in the toolbox!!
So many potential projects can be found just laying around in fields and around abandoned buildings.
Tonight we find ourselves in Erick OK cooling down. Strong winds and 80 plus degree weather has nackered us. It amazes me how this Stovebolt keeps going considering.
I'm using every bit of this single barrel Rochester and the vacuum gauge hangs out in the red zone on most of the long up hills. Yet to date, I've averaged 13.5 mpg on this trip.
Removing the thermostat seems to have helped keeping the temp around 180, but I still need the auxiliary fan at crawling speeds. I'm thinking a shroud might be in order.
I admire you for what you are doing. I thought I was brave enough to make the trips to KC and this year I did not make it. Still I not have taken it to the shop. Keep on trucking and safety wishes to you.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am. 1954 3100 Chevy truck In the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix 1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
Home town of the music legend Roger Miller. Enjoy your trip through Oklahoma. Would love to meet up but we are out of town.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
John ... Enjoy Oklahoma! I did. I spent some very good time in Norman back in the day ...
John
~ John
"We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are"
1948 International Farmall Super A 1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
We are in Joplin MO for the night at the Best Western.
Oklahoma was great, lotsa touristing. Even found a few miles of Route 66 that was discontinued in the 1930s. The pavement was only 9 ft wide. Locals opened it up a bit but was still wash board.
The weather was a bit cooler which made my passengers and myself happy. Trucks running just fine.
LOL, I drove some of old Route 66 (Aka the dentist's friend) thru Oklahoma back in 2019, with a stop to visit with Justhorsenround and enjoy a fried onion burger. I bet it gave your suspension a workout.
Safe travels.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Looks like we will miss you going thru Missouri. Vicki and I have plans the next few days. or we would plan on meeting up along I-44 somewhere.
There are several more stretches of the old 66 going east from Joplin. I believe Lebanon has a stretch thru down town. Then St. Roberts also has a good portion open that swings down by the Devils Elbow and across the Big Piney river. If you stop at Rolla, check out the Tater Patch for lunch or dinner. It's just off the Hwy and has great food. A bunch of hotels right there also.
In St. Louis Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is also on old 66 / Watson Rd. / Hwy 366. A lot of city traffic to get the though. It's a landmark in St. Louis.
You can also drive down town and check out the Gateway Arch and Eads Bridge. It was also part of old 66 a long time ago.
Okay, enough typing, I'll check in tomorrow and see where your at.
Safe Travels Don & Vicki
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery '46 2-Ton grain truck | '50 2-ton flatbed | '54 Pontiac Straight Eight | '54 Plymouth Belvidere | '70 American LaFrance pumper fire truck | '76 Triumph TR-6 Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
In Springfield IL tonight. Getting a little noise when I depress the clutch but seems fine when on the move. I'll try to figure it out in the morning. If I can't, I'll just bee line it home tomorrow.
I've seen you get by, making it home with much bigger problems. Like the time at Homecoming when your 5th gear in your T-5 got chewed up and you just took it apart and took out what was left of that gear, installed a different rear axle which you happened to have in the back of that hearse, and drove straight through to Canada. Who even does that?! Canadian Batman, that's who.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I forgot to bring transmission parts along on this trip.
I was down 1/2 a cup of ATF this morning. In 4,800 miles or so but I'm guessing it's my 1st gear synchro that's past it's best before date. As long as I stay in the higher gears, it seams ok.
We are in Battle Creek Mi tonight and should be home tomorrow night. I doubt Best Western would appreciate me doing a biopsy in their parking lot.
We shall keep on keeping on for now. I'll let you know when we get home.
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery '46 2-Ton grain truck | '50 2-ton flatbed | '54 Pontiac Straight Eight | '54 Plymouth Belvidere | '70 American LaFrance pumper fire truck | '76 Triumph TR-6 Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Made it home around noon today -- 5,740 miles round trip in four weeks with a 13 3/4 gpm average.
When I get around to finding the clutch problem, I'll let you know. I'll install the thermostat and figure out a shroud as well as give the truck a complete once over.
As for the trip it was all that I hoped it would be.
Glad to hear you made it home safe with just a few hiccup's during the trek around the states.
Let us know when you will be doing another south of the border trip.
As for the clutch noise, it is probably the throw out bearing or pilot bearing. When you drop the tranny, just go ahead and replace them both.
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery '46 2-Ton grain truck | '50 2-ton flatbed | '54 Pontiac Straight Eight | '54 Plymouth Belvidere | '70 American LaFrance pumper fire truck | '76 Triumph TR-6 Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
I admire you for what you are doing. I thought I was brave enough to make the trips to KC and this year I did not make it. Still I not have taken it to the shop. Keep on trucking and safety wishes to you.
