The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 800 mile drive with 50 year old truck

so, we're about to move from Austin, TX to something really small in MS (West Point / Amory / Tibbee / we don't have a house yet). November 19th we're starting the drive. moving will be with our Dodge Grand Caravan and our 59 1 ton Panel Truck.
I'd love a bit of input from people who've doen a trip like this. what's going to break? what spare parts do I NEED to carry? etc. it's got the 235 (50,000 miles orginal), 4 speed, and it's all stock.
advice, please, a lot of tips, we'd be really thankful!

Welcome to MS! What brings you to the south?

A case of oil, basic hand tools, flashlight, credit card and a cell phone. Not neccessarily in that order,
Good luck,
Scott

Don't forget the first aid kit and cooler full of beer.

Money, Guns, & Lawyers

Well, I have successfully driven 8,000 miles (all in one months time) in a 52 Chevy 1 ton with 235 engine and stock 4 speed transmission.

Of the parts I carried I did use a spare set of points, condenser, belts, oil and water.
The parts I brought but did not need were a tire/wheel, fuel pump, carburetor kit, coil, and plugs.
The parts I needed along the way but did not bring with me, fan (mine finished cracking and threw a blade), generator (had a bad bearing), Thermostat with gasket material, and a tin can with hose clamp for the broken exhaust pipe (well, I did bring the hose clamp).

Adjust your valves properly before you leave if you have not done it recently. I like the fat side of the recommended clearance given by the book, is it 0.008" and 0.015"? I wrote it in pencil on the dash, and adjusted them once while on the road.

Take it slow, about 2,500 rpm at the most.

You will be fine, even an old truck was new once, and believe it or not they were intended to be driven, so get in it and drive.

Grigg

Mu most recent long haul with a stovebolt was a little over 2500 miles, central California to Tennessee, in 1979. My wife actually drove that one, a 59 Burb with a 1970 307 V-8, a SM-420 4-speed, and a Dana 60 rear axle. A Datsun 510 wagon was on a tow bar, and I was driving the big rig- - - -a 70 Caddy Fleetwood towing an 18-foot backhoe trailer. At the Arizona truck scales, they made me buy an "over width" permit because my axles were a couple of inches too wide, and weighed the rig. Caddy and trailer- - - - -16,700 LBS.!

We made it to Tennessee with no problems, other than a few flat tires on the 14.5" mobile home tires on the big trailer. The Caddy got 5 MPG, and the Burb got 10. Fun trip!
Jerry

Now that's what I call a husband in charge. She drives the truck and you drive the Caddy.

I drove a 57 pickup from Dallas to Augusta GA - 1000 miles. Lost the generator. Changed batteries with the Dodge Caravan "chase" wagon periodically. The water pump never worked, but the truck never overheated in 104°F Texas heat. Coasted into the driveway with a cracked head 'cause the valves were maladjusted for 1000 miles. So adjust your valves per the book before you leave.

We tried to swap the driving chores- - - - -she couldn't handle 5 tons of tail-wagging trailer!
Jerry

if the truck is driven now, you should be ok, I always took flash light, extra belts, fuel pump, etc but never had to use them,, the 235 is a tough engine, just enjoy the ride, probably nothing more to worry about then if you were driving a new one.

you do have time to make a test drive and see how it works out.. good luck on your move

purchased my 59 gmc with 235 from a farmer in Saskatchewan. Drove it half way across that province through Alberta and the mountains into central british columbia 14 litres oil, 1 tube rtv sealant , two tires, new rubber for gas tank filler neck, and a lot of patience. truck hadnt been driven off the farm in over fifteen years. no prblem , just one big adventure.

Cosmo needs to chime in ,,, he drives his baby all over the United States

Don't worry about it. You'll figure it out when it happens.

end of story

I bought my 58 in N California and drove it home to Canada along the 101. In retrospect I should have done an inspection first but I made it. If there's one recommendation that I have, get AAA. Just one tow in the middle of nowhere when its pouring rain is worth it. The cell too. My oil lines went in Coos Bay, Or and the shop owner said instead of paying me, when I'm up in Vancouver for the Alaskan cruise - take my wife & I for a tour. So I did. The regulator toasted in Anacortes, WA and the generator went not long after returning home. It's was a great adventure.

Buy a AAA Premire Membership...about $70....it gives you 200 of free towing...$1,000 of rooms & food in case of breakdown...or car rental. I travel all the time in 50+ year old vehicles (25,000 miles in the last 15 years). I've used this 3 or 4 times over the years.

My son & I drove a 51 3600...235 w/T5 tranny 9000 miles last year. Lost a generator (replaced with an alternator)go ahead & get a bracket kit from Patricks you'll want to carry it w/ you..if no problems you'll still change out that nasty generator eventually....

Just get the AAA toll free number. If you break down you can call them and buy the membership at that time. Then you can have them send out help on the same call. That way you can buy as needed, when you need it.

I've done it. I odn't buy it unless I need it, and it is still good for a year until it expires.

Tell us your route and when you are expected to be going on this trip. That is how the "IRWIPI - Triple Dog Dare" adventure started. I was just asking about bolters on the way who might be able to help out with "shop stops" along the way. I had all kinds of bolters willing to help out if I had trouble. You have a network of friends right at your finger tips that will probably be more help than AAA.

seetz,
Got an idea...
driver her up here to Mineral Wells and park her in front of my house!
Ill watch her for you. Come back later and load her on a car hauler when you have more time!

just a thought!


Cliff59

ditto's on AAA and the cell phone (make sure you get a phone service with good coverage).

My sister used AAA to move her car about 300 miles over 3 days... she could have it towed 100 miles per day or something like that..

have fun

AAA is the BEST investment I've ever made. They have saved me so many times. If you have an old car you like to drive here and there, definitely get the premium package where you get 100 free tow miles per call. Up to 3 (?) calls a year I think. Maybe its 7? I can't remember.

A few things I might add to the list of what to bring is JB Weld. The instant type. Also, duct tape, a towel or blanket to lay down on if you have to get under the car and several rags or a roll of paper towels.

I brought a 63 International Travelall across California and I swear, without JB Weld and duct tape - it would never have made it.

What an adventure you'll have! Oh and, in addition to everything people have told you to bring for the car, bring a camera and document the trip. What a cool little photo album that would make whether it goes smoothly or not. Who knows what interesting moments might lie ahead!

Good luck and keep us updated!

I'd take spare heater hoses or vise grips to clamp them off. I'd also take some radiator stop leak. Everything else seems to have been mentioned.

I would tune it up with new ignition parts, filters and a oil change before taking it on the trip. Take it slow, and you should get there OK.

I have routinely driven my 1966 C-10's from Georgia to Connecticut for several years, and never had any major breakdowns.

AAA is a good idea with older vehicles. I've been driving old vehicles for over 20 years, and had to use them a few times, but very rarely with the old Chevrolets I've owned.

I would say one of the things that might give is your back, if you have stock suspension. I drove from the San Fernando Valley to north of the Bay area (about 300 miles) in a '53 and my back was sore for 2 days, and I was YOUNG, not like how I am now.

Bought my '62 Sub sight-unseen, and drove it 1000 miles home. And it wasn't restored, either--all original.
New tires, new fluids. New plugs, wires, thermostat.

No problems. Then, during the next year and a half, and 20,000 miles, the wiring died (I'm amazed it lasted that long...by the time it was done, if I had the headlights on and turned off the ignition, the engine would still run, until I turned off the headlights!) Also replaced the radiator (you shouldn't have a problem there, since it'll be cool), water pump and completely rebuild the entire brake system.

Your wires are 50 years old--the insulation will be brittle, and if it's like mine was, there might be a whole lot of "That'll Do It' fixes from previous owners. Look over all of it.
Bring a multi-meter and some spare lengths of wire for on-the-road fixes. Had to do one myself going to NCarolina before I rewired the truck.

Inspect every wheel cylinder for the least little sign of fluid weeping. Check the rubber hoses to make sure none of them are cracked or dry rotted. Pull your master cylinder off the firewall to inspect the seal at the back of the bore. Check your steel lines to make sure none of them are cracked or weeping. I've had a bad experience with a single-pot master system, and was uncomfortable the whole 20--- I put on my truck (Got it replaced now! )

Other than that, go for it and enjoy the drive!

-Brad
(ps: my Sub had the original tired 283, 4spd granny and steep gears. Tall tires helped keep rpm down. Upgraded at some point with HEI)

I like Builder's idea the best.

Would like to see a pic of the burb, we moved from Austin in 2004 but didn't move that far, just to west texas. Too crazy. Looked at your profile to see if we reconigized the truck and saw you are as old as us. Weird that we didn't meet when we were in austin. we used to hang out with the hotroders in south austin. have a safe trip and good luck.

Just drive it. "SOMPAC"