The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 55mph in a 70mph zone

Sounds like you are doing great. Looking forward to seeing more pics.. Enjoy!

Time 07:22. 90 more miles till I get back home. 2 more mountain passes to go.

Taking a 15 minute brake untill the home stretch.

Oh
You can go 55 in a 70 zone

Thanks all

Well

The trip was a great success!!!

Made it home safe and sound
Put 853 miles on the truck this weekend.

Truck averaged 17MPG
Made it up the tehachapi pass at 55 MPH up the grade.
I left Paso Robles at 12:45am and made it home at 9:20. 404 mile in 8 1/2 hours.

I was not able to take allot of pics of the road trip due to darkness and hours traveled. But did take pics with the family we visited and at the base museum we went to Saturday.

Only casualty was a tumble weed on California highway 46 near the spot where James Dean wrecked.

I had such a great time taking the 50 on a road trip.
Stopped for gas Herebut the pumps didn't take debit.

Saw a beautiful sunrise this morning ...click...

The bench seat was surprisingly comfortable for me on the long drive.
Should of put sunblock on Friday afternoon, the sun was beating on me in the cab.

No radio in my truck, but with some windy conditions I had, I would not of been able to hear one if I had it.

You don't take a stovebolt on a long trip to make good time, You do it to have a good time.I had a great time.

No issues going stovebolt speed on the interstate. Stayed to the right, never held up a row of vehicles. I did pull over twice on a 2 lane to let a single car pass.

Also learned something new about the history of my dads truck from my aunt. I knew my late uncle had found the truck for my dad in 73 or so. I just found out yesterday that my dad bought the truck from a next door
neighbor of my uncle. And I got his last name going to follow up on that.

There was a peaceful satisfaction in completing the trip. The early morning drive in the hills of California was very relaxing. Perfect time to think about Dad and his old Chevy truck....



I think the highlight was the trip to the military museum. Here are a few pics
...pic...



Thanks to all who posted suggestions and encouragement and also thank you to the many members of this site who have helped me on my DADS50 over the last 3 years.

DADS50 --

This has been the greatest thread that I have ever followed on Stovebolt. I betcha everyone on the board was sitting in the seat beside you and enjoying every mile.

Thanks for sharing your family and your adventure with us.

- Lonnie

I have taken my 54 to KC every year for the last 5 years and have taken it too Maryland and South Carolina and it will go well over 80 but i drive at my speed and that usually 55-60 even on interstates and have no problems. i think most people who see an old truck think it can go 45-50 any way, especially the way they pull out in front of me. have a good safe trip.

Congratulations! I know it's got to be a great feeling. Your truck looks really good, too.

Thanks

The seasoned old timers must be thinking...., just get in a go!

I've always liked reading about members taking thier bolts on long distance trips to shows or reunions.

I was overly concerned about the speed. Heck in our new car we go the speed limit and cars are whizzen by like we're standing still.

Again thanks to all

How about posting this is the reading room? I also like to read about our members adventures. I know you produce some great videos and can tell a good story. Just a thought.

And just to comment on what Lonnie said, I totally agree. Your Dad would be proud...

NO they pull out in front of you because they think it can stop miraculously within 1/4". I thought it was just my imagination, apparently I ain't the only one experiencing this phenomenon

::::UPDATE::::

Just wanted to update this thread.
I've made a second long trip in the 50. This trip is a Christmas vacation journey. A "homecoming" for the 50. Drove it 627miles to Northern California to visit family

The truck did great on the first leg of the trip. Avg 15mpg over the 627miles. Was able to cruse in the slow lane at 60 with no one riding me, also able to kick it up to 65mph for a little while.

I used a garmin Nav this time and surprisingly my odometer is pretty accurate. The speedometer and trip calculator on the garmin is very handy.

This is the old stomping grounds for my Dads old truck. I drove it out to the locals ranches where I worked as a kid and took some pictures

...link...
Dads resting place

...pic...

I would like to thank the many stovebolt members who helped me with my 50 over the last 3 years. It may say shop shark under my screen name but actually I'm an apprentice and still learning.


I've gained a lot of confidence in the 50 and hope my return trip later this week is just as successful

For those of you considering a journey in these old trucks...go for it.

Enjoyable read, glad the 50 did good on both trips. A testimate to the original builders as well as the recent rebuilder
Your Dad would no doubt be very proud.

Thats real good mpg. I've got perhaps 4k miles on my 49 216 since I got it running and it hit the 11 mpg mark on this last fillup. It gets better with use and perhaps it'll eek alittle more out.

Good thread, keep it updated
Dave

I completed my trip home yesterday. Drove straight through this time.

571 miles in one day. 3 stops for gas and rest

here is some info from the garmin trip computer on the iphone
total time 11:13 hours
moving time 10:17
Ave speed 55MPH...just like the thread title.

I averaged just under 15MPG this trip. I did a little better on the way up there. Might need a tune up.

Did have one hiccup yesterday. 150 miles from home I stop for the last fill up. I have already been driving 8 hours.
After I fill er up and stretched..., went to start her up and she just turned over but didn't fire up.
Waited a couple of minutes...same thing just cranked but didn't fire.

My wife and kid were traveling behind me about 2 hours.

Popped the hood and grabbed my meter out the travel kit. Had 12 volts at the starter and had voltage at the coil. Looked over the carb, didn't see any evidence of flooding.
So I pushed the 50 away from the pump to a parking stop
...pic...

Started to go over the troubleshooting I've learned on this site. My first thought was the carb, I had a Kit and tools on the truck.
But then I decided to pop the cap and check the rotor. Everything looked in order so I put the cap back on and noticed I didn't feel any resistance when I put the cap on.
I check the rotor and lifted the center button on the rotor and went to re install the cap. This time I did feel the rotor contact the cap like I was use to.

Got back in the truck and she Fired right up. I was all smiles at that point.

Over all took me about 30 extra minutes at that stop. Drove home the last 150 miles with no problems.

What a great feeling

Had a Great time Back Home (Although my 5 year old son had a fever 103.8 christmas eve )
Did a little work

...Put the 50 to work at the local dump..click... ($21.00 bucks to dump yard waist in cali...)

Took a Few "Then and Now" of my Dads old truck. The "then" shots are from the 70's and 80"s and 90"s. Unfortunately I dont have any pics of my Dad with his truck.
...video link...click...(some posted in the greasy spoon)
...QuickTime...


..loaded more pics on the picture link I posted earlier...

Put a total of 1,118 miles on this trip. and enjoyed every mile.

Learned another lesson, Know where you put your spare parts.
I had some under the seat, others in a box I carry in the front seat, and others in a box in the bed. When I was looking for my spare ignition parts I didn't remember where they were!! Also still need a Brim hat to keep the sun off my neck on long drives.


...edit...

....edit...

Sounds like an excellent adventure.

I like your brim hat idea. I'm saving up to buy a Tilley. They're made In Canada.

Cool video. Holding up the photo's to compare now vs then is really a great idea.

Good to hear that your trip went well. Your son is lucky to have a Dad taking lots of pictures for him. Don

Fantastic. Love the video on you tube.

Great journey, thanks for the great pictures.

Great threat. Wonderful pix (as always) and story Gus. You do awesome video and picture composition.

This is my favorite line from your first trip:

"Only other problem so far was my gummy worms melted together on the front seat."

And like several mentioned, write it up -- possibly make a composition of "Stovebolt Travel" and we'll get it in the Reading Room.

Congrats on all the trips. Now ... coming to Kansas City in 2014???!!



Peg

Great video! The truck looks great as well.