Thread: Road trip

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As someone who has broken down far from home recently (), I can offer some insight into how to get running again. The AAA membership is essential, it will get you off the road and to somewhere where you can have your car fixed or fix it yourself. Obviously, a cell phone (and charger) are necessary too.

As far as tools, all you can really do is have some aboard for minor repairs. If you put a piston through the block you can't carry enough tools to cure that problem, but most breakdowns are more minor in nature. Stuff like coils going out, wires breaking, relays crapping out, fuel pumps breaking, etc. In my 23 I was able to store enough tools under the seat to fix most small problems, and they came in handy when my brake lights stopped working in Daytona a few years ago.

Besides a complete 3/8 drive set (you can do most minor repairs without a half inch set), I like to carry combination wrenches from 1/4 to 15/16 (that size fits my tie rod ends) vice grips, cresent wrench, allen wrenches, phillips and standard screw drivers, duct tape, hammer, extra wire and terminals, a test light, flashlight, wire ties, electrical tape, and some rags and hand cleaner. Something to lay on under the car is also nice. If you have room, a jack, some wooden blocks or wheel chocks, and a tow strap are nice to have.

Having a common engine and components is helpful too. Exotic mills are cool, except when you blow something far from home. I just found out no one stocks a Ford Racing water pump and had to rebuild mine while at Turkey Run. When I had a simple Chevy 350 I could walk into any Autozone or NAPA and walk out with pretty much any part I needed.

Finally, keep a list of every component you used on your car. Hot Rods are generally put together with various years, makes, and models of parts, and you THINK you will remember you used a 1970 Chevy brake light switch, but when you need to replace it your memory will fail you (Don't ask how I know )

Here are the tools I stuffed under the seat in my 23.

Don

thanks for the more specific info. This is what I was looking for. Incidently, one of the planned trips is from OR to ND, where I grew up. As a kid we camped in the Black Hills and I haven't been back so, maybe the BH and Yellowstone need to be added. Another trip planned is B'ville. I run an sbc with Pertronix, manual fuel pump, carb with a , GM brakes, etc.. so if I break, hopefully a fix can be effected w/o financial pain.
Thanks again guys!!
Run what you brung!