Power Tour Prep Idea's

[BOP4ever]

Was taking my old TA, but it is hurt so were going to take the 87 Buick GN !
Car is running fine basically, but I've never drove this far in it.
I was planning to change the fuel filter check out the belts, and other fluids.
I dont have much in the way of spares for the car.
I thought about changing the fuel pump since it is maybe 10 years old.
Car has about 68k miles on it. Trans is pretty new rebuild has about 3000 miles on it.
Going from Dallas to Little Rock AR.

 

[pmoore4321]

I'm thinking about making that run also. I need to fix my A/C or it is going to be brutal.

 

[HouTX87]

You might have to get your wheels rebalanced after driving through Arkansas. I did .

 

[usetaboost]

I'd get a few spare parts, stuff you can't just walk in and get like a coil pack and module, tps sensor, cam sensor cap. That should cover most things. maybe get a 237 regulator just in case the one you have fails. Spare ecm never hurt. The rest I plan on packing up for road trips will consist of spark plugs, a few spare wires, some zip ties, a bit of bailing wire, vac hoses, orings, duck tape, stuff like that

 

[usetaboost]

oh and AAA

 

[groumoutis]

Make sure you take a jack and jack stands with a decent set of tools!

Last year going from Detroit to Muskegon I had a brake pad come apart. Changed both sets in the hotel parking lot. Luckily I had brought almost all the tools I needed. Didnt have a C-clamp to compress the calipers so i bought one but I did have my cordless impact. The bad thing was there was a lot of other power tour guys in the parking lot and not a one offered a hand. Not that I needed one since it only took about 45 minutes to do both sets but I am glad they got to watch a real car get worked on. I always feel the lack of respect from the guys with the 60's cars. Some are cool and some are not. I don't know if anyone else ever gets this but I get it all the time.

 

[usetaboost]

It's the same way around here. I've been to a few big car shows here and rarely does anyone look twice at my car unless they actually know what it is. Everyone knows a stock chevelle ss or camaro ss is way faster than a tr

 

[INEEDAGN]

The largest number of vehicle problems on power tour are related to overheating. Lots of stop and go sitting in long lines of cars in the heat. Make sure your cooling system is up to the task, in 08 when I long hauled my GN I replaced the radiator, thermostat, and every single coolant hose before I left. I also carry a spare of every sensor under the hood and an ecm or 2 (or sometimes 3 or 4, it seems I have a lot of those things). If you are planning on keeping your car and planning on leaving town with it, spare sensors and a spare belt are cheap insurance to throw in the trunk, most of that stuff can't be bought in any small town parts store. If I had to choose between carrying a bunch of parts or a bunch of tools, I'll carry the bunch of parts, the tools are easier to buy or borrow as needed and they are useless if the part you need is unobtainable. I've done 2 long hauls and I've never seen a broken down car without several cars stopped behind it to help. I'm sure there are plenty of snobby assholes out there but I haven't happened to run into them yet. Dad and I borrowed a jackstand in 08 from some random guy and we weren't even 100% sure we sat it back in front of the right room number, but he didn't leave a note on the car the next day so I think he got it.

I hope the 14 pt starts where it leaves off this year and heads somewhere cool, I'll be driving the GN to NC and long hauling again.

 

[INEEDAGN]

The largest number of vehicle problems on power tour are related to overheating. Lots of stop and go sitting in long lines of cars in the heat. Make sure your cooling system is up to the task, in 08 when I long hauled my GN I replaced the radiator, thermostat, and every single coolant hose before I left. I also carry a spare of every sensor under the hood and an ecm or 2 (or sometimes 3 or 4, it seems I have a lot of those things). If you are planning on keeping your car and planning on leaving town with it, spare sensors and a spare belt are cheap insurance to throw in the trunk, most of that stuff can't be bought in any small town parts store. If I had to choose between carrying a bunch of parts or a bunch of tools, I'll carry the bunch of parts, the tools are easier to buy or borrow as needed and they are useless if the part you need is unobtainable. I've done 2 long hauls and I've never seen a broken down car without several cars stopped behind it to help. I'm sure there are plenty of snobby assholes out there but I haven't happened to run into them yet. Dad and I borrowed a jackstand in 08 from some random guy and we weren't even 100% sure we sat it back in front of the right room number, but he didn't leave a note on the car the next day so I think he got it.

I hope the 14 pt starts where it leaves off this year and heads somewhere cool, I'll be driving the GN to NC and long hauling again.

 

[groumoutis]

I always like to try to get all the local TB's to the car shows. A lot of the old car guys hate it. Last year we had a show and I managed to get four TB's at an event and a lot of people noticed and started asking questions. The old schools guys didnt appear to be happy about it since it took attention away from their cars. Honestly I hate the political aspect of car shows so I try to just stick to cruise's. I also hate seeing 8 69 camaro's with rope lighting in the engine bay or some goofy @$$ stuffed animal on the air filter. I'm not a big fan of chrome engines either but I can deal with it. I just won't do it. Chrome is for cars that don't get driven and I think all cars should be driven. That is why I love the Power Tour. Unfortunately I won't be making this years tour but hopefully I will next year.

 

[usetaboost]

I got some chrome under the hood of my car. Guess what, I haven't cleaned it since I put it on cuz I don't give a chit lol

 

[pmoore4321]

The largest number of vehicle problems on power tour are related to overheating. Lots of stop and go sitting in long lines of cars in the heat. Make sure your cooling system is up to the task, in 08 when I long hauled my GN I replaced the radiator, thermostat, and every single coolant hose before I left. I also carry a spare of every sensor under the hood and an ecm or 2 (or sometimes 3 or 4, it seems I have a lot of those things). If you are planning on keeping your car and planning on leaving town with it, spare sensors and a spare belt are cheap insurance to throw in the trunk, most of that stuff can't be bought in any small town parts store. If I had to choose between carrying a bunch of parts or a bunch of tools, I'll carry the bunch of parts, the tools are easier to buy or borrow as needed and they are useless if the part you need is unobtainable. I've done 2 long hauls and I've never seen a broken down car without several cars stopped behind it to help. I'm sure there are plenty of snobby assholes out there but I haven't happened to run into them yet. Dad and I borrowed a jackstand in 08 from some random guy and we weren't even 100% sure we sat it back in front of the right room number, but he didn't leave a note on the car the next day so I think he got it.

I hope the 14 pt starts where it leaves off this year and heads somewhere cool, I'll be driving the GN to NC and long hauling again.

I thought about the heat, believe me. I was looking at the weather history and it looks like the highs around that time of year are near 100 degrees in Texas.

I need to make some "dry runs" out of town to see if my car is good for the long haul. I need to get a list going of all the parts and tools I need to take.

That's good to hear about people pitching in to help when fellow rodders break down. I hope I'm not one of them.

The worst part might be the muffler drone!

 

[pmoore4321]

Hmm....just remembered I still have the PTC2800 LU. Maybe I should put that in for the highway miles?

 

[usetaboost]

That sounds like way too much work already lol

 

[INEEDAGN]

Park your car in your driveway on the hottest day you can find, turn the a/c on max, let it idle for a few hours. If it overheats your cooling system isnt good enough.

 

[pmoore4321]

Maybe I will just rent a U-haul trailer and tow the Buick with my pickup truck.

 

[RunninShine231]

see if she will hold up. stop being scared

 

[INEEDAGN]

If you are gonna tow it, you just as well leave it at home and drive your DD. Less people will judge you for driving a boring car than for towing a cool one.

 

[MonstrNrgy]

Don't be so worried. My dad and myself DROVE his 1970 gs 455 convertible to Bowling Green and back this last fall for the nationals. 1200 miles each way and it was perfectly fine. Why have it if you're worried about driving it?

 

[BOP4ever]

Thanks for the comments.
My cOol system is stock. It did ok last summer but did get in the 220 range.