Sorry to ask again but I'm really on the fence.

Friday I need to start my trek from San Antonio TX to Ravenel, SC (1282 miles according to google maps). My options seem to be:
1) Drive the dart and hope it makes it. If I break down get AAA and tow to a moving truck company and tow it back.
2) Put dart in back of moving truck. (The internet has mixed opinions of this, but it seems ridiculous that I would drive an empty 16' moving truck to haul a car on a car transport.)
3) Drive the empty moving truck + car transport.

The transmission in the dart is ok. No loud pops or whining. The engine sounds fine except for a light pinging/knocking. Hopefully an oil change will fix/alleviate this. Brake lines were replaced a year ago and seem fine. I know the carb is good (fixed vacuum and gas leaks). Radiator hoses are good and the radiator is holding fluid. The tires do have some dry-wrought, but plenty of tread. Speedometer is currently broke, but I think I can fix that. I don't think I will get to a valve adjustment before I leave.

Does anyone have advice? I'm giving myself 3 days for this 2 day trip and I'll drive it around today (50-100 miles) and see what the oil consumption is (if any).

Pictures are here:
http://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43553

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~Less think, more do

Check front wheel bearings, repack with fresh grease if needed.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

I would drive it. Last spring I flew to Tampa, Florida and drove my 64 Dart home to Virginia Beach, VA. I took it easy and averaged between 55 and 60 mph. The only two cars I passed on the way home were broke down on the side of the road. Only two things I wished I had on the car were air conditioning and cruise control. Before leaving Tampa, the oil and filter were changed, transmission fluid checked, air pressure checked in all tires, including the spare, coolant level and condition, and most importantly to me, the brake fluid level. My only concern, according to the info you have provided, would be the condition of the tires. Although you've stated you don't have time for a valve adjustment session, I would recommend it. Over time, you will probably build up a survival kit to carry in your trunk: spare ballast resistor, coil, starter relay, etc. For now, please make sure you have a good spare tire, jack and lug wrench, a couple cans of oil, and maybe some transmission fluid. Keep us posted.

Drive it!

When I bought my barracuda, I had spotted it in a farmer's field in Iowa. I had called the farmer, found out that it "ran good", and made the decision I would drive it back to Chicago.
I showed up with the money, paid him, and took it back. It hadn't had an oil change in probably 10 years, and who knows about any of the other maintenance items.

I made it fine.

You will have an adventure that will bring a smile to your face for a long time to come.

I would drive it! Check all of the above, and also make sure that you have cash reserves for repairs. Make sure that your temp and fuel gauge work, otherwise make sure you have some spare fuel and water (lots) in the trunk.

Drive at 55mph, and ignore all the blue haired old ladies passing you with their walker. You should be fine. The nice thing is, these cars are brutally easy to fix, so regular tools, Gaffer tape, some spare parts, fluids, and a sense of adventure are all you need!

~RDE~

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1984 D100 Shorty Custom
Certified Auto Appraiser - RevItUp Classic Appraisals
President - Cherry City Bombers CC
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

If you don't already have them, order up sundry parts that you should always have in a little box in the trunk (belts, starter solenoid, voltage regulator, ballast resistor, brake fluid, misc hoses, etc) and basic tools. After your oil change, give yourself a day to give the car an honest once-over. Is the spare tire OK? How dry are these tires (are they "maypops" or "willpops"? pull the valve cover and check the valve timing. Check the ignition timing. If anything, this trip will break the cobwebs loose and it will run better when the trip is through. Does the fuel gauge work? With it and the odometer inoperable, bring a gas can.

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Never seen a Valiant I didn't like!

Temperature and fuel gauges work. Speedometer & odometer work.

We got it inspected (Texas regulation) and it passed fine. I got the oil changed (and filter) and front greased.

I took the car around I-410 (52 miles @ 60 mph) and it made some noises in the beginning but cleared up and ran fine except for one thing:
1) Sometimes I turn the ignition key and it won't start. My fix is to bridge the connection on the starter to what I think is the solenoid. I don't know how bad of a problem this is. It, so far, has only occurred when I first start the engine.

I will look into acquiring all the sundry parts. Hopefully the above is not a big problem.

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~Less think, more do

I had a no-start the other day that turned out to be a bad battery cable connection. An intermittent problem with the starter relay could also be the problem. The Rockauto.com discount code is in the "Slanted Network" vendor section of the forum for fast delivery of everyday parts. Is the engine still pinging/knocking/missing? How do the spark plugs look?

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Never seen a Valiant I didn't like!

The pinging is very light now. I'll check the plugs again later tonight.

The car gave me no starting trouble today and I replaced the battery and cables last Monday. I'll see if someone has a starter relay.

Thank you for mentioning the spare tire. I looked and the car doesn't have one! So, I ordered one and I should pick it up this evening...

The only other thing is the speedometer. When the car is cold and I take it > 20mph the speedometer makes a grinding noise jumps all around. Then, after awhile, the speedometer work perfectly--no noises at all.

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~Less think, more do

Try taking speedo drive cable off, then spray some lube on the end of the speedo, not the cable.

Richard

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

I had a similar issues with my speedo. I believe the grinding was the odometer getting caught up or something, I was in the middle of drive home and it killed my odometer, my speedo is still semi-functioning (jumps around at 0-30MPH).

As for road trips, have fun! Last summer I completed a road trip from LA to Seattle (~1200 miles on Google maps) in my '66 Dart. The car did great, even though it wasn't in the best condition. Broke the trip up into 3 days, each day driving 7-10hrs. The car was loaded with most of my stuff too, it was sitting really low but we made it!

Here are a couple things I did before I left:
-Radiator hoses, cap, and thermostat.
-Valve lash, idle mixture, and ignition timing.
-New tires and brake shoes.

I think it would be wise to carry a spare ballast resistor, some extra coolant, and maybe even a mini-starter. The only other tip I have is stop for gas often, or at least map out the gas stations.

Goodluck!

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'66 Dodge Dart

Replace the tires before you go. You are going to have to do it anyhow, so why not now? Don't risk your safety and your vehicle. Then, enjoy the trip. 1200 miles is a walk in the park for an A-Bodied slant.

-Mac

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I will begin my trek tomorrow!

I was able to get spare hoses, all fluids, belt, gas, and a full spare tire. I couldn't find a place that had 13" tires for my car (they did have trailer tires). I asked about the tires on the car and the guy said they looked alright they were just old so I don't foresee a problem. Spark plugs still look like when I cleaned them so that should be fine. As for resistors and other electrical, I couldn't find a place that had them.

I drove it around today for about 80 miles--only problem was sometimes the starting. I believe it is the relay because if I bridge the connection at the solenoid or relay it always works.

Thanks!

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~Less think, more do

Paul,

Most auto parts stores get shipments in at least once or twice a day and can usually get you a part later that day or the next. Maybe call ahead to a parts store along the way and pick up a resistor.

As for old tires, I had a hard time finding the right kind, I feel your pain. But try again, probably calling a tire shop down the road, maybe they can order you a set. Old tires need to be replaced just like worn tires because the rubber deteriorates.

Again, goodluck and take lots of pictures. I'm sure it will be a fun drive!

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'66 Dodge Dart

I hope I caught you in time. If you are traveling I-20 between Dallas and Shreveport, I have a set of almost new tires that will fit your car. They are on the rims and can have them. The price is right....