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Now THAT was HOT!!!

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John_Mc

John_Mc

Jedi Knight
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For the long weekend I decided to take a trip from San Jose, CA to St. George, UT to go hiking in the slot canyons of Zion National Park with my sister's family. "Hot weather is slot weather" as they say there. So, it looked like my only available last minute transportation was the TR6. I've always wanted to take it on a long road trip on the open highways. The predicted temperatures for most of the drive were in the 100+ range. So on Friday I drove 650 miles in that heat for 12 1/2 hours (including a couple of cool-down stops and a traffic jam in Las Vegas caused by an accident that had all 5 lanes of traffic exiting the freeway), and the return trip last night and today. The verdict: don't do this! The car performed surprisingly well with a couple of issues that didn't stop me, but it ran hot as did I. It was fun in its own way, but just too hot for car and passenger. I was pleased that the car marched along steadily though. I will continue to say that Triumphs can be very reliable cars.
I did not have a radiator shroud on the car (to answer your question, TDSKIP). Would that have made a big difference in the car's ability to stay cool in such hot temperatures? Also, one of the issues I encountered was that a couple of times the brakes stayed on after pressure was released (actually, they may have just come on by themselves) and I had to stop and cool down and pump them until pressure let up. What caused this? Air in the lines? Slight friction from improper adjustment that led to greater heat and expansion? Something else? Thanks for any input.
 
Pushrod on m'cyl too tight. First guess on brakes.
 
TOC said:
Pushrod on m'cyl too tight. First guess on brakes.
Click to expand...
Assuming you mean the pushrod between the booster & MC, I agree. A sticky pedal could do it too.

The shroud will definitely help with cooling at higher speeds, by forcing air to flow through the radiator rather than around it.
 
Just curious, why did you choose to go through Vegas instead of up around the north side of Yosemite and past Mono lake? It's beautiful country up there, and I have to think it would be cooler, at least most of the way. High for Caliente, NV was only 77F yesterday, instead of 97 in Vegas. Lots less traffic too, especially on Labor Day.
 
Randall, I seriously considered doing that since the distance to St. George is only about 10 miles more that route and, as you mentioned, much cooler and more scenic. Highway 120 past Mono lake seems like it was designed for LBCs. My fear was that it is a much more remote route and if anything broke down I might be stranded for a long time, and the risk of being abducted by aliens and probed repeatedly was too great out there on the Extraterrestrial Highway! I also thought that since it's a slower route, time might be a factor. In retrospect, I should have done it and if I ever drive the TR6 to St. George again, that's the way I'll go.
Here I am hiking Orderville Canyon in Zion National Park. An amazing place. Worth the grueling drive.

canyonhike.jpg
 
Hoo Boy! If the wife sees that shot, there is definitely a trip to Zion National Park in my future!

I actually meant to stop there last year near the end of a road trip, but everyone was tired and in a hurry to get home, so we just waved from I-15 and went on.
 
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