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Seattle To Huntsville [Alabama]

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bobh

bobh

Jedi Warrior
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I took the plunge and bought another TR6. It's been 27 years since I sold my '71 to help pay for college.
The "New" TR is nearly new. It had 14166 miles on the clock when my brother and I picked it up near Seattle. 7 days and 3330 miles later we pulled into my driveway in Huntsville Alabama. Other than a failed rotor (Lucas) the car didn't miss a beat. Although the original redlines are a bit out of round, making for a noisey ride.
When my son returns from college with the camera cable, I'll download some pictures.
If anyone is interested in reading my "trip report" I'll post it.
Yesterday I had a professional apprasial done. The appraiser is a British cat aficionado. He was very impressed with the car. His remarks on the write-up said it is remarkably original.
Needless to say I'm on cloud nine. I need to finalize the insurance and finish clearing a spot in the garage.
Life is good

BOBH
 
I'd certainly be interested in reading a trip report. That's a long haul in a TR6.
 
I agree. You've done what so many of us aspire given the time and confidence in our cars. The fact you did this on day one after purchase lends itself to a movie script.
 
I've done Seattle to Houston in a six-year-old convertible, and it was tough. I can't imagine extending the ride 750 miles, plus doing it in an older car.
 
Ok ,how did a 6 leave town with that low of milage and I not know about it?
 
I'd like to hear about your adventure too Bob. I am planning a 600 mi. trip in my TR6 next summer. Even though I've owned the car for 15 years, I'm still a little nervous about that long of a drive.

Matt
 
Just get in your car go. But go over everything ahead of time. I took my TR3 back to Franklin OH. from Monroe LA. so my uncle who I got the car from and others that knew the car could see it back on the road. This was around 1800 miles in one week. Also drove to Red Wing for the VTR convention in 2002. Did have some problems but that is some of the memories. I have gone all over the country on my 1975 R90 BMW motorcycles and I think of my TR3 as a 4 wheel bike. It is an adventure in travel.

Don
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just git in your car go. But go over everything ahead of time. I took my TR3 back to Franklin OH. from Monroe LA. so my uncle who I got the car from and other that know the car could see it back on the road. This was around 1800 miles in one week. Also drove to Red Wing for the VTR convention in 2002....

[/ QUOTE ] Same here, Don, as I've stated here several times on this forum. The 2550-mile round trip from NY to MN and back for the 2002 VTR meet was the "shakedown" cruise for my Herald 1200 sedan. And yes, I did check it over thoroughly before I left, although I admit to hoping (and I turned out to be right) that the trip would finally bed in the front rear brake linings! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
I just realized that I deleted my trip report while cleaning up my email. I've sent emails to friends requesting a copy. As soon as I get one I will post it.
Sammy, Bring that TR3 to the next club meeting. It's this coming Tues at the Greenbriar resturant in Greenbriar Alabama. I'll buy you a catfish dinner.
DNK, The car was advertised in Hemmings. In the Sept issue I believe.
Matt, go fo it!
Don, you're right it's an adventure

Andy, You're more brave than I.

I hope my trip inspires many of you to take a long trip. When I was younger my '71 TR6 was my primary means of transportation. I can honestly say that it never left me stranded. I always carried a .50 Caliber ammo box with tools and various bits of wire, tape screws...
I regularly drove from my home in southern New Jersey to northern Virginia to visit my parents.
In preparation for this trip I purchased spares for all items I suspected may fail during the trip. The items are listed below.
My original plan was to to a complete servive of the car before departing. However after meeting the owner and staying at his home for the night I felt that he may be insulted thinking that I did not trust his maintenance.
We drove around 500 miles the first day. The next morning we installed new plugs, air filters, thermostat, a Pertronics ignition module and their flame thrower coil. Double checked all fluids and tire pressures. After that we took off for the Oregon coast.
As I mentioned earlier the only problem was a bad rotor. We stopped at a scenic overlook along the California coast for a few quick pictures. I waited in the car with the engine idling. With no warning or fanfare the engine quit. I pumped the lever on the fuel pump to make sure there was fuel and tried to start it. Nothing. We checked one of the plug wires for spark and there was none. However there was spark from the coil to the distributor. My first guess was the ignition module had gone bad. After all it was the most complicated of the new parts we installed the previous morning. We replaced the module with the points and condenser. I forgot to bring feeler gages so we used Dad's shade tree setting for the points gap. "Set the gap to the thickness of a dime". I remember checking this once years ago and finding it a little too wide, so we set the gap by eye to be slightly less than the thickness of a dime. This still did not allow the engine to fire. We replaced the new rotor with the old and it fired off immediately. We left the distributor alone for the rest of the trip.
The area of most concern was the tires. As far as I can tell and to the best of his knowledge these are the original redlines. There is plenty of tread and very little cracking. Ther are quite noisy, but had no problem driving 75+ MPH in several long stints. I'm beginning to look for a spare set of rims to mount some new tires. If I can find a set for a reasonable price I'll save the original wheels and tires for special occasions.
In general I enthusiastically encourage anyone who has dreamt of taking a long trip to do so. Take a look at everything before you leave, carry some spare parts and enjoy the trip. These cars may not be as rock solid reliable as a new Toyota but they are far better than the cars our parents drove. (I'm 53)
Spare Parts ** indicates installation during the trip
Spark Plugs **
Lucas Distributor Cap **
2 Lucas Rotors **
Set of Lucas Points and Condenser
180 Degree Thermostat **
Pertronix Ignitor Ignition Module **
Pertronix Flame Thrower Coil **
3 in One Oil (carb oil) **
Prestone 50/50 Antifreeze (Yellow Jug) **
Redline Water Wetter ** (my only consession to questionable additives)
Mobil 1 15W-50 ** used slightly more than 1 quart. There is an oil leak near the front of the engine. I suspect most of the consumption was due to the leak. I'll know more later.
Marvel Mystery Oil ** 4 oz at each fill-up. This is an old habit for additional lubrication of the top end of the engine.
Fuel Filter
Oil Filter (standard)
Oil FIlter Adapter (screw on)
Screw on Oil Filter (I'll install these after I fix the oil leak and change the oil)
6' of 1/2" Heater Hose
6' of 5/16 Fuel Line
6' of 3/8 Fuel Line
A selection of screw type hose clamps
10' of Bailing Wire
1 Roll of Duct Tape
1 Roll of 3M Rubber Electrical Tape
1 Roll of Regular Electrical tape
2 Carburetor Daiphrams
2 Carb Diaphram Retainer Rings
Upper Radiator Hose ('75 uses a single hose)
Lower Radiator Hoses
Water Pump Belt
Air Pump Belt
Wiper Blades
Fuses

As you can see very few of the spares were used. I also carried my cell phone and a digital camera. I figured the worst that could happen would be that the car broke down and couldn't be repaired on the spot. That would require a little work to arrange temporary storage, a tow and maybe a bus ride home. None of which were intimidating enough to prevent me from taking the trip.
By the way the scenery was outstanding! I can already imagine another visit to the NW just to take a more thorough look at the incredible landscape.

BOBH
 
last year i purchased my '76 tr7 fhc in chillicoathe MO, drove home to oregon via Oklahoma City, Carlsbad Caverns, SF Bay area. Broke there, returned three months later and finished the trip. In July I drove a Jeep from Harrisburg PA to Oregon that a friend had purchased on ebay. Flew out there, left next day. Only problem was a broken fan belt in Joplin MO.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Bring your umbrella. It rains everyday!

[/ QUOTE ]

And twice a day when the Californians are in for a visit!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif (or days that I wash a car.)
 
[ QUOTE ]
Andy, You're more brave than I....

[/ QUOTE ] I don't think of myself as brave...more like "Pollyanna-ish" or "cockeyed-optimist-ish"! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I will say that, having literally spent almost all my life in and around these cars, I know them pretty well and paid careful attention to it in the short time between purchase and the long round trip.

And I did have two minor problems (full disclosure time). One was a bad tire valve that got replaced quickly by a willing tire store during (lucky for me) a slow afternoon. The other was a voltage regulator that started sticking on occasion. That problem was solved by stopping at Walmart and buying an extra battery, which I then carried the rest of the way to and from Minnesota without ever needing it...although it did come in handy not long after, when the regulator and generator finally stopped doing their respective jobs completely!

I did have a small selection of bits and tools with me on that trip, but I never had to use them.
 
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