ok in june i will be going to mertle beach for senior trip. i live in ohio, so its going to be probably 10 or so hours to get there. i am going to drive the iroc cause its my only way there, flying is expensive. i have an 88 iroc-z with a brand new 350 caprice crate motor in it so i'm not too worried about the motor blowing. what i am worried about is my tranny going out, my rear end, or some other little problem that could leave me stranded on a highway in virgina or someplace like that. what can i do to prevent stuff like this from happening? my car, other than the motor has 115,000 miles on it. thanks alot.

 

Not a whole lot, really. But a few little things, like new rear end lube, would help; make sure the motor stays cool on the highway, which means check the air dam under the radiator; if the trans works well and the fluid is clear bright red, it should be OK.

The biggest thing would be to make sure the air dam is intact!!! Without that, the car will run hot on the highway, and that will stress the trans and the engine unnecessarily.

Tires are also an important thing to take care of on a long trip; you may not realize how fast you're putting miles on them at 70 MPH for days on end. Make sure they are correctly inflated, which would be to the max recommended pressure first thing in the morning before you drive it anywhere. Don't "bleed" them back down if they have higher pressure when hot. Make sure your front end alignment is good so you don't wear them that way.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."

 

rb83l69- thanks for all the information, that will help out alot. i'm think of building one of those ram air setups, think that will help as far as cooling? i will definitly prepare with that stuff come time. my dad says the towing people are conartist that prey on people traveling on those highways. any other suggestion?

 

Make sure you change oil b4 your go, get a new battery if yours is old. Just check everything over well. If something freak happens there is really nothing you can do about it anyway. I just hope your trip doesn't turn out like one of my long ones did. I went to spend a few days w/ a friend who lives a 100 miles from me (all interstate). As soon as I got of the interstate my tranny started to die. By the time I got it to his house all I had was first gear. It was aweful, had to have my parents come help me get the car home and all. Good luck on your trip though. And oh yeah, tow truck guys are con artists. They'll either mess up your car or overcharge you. I had my muffler bent by one and also was charged $75 to have my car towed 4 miles.

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1986 Berlinetta, 2.8L, newly rebuilt 700R4, 3.42 Posi. 130K miles and counting, K&N air filters.
Wins:
1996 Mustang
1994ish Olds Acheiva
1994ish Saturn SC1
Losses:
1999 Grand Am SE
1996ish Honda Accord (twice)
1990ish Vette (never should have been dumb enough to race a vette in the V6)
Late model ZX2, five speed (3 friggin stoplights in a row)

 

I doubt the ram air would make the car run cooler.

What I'm talking about is a black plastic piece about 5" tall that hangs down below the radiator. It's the thing that always scrapes on concrete parking lot bumpers and curbs when you pull up to them. It directs air from under the front of the car up into the radiator; without it, too little air flows through the radiator to keep the motor cool. Around town at low speeds or for only short trips on the highway, the fan will do enough cooling; but on the open road, the temp will climb steadily if it's missing due to inadequate airflow through there.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."

 

Anytime your driving an older car its good to have something like AAA on your side. I blew a $1 tranny line at 1 AM one night. With no stores open I was forced to have it towed home since there was no way I was leaving it.... luckily it was AAA paying the bill.

No matter how much you prepare, there can still be something to get you like my tranny line.

Have fun in Myrtle. Its a great place to celebrate your graduation!

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Mark Lock
- 86 IROC-Z - Torn down for 383/SuperRam T56 setup
- -= IROC Online =- - The site dedicated to the IROC-Z

[This message has been edited by lock (edited November 09, 2000).]

 

Have a cell phone and AAA. Your car will be fine. I just got back from Myrtle Beach in my 115,000 Lumina and made it in 10 hours flat doing 85

 

I've done numerous trips from New Mexico to Cali (about 11 hrs)...I always brought basic hand tools with me. I also brought spare parts like: serpentine belt, fuses, spare fan/FP relays, ignition module, and a spare coil.

It might sound stupid but those extra parts tend to go out at the wrong time, usually in the middle of nowhere. The ignition module or coil can fail anytime when it's hot and leave you stranded the next time you stop to go get gas. Or the fan relay craps out when you head into the next town. Trust me, I speak from experience.

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1989 IROC-Z, ZZ3 shortblock with some bolt-ons.
13.20 @ 108.69, 2.2 60'

 

Go to home depot or some such store and buy one of the small utility bags. I have one with a flashlight, coolant, PS fluid, 2 qts of oil, ign module, jumper cables, some towels, duct tape and basic tools to change the parts. This and a small(empty) gas can fits in the rear stowage compartment. Havent opened either one in 40000miles. Its kind of like a supersticious insurance policy!
Also AAA and a cell phone are invaluable.

 

all great advice here,but....check your wheel bearings yes your wheel bearings,unlikely suspects indeed but important enough to leave you stranded. unless your: near an auto parts store,access to electrical outlet,extensive set of hand tools,dremel moto-tool w/ multi purpose cutting disc,blocks of wood,hammers ect.an over heated shattered bearing sure isn't a pretty sight.It wasn't exactly ASE certified work...but we continued our trip never once setting foot in a garage. don't use anyone besides AAA.

 

Just check belts, look for any swollen or oil soaked hoses that will cause a problem.

As stated above, I would change the oil, maybe do a fuel filter.

I'm getting ready to do a 1000 mile trip myself and I just rotate tires, change oil, check all fluids, fuel filter, and a good visual inspection.

The only thing better is to get a crystal ball.....

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

If your hoses are old or your fan belt, change them. But the best thing to do is TAKE IT EASY. It's amazing how that little extra 10 mph can be hard on a car on a long haul.

 

Take tools!
and an extra alternator belt ( serp if you are so Inclined )

You can drive w/o PS, AC, A.I.R. , But You cant make it long w/o alternator, Incidentally the alt belt should also spin the water pump so Thats coverd.

Water, oil, PS fluid, brake fluid, Vice grips, Eletrical tape, Duct tape, Think of it as "****, I broke something, How can I make the car last to the next gas station"

If You have all Your tools, Its amazing what you can Fix on the Side of the road.

And Most of all, Dont worry about it to much whats the worst that can Happen? You will have an interesting story to tell to all the ladies back home!

( I may be driving my Z28 to florida from california come spring break



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85 Z28 - Daily Driver
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )

 

Interesting stories alright!but what girls is going to have a clue what you are talking about?