Advice for pre road trip engine matainance
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
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Advice for pre road trip engine matainance
I recently purchased an 82 trans am. It has a swapped 350 with 40000 miles on it so it's pretty fresh. But, I'm about to go on a "road trip" with it. By road trip I mean about 250 miles round trip and not just cruising around town. I really havent had a chance to run the car that much (only about 400 miles) so I'm somewhat hesitant. I'm curious on what I need to look at or replace before I leave so I'm not stranded on the side of the road.
So far I've replaced:
Valve cover gaskets
Water pump
Spark plugs
Changed oil
Flushed cooling system and added new coolant
Struts/shocks
Tires
The engine doesn't burn any oil (at least for the 400 miles I've driven it). It runs smoothly and no overheating. The brake pads are in good shape and it stop well. Trans fluid looks clean and is full.
Is there anything I'm missing?
So far I've replaced:
Valve cover gaskets
Water pump
Spark plugs
Changed oil
Flushed cooling system and added new coolant
Struts/shocks
Tires
The engine doesn't burn any oil (at least for the 400 miles I've driven it). It runs smoothly and no overheating. The brake pads are in good shape and it stop well. Trans fluid looks clean and is full.
Is there anything I'm missing?
Senior Member
iTrader: (14)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 823
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From: erlangen, Germany
Car: 1991 Z28 1LE
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Advice for pre road trip engine matainance
Looks good to me, just make sure all of the fluids are full and clean.
But just to be clear I always have a tool kit of some kind in my 3rd gen for unforeseen circumstances.
But just to be clear I always have a tool kit of some kind in my 3rd gen for unforeseen circumstances.
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 539
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville, AL
Car: 87 GTA, 88 GTA, 92 TA, 72 RS SS
Engine: 350, 350, 305, 396
Transmission: T56, 700r4, 700r4, T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42, 3.23, 3.23, 3.73
Re: Advice for pre road trip engine matainance
some other things to check:
lug nuts are properly torqued
transmission fluid level
differential fluid level
brakes and brake lines
lug nuts are properly torqued
transmission fluid level
differential fluid level
brakes and brake lines
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Re: Advice for pre road trip engine matainance
Tools,Tools and Tools....hydraulic floor jack,good spare tire(preferably with air).Tire plug repair kits,spare belt or belts.I have a road trip material/parts box along with tool box for road trips.Also.insurance could include towing and tire change/battery jump/etc. GPS on phone. Have fun and Good Luck.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Advice for pre road trip engine matainance
Lol if it drives fine normally daily driving, then 200 mile is nothing.
Fresh oil, rad topped off, and no leaks is all you really need. Fresh battery too is nice to know.
My 91 z all stock i kept in good shape. Good batt, fluids topped off, suspension fresh with new tie rod ends, newer brakes etc. sold it to a guy who drove it from pa to georgia. I was impressed but car was solid daily driver so why shouldnt it make it
Fresh oil, rad topped off, and no leaks is all you really need. Fresh battery too is nice to know.
My 91 z all stock i kept in good shape. Good batt, fluids topped off, suspension fresh with new tie rod ends, newer brakes etc. sold it to a guy who drove it from pa to georgia. I was impressed but car was solid daily driver so why shouldnt it make it