So my girlfriend and I are planning to take my 1972 Mustang Grande Coupe from Riverside County, CA to Houston TX. The mechanics are all in good working condition, everything that could be replaced off the engine (fuel pump, alt, ps pump, etc) has been, and it has been my daily driver for over a year with no problems. Also, most of the front suspension has also been replaced and I have put new springs and shocks on it as well. There is no rust on the chassis or shell at all.
In order to make it more comfortable, I am replacing the seat foam, pulling the carpet and adding sound deadening mat and new carpet. Also, I am putting in a new radio and speakers and replacing weatherstripping.
I just wanted to ask for words of advice or wisdom from anyone out there who has taken a classic car on a long distance road trip. he only thing I am minorly worried about is that the engine turns 2700 RPM at 70 mph. But I figure it came from the factory that way, and 170,000 miles later she is still running strong, so it must be fine. Anything I should bring besides the usual (motor/tranmission oil, water, flares, jump cables)?
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C/MSG Shimko
1972 Mustang Grande, 351C, A/C, Front Wheel discs.
Last edited by Kebean; 02-25-2009 at 11:36 PM.
Reason: forgetting punctuation
It sounds like you've cautioned off everything you could think of, and are bringing normal car fluids and roadside assistance items just in case. You seem to be prepared for the worst, but in actuality you've got it made. Hope you make it there and back safe, and of course have fun.
My advice would be
1-to load your trunk with a good socket set and screw drivers.
2-keep enough cash handy in case you break down and need to replace a fuel pump or something.
3-when your car was built, the highway speed limit was 55, not 70. Keep that in mind.
4-watch all your gauges, that's why they're there. If one of them jumps up or falls down, it may mean trouble.
5-don't plan specific times you have to be somewhere. Give yourself a few hours cushion in case something does break.
6-have fun in your car, that's why you got it.
3-when your car was built, the highway speed limit was 55, not 70. Keep that in mind.
Not quite. The double nickel didn't happen until 1974 when the price of gas got up to an unbelievably high 40 cents a gallon. The NM speed limit was 70 MPH in 72 and Mustangs weren't known for obeying it. I think the Michigan tollway was 80 MPH and Nevada didn't yet have a speed limit except 'safe and reasonable'. 2700 RPM is also pretty low for any Ford engine since about 1950. If it runs decent you probably have nothing to worry about. We usually have sheepskin seat covers as opposed to modifying the seats. Just a sheepskin thrown over the seat also works well.
Your car is a Ford, one of the most common makes on the road. Even if something were to happen, which isn't much more likely on the road than close to home, there will be plenty of help available. Parts are also more available for a Mustang than almost anything else of comparable age. I doubt you will need it, but if you are really concerned you can add towing coverage to your auto insurance for about $3.
I have driven my '66, and much older cars cross country and plan to do it again. What else are cars good for?
3-when your car was built, the highway speed limit was 55, not 70. Keep that in mind.
Whoa!
Proposed by President Nixon and enacted in January 1974, the nationwide 55-mph speed limit was described as a temporary emergency response to oil shortages and was to expire in mid-1975. But Congress soon made it permanent, and the 55-mph limit immediately became part of the national culture.
In '72, I was still driving 70-mph, and IIRC, 90-mph on some highways in Florida
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Beri Fraley Strong, Proud and Ugly
If you find yourself in a fair fight, you haven't been trained properly.
My advice would be
1-to load your trunk with a good socket set and screw drivers.
2-keep enough cash handy in case you break down and need to replace a fuel pump or something.
3-when your car was built, the highway speed limit was 55, not 70. Keep that in mind.
4-watch all your gauges, that's why they're there. If one of them jumps up or falls down, it may mean trouble.
5-don't plan specific times you have to be somewhere. Give yourself a few hours cushion in case something does break.
6-have fun in your car, that's why you got it.
I would also take a cell phone with decent coverage in those states (Verizon or Cingular)
and some duct tape to wrap a hose to get you to a parts place, and a few combination (7/16", 1/2", 9/16") wrenches. and a can or two of Fix-a-Flat.
I drove my '65 about 1000 miles in three days about 4 years ago. You will get a lot of thumbs up as people pass by.
The only problem I had was I ran over a screw in the road just south of Bristol, Tennessee and had a flat. Couldn't really fix it and had to get a new tire (at Wally World), so have a credit/debit card and some cash handy.
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Beri Fraley Strong, Proud and Ugly
If you find yourself in a fair fight, you haven't been trained properly.
I would make sure the spare is aired up, or take a portable compressor with you. Make sure your lighter works in case you need it for the compressor or charging the cell phone. Make dang sure you have at least a decent lug wrench. The factory ones do the job but it is a hassle.
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"yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of rice, I will fear no turbo for torque art with me. Thy rods and thy crankshaft, they comfort me."
#1 - thank your stars you're taking this trip with a girlfriend and not a wife=they are not as understanding when you break down...mine has refused to 'rescue' me anymore-too many classic cars in the past.
2. Have you changed all the fluids? A/F, trans/filter, oil/filter, PS full?, differential fluid changed? this is what cools all the moving parts and clutches. If you've got A/C (which you'll use in Houston) is it fully charged?
3. cell phone and AAA or as mentioned above towing coverage for your ins. but keep the phone numbers in the glove box.
4. Have you changed all the little rubber hoses? like the vacuum lines at the intake and trans for the vacuum modulator? if these crack you'll stop shifting. Heater core to engine hoses been changed? Look closely at all the little stuff now if you've done the obvious.
This sound like fun, I drive a lot for work and can't wait to do it in my '67.
Jon
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'67 Coupe 289 C4, Candyapple red w/red deluxe int., PS, ext. decor group, light group, foxbody seats.
Next to install> stroked 333, AOD, 9" w/3.50:1, PDB.
'09 Black Warriors In Pink with glass roof - the wifes Mustang.
"If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet" -Jon
I would make sure the spare is aired up, or take a portable compressor with you. Make sure your lighter works in case you need it for the compressor or charging the cell phone. Make dang sure you have at least a decent lug wrench. The factory ones do the job but it is a hassle.
This is probably the best advice. I had some old E-T mags on mine and, after I had the flat, I realized the wrench I had won't fit. Make sure you have a working jack, a spare that actually fits front and rear( ran into that on my 67 T-bird), and a lug wrench that works. The mini compressors will save your butt on countless occassions. Tire plug kit would be the only thing I would add. Congrats! I'm envious. You'll have a blast. We'll wanna see pics. LOL
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65-2&2, 63 Falcon vert, 32 coupe, 76f-250 4&4,72 Ranchero GT-Some is good,more is better,and too much is just enough.
Long Distance Roadtrip In a 1972 Coupe... 
Make sure you have a working jack, a spare that actually fits front and rear( ran into that on my 67 T-bird), and a lug wrench that works. The mini compressors will save your butt on countless occassions. Tire plug kit would be the only thing I would add. Congrats! I'm envious. You'll have a blast. We'll wanna see pics. LOL
