[tommyboyd]

Just wondering, but I drive a 1966 Mustang w/ a 200 c.i. engine and from what I've been told by the mechanic is everything works fine and its now a daily driver.
But I'm trying to go on a 4-6 hour road trip and I'm wondering if my mustang can drive for that long w/o any problems?

Any advice or opinions?

 

[05horse]

thats up to you, with your mechanic backign you, and the car being yours you need to feel confident.


if you dont think it will make it dont risk it, but have confidence.


but things happen to new cars or classics.

 

[66rusty]

I'd go for it. Thats what makes the road trips fun and memories.

 

[65BlueHorse]

If the car is in good shape then you shouldn't have any more problems than you would in any vehicle. Take the trip and have fun.

 

[Cusp]

Just wondering, but I drive a 1966 Mustang w/ a 200 c.i. engine and from what I've been told by the mechanic is everything works fine and its now a daily driver.
But I'm trying to go on a 4-6 hour road trip and I'm wondering if my mustang can drive for that long w/o any problems?

Any advice or opinions?

Hoses and Belts in good shape. Cooling system solid? After that, do you feel the engine or transmission will last another couple weeks of daily driving? If so, go for it.

 

[andrewmp6]

Yeah give everything a once over and have triple a just in case it breaks down.

 

[66Sprint200]

I'd say it would be ok. My car was built and sold in San Jose. They drove it to New York. Then in the 80s the son of the people who bought the car drove it to Florida and back to New York, so yours should be ok.

 

[Aloha66]

Go for it!

Only way to know is just to check everything and then just go for it! You may want to consider a shorter, shake-down cruise before the 6 hour drive that combines several different speeds and possibly traffic. As noted above, a cell phone and Triple A card are nice to have along.

Wish I could take mine out for a 6 hour drive! Living on an island all all can get is four hours before I complete the circle.

 

[andrewmp6]

I drive mine daily 50 miles round trip to work but its all interstate tho.Give it a good tune up first and lube all your joints so it rides smooth if you got ac get it checked.

 

[66Sprint200]

Another thing that may pop up, the cooling system. Check it out to make sure it is ok. Does your car have the original thermostat, or a replacement one? If it is a replacement one, is it the same as the factory (180 degrees) or have you lowered it to 160 degrees. If not, I would recommend a change to a 160 degree thermostat, especially because it is the summer. 160 is still hot enough for the engine to run properly, but it decreases the chance of overheating with the factory thermostat temperature.

 

[MIL1ION]

NEVER go lower than a 180* T-stat.

All you would be doing is shortening the life of the engine

These engines were designed to run at 208-210* F ,that;'s why they got 192* or 195*F T-stats from the factory

 

[66Sprint200]

How does it decrease the engines life?

 

[05horse]

thats up to you, with your mechanic backign you, and the car being yours you need to feel confident.


if you dont think it will make it dont risk it, but have confidence.


but things happen to new cars or classics.

speaking of things happening im all the way in mi (2 hrs north of my car 6 hours north of home ) and she broke down

 

[Icerat]

It all comes down to state of repair/restoration and luck. The millions and millions of classic Mustangs didn't get their 100k plus mileages 2 or 3 miles at a time I promise you. They are very simple and reliable cars. Also though, you can get a bad part and it can break down a block from your house after a high dollar restoration/rebuild. Generally when you drive it even short distances you can get a feel for how it would be on a long drive. Make sure you have roadside assistance on your insurance and enjoy the heck out of it :bigthumbsup

 

[dne']

A while back

:wavey dne' here! In the late 60's and 70's, we didn't know any better. We'd just get in our cars and go! Sure pop the hood and check potential things to break, logical thinkers we were! Even in High school, I knew how to un-stick my choke or manually choke my '66 Plymouth Valiant to get my slant six to start, My father even taught me how to replace and adjust my points and condensor! My father felt that I should know as much, if not more than my older brothers in getting my car going! Just good common sense! check your spare, carry a gallon of water(for radiator), maybe a spare alternator belt to turn the water pump, in case it went! I'd jump in my '67 cougar and go to the beach in a heartbeat! My brother's '68 Mustang, we we'd go everywhere in that car! 3 and 4 hour trips for sure!
We've become programmed to jump in our modern day cars and never think twice about checking anything, except the gas gauge! My girls don't even know how to "pop" their hood, much less where or what a dipstick is!
I really love my new cars, fuel injection, touch the key it starts immediately! But humans are becoming lazy, can't fix anything these days! Days of Shadetree mechanics are fading fast! :bigthumbsup Enjoy the thrill of your early model vintage car~ people love seeing 'em on the road!
dne'

 

[Cobra6]

Dne' is right!

Dne' is right!

Preach on, sister!

 

[65sweetness]

NEVER go lower than a 180* T-stat.

All you would be doing is shortening the life of the engine

These engines were designed to run at 208-210* F ,that;'s why they got 192* or 195*F T-stats from the factory

how would it decrease the engine life? i have a 190 in mine now, which is good for the winter, but in the summer i take it out, cuz if i dont ill just about over heat. ......

But yeah def go for the trip, i always carry extra oil and coolant and a small mechanics tool set. Good luck