hotrodscamp
Well-Known Member
I'm taking my Scamp on the road in two weeks. Driving from Orlando, FL to Boston, MA! And back again!
I am going to start collecting parts and tools to carry with me on the trip so only a catastrophic failure could stop me!
I am looking for your recommendations on how to pack for the car!
Here's some background and what I've done so far to get ready for my trip:
I parked the car 3 1/2 years ago after an electrical fire behind the ammeter. I just didn't have the stomach to take the dash apart to look at the damage. In mid-April I finally got the bug again and started getting the car back together.
Major wiring project. I replaced the alternator, voltage regulator, ballast resistor and coil. I did the ammeter bypass and installed a volt meter. I rerouted the voltage regulator sense wire directly to the battery. I replaced all the burnt wire and connectors, and 2 fusible links. Put in a new battery and some new battery terminals. I cleaned and lubed the bulkhead connectors and numerous other harness connectors. I removed, cleaned and reconnected every grounding point I can locate on the vehicle. I think I still have electrical gremlins somewhere as I still see some flickering in the lights and voltmeter.
The old fuel tank was full of gunk, so I replaced the tank and sending unit. New fuel filter and fuel pump, and bent up some new fuel line from the pump to the carb. I rebuilt the old carb and couldn't get the car tuned so I replaced it with a reman.
I changed the oil and filter twice, before running and tuning, and after. New coolant, new brake fluid, and topped off P/S fluid. Had a leaky valve cover and found that it was cracked behind a couple of the bolt holes. I put on a cheap set of chrome covers until I can find a new set of originals or possibly have mine welded.
After some running, I noticed the fan wobbling slightly. One of the studs had pulled out of the fan clutch. Replaced the fan clutch and replaced all the belts. Had a slight dribble from the lower radiator hose, so I removed it re-seated it and re-clamped it. The windshield washer bottle was leaking at the pump. The old pump housing had warped so I replaced the pump with a repro.
I replaced the saggy rear leaf springs and installed a new set of KYB's all around. Had a squeaky right front bushing and ended up replacing all the upper control arm bushings. I bought a clean set of 14" rallye wheels from another member here (Thanks KP!), set of repop center caps and new repro lug nuts. I had the wheels skinned with BFG Radial T/A 215/70-14 and had the front end set up and aligned. I didn't have a spare, so I bought a plain 14" chrysler steel wheel on eBay and had the same tire put on it.
Finally, I installed a full set of sound deadener under the carpet, new trunk divider and padding, and new package tray and padding.
I've been driving the car for almost a month now and it feels great! Somewhere around 800 miles of driving so far. Runs great getting around 13.5 mpg, but it does shake a bit stopped in gear with the air conditioning running. It rides like it's 35 years ago, runs straight and stops straight!
As much confidence as that gives me, it's still a 35-year-old car and it's going on a 2500-plus mile round trip. I need it to run through about 20 tanks of fuel without any major issues! There are several people just waiting to say "I told you so..." and I just can't let them!
So, what should I pack for the car besides the case of oil it'll go through?
THANKS!
Mike
I am going to start collecting parts and tools to carry with me on the trip so only a catastrophic failure could stop me!
I am looking for your recommendations on how to pack for the car!
Here's some background and what I've done so far to get ready for my trip:
I parked the car 3 1/2 years ago after an electrical fire behind the ammeter. I just didn't have the stomach to take the dash apart to look at the damage. In mid-April I finally got the bug again and started getting the car back together.
Major wiring project. I replaced the alternator, voltage regulator, ballast resistor and coil. I did the ammeter bypass and installed a volt meter. I rerouted the voltage regulator sense wire directly to the battery. I replaced all the burnt wire and connectors, and 2 fusible links. Put in a new battery and some new battery terminals. I cleaned and lubed the bulkhead connectors and numerous other harness connectors. I removed, cleaned and reconnected every grounding point I can locate on the vehicle. I think I still have electrical gremlins somewhere as I still see some flickering in the lights and voltmeter.
The old fuel tank was full of gunk, so I replaced the tank and sending unit. New fuel filter and fuel pump, and bent up some new fuel line from the pump to the carb. I rebuilt the old carb and couldn't get the car tuned so I replaced it with a reman.
I changed the oil and filter twice, before running and tuning, and after. New coolant, new brake fluid, and topped off P/S fluid. Had a leaky valve cover and found that it was cracked behind a couple of the bolt holes. I put on a cheap set of chrome covers until I can find a new set of originals or possibly have mine welded.
After some running, I noticed the fan wobbling slightly. One of the studs had pulled out of the fan clutch. Replaced the fan clutch and replaced all the belts. Had a slight dribble from the lower radiator hose, so I removed it re-seated it and re-clamped it. The windshield washer bottle was leaking at the pump. The old pump housing had warped so I replaced the pump with a repro.
I replaced the saggy rear leaf springs and installed a new set of KYB's all around. Had a squeaky right front bushing and ended up replacing all the upper control arm bushings. I bought a clean set of 14" rallye wheels from another member here (Thanks KP!), set of repop center caps and new repro lug nuts. I had the wheels skinned with BFG Radial T/A 215/70-14 and had the front end set up and aligned. I didn't have a spare, so I bought a plain 14" chrysler steel wheel on eBay and had the same tire put on it.
Finally, I installed a full set of sound deadener under the carpet, new trunk divider and padding, and new package tray and padding.
I've been driving the car for almost a month now and it feels great! Somewhere around 800 miles of driving so far. Runs great getting around 13.5 mpg, but it does shake a bit stopped in gear with the air conditioning running. It rides like it's 35 years ago, runs straight and stops straight!
As much confidence as that gives me, it's still a 35-year-old car and it's going on a 2500-plus mile round trip. I need it to run through about 20 tanks of fuel without any major issues! There are several people just waiting to say "I told you so..." and I just can't let them!
So, what should I pack for the car besides the case of oil it'll go through?
THANKS!
Mike
