Cross country in an 83RS

[xbgt]

Jeff, the ASC wing is Y I bought her! LOL Joking, of course, but did not hurt my feelings. It drives super nice. Needs bigger wheels and tires, has some 14's on it, but good tires, Eagle GT's. I am very happy with the car, better than I expected. Sure, it needs little things, like the cruise does not work, but it runs very steady without it. You know how some cars get away from you speed wise? This one is pretty steady. I plan to open the primaries on the carb today and drop in a new power valve. The car surges a little at lower speeds, but is awesome on the highway. I would not worry with it, but I have a long trip ahead of me and do not want any issues.

Hey, I still cannot believe I am making this trip, either. There is a small part of me that ask, what are you thinking?

I sent this thread to the seller. He is a super nice guy and was really interested in the trip back. He even called last night just to check and make sure I was going ok.
chris

[tman1257]

Where are you at now Chris?

[xbgt]

I am in Battleground, WA. On the way to Seattle later today. All is going well. Changed out the carb yesterday, long story, nothing was wrong, just wanted a smoother ride and a regular carb kit would not work in the factory Holley, did not know that. Anyhow, did a full tune up, started her right up, test drove and now on the was north in a few. Oh, new temp sensor, so that is now working as well.

more later,
chris

[svt1996cobra]

Sounds like you are having fun! The car looks like a nice ride! How fast have you had the ole gal up to?

David

[SchoolBoy]

Forget how fast, keep in one peace, because she looks goooooooood!

[svt1996cobra]

Come on! Crossing the county on wide open roads! I'd have to see what the ole gal would do!

David

[Fearmont]

Do they still have that stretch of hwy in Montana or Wyoming or somewhere out there with no speed limit?

Phillip

[Capriman86]

Marco

[jonas1022]

Polo?

[1993SE]

Do they still have that stretch of hwy in Montana or Wyoming or somewhere out there with no speed limit?

Phillip

it was montana and no it has a speed limit now, i read about it in a mag and saw something about it on the discovery channel also

[fred414141]

bump!

[WHTLTHR79RS]

Don't forget to call your friends in Arlington...my # is in your PM box...

Neil and Nelson

[xbgt]

hey guys, I am in Seattle at the moment. Got in late last night. Had some issues brought on by an oil change joint. The grease jockey messed with the shifter alignement bolt on the driver side of the T5. I go to leave and the shifter is all locked up. We got it so it would go into all dears. BUT, I go to jump on I-5 and there is NO 5th gear. I then find out there is NO reverse. So, back to the oil change place, like 20 miles back. They get all aggrivated over this. They end up sending me to a tranny shop to fix things. Anyhoew, I made it to Seattle, in one piece, but way behind schedule. I am not sure I will be able to call you guys in this area as I have lots to do with my family here today, and then out very early in the AM. I need to be in the St Paul area by Monday night to keep on schedule.

The car has been doing ok, but the more I adjust to make for a better ride, the more I find to adjust. She is a decent car, but, she knows her age as well. I am driving very conservately as I do need to get her another 3000+ miles, sorry Dave! LOL

Ok, off to the store with my brother in law.

Chris

[tman1257]

keep going as much as you can, at least you know you have stops on the way if you need help.

[85GT306]

Sounds like the Grease Jockey took the wrong plug out of the tranny. They loosened the stud that holds 5th gear and reverse. Your lucky that tranny didn't grenade with the parts floundering inside. Good luck with the rest of the trip. It looks like a lot of fun. Nice find too. Drive safe.

[xbgt]

Hey guys and gals, I am now in Missoulla, Montana for the night. My head was hurting, so I pulled over for the night. Plus, I was 2 days behind on emails and felt a good nights sleep would be great.

I got an exciting call today, my Australian XBGT was featured in the Novemeber Mustang's and Ford's. It is on the stands and in the mailbox now.

Car is running great. I ended up putting a brand spankin' new Eldebrock 600 on it Saturday. The 750 I shipped out a head of time, well, I shipped the wrong carb. It was just not running as well as I felt. Also, I was having an issue with the car surging and lurching a bit. Well, after I slapped the carb on yesterday, it would not start. I had a feeling there was an ignition issue. It was the coil. The old OEM was DOA. I slapped a new one on I had shipped out and WA-LA. In bussiess. It really runs strong, now.

Oh, the speed limit in Montana now is 75. I had read the "Safe and Prudent" as the signs used to read, was replealed a bit ago. Anyhow, seems folks in Montana still run like the signs are still there. I ran between 85-95 for nearly 2 hours today. A lot harder on the fuel, BUT, well worth it! LOL I am telling you, it was just awesome running along like that, just to keep up with the flow of traffic.

I will try to see if I can post some pics here in a few mins.

Also, while picking up the carb, my friend Jeff had taken me to a speed shop that specializes in Ford's. They had something I had been looking for, for some time. A used blower intake for a 351C. I am building a Mad Max replica, can be seen on my site, www.LastV8.com Anyhow, got it for a good price, so, loaded it up for the ride home.

Chris

[xbgt]

here are a few links from today:

Seattle and Montana:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture352.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture396.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture389.jpg

As you can see, all were taken while driving, sorry, not the greatest. That one really gloomy pic is as I headed into Montana, it just was SO gloomy. Made want to be home with a pile movies to watch. Just too ugly to be outside! lol
chris

[Fearmont]

Glad to hear from you, was gettin kind of worried. Glad everything is going ok so far. More pics along the way, please.

Phillip

[red390gt]

here are a few links from today:

Seattle and Montana:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture352.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture396.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture389.jpg

As you can see, all were taken while driving, sorry, not the greatest. That one really gloomy pic is as I headed into Montana, it just was SO gloomy. Made want to be home with a pile movies to watch. Just too ugly to be outside! lol
chris

WOW, this thread has me in amazement!! You are doing something I have always wanted to do, drive across country... but I never considered doing it in a 20 year old car, that's an adventure you'll be able to look back on and remember for a long time. I envy your courage in setting out on such a long trip in an unknown car, it takes a lot of guts for sure. I look forward to seeing more updates as you make it across the country. Good luck.

[jonas1022]

That third photo looks allot like what I drove through in Sweeden and Norway years ago. It was that way all day! Then, it would get dark and dreary! Yuck! No wonder those people have such a high alcoholism rates. This part of your trip I do not envy you. I am and have always been a wide open spaces kinda person.

Good luck and keep safe!

[tman1257]

P.M. sent Chris

[xbgt]

Monday update. I made it to South Dakota. I will load the pics in a few mins. I have done right at 1800 miles. Been a pretty smooth, but sorta amazing trip. It has given me lots of road threrapy time, as I call it. Time to think and get your head back on snug after a long year. The funny thing for me, I am a sales rep that drives like 40k miles per year, so what do I do for fun? DRIVE! LOL

Got some what I hope are great pics to post in a few mins.

RED390GT, thanks for your words. Been a trip I always wanted to do as well. I had some life changing events happen this year. I had discussed with my bride of 17yrs that this fall I might take a road trip to flush out my head. This was not what I had planned. My other trip was to be in one of my Aussie cars, but some things came up that prevented that. Anyhow, this little car popped up for sale, just what I like and I have lots of friends in the NW USA, so it seemed like the thing to do. I have had a ball and seen lots of country I had not before. Had lots of time to think and plan some stuff for the future. I am truly blessed to have a very understanding family that supports all my follies! I am a lucky guy for that!

Chris

[xbgt]

What else can you say about Montana this pic doesn't say? lol
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture438.jpg

Wyoming
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture449.jpg

Devil's Tower, always wanted to see this!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture483.jpg

And finally, South Dakato was the stopping point for today's journey.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Picture483.jpg

Not 100% sure where I will end up Tuesday. I need to get home to my family, though. I do miss them. Time enough to be back in FL.

Cheers,
Chris

[xbgt]

I will try to get this pic link working again, having issues with.

[xbgt]

BTW, as you can see looking in the back window of the car, I have been shopping along the way! lol Thought I would bring my son some pumkins. I also have been hitting Craigs list a bit along the way, in cities I am passing through. Gone pretty good, so far. Made some good contacts and picked up a few car goodies on the way.

chris