68conv455

Anyone doing the Hot Rod power tour in June 2013? I'm seriously considering making a long hauler run in my 68 cutlass conv. My two options are:
1) Drive two days solid from CT to TX, join the tour till the end and conclude with a one day drive from NC to CT. All this must an easy 3500 miles.
2) Ship the car to TX, fly down and drive back.

My Olds is on the road, reliable to the point where I often take it on 20 mile trips. Big issues I need to address before the trip: Needs a convertible top, about to do a Jeep GC steering upgrade, replace heater core and make sure heat and defrost work, replace turn signal switch as it works marginally, fix horn short somewhere in the column, fix small weaping leak in radiator or replace with higher performance aluminum unit. From a creature comfort standpoint, I'm thinking dynamat and a working radio or an amp for an I-pod.

What do you think? Am I nuts?

My Olds is equipped with a '71 455, 2004R auto trans, posi 3.55 rear, front power disk brakes, and flowmasters. Locally, my heavy foot gets me 9-10mpg. I'm hoping I can pull 15 or more mpg with the overdrive cruising on the highway.

DarrylJ

I quite often take my car on at least 100 mile trips or more. But for a probably once in a lifetime run like that I would have it shipped to the start point. Then join the crowd on the tour and have fun! If the car breaks on the Power Tour there is lots of help around. If the car breaks on the way down there your whole schedule is shot. Get what you need fixed as neccesary and ship it. Just my opinion but thats what I would do.

oldcutlass

Tough call, I'd go through it mechanically. Do your repairs, ensure timing chain is good, inspect water pump, fuel pump, perform a complete tune up (throw the old parts in the trunk to carry as spares). Inspect and or replace all hoses, rubber fuel lines, and brake lines. Service the trans and inspect fluid for extreme wear, pull all the wheels to check brakes, axle bearings and pack front wheel bearings. Inspect u joints, inspect front and rear suspension and align front end. Make sure your tires are good and if older that 7 years put on a new set.

Then make the drive, enjoy, you'll have a blast!

redoldsman

I think DarrylJ has a good plan.

68conv455

Good point Darryl. One way to reduce the risk of a trip ending breakdown. Anyone on the board thinking of attending?

Allan R

No, I don't think you're nuts. The car should be enjoyed, but if it was my car I'd be seriously addressing the steering and cooling issues. Nothing worse than overheating that 455 due to coolant loss. Sounds like your upgrade is for a quick ratio steering box.

Personally I think that if your 'lead foot' only gets you 9-10 mpg locally I don't know why it would improve when it's not local. Plan on spending a lot of money on gas, even with the 200R4. You might get 15 if you only had 3:08 or 3:23's in it, but 3:55's? I seriously doubt it. Get that blinkie fixed; some states are really picky about them 'not working'. Enjoy the cruise

68conv455

I'm not sure I understand the concern with 3.55 rear gears with an overdrive. With the .67 overdrive gear, the 3.55 rear in overdrive should feel like what a Th350 feels like with a 2.38 rear in 3rd gear (3.55 * .67 = 2.38). I figured this was better than the traditional highway gears. I do have an open pontiac 10 bold that I could swap in but it has something like 2.78 gears. In OD (2.78 * .67 = 1.86), wouldn't that be way too low?

Also, does anyone have experience with ecp aluminum radiators? They seem like a good value compared to other vendors.

1PDQ55

I may do the long haul, but defintely doing Little Rock and Memphis!

68conv455

1PDQ55 - awesome looking car! I'll look for it.

I realized a few years ago that life passes quickly and it is the adventures that make it great. I've got lots of reasons not to do this, but I'm going to give it a run anyway. I'm shocked only one member has replied to this post so far.

Let's put some Oldsmobiles in this event!

I've got the steering upgrade complete (not tested yet due to salt on the roads in CT) and I'm almost done with the heater core. Lots more to do. I'll keep you posted.

oldcutlass

I'm debating, to early to tell yet. I'd love to go!

1PDQ55

Thanks, it certainly turns a lot of heads and gets people hanging out the window to look at it! It's really a bone stock car except for the wheels and on coil cut out of the springs. Don't worry about that heater core! You won't need it down here in June

z11375ss

I am meeting them in Chatanooga on June 6th. Don't know if I will make the rest of the drive. I will play that by ear. I have a fresh 455 with a TKO 600. 3.73 gears with a .64 overdrive. That works out to a 2.38 rear. I think that will work out pretty good considering Oldsmobiles don't like the high revving action when you have a Muncie M-20 with the 3.73s. I will be posting on this trip w/pics. I'm not taking the interstates as much as possible. From my house to Chatanooga it will be a 12 hour drive. I plan on taking it easy and stopping often. A real mind break. I need it. I'm open ended on whether to continue on with them. If the mood strikes, I'll do it.

68conv455

Z11375ss,
A TKO 600 sounds like a great combo with a 455. It must be a blast to drive. Your net OD ratio is about like mine. It should do pretty well on the highway or secondaries. If everything works out, I'll look for you in Chatanooga.

Olds64

I can't do the Power Tour in 2013 but I always thought it would be cool. Maybe I will do it in 2014 after I return from overseas.

Bill in NC

I'm still thinking about tagging along during the last leg.

dc2x4drvr

I'm planning on going, haven't decided if I'll do the whole tour this year, it was a blast last year though. Every "car guy" needs to put the Power Tour on their bucket list!

doc

I want to run at least part of the 2013 tour in my '66...

Aron Nance

If I can get everything "fixed" (and there is much to do, yet, darn it) hope to do the 1st leg to Texarkana.....that will be a piece of cake. As mentioned, much to accomplish, yet. Fingers crossed.

cwracer

Ill be going, but likely in a '12 ZR-1. Why suffer?

Don't forget, the powertour is a torture test for your cooling system.

stevengerard

I want to do it, skipped the one's that went so close to Chicago over the years. I was thinking of hitting Chattanooga as well and doing just a couple of days. a few days is better than none. But then I'd like to do the OCA nationals as well and a trip to Louisville with the mercury marauder group and then woodward dream cruise and then...........

68conv455

Wanted to bump this and see if anyone else is considering. You can bet the tour will be going west again for a several year period so all you East of the Mississippi car guys need to step up and check it off the bucket list.

Gator69olds

Sounds like a great idea! I'm between Memphis and Little Rock, so I could drive that leg of it. I'll check in with my better half and see what she thinks. My H/O does have a/c that's a plus, but I sure would spend a lot of cash on gas.

mikecarson

We're doing the long haul in our 83 Hurst/Olds, got a 73 455 and 2004R. Body ain't fixed yet, been concentrating on mechanical items.

z11375ss

If you go let me know. I am planning on going to Chatanooga as well.

68conv455

So I've progressed well with the upgrades despite the cold and snow. The GC steering box is done, the heater core is done, the heat and defrost work well. I have the radiator out and a new one to swap in, not in yet. Only problem is my better half is getting soured on the plan.
The plan is to go on the trip with my 17 year old son. Problem is in CT school is still in session and has a couple more weeks before graduation. He would need to miss 1-week roughly 1-2 weeks before finals. I don't think this is a problem since he's already accepted into college and nothing much will be going on academically (he is a good student and graduation is not in jeopardy). We'll see how it goes. I have not given up yet.

z11375ss

What's with all the guys checking with their better halves? Doesn't anybody have any ***** around here? If I had asked my wife if I could buy my Cutlass or any other car for that matter, I would still be driving an Explorer.

Mr442

I am thinking about it. I've done the tour in '08, '09, and '11. Being from AZ, it is always a long haul just to get to a point where you see other cars along the way.

I will second the cooling system concern... everytime I have gone we have run into rush hour trafffic in some town or construction work on some road in the midwest!

68conv455

"What's with all the guys checking with their better halves?"

We'll have some laughs about this on the tour.

z11375ss

Amen to that. My wife is glad to see me go! I think laughs will be at the top of the agenda!

NorTown Olds

GREAT Thread! I'm thinking about it too -- it's definitely on my bucket list!

z11375ss

I say the more the merrier. I have seen pics of the cars on the road in the magazine. I don't remember seeing an Olds. Maybe this year will be different.

NorTown Olds

COOL!! I'M WITH YOU!!

68conv455

OK. We're getting close now and time to resurrect this thread. My cutlass has been hostage at a shop doing a 1-week new top installation for 4 weeks now. Everything else I was planning to do is complete. The heat/defrost is good, wipers replaced, blinker/horn fixed, Jeep GC steering box upgrade done, cooling upgrade complete. Remaining jobs to do after the top include sound installation and re-installing the interior.
From here, I see three options. 1. Get the shop to give my car a higher priority, then thrash remaining tasks. 2. Drive my '78 anniversary corvette instead 3. Call it a day and go next year.

I honestly don't know wheather or not (2) or (3) will play here. I think (1) is done since we're only two weeks away. We'll see......

z11375ss

I am having my cooling upgraded and some minor leaking issues with the motor. I hope to have the car on the road by Friday. I want to go. if it's ready, I will be there.

Lalo442

It is definitely on my bucket list I met up with the very first Power tour in Lansing IL years back with a 65 Mustang would like to run the whole thing in my 69 ..... maybe nextx year for me ...

gearheads78

I doing Dallas to Memphis but won't be in an Olds. I am thrashing on this to take on the trip.

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JPMDaddy

63 Galaxy?

oldcutlass

It does look better with the Torque Thrusts! I'm still debating on what to do.

gearheads78

Close. 64 Galaxie

Yes it does by a long shot. Also notice the toploader on the floor? I had to run to Ft Smith AR to pick that up but as of last night I have almost all the factory parts for the convertion to a bench seat 4speed. No more 3 on the tree for me.

dc2x4drvr

I might follow you up to Memphis in my truck, no way I'll have the 442 ready..