maiden voyage

[Matt L.]

i am getting excited about taking my '64 car on its maiden voyage at the end of the month to the corvette expo in tennesse. its got a totally rebuilt engine and fuel injection. i am running an aftermarket aluminum radiator to keep temps in check. i am also gonna carry an extra fuel pump drive cable and cranking signal valve in the glove box. other than the normal tools and extra fluids, any other suggestions?
i plan on driving it as much as possible before then to help break in the engine. and then putting in fresh oil before the drive.
i have all the faith in the world in my engine, but as friends have made fun of me before, i just want to be overprepared. thanks in advance for any advice.
take care,
matt

[Joe R.]

Re: maiden voyage

Matt,

Where do you live? I would suggest seeing if any local chapter members are going to the same show. There is a lot of safety in a caravan! Have a fun drive and enjoy the show!

Joe

[Dan M.]

Re: maiden voyage

Not something to carry but I would suggest taking (at least where possible) non-interstate highways to Gatlinburg. Certainly the route up the hill is not all interstate. The up and down RPM range you do on the "back roads" would probably be better for the engine than the constant steady RPM of the interstate until it had a thousand or so miles on it. Depending on how many miles you drive it prior to your trip, you may want to do an oil change both before and again while there top see if you are getting anything in the oil. An extra oil dump is not a bad thing early on.

[Paul J.]

Re: maiden voyage

i plan on driving it as much as possible before then to help break in the engine. and then putting in fresh oil before the drive.
matt

Matt,

Don't just drive the car, follow a break-in procedure before your trip. Duke Williams explains one in the following thread. It's not exactly what we use but it covers the key steps.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...break&uid=7564

You did'nt mention it, but be sure you have a "mechanics" tool kit with you. Not just pliers and a screwdriver.

Paul

[Matt L.]

Re: maiden voyage

thanks guys for all your advice. i have been running the engine at different rpms and speeds for various amounts of time. maybe 65 mph for 10 minutes back down to 55 for about the same time. trying not to run engine consistently same rpm for long periods of time. also in town driving to run through the gears. and a few burst throught the rpms to 5500 rpms. it feels like it wants to climb higher. it just keeps pulling.
i have a solid cam. i wanted to have the engine built the way it was new. solid lifter noise and all.
hi paul, yes. i do plan on having a bag of tools i always throw in my cars when i'm going on a trip.
i went for a 30 mile trip tonight and it may be my imagination, but it seems to keep running better. i sure do love the noise of my off road exhaust. it sounds sweet shifting through the gears.
thanks again paul for the link.
take care,
matt

[Tom H.]

Re: maiden voyage

Matt's car rocks !!! He drove it up to show me today !! Even gave us a high RPM fly by when he left !!!

I snapped his picture before he left so you can all put a face with the name !!

[Matt L.]

Re: maiden voyage

thanks tom for the great pic. thank you for letting me hang out. it was fun to get the car out and put some more miles on it.
thanks again!
take care,
matt

[Stephen B.]

Re: maiden voyage

Matt
This sounds like a great adventure.I don't know whether your coming down I 71 or I 75,but when you get to Cincy I strongly suggest going around on I 275.If your come down I 71 go east and if you coming down I 75 go west. It's only about another 5 or 6 miles, but there are fewer trucks and wrecks. Follow I 75 south to the Corbin ,East exit.Follow 25E till it intersects I 81. Go west about 20 miles I 81 turns into I40. Take the Sevierville exit south ( I believe its #407 exit.
This routing avoids going over the mountain and Knoxville traffic. 25 East is classified as a scenic route and is also 4 lane most if not all the way.I take this route every time I go to the Bristol Race.Actually is shorter than I 75 all the way as well.
Stephen Barrett 59,66,71,73

[Matt L.]

Re: maiden voyage

thanks stephen! i was looking into a more layed back drive and not the hurry up 75 mph cruise. i believe i will use this route.i'll be coming down 75. i love scenic routes.
i plan on leaving early fri morning. i am looking forward to it.hope to meet you there if you're going.
thanks again,
take care,
matt

[Joe R.]

Re: maiden voyage

Matt,

Just drive the %(^_ out of it on the way down. If it breaks down we'll send a rollback for it and part the 64 out at the swapmeet!
Never fear! There's always a plan!

JR

PS. Beautiful 64! Your going to enjoy the trip! Drop by and see me inside the Convention Center.

[Tom H.]

Re: maiden voyage

PS. Drop by and see me inside the Convention Center.

Where ya gonna be set up? I'll stop by and see ya too !!

[Stephen B.]

Re: maiden voyage

Matt
Warning I-75 between the I-675 intersection and about the 22 mile marker is a construction mess. There have been two 8 hour traffic stopping truck wrecks in that area in the last 24 hours. Use extreme care in that area and bring that Corvette home safely.An alternate route around all this would be to exit I-75 at exit 38 go east to 741 south to I-71 south to re intersect I-275. Your decision on routing is greatly influenced by time of day. Rush hour take alternate route. 9:00 A.M. to about 2:00 P.M. consider I-75. Alternate route is very scenic good state highway.
Good Luck
Stephen Barrett
59,66,71,73

[Joe R.]

Re: maiden voyage

Where ya gonna be set up? I'll stop by and see ya too !!

Tom,

Coming in the front of the building, I'm on the far left wall.

Come on by and sit a spell!

JR

[Tom H.]

Re: maiden voyage

Tom,

Coming in the front of the building, I'm on the far left wall.

Come on by and sit a spell!

JR

Will you have a car, or what will you have so I know what to look for. I will look you up !

[Matt L.]

Re: maiden voyage

thanks stephen, i have been down there a few times within the last couple months to go to keens. so i know what you are talking about. it is a mess for sure. its really unlevel too. it sure puts my trucks suspension through its paces whenever i drive through there.
joe, i will look you up too.
me and my wife will be there. she wanted to ride in that old car after all.
thanks again everyone!!
take care,
matt