New engine in my 70 challenger / Question on taking a road trip

[stang13]

Hi I have been a member here for a while now got my 70 challenger RT/SE a few years ago and had to get a new engine due to a cracked block . I am going thru a reputable engine builder went and saw the new engine run at the builders while they tuned it and broke it in . I will be getting the car back sometime this week  and I have a few friends that want me to take a trip next week to the Good guys show which is about 400 miles round trip  ( highway miles) . Part of me wants to go but the other part thinks I should keep the car local to make sure it is running ok since I just got the car back . The builders said the engine  is ready to drive but since I only drove the car 5  times ( maybe a couple hundred miles total ) since I got her 2 years ago  Im nervous about other issues like rear end tranny etc .

If this was your car would you take the trip and chance breaking down or play it safe and get some local miles in first ?

 


Thanks
Tom 

[crocha617]

Try and go for a couple of long rides leading up to the show and make sure all the fluids are checked and put some tools in the trunk and go for it. What's the worst that can happen? You break down and have to get it fixed or towed home?

[dougs bs23]

cruise around locally, make sure everything is working properly. check your brakes and steering for possible problems, top off all your fluids, throw an extra resistor, some fuses and a plug wire or two in the trunk, with some tools, air pressure your tires and  off you go.

[torredcuda]

cruise around locally, make sure everything is working properly. check your brakes and steering for possible problems, top off all your fluids, throw an extra resistor, some fuses and a plug wire or two in the trunk, with some tools, air pressure your tires and  off you go.

  As long as you don`t hear any funny noises etc. I`d do it.

[dfrazz]

I hear what you are saying and I was (still am) nervous sometimes of driving my '71 a good distance from home, but you bought your car to drive and enjoy it not to sit in the garage or just take a 10 min drive here and there.  The Good Guys shows are really fun, and there is nothing like pulling up in your own ride.  If you have problems up or near the show there are a ton of gear heads and people to help you out.  I like the advice of crocha and doug, cruise around a little, be sure to vary the RPM's since it a new engine, check fluids regularly, through some tools and extra parts in the trunk then GO FOR IT!

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Get a premium AAA card, make sure your cell phone is charged up & hit the road..

Back in 95-96 I did a complete restoration of my Challenger, Engine, Trans, Steering, Suspension, Rear Axle, Etc.. I finished the car August 5th, August 9th I drove it to the first and only Pacific Nationals (a Mopar Show in Las Vegas... August on Vegas, I wonder why there was only one ) It's just over 500 miles each way... Great trip, only issue I had was Sunday leaving Vegas at 3 in the afternoon the A/C couldn't keep up... Rolling through Baker the giant thermometer read 119 & my car was hitting 90 degrees inside...

Drive the car, thats what they are for...

[Chryco Psycho]

I wonder if I met you in Vegas , I was there also !!
 My crystal ball is broken but take it on a few short runs & shake it down if it seems fine go for it

[1 Wild R/T]

I wonder if I met you in Vegas , I was there also !!

It's possible, I was around my car quite a bit, in the swap some, busy getting a magazine shoot with Tony Defeo,  & spent Friday & Saturday night watching scantily clad girls dance...  Sunday I arrived at the show late cause a young lady needed a ride home... When I pulled in I was told to go park in the awards area, Got a second in E body Stock... Guy that got first was kinda a dick, pulled his car over by me, put his trophy on his hood & started snapping photos... Just about that time Tony Defeo pulls up next to me, & sez he has something for me, opens the trunk of his rental & pulls out another trophy...  He gave my car the High Performance Mopar Editors Pick Award....  The guy taking pictures of his 1st place trophy looked like he'd been kicked in the balls...