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Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:11 am

Got some "unexpected" time off from the labor force and have decided to take a road trip south to Florida to visit family in b0rlando, TamPax, and Miami. I'll be going in my DD '72 Super, stock 1600dp, 34pict-3, stock muffler w/a zoom tube pipe, CB maxi-2 oil pump w/an external oil filter. Doesn't burn oil, probably had to add a quart over the last 3k miles.

My route will be pretty much a straight shot I-95 south from the DC area, so going thru VA, NC, SC and Georgia on the way.

As part of the prep for the trip, i'm having my windows tinted/polarized 35%, both for the sun and to help keep the overly-curious away.

I'm taking the following VW "provisions:"

- spare SVDA pertronix dizzy
- extra quart of oil
- spare cables: accelerator and clutch
- spare fan belt
- spare 8 & 16 amp fuses
- my tools. Too many to list, but I'd be paranoid w/out them.

Any other spares I should bring?

What about cooling? I have ALL of the factory tin in place, including working flaps and thermostat, and connected good heater boxes.

Since the weather will be super warm, should I remove the heater box hoses from the fan shroud and temporarily plug the shroud and tin holes?

Should I limit the number of hours I run in a single day?

I may post shots on the way if I take any interesting detours.

Thanks!

Victor
:bug_blue:

Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:23 am

don't try and keep up with traffic on the interstate. you would be better off taking the 2 lane roads+ you get to see more. leave the hoses on as designed.
Remember Murphy's law, :wink: what ever you don't have will break or fail.
Have fun.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:46 am

Why do you need a spare distributor?

Wed Apr 29, 2015 9:50 am

Took my old 67 on a 5000 mile road trip back in 2005, Went thru a carb and 2 distributors and burned out a spark wire to spark plug internal resistor plug thingie and changed a fuel pump on the trip. Oh, a front wheel got loose on it's bearing, due to a axle washer washer being stripped.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:18 am

60ragtop wrote: don't try and keep up with traffic on the interstate. you would be better off taking the 2 lane roads+ you get to see more. leave the hoses on as designed.
Remember Murphy's law, :wink: what ever you don't have will break or fail.
Have fun.

Max 65 is what I do. But I'll probably stick to the interstate. Not being a "southerner," i'm a bit leary of going off the beaten path in those states...no offense intended!

Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:20 am

Glenn wrote: Why do you need a spare distributor?

Fear. [-o< I had a computronix module go bad on a dizzy last year, luckily had a trusty ol' points dizzy in the trunk, already gapped and perfect for the occasion.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:22 am

Danwvw wrote: Took my old 67 on a 5000 mile road trip back in 2005, Went thru a carb and 2 distributors and burned out a spark wire to spark plug internal resistor plug thingie and changed a fuel pump on the trip. Oh, a front wheel got loose on it's bearing, due to a axle washer washer being stripped.

Zoiks. :shock: How exactly do you "go thru a carb"?? Should I be taking a spare Solex?? I have the factory '72 oil bath filter, everything in it works so should keep my carb nice 'n' clean...i hope.

Should i use any fuel additives? Say, Marvel Mystery Oil or some such potion?

Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:24 am

vamram wrote:
What about cooling? I have ALL of the factory tin in place, including working flaps and thermostat, and connected good heater boxes.

Since the weather will be super warm, should I remove the heater box hoses from the fan shroud and temporarily plug the shroud and tin holes?

Neg, the heaterboxes vent out the front when you have the flaps closed. Removing the air flowing through the heaterboxes means they'll get rather toasty, right under your heads.

Might consider a save-my-bug dipstick or other temp monitoring device, since you're going to be running a fair number of highway miles.
DC to Miami is 1000 miles, change your oil before you leave.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:25 am

vamram wrote: Glenn wrote: Why do you need a spare distributor?

Fear. [-o< I had a computronix module go bad on a dizzy last year, luckily had a trusty ol' points dizzy in the trunk, already gapped and perfect for the occasion.
I've put over 470,000 miles and never got stuck with a set of points.

Been across the USA 3 times and only carried a spare fan belt and accelerator cable.

Maybe you should just run points all the time.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:26 am

windfish wrote: Neg, the heaterboxes vent out the front when you have the flaps closed. Removing the air flowing through the heaterboxes means they'll get rather toasty, right under your heads.

Might consider a save-my-bug dipstick or other temp monitoring device, since you're going to be running a fair number of highway miles.
DC to Miami is 1000 miles, change your oil before you leave.

10-4. I've got an oil temp and oil pressure gauge in my dash, all set there. Bought the new oil today.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:34 am

Glenn wrote: vamram wrote: Glenn wrote: Why do you need a spare distributor?

Fear. [-o< I had a computronix module go bad on a dizzy last year, luckily had a trusty ol' points dizzy in the trunk, already gapped and perfect for the occasion.
I've put over 470,000 miles and never got stuck with a set of points.

Been across the USA 3 times and only carried a spare fan belt and accelerator cable.

Maybe you should just run points all the time.

I have nothing but bad luck w/points. I don't think i've ever had a set last 6k miles before they became too pitted and had to be replaced. I've tried white lithium grease, engine oil, not sure what else, to try and keep the post from wearing down the stub, but no luck. Or the points plate ends up sliding, slowly closing the gap.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:05 am

holy smokes!

You guys make these cars sound SUPER un-reliable.....I hope that isn't the case, I just bought my first one.

I grew up on old cars, and even had a 65 c-10 as my first vehicle. I never had to be paranoid when heading out on the road.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:19 am

porkchop-rob wrote: holy smokes!

You guys make these cars sound SUPER un-reliable.....I hope that isn't the case, I just bought my first one.

I grew up on old cars, and even had a 65 c-10 as my first vehicle. I never had to be paranoid when heading out on the road.

Is what it is.
I wouldn't blindly trust any 40+ year old vehicle for a 2000+ mile round trip.
You take what you think you might need just in case and hope you don't need it -- and odds are you wont.

vamram - Sounds like you're about set
But consider taking at least a few back roads.
Ended up having to take a detour a few years back through the mountains in southern VA; mountain back roads are pretty neat as long as you've got something guiding your way.
45mph speed limit on a series of hairpins with a sheer drop on one side.

Hope you have a good, safe trip.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:55 am

windfish wrote:

Is what it is.
I wouldn't blindly trust any 40+ year old vehicle for a 2000+ mile round trip.
You take what you think you might need just in case and hope you don't need it -- and odds are you wont.

Don't get me wrong, I used to carry a fan belt and a small tool kit...but that was it.

We did go through all the systems of the truck before I started driving. All of the bearings and brakes etc were new when I was 16.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:42 pm

On my longest , in one trip, run was in a stock maybe 50k mile 64 Beetle. The fuel pump went out in Austin TX and the Generator brushes wore down in the jungle in Vera Cruz Provence Mexico killing the battery at night : ( take a fuel pump and if you have generator check the brushes.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:48 pm

vamram wrote: 60ragtop wrote: don't try and keep up with traffic on the interstate. you would be better off taking the 2 lane roads+ you get to see more. leave the hoses on as designed.
Remember Murphy's law, :wink: what ever you don't have will break or fail.
Have fun.

Max 65 is what I do. But I'll probably stick to the interstate. Not being a "southerner," i'm a bit leary of going off the beaten path in those states...no offense intended! I grew up in NYC and worked in DC 20 years. Give me the rural South and Southerners any day. : )

Wed Apr 29, 2015 1:15 pm

vamram wrote:
What about cooling? I have ALL of the factory tin in place, including working flaps and thermostat, and connected good heater boxes.

And rubber engine compartment seal, right??

Quote:
Since the weather will be super warm, should I remove the heater box hoses from the fan shroud and temporarily plug the shroud and tin holes?

No!!!

Quote:
Should I limit the number of hours I run in a single day?

No.

Find cool back roads routes. I-95 sucks.

Wed Apr 29, 2015 1:27 pm

Thanks, Windfish - I have a few friends on the way, so a detour or two is probably inevitable.

Old-n-slow - know what you mean about NYC...but stars 'n' bars don't give me the warm fuzzies! 8-[

Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:03 pm

I see no reason to take a Wrong Turn into the boonies--unless you want to do some sight seeing or visit old friends. You should be able to keep a good 65 mph on the freeway with no trouble at all.

Just check out all possible items before you go. The obvious ones, like both ends of the accelerator cable, timing, new oil, VW-recommended tire pressure, spare tire, a small floor jack, grease, spare wire, string, electrical tape and connectors and insulated wire, spare belt.

Have fun.

Tim

Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:40 pm

Tim Donahoe wrote: I see no reason to take a Wrong Turn into the boonies--unless you want to do some sight seeing or visit old friends. You should be able to keep a good 65 mph on the freeway with no trouble at all.

Just check out all possible items before you go. The obvious ones, like both ends of the accelerator cable, timing, new oil, VW-recommended tire pressure, spare tire, a small floor jack, grease, spare wire, string, electrical tape and connectors and insulated wire, spare belt.

Have fun.

Tim

Tim, Check on all of the above, except i'm running w/28 psi in front. Tell you what...wish I was doing this in your Sun Bug!! If I could afford it, i'd fly out to CA, buy it and make the road-trip cross-country back to VA!

Victor