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I've done several of these, in 1800s, in a '57 PV (in 2007; sorry BB guys for not reporting back), and in a 220. Can't recommend this activity highly enough. Keep off the Interstates as much as you can, and get to know the country. Red lines, not blue ones; (no political inference intended)
Agree about the Mitchell, IA Corn Palace. Give it a miss unless it means something to you. What blew me away was the Little Big Horn battlefield. We arrived there at dusk, and it was a bit eerie. I could almost feel the panic of those troopers as they retreated in twos and threes back up to the knoll, "today sure isn't turning out as we thought it would,..".
Anyway, my advice about the same as you could have found in that VW hippie era classic, "How To Keep Your Volkswagon Alive", by John Muir. He recommends a real good "kit" for long distance traveling, which should mostly cover you for an old Volvo, as well. My kit includes as follows;
1.) a NEW timimg gear (mine is the fiber one), plus maybe a puller
2.) a new, or rebuilt fuel pump, plus an extra phenolic spacer (plus extra
bolts)
3.) a good, or rebuilt distributor, already set up w/ fresh points
4.) 2 fan belts, make sure they are the coreect size beforehand
(been there, done that!!)
5.) a rebuild kit, or extra brushes for your alternator, or generator.
You used to be able to buy alternator rebuild kits for all the common
alternators, w/ diode packs, a bearing or two, etc) are they still
around? Maybe a new voltage regulator?
6.) depending on how well you know your car(and this is the key element here,
otherwise you shouldn't go beyond economical towing distance!), a small
collection of all those clips, carb springs, tappet adjusters, special
doo-dads you won't be able to find out there in "East Overshoes", at 5 PM
on a Sunday afternoon. That has to be your paradigm. however, a h*** of a
lot of things can be found at a local NAPA, or even at a truck stop, but
this isn't a GM pickup, so plan accordingly.
7.) remember Murphy's Law, and if you bring it, you probably won't need it!
There used to be a so-called "Expedition Package" for Land Rovers, a box
which contained all of the possible parts which might keep you from being
stranded in the wilds, way out beyond "East Overshoe". I think you rented
it from a dealer, and only paid for the things you used when you brought
it back. Does anyone know different? Tools, Tube of sealant,
thread-lock, etc.
This all may sound excessive, but it all packs into a box a bit bigger
than a shoe box,and it WILL make the difference between a wonderful
road trip and an ordeal by mechanic and flatbed tow truck!
8.) the canvas, or jute "Death Valley Scotty" water bag to hang off the front
of the car. Tells folks you are a serious traveler, not just going from
Holiday Inn to Holiday Inn!
Best of all, have fun, and make your own good luck!!
"Somebody back East is sayin', "whah don' she write,...?" (Dances w/ Wolves)
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