cross continent adventure

[dinghyguy]

Hi All,

About 2 weeks until I fly east to pick up my 1979 spider and drive back to the west coast.
What spare parts would you all suggest for the journey?

thanks

[scusi]

Np suggestions on parts But, I can offer a place to stay if you are going through the Chicago area.

[rridge]

Fuel filter, distributer pick-up, ignition module, radiator cap.

[chrisg]

ignition control module, distributor pickup, electric fuel pump, fuses, fuel line & a few clamps, 13 & 17mm wrench, screwdriver, pliers, electrical tape, ball peen hammer, test light, flashlight.

[RRoller123]

AAA with 100 mile towing, and a good credit card.

[stuartrubin]

Cell phone!

[zachmac]

All of the above plus optimism and lots of time.

[Jimb]

I just don't get it. I would drive my Volumex across country tomorrow with complete confidence if I needed to. It has never let me down. Doesn't need oil between changes, tires are new, cooling system works just ducky. Electrical systems are fine.
Is it more the norm that that these cars are not reliable on road trips?

Jim

[baltobernie]

Cross-country in mid-August? In an unknown car?

It costs about $1400 to ship a Spider across America. You'll spend that much in out-of-pocket expenses ... if nothing goes wrong. Why not make the trip eastbound some day (under better weather), after you've sorted the car. OTOH, maybe after you spend some time in a vintage car, the thought of a 2,000 mile trip won't seem quite so romantic.

[DRUMMOND]

Rent/borrow a truck and a car trailer. Better idea than trying to drive an unknown car that far. You still get the fun of going and bringing your car back, with none of the potential headaches.
BTW not all vintage car owners treat them as what they are (old cars that need a thorough going over to make them safe for you and other road users).

My spider had just gone through an inspection process (passed) to make it legal to drive on a public road. it took me 5 mins to see electrical tape wrapped around two brake hoses leaking fluid to see it was a possible danger to me. Also the steering would have either seized or would have broken in any extended journey .

Good Luck with whatever method you use and post here your experience!

[nelsonj]

I second the vote on either shipping or towing. I don't know about a 1985.5 Volumex, but driving an unknown Spider across country is a real risky idea. Real risky. My car is very well sorted out and I don't know if I'd be willing to drive 2,500+miles across country...I still haven't worked up the nerve or time to do the 600 mile round trip to Vegas but I think it's a very do-able trip.

When was the last time the timing belt or donut on the drive shaft was changed? If you don't know the answer, I wouldn't even consider the trip. But if these are good, and you know the car is well sorted (and I'm not sure how you'll know that unless you have it for a while first), the cars are certainly capable of a cross country drive.

One issue for me is the speed limits on the interstates. I really don't like going more than 70 MPH in my setup (I'm spinning well above 4,500 RPM at that speed), and on the interstate you'll get run over if your only doing 70!

I second the opinion that at least sort the car out before taking it on a cross country trip.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[dinghyguy]

interesting, the spares list is of value. all the other things I already have in my suitcase
timing belt, new rad, drive shaft bits, exhaust, brakes, cooling fan with manual switch, new top all within 10,000 km (receipts to prove it) oh and an oil pressure gauge and volt gauge have been added.
comes with two manual (one shop manual hundreds of pages)
my parts list included ignition bits, as noted, alternator belt, fuel filter. I had not considered the other actual fiat part items.

yes the interstate is not really my friend.......
also have jumper cables, multimeter

any good wreckers to drop in and look at? Although I bet you all have taken all the good bits.

keep the good ideas coming

The adventure is the adventure, yes shipping it would be easier, but less fun. I have often tried to get a group together, fly tot he other side of the continent, each buy a car for some preset limit say $5000 and then as a group have the adventures of trying to get home. for some reason no one is signing up to join me in that crazy idea.

thanks

[DieselSpider]

In addition to whats mentioned a decent cooler, thermal cup, cell phone car charger and first aid kit.

Check the dates on the tires while your at it tossing them if they are 5 years or older and consider having the brakes/coolant flushed and the oil with filter changed before driving it back.

With the heat we have been having adding some water wetter to the coolant may not be a bad idea either.

https://lucasoil.com/products/problem-s ... er-coolant

A drive cross country on the Lincoln Highway could be fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FFRP3a2tNE

But still be prepared to rent a truck and car trailer if things go awry.

[baltobernie]

He's planning Ottawa to Vancouver, so US 30 is out. I've spent lots of hours on that road in PA, and it's not for the faint of heart; I'm extra-vigilant in a modern car. Maybe in the mid- and far West it is safer.

My concern for Dinghyguy is not so much mechanical reliability, although as others have pointed out, there are issues. No, rather the human effort of driving 3,000 miles in an old car in the middle of summer. There's no question a well-running Spider is capable of long distances. Heck, Alvon and Maureen made a lap of America in their car, with a FFO midway. I averaged 70 mph returning home from Nashville FFO, but my goodness it sure beats you up.

[chrisg]

You do a trip like that for the adventure & experience, not as an act of being frugal or maximizing comfort. i'd think shipping would be a good bit less than the number mentioned, based on estimates I recently got for bringing a car from OR to TN. Make it safe, have reasonable tools & have fun! If you wanted plush comfort and dead on reliability & safety, you wouldn't be here in the first place.