Getting Ready for a 1,500 Road Trip

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dibbons

dibbons

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La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
No buyers for my '65 Valiant convertible here in Mexico, so i plan to drive it back to California next week. So far changed the oil/filter and air filter. Tomorrow will replace the heater hoses, fuel filter. Today purchased a spare fan belt, a used 14 inch tire for a spare (have all new rubber on the vehicle) and two cans of flat-fix.

After what just happened at my last stop today I might install a new set of points/condensor I have in storage somewhere around here:

I drove all around town today, made about twenty stops altogether. Last stop was at a friend's house just to say hello. When I left his place, drove about 50 feet and the motor just suddenly shut off (I just re-filled the fuel tank an hour before). I tried to restart once and noticed nothing was firing so I walked back to my friends house and borrowed his volt meter.

The battery checked out with 13 volts. Then I checked the main fusible link under the hood (last time this happened that was the problem) but I did find 12 volts where it entered the firewall. Checked the coil with ignition on and found 6 volts. Checked the ballast resistor with ignition on and it had 6 volts on one end and 12 volts on the other. The horn and headlamps were working. Checked the hot wire at the alternator and it had 12 volts. Gave up looking for short circuits Got back in the vehicle and cranked it a little longer than usual (it usually fires up instantly) and it started up and I drove it home (about a five minute drive). I hope this doesn't happen again on my road trip. I hate problems like this that come and go on their own-makes me nervous.

Valiant motor 2.jpg


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Just my 2 cents.


Drive the car for a few hundred miles before you head out AFTER all the work is done
 
Good idea but I'm pressed for time and want to take it slowly on the transpeninsular highway (there a sections with so many potholes one can't dodge them all).
 
Maybe bring it to Fall Fling next Saturday in Van Nuys, CA. On way?
 
It's on Facebook Marketplace and also listed of FABO. I haven't left here yet. Maybe Tuesday morning I can get away.

Update on engine stall yesterday:

I checked the dwell which was a little low at 26 degrees. Then I changed the fuel filter and heater hoses. Then I noticed the rubber fuel line was riding on top of the passenger side valve cover.

My conclusions are now (may still be in error):

1) My 1972 Satellite ran out of gas as I was leaving the house a couple of weeks ago. I was driving through our neighborhood at about 15 mph and the motor just suddenly quit without any warning. Yesterday, the Valiant had the exact same behavior: It started normally, headed out about 10-15 mph for about 15 seconds and then without any warning the motor just suddenly quit. Cranking for 5-10 seconds to restart had no cylinders firing.

2) My voltage checks thereafter found no problems with the electrical system.

3) After all my checking, the vehicle had sat for 15-20 minutes. When I tried to start after that, it cranked for 10-15 seconds and then fired right up. That indicates to me the fuel pump was filling the empty carb fuel bowl up again. I drove it home without any indications of problems and it started just fine this morning.

4) I think and hope it was just something like a vapor lock problem. I put a new piece of 5/8" heater hose around the fuel line where it touches the valve cover in order to insulate it. Mickey Mouse a la Mexicana but I believe it just might work for now.

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Arrived safe and sound in Valley Springs, CA from La Paz, BCS, Mexico last night (left on Monday at 2:00 PM). Distance was about 1,500 miles. Some parts looks like the 273 two-barrel got 20 mpg but in California traffic dropped to about 14 mpg. Had one incident where the needle and seat stuck and dripped on the intake manifold, but that corrected itself after the motor cooled down. Added a quart of oil about every 500 miles (could see a little wisp of smoke in the rearview mirror at times). Otherwise, not incidents on the highway. Now trying to see it here before I return home to La Paz,
 
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