I need advice for a 20hr. trip from Reno, Nv to El Paso,Tx on a 1972 240z that I just bought on e-bay. The car looks good in the pictures, and the previuos owner for the last 30 years was a retired mechanic, so that gives me a lot of confidence.

The car is an automatic with a rebuilt engine, 40,000 miles ago,and stock carburators. I was told that has been sitting for about 4 years and last september they drove it for about 2 1/2 hours at highway speed.

The bad, i just spent all my earnings on that car and the airplane ticket, and only have left like 300 bucks for the trip, sounds pretty scarry but is worth it.

Here's my plan:

I'm going to inspect/replace water hoses, engine belts, gas lines, oil levels (motor, transmision, diferencial), alternator.

I'm gonna inspect the car for leaks and oil levels every 1/2hour of trip for at least 3 times.

WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE TO CHECK, WHAT CAN I DO IF THE CAR STOPS

Before you get on the road change the oil, and the fuel filter. Since it's an automatic either replace the battery or take a pair of jumper cables with you. Make sure you have a good spare, jack and lug wrench.

For the road take:

1. A gallon of water

2. A quart of oil

3. A roll of duct tape

4. About 10' of wire

5. Some basic tools

Take your cell phone incase the car stops.

Oh yea, enjoy!

Originally posted by Ed

Before you get on the road change the oil, and the fuel filter. Since it's an automatic either replace the battery or take a pair of jumper cables with you. Make sure you have a good spare, jack and lug wrench.

For the road take:

1. A gallon of water

2. A quart of oil

3. A roll of duct tape

4. About 10' of wire

5. Some basic tools

Take your cell phone incase the car stops.

Oh yea, enjoy!

I'd also add:

6. a quart of ATF (auto transmission fluid)

7. AAA Towing/Road Service Card

And....

map

flashlight

sharp pocket knife

rags for cleanup

thermos and a coffee mug/cup

two boxes of Famous Amos chocolate chip and pecan cookies, maybe three

oh, and tunes!

I would add the following to that list:

A pair of pantyhose.

You'd be surprised how strong they are when wrapped around a pair of pulleys to replace a broken fan-belt. Additionally, it only takes a minute or two to put on and will at least operate the water pump until you can get off the road and repair the belt properly. They can also be used as rope, as a filter and as a primitive elastic spring.

Ensure that your basic tools include a pair of pliers and a knife.

Bring along at least one can of Fix-A-Flat. Although blow-outs do occur, the majority of flat tires are due to nails or debris. The can of Fix-A-Flat will at least get you to the next exit.

Before you take off, do a good inspection, but don't go crazy replacing spark plugs, hoses etc. Do the minimum required, such as change the oil and filter, fuel filter, and get the air filter at least blown out if not replaced. If possible have the tires checked by a tire shop. Tread depth, condition, balancing are important on ANY trip of any length. If you can, remove the wheels and at least get an idea of how the brake shoes are.

I'm sure this group will think of a bunch more.

Enrique

Earplugs.

My advice.............Forget it. Have the car shipped by open trailer. It will be cheaper and safer. No matter how the car looks or what you have been told, you never know and you can be in serious trouble.

Everything everyone else said and more importantly,

A seat out of a late model comfort car!

Your hiney will thank me-so to speak!

I was thinking that for the cost of the airline ticket and your extra 300 you should almost have enough to have it shipped. The larger carriers only charge roughly $1000 bucks coast to coast, so from Reno to El Paso couldn't be much more than half that price.

There's so many things that could happen, so many little things that could be wrong with the car, especially buying it sight unseen that this could be a trip you will regret taking.

If you are set on making the trip, I'd make sure to have everything that has been mentioned, along with a couple extra cheap fuel filters, a can of brake fluid, and a container of the pre-mixed antifreeze along with a basic set of tools.

if you do decide to drive , bring a set of points and a guage, just in case , for the 10-15 bucks it will cost extra buy a new belt for the alternator, make sure you have a good set of metric tools a cell phone and charger , and some type of towing plan , maybe one those bobble head Taco bell dogs , that wouldn't help much but would be funny as hell if you break down, hope you trip goes well good luck

Originally posted by EScanlon

A pair of pantyhose.

it only takes a minute or two to put on

Enrique

Depends if you've done it before or not Enrique! ROFL

Why would it take you 20 hours for so short a trip....it is a Z after all and lots of open road.