Preparation for long trips

[Pomorza]

Hello all

This December I'm planning on driving from my Tucson home to visit a friend of mine in San Fransisco. I'm not worried that my Z won't make it there but I'd like to prepare her for the long trip. (From google maps I'm getting that its 950 miles each way excluding day trips and such). Other then checking ALL fluids, brakes, tires and plugs is there anything I should do to prepare?

Thanks all

Jan

[Oiluj]

I always have a spare set of extra ignition parts, (points, cap rotor, a bit of electrical wire & tape). Even though I have a Pertronix ignition, it's an easy reversal should it fail.

On long trips I carry a 1 gallon of water and a quart of oil. I always keep a small set of tools, flares, etc in the car. I've never carried canned air for a low tire, but for a long trip, maybe...

I make sure the spare has air before I leave, and verify all the lights are working properly.

For me, I always have some granola bars or similar food in case I'm broken down long enough to get hungary, and a warm coat. The emergency cooling system water is drinkable, and works for me as well.

I keep a slide rule in the glove box for computing gas mileage. Of course a cell phone, car charger and road service number.

Lastly, extra money in the event something breaks and it's more than I can fix on the road.

[Oiluj]

Forgot fuses...

[LeonV]

My most important trip item is the AAA card! I also carry a spare alt/water pump belt in the glove box and I've noticed my slave cylinder has a tendency of going out (stupid, cheap Napa SC). I make sure to have basic tools on hand, like wrenches, screwdrivers, shears and maybe a socket set. Oil, water, spare parts, etc. are good to have just in case, but a cell phone and roadside service will put me at ease.

Oh, and don't forget duct tape.

[LeonV]

BTW, stop by when you're in town!

[Stanley]

Top it off with gas on the AZ side just before crossing the river so you can go farther before you have to get the crappier and way more expensive CA gas. I like to change the oil before a trip, or at least pop in a new filter. Prefer the deli at Albertson's in Blythe to any fast food place, but there's a good Mexican place across the street from sizzler.

I'd do at least part of the trip on CA highway 1, it's a sport car road with good food along the way and the 5 is so boring (and nothing but fast "food"). Check online for speed trap locations. Don't try to drive LA freeways after 3 pm.

[240260280z]

Tools.

Also find the contact info for presidents/admin of Zclubs in the regions you pass. In an emergency they can find help no problem.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Extra electrical wire and connectors. A way to jack up the car.

Lug wrenches for taking off the wheels. I also recommend some windshield cleaner.

[Carl Beck]

All of the above is great advice.

I have a small Craftsman Canvas tool bag with a basic set of hand tools and some spare parts { a few feet of wire, spare fuses, ignition parts etc.}. In addition to a set of mechanics gloves and clean rags. I also carry a tube of hand cleaner. I also carry a small rug - it protects the original carpet and gives you something to lay on if you have to get under the car.

A good high quality fire extinguisher for GAS/Electrical fires is a MUST as far as I'm concerned. Too many 280Z's are still running around with their original or 20+ year old rubber fuel lines. Which current blends of gasoline can destroy. {blow a fuel injector hose and you can have a fire in a heart beat}.

In addition I carry a couple extra hose clamps - to clamp off a heater hose if one lets go. If you have mags on the car - make sure you have a set of STOCK lug nuts to mount the spare.. For sure I would have one or two extra fuel filters along - one tank of bad gas and leave you stranded with a clogged fuel filter.

Most common things I've seen happen on longer trips to 70-78 Z's - These were cars that ran great for decades around town and on short trips - but the owners had left many things unattended because they never failed..until the stress of a long high speed trip was put on them.

Blown Heater Hose

Blown Radiator Hose

Blown Fuses... headlight and high speed heater fan

Failed Fuel Pump Or Clogged fuel filters

Electronic Ignition Module - over heated and failed

No stock lug nuts to mount the spare wheel/tire {I've given three sets away on the road - to other Z owners}

As I recall the trip from Tucson into California is pretty much a very dry desert... I'd certainly have a lot of Gator-Aid and Water with me - in a cooler with lots of ice. A gallon or two of fresh water wouldn't hurt either. Stay hydrated and stay awake..

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Pomorza]

All of the above is great advice.

I have a small Craftsman Canvas tool bag with a basic set of hand tools and some spare parts { a few feet of wire, spare fuses, ignition parts etc.}. In addition to a set of mechanics gloves and clean rags. I also carry a tube of hand cleaner. I also carry a small rug - it protects the original carpet and gives you something to lay on if you have to get under the car.

A good high quality fire extinguisher for GAS/Electrical fires is a MUST as far as I'm concerned. Too many 280Z's are still running around with their original or 20+ year old rubber fuel lines. Which current blends of gasoline can destroy. {blow a fuel injector hose and you can have a fire in a heart beat}.

In addition I carry a couple extra hose clamps - to clamp off a heater hose if one lets go. If you have mags on the car - make sure you have a set of STOCK lug nuts to mount the spare.. For sure I would have one or two extra fuel filters along - one tank of bad gas and leave you stranded with a clogged fuel filter.

Most common things I've seen happen on longer trips to 70-78 Z's - These were cars that ran great for decades around town and on short trips - but the owners had left many things unattended because they never failed..until the stress of a long high speed trip was put on them.

Blown Heater Hose

Blown Radiator Hose

Blown Fuses... headlight and high speed heater fan

Failed Fuel Pump Or Clogged fuel filters

Electronic Ignition Module - over heated and failed

No stock lug nuts to mount the spare wheel/tire {I've given three sets away on the road - to other Z owners}

As I recall the trip from Tucson into California is pretty much a very dry desert... I'd certainly have a lot of Gator-Aid and Water with me - in a cooler with lots of ice. A gallon or two of fresh water wouldn't hurt either. Stay hydrated and stay awake..

FWIW,

Carl B.

Carl,

I've had a fire extinquisher in my car ever since I got it. All proper sports cars should have them, not only for you incase a rubber hose goes but in case you run into someone in need of one, I'm sure there are other antiques out there that can light fire, or even modern cars (note Ford exploder...er I mean explorer). As for the common failures you mentioned. The heater hoses, radiator hoses, and most of the fuel lines are new. The dizzy (81zx one) and the ignition module are both new but with my luck (see older posts) this could give out any time. I have AAA card in my wallet in case. My heater is sadly sprug a weeping leak (and I mean weeping, it drips about three of four drops per couple of days) but knowing my luck it will blow half-way there. I'm thinking renting a car maybe a better options but I would rather drive her there.

Thanks guys

Jan

[Reverend]

I take my small toolbox with me, it also looks good on the rear compartment. http://www.powerplustools.fi/image.php?image=_images%2Fthumbs%2FPPT1305.jpg

[Wade Nelson]

The fire estinguisher can help not only YOU but some other poor schmoe you see on the side of the road.

True story. I came up on a guy with a Jaguar XJS aflame, slammed on the brakes, stopped far enough away so MY car wouldn't ignite if his gas tank did, ran to the scene, fire estinguisher in hand, my finger in the safety pin...

I said to him...Think for a moment....do you want me to put this out, or do you want to let it burn, and have the insurance company total it.

burning my hands opening the hood on a car that's on fire isn't something I relish doing anyway -- especially someone elses!

He paused...."Let it burn."