scrapsun Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I plan on making a road trip in the 240z half way across the country to go get my woman and her puppy. I live in Minnesota (mpls) and will be going straight to Washington. Along the way I believe I will be going through some mountain roads on my voyage. now I have heard several different things on driving in the mountains with a car with a carb. let along a car with three carbs. I am trying to make sure I make it though them damn mountains to get my woman. the car has a rebuilt l24 in it. bored to a 2.7l, comp cam (280 lift 460 duration?) mallory electric ignition, header, twice pipes. high comp, built valve train, new triple weber 40 dcoes, holley red fuel pump, holly adjustable fuel pressure regulator. the car will get: new performance radiator, thermostat, fluids, plugs,u-joints, a once over of all the nuts and bolts.I will have back up : oil, coolant, water jug, tools, flares, scissors jack, full spare, fix a flat, spare belts. I am not worried about things breaking more about the tune and how the car will handle with all that thin mountain air! this drive will be a 24+ hour drive (two days min) I am looking to make this as smooth and as headache free as possible. This is were I turn to Ratsun and it's wonderful members. What are some types for mountain driving? what steps or tools could I bring along to help make the mountains a little more friendlier to my car. I could totally be wrong and my car could run great when I run into them. BUT KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. so I want all the knowledge I can obtain! If you have any little piece of info that could help me or be beneficial to my trip, please leave some kind words as they would be greatly appreciated.this is my first "road trip" I just want to have a good understanding of things I might run into, or experience on my way!said car I will be taking : 1 Quote Link to comment
scrapsun Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 also mods if I placed this thread in the wrong sub section. I am sorry and would appreciated if moved to the right section! Quote Link to comment
Tristin Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Why would you bring flares? Is that so you can change to deeper dish wheels along the way? :rofl: No real experience with elevation changes for carbs, but I would recommend a cigarette lighter cell phone charger if you don't have one. Would suck to be on the road with a dead phone and no way to call for help. There was a member who drove from Seattle to Long Beach and broke down a bit along the way. Posted to Ratsun from the roadside for advice and even got a member to show up and help wrench. Good luck on your journey. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 do you have good insurance that covers towing? Tools, wrenches, plyers, screw drivers, sockets, duct tape, fuses, GPS system. But maybe you can't bring that much because Zs don't have much room and also you have to pick her up and maybe she has a lot of stuff, may want to touch base with her. also maybe hook up some mech. gauges (voltage, temp and oil pressure). Bring some cash, in case places don't accept credit cards or ATM is out. Good luck. Quote Link to comment
bananahamuck Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 If you are going I94/I90 the hills/mountains you will encounter aren`t really high enough to make much difference.. The mountains west of Missoula are pretty steeep but not really all that high elevation wise.. The Cascade Mts East of Seattle are total cake, your car wont even notice going up them. We traveled to Wyoming from western Washington on more than a few occasions and i have never taken a 100% dependable car so i can tell you if what we drove can easily go up those hills ,,, anything can. If your going through Butte early in the morning go to the conveniace store over by the airport and get yourself a few pasties for the road....It`s like a dry beef stew in a pizza pocket thing ,, although written out it sounds not so good,, it`s a total om nom nom And,,,,,, where in Washington are you going to? Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Why would you bring flares? Is that so you can change to deeper dish wheels along the way? :rofl: No real experience with elevation changes for carbs, but I would recommend a cigarette lighter cell phone charger if you don't have one. Would suck to be on the road with a dead phone and no way to call for help. There was a member who drove from Seattle to Long Beach and broke down a bit along the way. Posted to Ratsun from the roadside for advice and even got a member to show up and help wrench. Good luck on your journey. Would you believe he meant emergency Road Flares? You know those cruddy red things rolling around in your trunk with spikes in their butts. I know you are pulling our legs, but there are an unbelievable number of literate minded if not illiterate readers in the classic sense [just read some of the recent posts] looking or lurking here and I didn't want to confuse what passes for a mind inside their skulls. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tristin Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Lol I knew he meant emergency signaling/warning flares. It would make no sense to have emergency fender flares. Hence the laughing smilie face :) Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I have taken a 521 over Tioga pass in California, with no problems, other than loss of power. 9943 Feet above sea level. The same 521 has towed a light 16 foot boat, with a Mercury in line 6 135 hp outboard up to Timberline Lodge, about 6000 feet with no problems. I do not think your Z will have any problems caused by the altitude. Quote Link to comment
devilsbullet Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 make sure your fuel pump and filter are good. bring a bottle of bleach in case you run into snow or ice, pour it on your back tires, it will help with grip(sounds odd, but works better than anything I've ever seen or heard of). make sure all your fuel lines are secure and not brittle or breaking up. might want to bring a few spare feet of vacuum and fuel line, don't take up much space and will be really handy if you happen to hit something a bit too sharp. also, bring a bottle of brake fluid. can be used as clutch fluid in a pinch, and unless you drive this daily you wont know if yours burns through it while driving or not(my 510 burned thru clutch fluid for a while, master was going out but not quite gone yet, only leaked when I pushed the clutch in so I never figured it out until it was too late, no puddles under my car or anything.) other than that, have fun! Quote Link to comment
themadpants Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 If your going through Butte early in the morning go to the conveniace store over by the airport and get yourself a few pasties for the road....It`s like a dry beef stew in a pizza pocket thing ,, although written out it sounds not so good,, it`s a total om nom nom Awww yeah! Called a Cornish Pastie in the rest of the world. Good stuff! As for advice. Get a AA membership with a 100 mile tow. It is relatively cheap insurance at $100 a year. 1 Quote Link to comment
scrapsun Posted May 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Alright guys Thanks for the replies! My car does not leak or burn any oil.I have AA card and if it does come down to it. I have access to a tow. It is also good to hear that most think the mountains wont be a problem for the car.all the original gauges work in the car. I will have a nice small tool bag on me.included in the bag are: tools, bulbs, belts. booster cables, spare fuel filter.other misc stuff: fluids( oil, coolant, brake fluid) full size spare/ scissor jack. small cooler with drinks and snacks. camera,go pro hero 2.I will also be going straight to Seattle to pick the two up, then we will most likely be off to Everette to visit her mom and sister. 1 month to this day I leave on this adventure! Quote Link to comment
scrapsun Posted May 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 waking up in the morning and looking at the picture of the pasty made me very very hungry. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Nice z..have a fun and safe trip Quote Link to comment
bananahamuck Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 If you are still over here on the weekend of the 8th and 9th of June there is a all Datsun car show in Canby Oregon and you could go from there,, up to the 84 and east till i82 then up to the i90,,, easy peezie. Pics from last year. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/32609-canby-2012-are-we-there-yet/page-74 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 Get yourself a fire extinguisher...just in case. Also handy as a good Samaritan. Quote Link to comment
scrapsun Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 that is the ONE thing I forgot. THANKS YOU SOFUCKINGMUCH!!! last thing I want is my car to catch fire and me not having one! <3 <3 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 lol, you're welcome Quote Link to comment
jalen Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 I will also be going straight to Seattle to pick the two up, then we will most likely be off to Everette to visit her mom and sister. 1 month to this day I leave on this adventure! When you make it up to Everett send me a PM! i would love to check out your z in person! Quote Link to comment
scrapsun Posted May 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 also thanks to everyone who has gave me some ideas on this subject. my trip is going to be delayed for a bit,the woman needs to wrap up some court before she can leave! hopefully that will be sooner then later! this gives memore time to collect parts to slap on before the trip! Quote Link to comment
scrapsun Posted May 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 When you make it up to Everett send me a PM! i would love to check out your z in person! I can and will do. I would like to meet some Datsun/Ratsun people out there! Quote Link to comment
sedition88 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 What route are you taking? The further west you get the better chances get there'll be a Ratsuner near by Quote Link to comment
h190 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 tire pressure gauge, tire plugs, 12v electric air pump. Quote Link to comment
h190 Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Oh yeah and a good .45 pistol for defense. Quote Link to comment
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