Customs Route 66, my family, and a 63 wagon

Back in the early '80's I was working for the California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and when you had to phone the maintenance station in Ludlow you called the operator and asked for Ludlow 6 and the operator routed you through the Barstow operator to connect to the maintenance station phone. Looks like not much has changed since then. Great photos. Thanks for allowing us to tag along.

 

I haven't read a post from you regarding the a/c, how has that worked for the family. Great thread.

 

If you have a Pennsylvania carry conceal license... a lot of the states honer it. The few that don’t usually allow you to transport it unloaded in the trunk. If you don’t do anything stupid or look questionable to the police... you can keep it in arms length. That’s a decision you’ll have to decide for your self. So far I haven’t seen anything to bad or felt like we were in danger. But we are also aware of our surroundings at all times... and also really only travel and explore in the day. I got to say the worst place I was was the out skirts or the Disneyland park. A lot of homeless on just about every other street corner. But yes... definitely more good people out here than bad.

 

Best dinner I had was at a shady looking truck stop... we were the only family there. Lol

 

Haven’t been using it.... it’s good for the front seat, but my kids don’t get any of it. Too much glass I guess. I think it would be good if you left it on for hours or if it was cloudy out. My other problem is just not enough motor. I had to turn it off every time we started climbing a mountain.
We ended up using old school air... You would be amazed of the air flow through a wagon with all the windows down going 65 mph. Actually not to bad.... and thank god for wing windows!!!

 

They must put a high value on condoms in the area, I don't think I have ever seen double locks on one of the dispensers. HRP

 

Zoom in... they’re selling more than just condoms in that shiny metal box! Hahaha

 

Had some trouble climbing the mountains... didn’t have this problem on the way here but today at 7000 feet she had no power. I know it’s because of the lack of oxygen but I don’t have any jets with me for the carb. Only thing I could think of was to take off the air cleaner. Didn’t fix the problem, but definitely helped. We just got back from The Grand Canyon. Made it to Flagstaff... where ever that is. I might have to pull the plugs tomorrow and use my wife’s nail file on the plugs as a shitty way to half ass clean them. I think I’m around 6000 feet and it should drop pretty quickly after a few hours of driving tomorrow. The old Rambler is definitely getting a work out.

 

Some quick pics of the Grand Canyon... first time I’ve ever seen anything like it. No photo will do it justice though.

 

Head gaskets for truck drivers!


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I just got one word for you here.

Nitrous.

 

Maybe leaning out the idle mixture screw would help a little at altitude?

 

I have had a meal or two there. Or three. Crap, who is counting..

Ben

 

The idle mixture circuit provides very little to no fuel at much above idle speed. But how about creating a temporary vacuum leak? Like pulling the vacuum hose off of the wiper motor, as long as the weather doesn't look threatening and it doesn't kill the engine at idle. Or maybe unplugging something connected to a ported vacuum source if one is available?

 

Wondering if that would work... I should be good tomorrow, I’ll be going down hill mostly. Hopefully

 

Thanks for all of the updates -yep, Grand Canyon is amazing - years back on my way back from there to California in a roadster, I was likely on the tree lined roadway shown in your pic, about dusk saw a big buffalo standing in the middle of the road - that will perk you right up - I yielded the right of way to him

 

That's what I'd think, but I've read an engine runs on the idle & transition circuit up to around 35 or 40 mph, then the jets start to take over. At any rate it couldn't hurt to lean the idle mixture out at high altitude. I'm not sure if a vacuum leak would help, the manifold vacuum is already low because of the altitude. If it has a power valve, they cause trouble too at altitude if not sized right.

One thing that might be interesting to try, in lieu of the correct jet size, is install a very fine piece of wire through the jet, like a single piece of stranded copper, or maybe a high "E" guitar string they are about .013", carb tuners do that kind of thing all the time with say, power valve channel restrictors if they are too fat. It should work well if the right size can be hashed out.

 

Didn't little Joe Dirt get left behind when his parents drove off at the Grand Canyon, in a Rambler wagon?

 

Probably already left Flagstaff but the Galaxy Diner would have been good for a meal
https://jbsfamily.com/galaxy-diner/

 

Wow! Breathtaking photos. Here we are a week later, and once again I sit at my kitchen table on Saturday morning unable to assist you.

Is that I40 It's only one lane?

 

You're probably right. And with a vacuum leak and less manifold vacuum the power valve is just going to try to make things richer, and sooner.

But I like the idea of using some thin wire to restrict fuel flow thru the main jets. It wouldn't take much, I'd guess, so I'm going take your word for it on the high "E" guitar string. And with all the stuff they packed for the trip I'm betting there must be a guitar in there somewhere!

Of course, by this time they're hopefully on the downside of their trip. They'll have to experiment more the next time they "motor west".

 

Do you try to restrict the youngin's from Mountain Dew? They look pretty wound up in some of those photos, LOL! Never a dull moment I'm sure. Safe travels and Happy Motoring.

 

It’s like having three wild dogs in the back seat then letting them out after hours of captivity! I’m trying to stay calm and realize how good they are actually doing. A lot of threats and me chasing them two boys around parking lots.

 

So have you picked out next years family road trip destination yet?

I was 14 when our family took a road trip from Mpls to LA (on Route 66 from Tulsa to LA) and the wild dog description sounds like my brother and I.

It was one of the best trips of my childhood!

 

Boys, keep your hands off one another! LOL...

YEP! Sounds like my road trips. LOL

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It reminds me of the road trips with my parents when I was a kid and my dad's threats, "DON'T MAKE ME STOP THIS CAR!" HRP

 

"Daddy; her feet are on my side of the car"