I am not sure if this is a technical feature or more of an experience. Like all of us we have had our share of break downs in the “small” sense - ones where we were close to home, a simple fix but perhaps time consuming, and we got on our merry way. Then there are the “medium” breakdowns where you could not fix it and had to get towed to hone, a friend’s shop, or somewhere else but still, ya got fixed up and you were on your way. But then there’s the “major” break down where you thought it was a simple/time consuming fix but an elusive problem and far from home. I have had the first 2 categories of break downs but never the third - until recently. I had a one day event of a very good friend of mine who has a fine collection and was having one of his yearly gatherings. Weather was going to be perfect, going solo, out and back in one day - I call them “bonsai” runs - 400 miles round trip. I’ve done it many, many times. Piece of cake … Well, not this time - I had just jumped onto the interstate in the 32 coupe when the first “blip” occurred., The car kind of hesitated a second and then recovered - checked the vitals, nothing seemed a miss so I kept going., Once off the interstate and taking a much easier and relaxing 4-lane divided highway, she blipped again. I had just adjusted the timing, carbs, done my due diligence before leaving but I got out and fiddled with the jets, making them just a tad richer thinking I may have made them too lean. She started right up and off I went, running as sweet as pie until this time she cut out completely at speed. I coasted over to the shoulder, checked things over once more, and she fired right up again. At this point I am more than halfway there so I stopped to get some fuel, and off I went. Now - did I think I should maybe think about going home? Yes, I did but I had extra parts and tools with me and I felt I was prepared enough to fix what it might be. And, in actuality, the car ran perfectly the rest of the way to the gathering. It was a great day., was welcomed warmly by the host, saw some old friends and made some new ones. One fellow in particular is into flatheads so we swapped stories, talked about flatties and hot rods for the better part of 2 hours. I had told him of my car issues during our conversation and when it was time to leave, he said he would follow me just in case and perhaps I could stop by his place and check out his garage before I went home and talk shop some more. I thought that real nice of him to do that so we took off. The first 50 miles were uneventful but then I had one or two more hiccups when about 100 miles from home she died again. This time however she would not restart. I was not getting fire and with another coil, complete distributor, cap, rotor, wires, we could not get the car start. It’s now getting onto 5 pm when my new friend whom I have only known for 4 hours, says that he was going to drive the 100 miles to his house, pick up his truck and trailer, and come back to get me. I was floored - I said to him that our new friendship was like being tested by trial by fire! I was totally humbled to be truthful and I told him as much. So, off he went. I have met a great number of really great people on this and other forums, and by and large, we all pretty much the same way and would do all we could to help one another. But I cannot tell you how many people, total strangers, stopped to offer help, to get me food, cold water, offers to tow me to their house or shop while I was on the shoulder - it was unreal. Motorcyclists, hot rods, street rod guys, folks in their DDs with screaming kids. One woman passed me on the opposite side, swung around, and offered to get food and water for me. She knew I was waiting for my/a tow, while another older gent stopped, we chatted for awhile, and he said he would be back to check on me. True to his word, he was back an hour later, brought me some water, and gave me his number just in case I was not going to get picked up and would help me out. In todays world I was not really sure what all I would run into - but all I was brought was kindness and concern. Was it because I was driving my hot rod? Yes to some extent I do think that was a factor but regardless, it certainly helped restore my faith in people in that whatever way we might have differed, help was there to be given. It was a great feeling - and I gave my heartfelt thanks to each and every one that stopped. My new found friend got back around 8:30 pm, we loaded up and a friend of mine was on standby to pick me up at this guys house. But that was not to be - he took me all the way HOME! I said he did not have to but he said he would not feel right if he did not. I filled his tank, told him how much I appreciated it and that I would pay it forward. I got home around 12:30 am - a funny side note was my one neighbor thought I bought a new car that was being delivered …. Lol! So if you can call a major breakdown a good one, this was it for me …..
Just today my daily 94 Chevy pickup fuel pump quit ,called the nephew he came to my rescue .But the number of people who offered help was surprising , then there were the ones that looked the other way as they sped past. So thank ful for those that did stop and offer help. RTP
Thanks for asking …. There were multiple issues- engine coil bad no spark, my spare only allow a weak spark, and the Pertronix unit died. We just could not cobble together a good ignition system with what I had. Since then I put together a points distributor and she is now running great. I have bought another Pertronix unit for my “spare” distributor and will try it out when time allows. Had to wait on a tach and dwell unit (not that easy finding a new one) because I have not had a need for one after playing with flatheads for so long …..
Interesting topic.. Been across the US, NY/West.. including Az/Ca. 13 time's... Lost a tranny in Amarillo, Hi plains diesel hooked me up ridiculous... An couldn't have been better, Period! Lost a rear end in Nevada, an found a dude that was changing out, A rear I needed, did it in his driveway! Lost an engine in salt lake, O/T. But industrial injection is an absolutely straight up legit shop that went Way above an beyond to get me back on the road.... There are still people in this intercoursed world that give A.... To get ya back on the road!! Just as I would,An have to help those on the journey..
Besides some minor and "roadfixable" stuff, the worst thing was the overdrive on my 41 Chevy running out of oil at 60 mph, and than suddenly totally blocking the rear end with a big bang within a second. I was going sideways for quite a while, before I was able to stop her - thanks god there was not much traffic around - this could have ended much worse. To my surprise I was able to lockout the OD and limp her home. The planetary gear was literally melted and welted to a blob. Scared the sh... out of me. Since than I'm obsessed with checking the oil and looking for leaks around the OD. Frank
when I was driving my ‘40 LaSalle back to Flagstaff the summer of ‘95 it kept cutting out and dying. had some people pull over and offer water and help… turned out to be the electric fuel pump that a previous owner had installed. Every time it died I checked the fuel flow and it seemed fine… so I’d monkey with the points, coil… even changed the condenser… but it wasn’t until coming into Albuquerque I replaced the fuel pump in a last ditch effort… then made it the rest of the way back into Flagstaff. it’s nice that some people still care about others… even strangers.
Happy that it all worked out for you in the end, Tom. Those can be some stressful times. Your new friend is a friend indeed. I've said it time and again, but your experience re-enforces it, the cars are what brings us together, but it's really about the people.
Great story. With a happy ending no less. I too have helped and been helped on different hot rod trips. It’s a good feeling either way. Snowman ⛄️
In 1985 I blew the transmission in my ot chevelle on my way to Gurnee Il from Indiana. No one stopped to help me. Not even the state troopers. When I finally got mad enough I stood out in the road when I saw yet another trooper coming. He had to stop. He bitched me out. Would not even get us water or anything. After begging him I finally got him to call for a tow truck. Glad to hear people stopped for you. Restores a little faith in humanity. Just don’t break down in Illinois.
what i'm seeing in my car's and motorcycle's that are all 25 year's old and older as the oem parts are being replaced these junk aftermarket part's are breaking down faster than i can keep up. it's got to the point where if you travel any distance you need a chase vehicle with a trailer like the [pro's]
Maybe it's because a lot of us are old farts and people don't want to hear about "another senior found after gone missing eighteen days"! There's good folks out there that seem to pop up when they're really needed. Bless 'em.
It's been a few years but while driving my new to me '50 F1 from Sacramento, Ca to Sioux City, Ia, it started raining of all things just outside of Fontana, Ca. Turned the electric wipers on and after a couple of swipes, they quit. I pulled over and fiddled with them but they were dead, so, off the highway and into Fontana. I found an auto electric shop once in town but they don't do this kind of work but let me know of a shop just down the road that probably did. Thanking them I headed there. Arriving, I explained my situation and just like that, I was job priority one. They put a fellow right on it. He got under the dash pulled out the motor, took it apart, found it un rebuildable. I found and sourced a new one and had my sister deliver it to me. That mechanic jumped back on the job and I was on my way after the install. Cost, $40. Yes, good folks are still out there.
I suggest building a vehicle that will fit on a Uhaul auto transport trailer. Twenty plus years ago, I had a series of off-topic 1970's Internationals. A pickup, a Travelette (crew cab) and a Scout II. Longest trip was AZ to WA. Never had a breakdown that I could not (eventually) fix. With the advent of ethanol "enhanced" fuels, vapor lock became an issue - spent some time on the side of the road with the hood up - waiting for the engine bay to cool off. The internationals were too big to go on a Uhaul auto transport trailer. I always had in the back of my mind that a major failure would require me to abandon the vehicle it I was far from home. In the last 12 years, I travel with old vehicles that will fit on a Uhaul auto transport trailer. I also have AAA towing insurance. This OT truck (the bed is a 1952 Bell Telephone Service Box) has driven to 37 states. On a 340 mile trip to Flagstaff, AZ (about 340 miles from here), a driveshaft U-joint failed. Still moved, but no way was I going to attempt to drive it down the mountain (I-17). It was late Friday afternoon, the chances of getting a timely repair was slim, Uhaul solved my problem. My often deleted 1962 Volvo custom arrived here on a Uhaul auto transport trailer. It's furthest trip is Lead Ain't Dead in Dewey, OK. I eventually burned up the exhaust valves on the way home from San Diego, CA. I was close enough to home to get a AAA tow. Russ
I think a lot more people will stop to help out if you break down on a secondary highway, which is another great reason to drive on them. For starters, it's often not practical or safe to pull onto the shoulder of an interstate to help, with cars and trucks zooming by at high speed. And it's more likely local people, and people in less of a hurry, will be passing by.
Hello, No one likes breakdowns. When we were 100 miles South of Long Beach along the So Cal coastline, we had a slow leak in one of our Flathead sedan delivery tires. So, we pulled over and checked out situation. It was too far to go to the gas station and the tire was too flat to continue driving. The stored bumper jack had never been used and it set up nicely. The 40 Ford Sedan Delivery looked shaky slightly up on the bumper jack, despite the rocks in front of the tires. The whole time we were removing the flattened tire and replacing it with the spare, it looked like a strong gust would knock it over. Our continued Southern coastal trip awarded us with some pristine waves in the San Diego coastline. But, immediately upon arriving at home, my savings said I could go get a scissors jack, which took up less space and lifted the whole car from a better position on the rear end setting. Now, the rocks and wooden bars kept the whole thing from rolling forward incase of another tire change. The whole scissors stuff fit in the lower compartment along with the spare tire. Jnaki "Be Prepared"... a motto we learned early on, but in actual times, gave us an edge, too. When we purchased the 327 powered project sedan delivery years later, there was no jack or spare tire. So, a new rim was courtesy of Ford Parts Obsolete store near our old Westside of Long Beach house and our local auto parts store just down the street from the photos. It was a new scissors jack, again and now, the 327 powered 40 Ford Sedan Delivery was ready to hit the road for those surf adventures and the long photo road trips. YRMV
A few years back, when So Cal Speed shop held their annual Open House the week of LA Roadster Show, I had gone to the open house, then over to Walden's for their ice cream social, but I had to leave early for my oldest son's b-day dinner, so when I left the sun was still out, it was blazing hot, and as I made the turn onto Reservoir St to head down and catch I10 I got a splash of liquid up on the windshield, which I quickly realized was gasoline. I shut it down and coasted to a stop under a big tree, so at least I had some shade. It was the Mr Gasket fuel pressure regulator, it had sprung a massive leak. I called AAA for a tow, and then sat there waiting for about 45 minutes. During that time dozens of other hot rodders drove passed, also heading from So Cal Speed over to Walden's; they'd look over at me and just kept right on going, not one of them turn around and came back to check on me. Note that I didn't flag any of them down, because I wasn't desperate, I had someone coming; but it was surprising to me that none of them stopped to check on me. I'd like to assume that had it been out on the highway, maybe they would've.
A few weeks ago, I had to drive my old Jeep into town to get some wheel bearings ( see other post) for my avatar car, that I have been driving because of a wrecked daily driver van! Well while driving all over town to find USA made bearings, the Jeep dies and will not start, in the middle of the road! With in seconds a chick stops to help me! Parks her car in the closest parking lot and helps me push the Jeep there! Then she asks me if I need a jump? I said yes, but I do not have any jumper cables! Well, she produced a set and pulled her car over to mine! We could not jump it, but she offered to take me somewhere! I declined and told her I would call my friend to get a new battery! Simply amazing that a young chick would stop to help an old guy like me! Great people in this world! Bones
Like divorce court? That’s where you get the privilege of giving away half your stuff and then getting sued for the other half.
Left Norfolk, VA in 1982 on the way to the Nats in Minneapolis. Just out side of South Bend, IN we stopped for supper at a rest area. Wife and both kids, car packed to the gills with stuff. As I shifted the car into reverse there was the "ting" that only a bad U-joint could give. We ate, loaded the car and tried to go. Car vibrated really bad, pulled into the first South Bend exit, gas station right there. Didn't know it but they role up the side walks there at 6 PM on Sundays. Got out the fellow pages and called the first name I found. Mr. Jim Woods answered, told him the problem, said he would be there after he finished supper. Two minutes later the station phone rang, it was him. He decided to come right down. He owned a repair shop so off we went to change out the joint. Got it done, installed the drive shaft while he waited to make sure we could safely roll off. Gave him the thanks, he offered a spare room, a pool and a frig full of beer. Turned him down as we were only four hours from my Mom's place. Purpose of this episcopal is to say, if there is a hot rod, early or late model, on the side of the road I stop to see if I can help. The fellowship of the community is second to none and I try to keep the same approach Jim gave to me to other folks that have an issue.
The Jalopy Journal
