Lead Ain't Dead or Bust!

BUSTED! The 1962 Volvo failed its test drive. In 90+ degree weather, the engine overheats in stop-and-go traffic. Turning off the air conditioning is not an option for my heart condition. Disappointing, the Volvo now has a 5-speed overdrive transmission (I call myself a "Custom Rodder" - anyone remember that magazine?). AND somewhat embarrassing - but - I will show up for the custom car show in a new pickup truck.

This picture taken on my 2020 trip to Lead Ain't Dead. RT-66 in Shamrock, TX. The road trip thread:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...-lead-aint-dead-via-rt-666-and-rt-66.1204741/

And the subsequent carnage (Karnage?) thread about breakdowns on the trip:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/breakdowns-to-lead-aint-dead-2020.1206178/

I've missed the last few shows (Life had other plans...). I'm on the wrong side of 80 years old now. And I have to admit that I am much more concerned about where the next rest room is located. Our kids have volunteered to cover for me and this is a bit of a respite trip. I will drive less than 400 miles per day.

A quick breakfast and then off I go...

Russ

 

Something happened to the text size on your post?

Bummer about the Volvo and it's heat issue. That radiator is a bit small for a B20...but there's not much room under there for more, unfortunately.

See you when you get back

 

It appears to be "Operator headspace..."

The cooling has an aftermarket parts: Volvo P1800 "race radiator", multi-blade fan, a 2-fan heat exchanger. and a few more cooling system tweaks. But, the laws of physics are not optional.

Russ

 

It's been my experience that frontal surface area of the radiator is what limits cooling ability. But I've only been involved with engine swaps since the late 1970s, so I might not have as much experience as you with it

 

Praying for safe travels Russ. Sorry you couldn’t drive the Volvo, but glad you are still going.

 

Back in the 1990s I was traveling through AZ in my 1967 Volvo 122s and it overheated in traffic, but not because of the radiator. The MC was malfunctioning and causing the brakes to drag. After that was fixed, it ran fine. Make sure all of your systems are in order.

 

Russ, I felt like I'd aged 20 years trying to read that text!
Please click on the edit button, click on some small part of the text, then press CTRL +A (Select All), then go up to the top of the box and click on the Second "A" (font size) and pick a bigger font. You also selected a different font (third "A"), but that's not as difficult.

 

Or we can just see what he said....


BUSTED! The 1962 Volvo failed its test drive. In 90+ degree weather, the engine overheats in stop-and-go traffic. Turning off the air conditioning is not an option for my heart condition. Disappointing, the Volvo now has a 5-speed overdrive transmission (I call myself a "Custom Rodder" - anyone remember that magazine?). AND somewhat embarrassing - but - I will show up for the custom car show in a new pickup truck.

This picture taken on my 2020 trip to Lead Ain't Dead. RT-66 in Shamrock, TX. The road trip thread:

And the subsequent carnage (Karnage?) thread about breakdowns on the trip:

I've missed the last few shows (Life had other plans...). I'm on the wrong side of 80 years old now. And I have to admit that I am much more concerned about where the next rest room is located. Our kids have volunteered to cover for me and this is a bit of a respite trip. I will drive less than 400 miles per day.

A quick breakfast and then off I go...

Russ

 

Hey Rod they have these new fangled glasses that help
Safe travels Russ
Dan

 

Made it to Truth or Consequences, NM. Drove some back roads on the way. Cochise County has lots of history. Coronado, the Pony Express and the Mormon Battalion all came through here.

This might be my last trip. Started out driving one of my school bus routes (20 years ago).


The ghost town of Charleston, AZ. Then Tombstone and up to I-10.


Old Chevy dealership in Willcox, AZ. The JIM-GLO trailer manufacturing company started here. Years ago, I bought a1957 Studebaker station wagon from Jim.

Russ

 

Years ago I bought a 55 Pontiac parts car from Jim.

Keep on truckin'

 

Have had to wear them since I got a desk job many years ago. The current ones have needed to be replaced for a while now, but car parts are more fun and I haven't stubbed a toe or walked into a hoist recently!

 

Safe travels

 

Only 146 miles to RT-66, Central Ave in Albuquerque. Last time I drove it, it was rather depressed. Going to skip it this time.

 

The Cars movie reignited interest in Route 66, but it's even told there, that the freeways bypassed the places that sprung up along it. Enjoy the drive, @TrailerTrashToo !

 

I can't help getting depressed driving 66, seeing the decayed state of the revival efforts....let alone the original decay from when the freeways took over the route...

but I still keep going back.

We love pictures of the highway on these trips, post some if you can!

 

Lots of miles to grind out between the interesting parts.

 

Sitting in a car put together with your own hands, open road, lots of sky and vistas. It may blur into one, but that's what the point is.
Time to think about what you got right, what you'd like to change, comfort in that things are working well, hearing the engine, the tires on the road, you favorite tunes or what's on the airwaves outside your normal area. That freedom that the horse, bike and car all gained over walking if you wanted to travel.

 

Lewis Antique Auto and Toy Museum, Moriarty, NM. Closed when I got there.


Glider Museum across the street.

 

Got to tour the Lewis last year, it's neat! Way too much stuff for the family to deal with, since the old man died.

 

5 years ago for me. I followed @winduptoy down RT-66.

Clines Corners, it passes the "Tourist trap" test. Bought a cup of black coffee and a small snack. Santa Rosa is next.

 

When we're on a LeMons Rally on Rt 66, we always have to swim in Blue Hole. And it's cold!

 

Auto museum in Santa Rosa- closed.


Not AI.

I am in Tucumcari, NM for the night. Did not see anything to take a picture of. The primary industry appears to be cannabis dispensaries.

 

Buc-ee's Amarillo, TX. Not on my bucket list, but I needed to pee and gas.

The rest rooms were in the next time zone.

Bought a cup of black coffee and got the heck out of there.


"Off-topic"

 

I bet I'll see that Viper at Drag Week again!

 

McLean, TX. In 1951, Aunt Dolly McLean sent me a postcard from here. I thought it was cool that there was a town with my last name. In 1979, I sent her a postcard from here.

No "Kodak Moments" here, on to Shamrock.

 

Shamrock, TX. Driving a late model vehicle just doesn't feel quite right.

And a sign of the times, there are Tesla chargers on the other side of this historic service station.

 

Hope to meet you,TTT, at Lead Ain't Dead this year. Saw your car either in 2023 or 2024, but never got a chance to meet you. Car in Avatar will be there.

 

I was last there in 2020. Life had other plans in the following years.

I PMed my phone number.

Russ

 

Wow, how time flies! I never would have thought it that long ago.