I usually do some short checkout runs and increase distance as things progress. I've had it all happen to me over the last 10 years even though I had fully prepped the car. From broken shock mounts @ midnight in Peoria to lost shock bolts on my way home from Minnesota... AAA and the fellow pages has been there for me everywhere I go. I always let someone know when and where I'm going and keep a cell phone on @ all times.... Hell I broke down 5 miles from the Road Rocket Rumble and Had 5 rodders stop and try to help me fix it on the side of the road in 100 degree heat. I got there on a flat-bed and we fixed it @ the show........
The first time I drove my tub was less than a mile, but three weeks later I made the first real trip to wendover 300+ miles round trip at 80 mph. That was one of the best weekends ever. I am now probably to confident in my car. I put 2000 miles on it last year and hope to put on at least that many miles again this year.
My old 38 only had one problem, half the exhaust dropped off due to rust in the old headers I used, right at the collector's! Sounded good though!! Next drive was about 900km no problems other than dropping a battery lead off the negative terminal (Thank god!) Take tools, selected parts and enjoy. Drove it daily for 5 years after that, only ever three problems. One electrical with the points going, then burnt out a clutch (Guess how?) and the other was breaking an engine mount, good lesson in building mounts that if they fail wont let the motor drop. Sat the headers on the steering shaft at about 100kmh in traffic. Suddenly no turney turneys, I almost shat.
The thing is to have convidence in your work and ability to fix it down the road.....and carry some tools and spare parts.
I was lucky with the engine mount, Rare Spares close by for an XY mount, did it on the side ofthe road.
Confidence in my ride??? More like ignorance in my lack of skill!!! I agree with the others on the board...If you took your time and did stuff right, there won't be much to worry about. It has taken me quite a few cars to learn how to slow down and realize that the completed car is the goal, and not the "due date" I have set for myself.
The first time we ever fired our car was on a Wednesday night. Drove it up and down the street and nothing fell off. The next day I went out for a couple of miles around town with no problems. That Saturday morning we took off for the Goodguys show at Del Mar. Only 23 miles away but that seemed like the longest 23 miles in the world. I wasn't sure if it would even reach 65 mph! I was nervous as hell but we made it with no problems. That June we drove it from San Diego to the L.A. Roadster show (123 miles each way). That was four years ago and we haven't broken down anywhere yet. I carry a basic tool kit (Cresent wrench, couple of screw drivers, pliers, etc. A spare fan belt, and some fluids). We have AAA+ and cell phones. I also do an aircraft style "pre-flight" before we go anywhere on an Interstate. I check the radius rods, drag link and tie rod, etc. I make sure nothing's worked loose and there are threads showing where they should be. Then once we we're driving, I watch the gauges constantly. I still get a little anxous sometimes before leaving, but once we're out and everything seems fine I can relax and enjoy the drive.
This is a funny thread ! When I bought the T, I drove it home from Clark's house ( about 60 mles ) no problems. I have put a litlle over 1,000 miles on it since I got it in the beginning of Oct last year and it was put away for winter in December through the end of March. This next week I am driving it with a friend to Ocean City MD ( about 320 miles round trip with maybe another 300 miles cruising in OC ) and on to the showdown ( about another 120 miles ). The only thing that I am still unsure of is the temp gauge ( reads 260 degrees when running but I got it figured out). By Sunday may 18th, I should have another 1,000 miles on it. Maybe the white knuckles will go away then. I guess If I had built it, it might be a little different but I am still learning the car and all it's sounds.........and it sounds real cool !!
Whenever I have driven my rides for any distance I have always been as nervous as a ***** in church. My mechanically abilities ****. My cars are always too low to get on a roll back or there is no way to get a tow strap under the front without messing something up, if something does break. Although they have never left me stranded anywhere or given me a reason something will break, I always get that feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever I leave the driveway. Especially when I turn off the motor. I think, oh **** is it going to start again.
2 and 1/2 hrs. to North Jersey, up the Turnpike, and through the cratered battlefield that is The Oranges. I was still working on it right up until I left, I loaded it with my bag, gas can ( no gauge...) and some tools...and left. We had a cam failure in the first break in of the motor, 5 days before the first event I wanted to attend...we tore it down, cleaned it, did all the machine work again, got a new crank kit, new cam, re-***embled it, broke in the cam, and I left... Virtually open exhaust ( the insert mufflers I had in it at that time were next to nothing...) Also had no suspension at the time, too...still was playing with ride height...it bottomed out on every, single bump on the way...and in Jersey thats a lot of bumps... My license plate did fall off...otherwise, nada. It was nerve wracking... I recently made a 7 hr. round trip, and I am starting to be fairly comfortable now...It takes me a LONG time though...I have trust issues...
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