Road trip gone bad..blown motor in Oklahoma

Well, it seemed like a good idea. My wife and I left MA last Sunday for a cross country trip to AZ. This afternoon, on RT 270, East of McAlester, OK, I lost oil pressure and the engine started to knock. Shut her down. Oil on the dip stick looks like metal flake. AAA droped us off at the Econo Lodge in McAlester. I'm trying to rent a box truck or a van and tow dolly. Everyone seems to be closed for the day. I'll try again tomorrow. I'm planning to get the car to AZ and figure out what to do about my mess.

Any Hamber's in the area? Come on by and say Hi. I may be here until Monday.

 

Man..That's bad luck..I hope every thing works out OK

 

Paul,man I hate that happened to you,,that old flatty has been super dependable for a long time.

If I remember correctly I think Roothawg (Chris) lives in OK ,,send me a PM if you want his number,,or he might know someone in the area that can be of some help.HRP

 

had same experience- if car dolly not av. rent box truck and have the flatbed back up to it and load inside - tie in secure- it works. keep a cool head.good luck

 

Huge bummer... Wish you were a little closer... If you can hobble it to SLC, I can dive into it with you. Full service flathead machine shop three blocks away.

 

Oh man. Sorry to hear. Hope the rest of the trip is better...

 

.........Hope everything works out for you........Maybe some Oklahoma hambers could help?

 

Bummer... Hope you get it worked out!

 

That stinks,sorry to hear that Paul.

 

Rick Kirk's machine shop is northwest of you in Ripley, OK, SE of Stillwater, OK.
Although being from Mass, I guess 140 miles is not exactly 'close' in your point of reference.

Dunno if he plays in the shop on Sundays, 918-372-fourfivethreeseven.

Or email him at littlehenry427(at)aol(dot)com

No hotel in town, but Stillwater's pretty close, Rick has an AMAZING collection of old Fords and Ford memorabilia. Magnesium Tunnel Wedge intake for a FE? Got one, 18 bolt Cleveland heads? Yup, Mickey Thompson SOHC engine from world land speed record car? YES SIR!! Need an original ZR-1 engine? He's got a dozen plus, including a ZR-1, seems Mercury Marine in Stillwater did the prototyping on this engine and Rick got involved somehow.

http://www.powertour.net/04_community_05_tour_2001/04_community_05_tour_2001_06.html

 

Be sure and let us know when you make it here, I'm sure we can get you some help when needed.


jerry

 

where in Arizona are you heading to?

 

I am hoping you the best of luck with your problem. But I also have to say from one Flathead owner another you rule!!!!!!!!. even though it has decided to take a break on you I am sure once you get her back home everything will be okay. Good luck with the rest of your journey.

 

So sorry to hear about your engine. Glad to see AAA helped get you two to a safe place and a roof over your head. I wish I was closer to offer some assistance.

 

Man what a crappy thing to happen in the middle of a trip. I grew up in Oklahoma City but I don't know anyone around McAllister that is of any help. I hope you can find a local Hamber that can help.

 

that sucks man.. i hear ya my 55 took a shit en route back from san jose in blythe. last month.. had to store it for a week and flat tow it back with a uhaul box truck.. that sucked! good luck.. if you do make it to az and are going I40 stop by I will show ya some cool stuff...

 

wow, very sorry to hear this paul, keep us posted on your progress,
best of luck buddy! Mike

 

bummer Paul, keep us posted

 

Good luck Paul. I hope everything works out for you and you get on your way.

 

Sorry to hear of the problem Paul.

 

Sorry for the problems , but the most (fun) or memorable trips are the one that you have problems and you overcome them , meet new friends and laugh about it for years to come !!!! It's been 20 years since a high school buddy and I were cruisin the coast of California in my 55 VW convertible and the engine blew halfway to San Diego and we had to sleep out side of a hotel pool in the lounge chairs freezing all night long waiting for my older brother to show up with the truck and towbar . I have only had problems with the VWs and long roadtrips and never the hot rods . Good luck and take pics to remember everything .

 

Just another bump on the road. It's all part of hot rodding. You'll get 'er fixed up, and have more war stories to share!

 

I was wondering how you were making out on your trip, and this isn't the update I wanted to see. I'm sure you'll figure it all out, Paul, you always do. Keep us updated and let me know if there's anything I can do from this side.

Hang in there and get the "engine zipper" all set to go...here you go again!

 

VERY traditional.

When I was young and working in big shops, every summer the older guys would have 2 or three weeks vacation. Load up the family car, kids and dog, and head out across the US to see the sights. Vacation time over, a phone call to the boss, "I'm stuck in Cody, WY, the motor in the wagon blew up and we are waiting for parts" This happened every year, a different guy would have the disaster in a different place, but always the same, the stories (now funny) would last all year til the next round of vacations.

Really sorry to hear that you had troble and hope that maybe you can fix it, if time allows, and continue the trip.

Well at least your navigator is still smiling in the first picture.

Frank

 

sorry about your motor. finally nice weather in az though!

 

not what i wanted to hear Paul.... Keep us post and when you get back east, let me know if I can do anything to help..I didnt have good luck this weekend either...Lost the transmission and maybe the rear in my buddies Roadster

 

There is nothing that we can say that will lessen the pain$$$ of your problems but you will always remember this trip while the uneventful trips all seem to blend together. It could have happened in a new Ford also. Good luck and keep us up to date on your trials and tribulations. People that never break down never dare to take a trip like yours. You are our hero. Hang in there.


I'm pleased to see that you used a towing company with some history.

 

Ouch, hope it is something that can be fixed easily. You might not be up for it but you are in an area where there seems to be a lot of trailer manufacturing plants that sell car hauler trailers (open) for a right price. It might be something to look into if you can't figure out any other way to haul the car.

 

Thanks for all the help offers and support. I had a call from a guy from fordbarn.com. He's taking an empty trailer to AZ to pick up a car. He has offered to haul my car there for me. Trying to rent a car to drive out of here, but they're all closed today or they don't rent "one way rentals." Tomorrow will be a busy day. Wouldn't have these logistic problems if I'd stayed on the interstates, instead of the country roads, we've been taking. However, it's the only way to really see America. This won't discourage me from taking another trip like this. It's all a part of the adventure.
Thanks again for all your support and well wishes. This web site and the fordbarn are the greatest.
Paul

 

Sorry for your problems. If you need a place to store it for awhile, I have space in our company office in Tulsa.
You're right, the only way to really see the country is the back roads.
Luck!