Hi List. We're baaaaaack!
Due to the crackerjack update skills of my junior correspondents Rob &
Peter, you have all been kept pretty well updated on our progress into
central Calif. I'm happy to report that there were no mishaps beyond
that...in fact, much of the remainder of the trip was pretty boring.
Reset the timing to about 4 btdc, since Rob said his 74 was running 10
btdc and we seemed pretty sluggish off the line and incapable of breaking
70mph at 0-2 atdc. Car ran great all the way home and I even sneaked up past
80mph a couple of times. Seems to be eating more than its share of oil, but
I didn't notice blue smoke. Will check with PO John about whether rings were
done when he messed with the head, and will also change to a "real" oil
(Castrol GTX 20w-50) since 10w-30 doesn't cut it in Phoenix and see how
normal driving conditions and heavier oil affect consumption.
Obviously kudos to Rob the Savior, and special hat tipo to Peter and his
hospitality. Other than a 50/50 mixture of cappuccino & coffee at 100-mile
intervals (gotta love am/pm markets), didn't do any doping... and am looking
forward to sharing Peter's "Ficklin Vineyards" 10-yr old Tawny Port for a
romantic dinner with the wife next week to reward her for her patience and
understanding. Sorry I had to blast past Scott Kohl, Bill J and Mark Gardner
without saying "hi" but the downtime on Monday and my passenger's schedule
kinda screwed things up a bit.
Full-blown magazine article chronicling my adventure will be available
upon request... contact me off-list. Hope to have it done late next week and
will start searching for magazines who may be interested in looking at it...
even if it doesn't sell, at least I can write off my trip!
Initial observation after driving 1500 miles in Rufio: runs very well
(62K orig miles), integrity is pretty good. Numerous minor electrical
glitches to chase down (lights are either all on or all off; cigarette
lighter caught fire, etc). Dash has been redone & doors are good... rest of
interior needs to be done. Reasonable amount of tiny dents but nothing too
bad... rear suspension looks pretty weak even after removing passenger,
luggage & spare parts; other than that, appears to be no major mechanical
stuff needed...
So including the cost of the car, airfare, motels & meals, I've spent
about $1300 thus far. I think I made out pretty well thus far...!
More to follow! Thanks again to everyone who covered my back on this
adventure!
Scott
77 Spit "Hobbs" - daily driver
75 Spit "Rufio" - tired from long trip and ready for continued restoration
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