Hey whats going on?

Well let me tell you what ive been up to.We packed up the biggest Uhaul you can rent and moved from sunny Surrey to the North Okanagan on April 6. Its one of the nicest places on the earth and we got 18 acres of it. It gets smoking hot with lakes and rivers galore.Its about a 290 mile mountain pass journey.Boy did my wagon run good.The only problem was I got on the highway and my temp gauge went right up to hot and then down then up so i pulled off and checked it out.I shut it down for about 10 minutes while I figured it must be the thermostat and when i fired it up the temp was down so away I went.I had hot air coming through the heater and 10 mile later up it went then down then stayed just under hot but was running great.I got to Chilliwack and headed for Lordco and replaced the thermostat in the poring rain I was waiting for it to get cool enough to open the rad got soaked but off I go the temp is down then hot then half hot but the car is running great. I drive about 15 miles and stop again.Every time I stop at a gas station people want to look at the car and this guy tells me he thinks its the the part that sends the temp to the gauge and hopefully thats it, so off I go again with the temp at just under hot, yes I was worried. When I was diagnosed with cancer all of our valuables were put in my wifes name and my wife was in the okanagan and we put a 1 day permit on the car and had to get the car there before midnight so I decided to continue on with the Cokahala highway ahead. Let me tell you I have never really driven my wagon only about 1000 miles before this trip and the things we couldnt fit in the truck I loaded in the wagon and the 383 powered us thru the mountains and I stopped in Merit for gas because the gas gauge doesnt really work and what can I say the car was down about a half a litre of oil and running great. I bet a lot of people I passed had a conversation about what just passed them.it cost about 120 to go about 295 miles mostly up hill.My 91 Ford f150 351 windsor gas guzzler in the city but loves it Up here cost aboutthe same so Im SO BLOWN AWAY with the Monacos performance.But I havent figured out what the problem was.Any suggestions? anyhow that was my weekend and we moved to a 18 acre farm out in the North Okanagan/ Shushwap and we have acreek and abarn and we our property borders the Enderby Cliffs mountains..I will try and post some pictures of the wagon by the mountain.

sorry for going on so long I moved. here to heal and its started as soon as we arrived and the wagon has a carport but I blew out the muffler so dual exhaust is around the corner.

 

Wow, sounds like a heckuva trip. Glad to hear the wagon got you there in one piece. Those little issues can really be worriesome when you are in the middle of a trip, but it sounds like everything worked out fine. Glad to hear about your new place, it sounds beautiful. Looking forward to the pictures.

 

Yea its beautiful and Ive never lived in the country Im a city boy gone country.There are no sirens and traffic jams and everywhere you go its by the highway with outstanding views ,its quite the culture shock, this area is known for a car show every weekend all summer long, I cant wait.

 

What a great adventure. Happy it ended well. Must be a bad thermostat or possibly one of the hoses is collapsing. At least now you have time to check it out without worry.
We are city dudes too from the Midwest transplanting ourselves to Florida. We only have five acres but from the city to here it seems like a ranch. I'm sure the piece and quiet will be enjoyable.
At least the wild life near us don't carry guns or knives.

 

Quite a trip, sound like everything turned out OK for the most part. Sounds like a great place you got, looking forward to some pictures!

 

Watch out for that Ogo Pogo...!

 

Fan clutch?

 

Old radiator, old transmission, heavy load, steep grades, high altitude.....how many more clues to you need?

Working thermostats won't keep a car from overheating. They open at the specified temperature. If it is stuck open the car won't reach operating temperature. If it's stuck shut, the car will overheat within a couple of miles. If other factors prevent the cooling system to operate at peak efficiency, the vehicle will overheat.

 

Well at least you made it, whats a road trip with out some issue?



Enjoy the area, it is beautiful county

 

Yea I agree, this car is totally original,rad tranny motor, its funny how it ran so good while the gauge was hot. The car got hot before I hit the freeway,and when I hit the mountains it didnt get any hotter.the heater was blowing hot air so water was circulating.I have been relaxing I will get to the car soon.and my gas guzzling city truck loves it here, all roads are highways, getting much better gas mileage. I never thought id say it but my trucks BUILT FORD TOUGH But my MOPAR is just plain tough. pictures tommorow.

 

66Mopar, you sound like you have landed in heaven! Good for you. As for the wagon, I would say that it is time to invest in a new radiator, and replace all the hoses while you are at it. If the water pump is older, might as well throw one on at the same time. Flush out the block as well. With the altitude and highway driving, you don't want to run the old girl hot, or you could end up doing damage. Keep her cool, and you are away to the races. I'd also think about a heavy duty transmission cooler at the same time. They are a LOT less money than a new transmission! Also, make sure the air fuel mixture is set right on the carb. The change in altitude will affect that, and it will change the temperature of the engine. Good luck and enjoy you new home!

 

And when flushing, the use of a flush Tee doesn't get the job done. All the sediment and rust in a cooling system settles in the water jacket of the block and compacts over time. This is never removed during a routine radiator flush.

At a minimum, one should remove the pipe plugs (if equipped) on either side of the block. You will often find it necessary to poke the holes with a screwdriver to open them up. Then replace them with drain valves. Even better is to remove an accessible freeze plug from either side and direct a high pressure water spray into the holes. You'd be amazed at the rust and crap that comes out. Certain years of Chrysler Corp engines were prone to heavy internal rusting of the block.

 

Yes, it's amazing the rust and crap that will be inside there............ But, I'll bet this was the biggest problem---- a heavy duty transmission cooler ----- The goofy internal radiator cooler will never do the job when pulling a trailer. Especially one that was obviously heavy.
Danged, I agreed with Mike twice already today!

 

...thats hilarious 66
I phoned you the other day ...just to see where and how you been ???
guess i know now why the number didnt work

glad to hear your doing good

 

Glad you found a place you can slow things down and get your health in order. It is surprising what the body can do when it is allowed to do its job without having to deal with the day to day stress of living in the big city.

Same goes for the wagon, it sounds like it was getting rid of the stuff it didn't want anymore - like that muffler - you can just hear it "come on, put duals on me why don't you?"

I've got several friends who've move up that way - Salmon Arm and south. My Chevelle came from the area as well.

Enjoy life, enjoy your new home, and post some pics for us.