Pictures, Yosemite Nat. Park in the T

[deckofficer]

Trying to break in the new 383 before Fred's Fun Run. Burned 2 quarts in the first 500 miles. Will change oil again after the 2nd 500 miles. After today it is looking good for driving to Fred's Fun Run. I took off today at noon for a quick run down to Yosemite National Park via Hwy 49 and Hwy 120. Return via Hwy 140 and Hwy 49. These roads have hundreds of sharp turns and probably 50 at 15 mph or less. Plus a lot of altitude changes over 6300'. Needless to say, if the T did good, then 1000 miles of Interstate Freeways should be a walk in the park. The old engine would have had to be downshifted like crazy, but the torquey little 383 was happy pulling top gear at 25 mph coming around the corner and up grades. I used to kid people that the new engine would work for a Winnebago motorhome, after today's drive I'm not kidding, would be perfect for a truck or motorhome. Only managed 20.4 MPG, but considering the roads and a tight new engine, I figure "good enough".

 

[one finger john]

With all that lugging the rings HAVE to be broken in by now. Is it still smooth as when you accepted it? I wouldn't expect the mileage to improve more than one or two mpg, but it will be interesting to see what the mileage is at a steady 70 mph cruise.

Also see ya got the leather helmet & goggles, cool. John

P.S. When you get home , do you do a walk around and check all your nuts & bolts?

 

[deckofficer]

John,

It is as smooth or maybe even better than my "acceptance" drive. I have not personally rebuilt a motor since 1970, but one of the things that stick in my mind was how much more effort was required when hand turning (with a wrench) the rotating assembly without the head on it vs. how easy it was before the new bearings. Being a nerd even back then, I decided to install a 1000 amp shunt on the starter so that I could see over time how much easier it was to spin the engine as the bearings started to seat (and rings). I do not remember the readings 40 years later but can say the amp draw kept dropping for almost 10,000 miles. The old circle track race motor after I changed the carb, distributor, geared taller with taller tires, installed solid state optical points, and filled with synthetic oil, raised the fuel mileage (freeway) from 12 MPG to 23 MPG. So I expect this engine even though larger by 33 cubes, with the RV cam should get mid 20's when broken in fully.

When I had the 383 built for the T, I also had ALL suspension and steering nuts replaced with nylock nuts and washers. I do a quick "at least hand tight" check after a longer drive.

Bob

 

[Ted Brown]

Bob, I did notice that you do not have a safety washer on the pitman arm hook up "to the drag link", that one is very important, all steering link ends are very important... Thanks for the great pics, almost like being there...

 

[Northstar T]

Wow. great pics. I'm amazed at the weather conditions there. I heard there was over 2 feet of snow at the Crater Lake lodge last Saturday, and it's snowed much more since then.
you're a wild man!!

Cheers,
Russ

 

[Whiplash]

Thanks for the photos also and man am I envious of you. Hey honey,just taking the car for a little drive around the block and I see you soon. :smile: What fantastic country side you people have on your back step so to speak,wow, I want to get over there with my bucket.That is what I call cuising..

 

[Gerry]

breath taking scenery, and the T is not so bad either LOL. Love the one at the lights. If we did that here there would be 20 cars behind standing on their horns.
Gerry

PS Picture fit on my screen now. Thanks

 

[deckofficer]

Whiplash and others that would like to "cruise" my backyard,

I admit to being lucky in the surrounding areas of where I live. My vacation residence in Southern California is less than one hours drive to the beaches, desert, and mountains. In Northern California I live 1 hour and 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe and just over 3 hours from Yoesmite National Park. I helped in a very small part, to advertise the first DooWop hot rod gathering at Speed's Diner in Plymouth, California. Check out the "T-bucket Events" thread on the forum for pictures. Starting next year during the cruising season Speed's will host the hot rod gathering on the 2nd Saturday of each month. I know most of you folks would need to trailer in to this event, but the tiny old town of Plymouth is ready for you. Below is a copy and paste of the event..................

On Oct 16, Speed's Diner in Plymouth, California is hosting the first inaugural 50's DooWop night. The owner of Speed's is an ex-machinist and a true lover of hot rods. He will be serving up the typical 50's cruising dinner of a hamburger, fries, and coke for the 50's price of $1.00. For those of you that have to travel a long distance to be able to say sometime in the future,"I was at the inaugural of this event back in 2010", there is a 329 site RV park 1/4 mile north of Speed's, and the Shenandoah Inn 1/5 mile south on Historic Hwy 49. For reduced hotel rates of $84.95 for a king, mention you are with the "Speed's" group. Their number is 800 542-4549. The large RV park is a Far Horizon's 49er Village, phone 209 245-6981. The surrounding Sierra Foothills is wine country with several vineyards and tours. This part of Hwy 49 is also gold country, and Plymouth is 21 miles south of Hangtown (currently called Placerville) and 12 miles north of Jackson which has IMHO the best Indian casino in California. For the more adventurists, Lake Tahoe is 81 miles away and Yosemite is 128 miles.


As you can see, plenty of accomadations and both Lake Tahoe and Yoesmite National Park are easy one day drive from Plymouth. If a group of you folks want to decide on which 2nd Saturday of which month you would like to come up, I will make sure I'm available and we will cruise Lake Tahoe on one day and Yoesmite on another day. And for your information, both Yoesmite and Lake Tahoe can be reached from Plymouth without getting on any Freeways, all two lane mountain highways

Bob

 

[deckofficer]

Small correction.....15 miles of Hwy 50 east of Placerville is lightly travelled 4 lane mountain hwy, nothing like a typical four lane with tons of traffic and big trucks looking at your T like it would be a nice wheel chock.

 

[sstock]

Deck Officer,

Thanks for the pics. It was just what I needed after spending the morning bucking up a Doug Fir into rounds in the rain up here in the Great Pac NorthWest. Last year a few of us took our Harleys down the pacific coast highway to the redwoods. What an amazing one week trip. Next year guess where we are going? It is a done deal now, It has been 40 years since I've been to Yosemite, about a dozen or so to Tahoe. CMON retirement, another 6 months and I should be doing the same thing in a T--in God's Country.

 

[deckofficer]

sstock,

Well I hope we can hook up. I plan on making it to Speed's Diner most every 2nd Saturday during the cruising season. If anyone at those events want to do a day trip to either Yoesmite or Lake Tahoe, give me a call or find me at Speed's. I got weather on my side for the upcoming Fred's Fun Run in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Today in NorCal it is low 50's and light rain, but forcast for Wednesday, departure day, it will be 77 and clear. For Thursday, 2nd leg departure day in SoCal, it will be clear and in the low 90's. Arrival at Sierra Vista Thursday will be clear and mid 80's. Sometimes we just get lucky.


Bob

 

[deckofficer]

Deck Officer,

Thanks for the pics. It was just what I needed after spending the morning bucking up a Doug Fir into rounds in the rain up here in the Great Pac NorthWest. Last year a few of us took our Harleys down the pacific coast highway to the redwoods. What an amazing one week trip. Next year guess where we are going? It is a done deal now, It has been 40 years since I've been to Yosemite, about a dozen or so to Tahoe. CMON retirement, another 6 months and I should be doing the same thing in a T--in God's Country.

BTW, congrats on retirement in 6 months!!!!

 

[Hotrod46]

Deckofficer

You always post pictures of fantastic scenery! Glad to hear the new engine is working out for you. I've got to get over to that part of the country one of these days. Let's see...only about 2000 miles.

Mike

 

[deckofficer]

Mike,

If you did make the trip out west, I would treat you like a visiting dignitary as you were the one, who 1 1/2 years ago took the time to answer my questions on vacuum advance before heading to work. Once at work you wrote a longer explanation for me. I have learned quickly who's advice to take with a grain of salt and who is always a straight and helpful shooter. You, my friend are the latter and other newbie's should listen when you comment. Thanks again for your early assistance.

Bob

 

[deckofficer]

Anyone else doing Fred's Fun Run later this week and next weekend?

 

[lincolnuT]

Anyone else doing Fred's Fun Run later this week and next weekend?

Me and about 30 other buckets maybe more. See you then.......

Mike

 

[Track T-4]

Don't forget the rules.....take lots of photos.