SC to FL 500 miles on 147k?

[TwistedD85]

Think it'll make it on 147k, new radiator, new water pump, new alternator, new gaskets on the intake, valve covers and waterpump. Think I should bring anything on the trip besides my belongings? I'll be loaded up with probably over 100lbs worth of stuff in the back and all. Thanks for any input :wave:

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

well, a 170,000 mile atx made it 2500 miles last month from AZ to MI, but I worked on it beforehand. I would take a set of tools and such with you.

 

[TwistedD85]

Heh, well, probably a 1/3 of that weight in my car is going to be the tools I keep in the back, so I'll be good in that department. The transmission is practicly new, so I don't have to worry about it, but I wanna do a full fuilds and filters change, that should help some more I'd hope.

 

[SuperchargedSHOguy]

Were are you visiting? Maybe a few of us can get together.

 

[SHO#7]

If the car is taken care of. And maintence is caught up. Well, to me... Miles are just a number.

 

[mosho93]

I would maybe bring some 3/8" fuel hose incase a low pressure line breaks or something, i had some in my glove comparment and it saved my but on the way back from indy. I know the chances are small but so is the price on the hose! good luck on the trip

 

[revhardSHO]

I went 1800 miles on an 89 with 231K on it. You should be fine!

 

[TwistedD85]

Well, I'm moving to Spring Hill, about an hour's drive from Tampa on the parkway and stuff. And as for it being taken care of.. what I did to it is all its -ever- had done besides a timing belt (I can tell because someone forgot the back bolt on the middle timing cover and now I have a custom four piece set ) It has a new transmission because the guy that owned it before towed a light boat with it I think, hense the hitch I used to have on it. I'm afraid it probably messed up some of the engine bearings with the load that was put on it, but I'm hoping the old tranny took the bulk of it. Oh, and come to think of it, if anyone can catch me somewhere going down there, if they'd want a free trailer harness that plugs in between the stock Taurus taillights then they can have it. Looks custom made, I'm not sure. It has shrink tubing on parts of it, very solid, just unplug the taillights, put one end of the plug in the socket and the plug in the other end and do it to the other side and you have instant trailer brakes and turn signals. I don't need it, and its not like I could sell it for much

 

[AFSho]

I live in tampa and flew up to saginaw MI about 3 weeks ago to pick up my 93 ATX

it had 92k on it. I brought along a CPS, CID, DIS module, Coil pack, and all the tools needed to replace them.

When i was there i stopped at walmart and got coolant, oil, ATF, fix a flat, a hand air pump, and some tire plugs before i started the drive back.


The only problems I had on the way was a flat tire (by the time i could pull over, the rim had eaten through the sidewall...so much for tire plugs....donut to the rescue!) outside atlanta.....35 dollars and a mounted used tire later, i was on my way.

Made it 1300 miles in two days with only a minor headache.....

I say, do it.....hope for the best, prepare for the worst

 

[Greensilver_SHO]

I did 640miles in July on my 139K... I think you'll be fine. Make sure all the fluids are good, tire pressure is good, clean air filter... maybe get some injector cleaners or something. It'll be fine... no worries.

 

[wood_e]

i do several 230 mile trips per month on my 131k ATX. I've never had an issue except a dead starter.

As far as tools: Tow truck

 

[sdpatt]

To make sure I get the 300,000+ mile SHO to and from the beach that is 545 miles away each year (usually about 1,200 miles round trip), I load her up with the wife and two young daughters, beach gear, two windsurfers, three sails, a boom, a mast and most importantly, the GPS receiver. If I have to worry about something failing during my trip then I haven't been taking very good care of my pride and joy.

If you properly maintain the car, there is no reason it cannot take you anywhere you want to go. The key word there is "properly."

You can't wait until things break or scream out for attention and expect the car to keep going. You have to be attentive to the unusual noises or different feelings in the engine, suspension or transmission to proactively service the parts before they fail catastrophically and damage things that didn't break on their own.

Leaks, drips, smells, low fluids, odd noises, vibrations, moans, squeaks, rattles, high efforts, uneven wear.... The list goes on, but those are all things that you should take as warnings that something is not as it should be. Those things are the car calling out to you to spend some detailed time taking care of what needs attention.

Any car that gets to be 147,000+ miles old needs your tender loving mechanical care to be a dependable road warrior. Maintain it and she will roll. May you have a safe and uneventful trip.

 

[SHO SPD]

my ATX had 170k when I made the 1500 mile trip down to Florida in January for my move. It was completely full of stuff, only room in the driver seat. Through a huge snow storm and all I got here with no problems. Still running good. Good luck you should be fine if it runs well now.