hypothetical

[Kim K Kaiser]

how many people here have a 63 64 with a rebuilt engine say in the last 25 to 30k miles,, and would take off on a 30 hour trip,,    say 8 hours a day for 4 days..

even with the rebuild, is there enough confidence in the old metals, to feel good about it.. 

i am considering take mine from MT to MS in the late fall  i figured id need oil, TF, couple of hoses for radiator, maybe a water pump, some fuel line,, maybe a thermostat..in case i went down, i could do the hoses, but if something else went, i could have th parts available if i went down in say Raton NM or texline, tx,, you get the point,

either way, i ws just wondering in general, if the old engines can handle that stress, in general..

i take mine on two hour jaunts probably one to two days a week, with no issues,, but thats  a far cry from 8 hours..

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

The engines are tough. The mixture of metals Cadillac used makes the block tough as nails.  I would not second guess a long trip. Pack a tool kit and parts like you plan, and hit the road.

[24ro8f5mbs2jc]

After 55+ years each car is different. And each rebuild, if done, is different. Also each driver drive differently. So nobody can tell except the guy that has done it with that particular car. And even if it was good first time doesn't mean it will be okay next.

You know your car better than anybody. You know whats good and whats not. If you trust your car go ahead, if not get a train or plane ticket.

So take your time and enjoy the ride. If it falls apart? Well that's the beginning of a book...

[24ro8f5mbs2jc]

If/when you drive from Montana. Drive through North Dakota and pick up Scotts Pearsons DeVille. 

[Tom Bahner]

I've had my '63 for 5 years now. Not afraid to drive it anywhere. Never been rebuilt to my knowledge, leaks a little oil here and there but everything works as it should. I did spend the first year getting it road worthy to my standards, belts, hoses, tune, AC, etc. etc.

Have driven a lot of Rt. 66 in it. We live in NE Ks. so the Rt. is 220 miles to its closest point. One section we met up with the N Texas and New Mexico groups in Amarillo. Hit Rt 66 in mid Ok., spent a couple days in Amarillo with some of the nicest Cadillac people, went on to Tucumcari, NM, told the wife Ol Blue doesn't need to go any further West on 66 and headed home. 

We've taken 5 such excursions and completed the Rt from just south of Chicago to Tucumcari. Had a blast on every one. The only hiccup was a wiper motor in Eastern Mo. 

These old cars are tough.  Drive it and have fun!

Tom B

[2o93f8rdftyzj]

I always carry a spare T & B hose and 3 belts, I have a very modest tool bag, a date roll (Toilet Paper), some bug spray, hand cleaner and a bit of rag. It all sits, bundled up in the boot/trunk in an old suitcase that has travel stickers on the outside in what appears to be haphazard, but is in fact, the trip the car did from the USA to Australia.

Our engine has 10,000 miles on it after a rebuild 2 years ago.

I only made the comment to Astrid (wife) on Sunday when we were out in the car, that I would never hesitate to drive the car on a long trip.

My biggest concern would be parking it outside a motel room overnight.

[Kim K Kaiser]

im Stil just kicking around the idea, its either the 63 or the 73 eldo convertible..

i forgot abo ut fan belts,, definitely on list now,,,, its just that winter in MS can be a little damp, and i dont know if i want to have th convertible there then, it is fun to drive when the weather is cool there though,, 

have a couple months to decide, but getting my ideas together.

[Kim K Kaiser]

Hey Tony,  thanks for the addl thoughts,, it seems is usually a tire or something simple that gets you,, even on modern cars

[Jason Edge]

I always keep a jump charger with me when I travel. You never know when you might need it on these old cars, especially since lights, etc. stay on forever until you turn them off.  For less than $100 you can get them with 700+ CCA and now they often include USB charging ports for your electronic devices.