This is mainly for POC members that drive their cars, as opposed to trailering them.
Some of this may be common knowldge; I'm hoping POC members will add to this list.
Handy stuff to have in case of car trouble:
Duct tape: repair a leaking hose, hold things together, etc.
Wire coat hanger: emergency tailpipe hanger, etc.
Hose clamps: conect them together to surround a metal patch (flattened tin can) around a blown-out muffler.
Bungee cords: Hold things in place, etc.
Rainex: coat the windshield, a big help if you have lazy vacuum wipers.
Car running hot: In the summertime, straight water, plus some water pump lube/anti-rust solution will run cooler than an antifreeze/water mix. Google "water vs. antifreeze"? for a discussion of this. Also running your heater on max heat/high fan speed will help a bit if you're overheating (if you can stand it), also driving slower. By "car running hot", I mean "in imminent danger of boiling over".
Tarp straps: I once made an emergency gas tank strap by using two tarp straps (the rubber ones with a hook at each end) in place of the rusted out gas? tank strap.
Shoe laces: If you have cheap plug wires like I do, and they short out when you run them through the metal loom on a flathead 6, you can leave them out of the loom and separate them by tying a shoelace around each plug wire and tying the other end to the driver's side radiator brace if you have a mid-30s Plymouth. This keeps them from contacting the hot cylinder head, and separated from each other. My shoelaces are pretty green and yellow ones.
These are the fixes that I remembered after two cups of coffee. I'm sure that there are many more, and I would like to hear about them. You're never too old to learn.
Regards,
Pat O'Connor
I would much rather work on the car in my garage than on the side of the road so I keep the car as well maintained as I can (good quality wires, inspect all the hoses, etc.). That way I don't have to worry too much about breaking down or getting stranded. I keep a really small tool kit (pliers, screwdriver, adjustable wrench) and a few extra light bulbs in a box behind the rear seat to handle the small stuff (so far not ever used). And I carry a cell phone and a AAA card for the big stuff that might happen on the road.
Our last club tour was to a BBQ that was about 110 miles from my house, so figure over 220 miles driving in that one day. The only special thing l did before leaving was check all the fluids.
Hi Tod-
I agree, not breaking down is much preferable to breaking down. But sometimes, out on the road, "stuff" happens, and emergency repairs might get you to a safer or more convenient place, without harming your car.
I once used the "turn the heater up full blast" trick when my '75 Gran Fury cruiser started to overheat. I turned the heater up full blast and drove 40 mph for 10 miles to the highway department garage that repaired it. If the temp gauge had pegged, I would have pulled over, and called for a wrecker.
By the way, as soons as the weather stays nice for a day or two, I'm going to use the instructions on your excellent website to adjust my steering gear box.
Regards,
Pat O'Connor
P.S. I also never leave home without my cell phone any more.