| Trip Report [message #234724] |
Wed, 01 January 2014 14:38  |
Neil
Messages: 271
Registered: July 2007
Location: Los Angeles and Magalia, ...
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
An uneventful and problem free trip from LA to Seacliff Park and back. Got around 9 mpg flat towing the Alfa Sport Sedan. Kept the speed in the 60-65 range.
I think we put the trans in "S" twice, and that just not to lug the engine. Otherwise the 3.70 final and healthy 455 pulled everything with power to spare.
Had some fun passing diesel pushers on grades...
This was the first trip with a towd and it worked great. The Unified Braking system did good. Nice to have the extra storage in the car ,and nice to have a car instead of the usual motorcycles.
My only negative was that the towd would arriver very dirty and with a oily film on the front. Is this common? An indicia of trouble? Would appreciate some insight on that. I will carry a wash bucket on the next trip. And gloves to keep the hands clean while unhooking.
Happy New Year to All.
Neil
76 Eleganza now sold
Los Angeles
|
|
|
|
| Re: Trip Report [message #234729 is a reply to message #234724] |
Wed, 01 January 2014 15:54  |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Neil wrote on Wed, 01 January 2014 12:38 |
An uneventful and problem free trip from LA to Seacliff Park and back. Got around 9 mpg flat towing the Alfa Sport Sedan. Kept the speed in the 60-65 range.
I think we put the trans in "S" twice, and that just not to lug the engine. Otherwise the 3.70 final and healthy 455 pulled everything with power to spare.
Had some fun passing diesel pushers on grades...
This was the first trip with a towd and it worked great. The Unified Braking system did good. Nice to have the extra storage in the car ,and nice to have a car instead of the usual motorcycles.
My only negative was that the towd would arriver very dirty and with a oily film on the front. Is this common? An indicia of trouble? Would appreciate some insight on that. I will carry a wash bucket on the next trip. And gloves to keep the hands clean while unhooking.
Happy New Year to All.
|
Sounds like a great trip.
Regarding the oily film on the towd, take a look under the coach when you can get under there.Lots of towds stay reasonably unoily. If leaking you will see oil traces on the cross braces and tanks... Mufflers if you have them up front.
. The transmission fluid is particularly filmy. If the dip stick is wrong extra will blow out a little "L" shaped tube at the very top... back. Under the deck. It is recommended that a hose be put on that and piped away from hot stuff.
Of course the trans might be seeping here and there. No an unusual complaint. Folks can spend days trying to the the pan gasket to seal 100%. fill tube will leak.
The other film possibility could be engine oil. This can be hard to find as it blows and runs all over from the original point. Around the pan which you can't see or get a wrench on some bolts. Oil filter and the adaptor above it. Valve covers. Front or back of the intake manifold.
If you decide to try to tighten either pan bolts the name of the game is easy does it. Snug. Buck up on them and you can do more harm than good.
Bottom line... If fluids are holding steady, carry a bucket and drive it.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Trip Report [message #234800 is a reply to message #234785] |
Thu, 02 January 2014 09:55 |
Neil
Messages: 271
Registered: July 2007
Location: Los Angeles and Magalia, ...
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The bucket may be the way to go -- it did wash right off. No drips or leaks visible. Not red colored like ATF. Very strange.
Neil
76 Eleganza now sold
Los Angeles
|
|
|
|
| Re: Trip Report [message #234802 is a reply to message #234724] |
Thu, 02 January 2014 11:01 |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Neil wrote on Wed, 01 January 2014 12:38 |
My only negative was that the towd would arriver very dirty and with a oily film on the front.
|
Any rain, heavy fog or other wet roadway during the drive? Could just be road grime thrown up by the GMC. Around here when it hasn't rained for awhile (yes, that does happen occasionally) spray from other vehicles will leave an oily film on your windshield.
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
