Was asked to carry a local notable in a parade this morning - I'm in central lower Michigan and the weather at parade time was about 90 degrees, 98% humidity, and not a breath of wind. Lots and lots of hot asphalt. And it was the slowest parade I've ever seen - FAR too slow to idle along in first gear. Had to push in the clutch and wait, drive 20 feet, push in the clutch and coast.

And the test result... FAILED. Made it about 3/4 of the way through before it started to creep up in temp. Toughed it out and finished the parade, but the old girl was sure glad to be done.

Looks like I need to spring for the DeWitt repro that's been suggested.

 

I have my Dewitts on order. Should be here next week. Went for the SP020 radiator/fan combo kit. $977 hope it works good.

 

IMO "parade duty" is one of the worst things you can do to a car, and especially with a manual transmission it is not a pleasant experience.

I have been asked, but always politely decline.

Duke

 

I would love to see your C3 beast in a parade!

 

In St. Joseph all the parades start and end in the same general areas. Its downhill most of the way so you can shut it off and .............................coast.

 

I had to ditch out of last years 4th of July parade. Poor 65 got all the way up to 230 and would not cool down. The copper replacement radiator just cant cool very well. I now have a nice aluminum radiator and a high flow waterpump. However, the radiator has not been tested yet since the car is still apart. I also run a 160 thermostat in the car. No reason not to with the climate in AL.

 

I ALWAYS decline invitations for parade duty - that's the worst thing you can do to a throwout bearing, and they're not fun to replace.

 

When stuck in a situation like that, turning the heater on full at max fan speed will buy you some time.

 

I shipped it a day earlier than we told you.... Went out Friday. You should be very happy with it.

 

Thanks Tom.....You Da Man

 

The weather was similar in NW GA, today. 98 deg. 98% humidity, checked the weather page and it said, "Feels like 103" Anything above 90 really doesn't matter, its freakin miserable ! Washed and dried my '65 for a cruise in. After 1 hr. I was soaked in sweat ! Showered, new dry clothes, goofed off for a few minutes and headed towards the show. I didn't make it more than 1 mile and I'm not exaggerating...The sky opened up with a deluge. All that heat and humidity and we get those similar to FL storms. Turned around, went back home, and checked the weather radar. I could see a few thunder boomers along my route, but looked like it was clearing. They would pop up, do their thing, and disappear. Wash and dry the car and myself again. (The sun came right back out after the first little shower and the temps went through the roof again.) Checked the radar, looked good, except just right around the spot, where I would exit the interstate to head to the show. I thought...by the time I get there it will have moved through and the roads will have dried. 30 miles South and the skys are growing darker and I see lightning in the clouds. On the VERY EXIT that I need to take off of there is another down pour. 5 - 10 minutes earlier and I would have been headed West towards the show and away from the storm. But, NO ! It lets loose just as I get off the interstate. Turned around and headed back home. Bummer...one of my favorite cruise-ins.

I treated myself to a, "South In My Mouth" B-B-Q pork dinner plate. Tucked the '65 in the garage and caught the last hour of Grand Prix on TCM. Guess I'm settled in for the night. The Nashville IRL race will be live tonight. Should have gone to it. F1 race in the morning and why the heck is JPM going to NASCAR ?

Sorry. Didn't mean to hijack the thread. Just venting.

 

I was up in Canada last weekend and when returning to the US at Niagra Falls we hit the bridge at 5pm. It was 93*F and the traffic was 6 lanes wide, stop & go for 1 1/2 hours. I turned off the A/C and kept the engine at 1,000 RPM (in neutral with the clutch out). The engine temp never got over 220*F. to my DeWitts radiator. It never would have made it with the original. For safe measure I also popped the hood (and let it sit on the latches) to let more heat out. I don't know if it helped, but it made me feel better.
Roy

 

among they negative issues mentioned, it's not the best thing for your cam lobes either ..... prolonged idle, minimal oil splash

 

My wife and I went to a Cruise In....There was only 2 other cars there, so we left...I guess it's to freakin hot. Been over 100 degrees everyday for a month now.
The cruise was only a few miles from the house, and the car got up to 210 right away.
Man I can't wait to get that radiator. I guess I'll go to an early morning cruise near the beach tomorrow morning instead.
I guess when it's this hot outside, it's going to be tough to keep it under 200 no matter what.

 

AMEN ! I won't volunteer again, believe me. This car was not meant to drive at 5 mph.

 

hey, nothing against dewitt's radiators, i know they rock. but if you want to buy time, get an electric fan in front of radiator. it is cheap at a salvage yard and easy to put in with toggle fan. when in that situation, hit the fan and no worries. long term fix, replace radiator. short term fix, put in a pusher fan. dream cruise is exactly conditions you described, but for a lot longer. these old cars need the air.

 

Tried it once with the 62 Vette last year (Vet. day parade), but never again.

Engine heat was not the issue, but trying to maintain the low speed was a pain in my clutch leg! If my clutch leg gave out, I would of wiped out half the local marching band.

I will drive the 87 Vette (auto trans and AC) next year.

Plasticman

 

Was watching a Cobra kit car in a parade just a couple of weeks ago, and right in front of me, boy did it let coolant loose all over the place. Felt sorry for the guy.

I don't think I'd ever run my car in a parade, just isn't worth it....

 

I thought it would be cool to do a parade, but now after listening to everyone, I think NOT!! Maybe if they had one at cooler times of the year, or downhill, that might be ok.

 

I agree. I have always declined invites to parades. Too much idling, too mutch use of the clutch. The last one I did was in my 61 at Carslisle. That will be the last one. If I go to a parade I will be watching from a lounge chair with a cocktail!!