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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:15 PM
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So, I bought a 1965 Corvette L76. I've discussed this on many threads on this forum. The problem is, Monterey has a car show and the car is sitting in San Francisco at the former owners house. Should I wait for a car carrier for a late August delivery or should I just fly up there and drive it back 10 hours to my house?

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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JackTripper
So, I bought a 1965 Corvette L76. I've discussed this on many threads on this forum. The problem is, Monterey has a car show and the car is sitting in San Francisco at the former owners house. Should I wait for a car carrier for a late August delivery or should I just fly up there and drive it back 10 hours to my house?

Your thoughts?
First World problems and choices............

A 10 hour drive in that car from San Francisco to Portland at this time of year will be noisy, tiring, and HOT!
Personally, I'd wait until you can have your local mechanic check out the state of tune before I'd subject that engine to 10 hours at 3500 rpm or so......

Last edited by tuxnharley; Aug 11, 2015 at 06:22 PM.
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by JackTripper
So, I bought a 1965 Corvette L76. I've discussed this on many threads on this forum. The problem is, Monterey has a car show and the car is sitting in San Francisco at the former owners house. Should I wait for a car carrier for a late August delivery or should I just fly up there and drive it back 10 hours to my house?

Your thoughts?
If the car is drivable and not just a show car, 10 hrs will not hurt the car, can you drive the car 10hrs? Take two days and enjoy the ride

Jack
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:25 PM
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I can rent a U-haul car carrier locally (I'm in Orlando) for about $58/day. If you have a tow vehicle then go get the car yourself for a hundred bucks or so and then you can check it out at your place and determine its road worthiness....
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:29 PM
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That would be one awesome drive as long as you don't break down. I say go for it. It would be exciting to me and that is an adventure you will never forget (especially if you break down in a pounding rain storm and a long stretch of nothing), but don't sweat the details and go for it
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:33 PM
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Drive it. Period.
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:36 PM
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I wouldn't chance the drive in a car you hadn't checked out so you know exactly what you were dealing with!
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:38 PM
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Uh, guys - on a solid lifter engine it might just be prudent to determine where the valve lash is set - and what oil is in it with enough zinc and phosphorus additives to prevent cam and lifter damage - before taking it on a long trip................

The PO wasn't extremely conversant on those topics..............
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:46 PM
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You almost certainly will breakdown at some point. Better to wait for the delivery.
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by tuxnharley
Uh, guys - on a solid lifter engine it might just be prudent to determine where the valve lash is set - and what oil is in it with enough zinc and phosphorus additives to prevent cam and lifter damage - before taking it on a long trip................

The PO wasn't extremely conversant on those topics..............
H*ll man, go get the car, have the oil changed at a local garage or do it yourself (bring the oil and filter) and drive the car home. That L76 engine was meant to run to 6000-6500 RPM...............3500 RRM is a cakewalk.

Jack.....have Tuxnharley or another friend (or wife/girlfriend) follow you home if that is a concern. The car is not THAT fragile.

Larry
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Powershift
H*ll man, go get the car, have the oil changed at a local garage or do it yourself (bring the oil and filter) and drive the car home. That L76 engine was meant to run to 6000-6500 RPM...............3500 RRM is a cakewalk.

Jack.....have Tuxnharley or another friend (or wife/girlfriend) follow you home if that is a concern. The car is not THAT fragile.

Larry
I would say drive the car. If you can trouble shoot a fix things along the way. If you would be at the mercy of others for help I would wait and have it hauled home
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 08:09 PM
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Gotta love the peanut gallery egging you on with no skin in the game....

I drove my newly purchased '66 Mustang home to Florida 900 miles - no problems.
I had both of my Corvettes transported.

It all depends on how adventurous you are.
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by firstgear
I wouldn't chance the drive in a car you hadn't checked out so you know exactly what you were dealing with!
Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink
I can rent a U-haul car carrier locally (I'm in Orlando) for about $58/day. If you have a tow vehicle then go get the car yourself for a hundred bucks or so and then you can check it out at your place and determine its road worthiness....
this
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink
Gotta love the peanut gallery egging you on with no skin in the game....

I drove my newly purchased '66 Mustang home to Florida 900 miles - no problems.
I had both of my Corvettes transported.

It all depends on how adventurous you are.
What is the worst that can happen.......especially if you have a follower car?? If you have the right Hagarty Insurance policy (or other collector insurance) they will likely pickup the cost for the flatbed to your house if it comes to that.

Some of us drove these cars across the country, even when they were still using bias-ply tires and 20 wt oil.

Larry
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Powershift
What is the worst that can happen.......especially if you have a follower car?? If you have the right Hagarty Insurance policy (or other collector insurance) they will likely pickup the cost for the flatbed to your house if it comes to that.

Some of us drove these cars across the country, even when they were still using bias-ply tires and 20 wt oil.

Larry
..... if the valve lash is too tight or too loose?

..........if it doesn't have oil correct for a solid lifter car?

If this was hydraulic /roller lifter car, I'd say go for it. But...........
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 08:54 PM
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Check it out and change the oil. If it seems good, go for it. The coast in a Corvette is a great trip if you don't have to hurry.
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by narlee
Check it out and change the oil. If it seems good, go for it. The coast in a Corvette is a great trip if you don't have to hurry.
Absolutely agreed - but he's talking 10 hours so that's I 5 - Red Bluff, Redding in August at 100*+ in a non AC car. Well, there is always Weed!
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 09:36 PM
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Going over the Siskiyous in a 50 year old car you really have no history with is insane. There is 10 plus miles of 6-7% downgrade heading toward Medford plus several sections of 6% grades up and around Grants Pass. It isn't like driving around Florida where speed bumps are the only mountain passes you'll encounter.

.

Last edited by Randy G.; Aug 11, 2015 at 09:40 PM.
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by tuxnharley
..... if the valve lash is too tight or too loose?

..........if it doesn't have oil correct for a solid lifter car?

If this was hydraulic /roller lifter car, I'd say go for it. But...........
Most of us can check/set the lash in about 30 minutes. If the cam is a flat tappet cam (whether it is solid or hydraulic lifters) it can suffer the same problems without adequate ZDDP. I think I said in an earlier post (#10), change the oil at the sellers house or local garage if you think you have issues....or dump in a can of ZDDP additive.

I would be more concerned about the condition of the tires, brakes, and coolant.

But it is not my decision to make..........only advise.

Larry
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Old Aug 11, 2015 | 09:53 PM
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Default Redding in August Hot....but nice people

Originally Posted by tuxnharley
Absolutely agreed - but he's talking 10 hours so that's I 5 - Red Bluff, Redding in August at 100*+ in a non AC car. Well, there is always Weed!
So it is a little hot....been there......
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