Well, first of all, I almost didn't make it out there. I had just put the TH400 back into my R30 454 Dually. Added A deep pan and a temp gauge. About 80 miles out from my place as I started to hit some hills, the trans gauge was hitting the max 300 DEG!!. Trailer and car weigh about 8K. Pulled over for about an hour for it to cool. Pulled the ATF stick, and I could smell the fluid burning!! Pulled into an Advance Store in Hagerstown Md and bought A drain pan, a funnel, and a case of ATF. Changed the fluid right there on the lot. Back on the road for about 40 mins , when again it's gettin too hot. Pull over on the interstate for an hour for it to cool off. I decide, the only way to keep it cooler is to add another exterior trans cooler. So I pull into another Advance in Frostburg and buy a big trans cooler and more fluid. I pull into a motel parking lot and proceed to pull the headlight doors and grille out of the truck. With the limited tools I had in the trailer, I Mc Gyvered the trans cooler in series with the existing one there. Reassemble truck. There I notice low tire on the trailer. So I look to get my tire gauge. Guess what?? No tire gauge!! Went into Gas Station, Dollar Store, Roses Store. No Gauge!! Finally a girl working at Roses , gives me a gauge out of her car!!. First station I stop at, air doesn't work!! Back on Interstate to next truck stop to get air for trailer. Now, I left my place around 10am , and I figuered about 8hrs to Columbus. It is now 8pm , and I haven't even left Md or hit the big hills on I68 and I79!! At one point, I thought very seriously about stopping at a Dodge Dealer and buying a Cummins deisel Dodge!!! LOL Now its dark and raining. Trans will now run around 225 - 230 . We drive untill 12;45 am to get to Zanesville where we stop for the night at some Dive!!! Only place with vacancy. Get up at 6am Friday to get to National Trail by 830am. Left the Nats on Sunday around 3pm after changing FLAT TIRE. Drove to Martinsville Va and spent the night. Just as Insurance, before I hit the big hills again, I stopped and changed the ATF one more time, and the engine oil. Got home safely. I am extremely proud proud of my wife Sue for her patience and understanding through this ordeal. She did read almost two books during the intermissions!! LOL
Now for the good news!! We had a great time in Ohio. Met lots of nice people including those from FBBO and FABO. The Road Runner was judged 3rd in event. In the class of 68-70 B body O.E. restoration. This included both Dodge and Plymouth. I was very happy with that outcome, considering that I already knew of at least 4 or 5 items that they would get me on. 1st place was a beautiful and perfect 68 Red Hemi Charger. Second place was a just as nice Maroon 68 GTX. Both cars were previous winners. Got over to the swap area to the FBBO meet and greet. Bought two great fenders for the new GTS project.Watched drag racing, ate food , drank Beer, and just had a great time!! The way I figure : $700 in fuel, $400 in hotels, $150 at Advance Auto, $300 in food. 1 third place plaque ----- PRICELESS
Almost forgot. The photographer from Mopar Collectors Guide approached me and wanted to do a photo shoot of the car. Maybe we'll see it in the Mag sometime in the future!!
