2,379 mile road trip to Mexico and around

[Old Henry]

AnnaRae took off to visit our daughter in Virginia for a week. I'd been there recently so Pepe and I decided to check off another item on our bucket list and drive to Arizona, Mexico, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah for 6 days. What a glorious trip. Here's the story.

First day we headed south for Arizona on the old two-lane, US 89. Been there and reported on that before so no pictures. Stayed in Page, AZ that first night. Here is the set up of our "cockpit":



Here's what you see starting from the left: On the floor is the jump starter that has a USB socket on it to charge the phone and mp3 player stuck to the speaker grill. (Tried using an add on lighter socket but the current wasn't steady enough.) In the glove box can be seen the mechanical backup temperature gauge. What can't be seen is the backup mechanical oil pressure gauge next to it and the headphone amplifier used to boost the iPhone and mp3 player signal to the radio speaker. Hanging on the door is Pepe's short leash kept on him to keep him from escaping when I get out of the car (been there, done that, no fun). Next is Pepe's perch with him in it on his favorite blanket. Also a loaf of bread which I would eat from when hungry and a Slim Jim meat stick that Pepe would eat on when he was hungry. And, below in the arm rest a cup of water we both drank from when we were thirsty. Didn't eat or drink much other than those. In front of the cup of water is my iPhone from which I played Pandora and old time radio shows. In front of that the receiver for the outdoor thermometer installed behind the front grill to monitor outside temperatures. At the back of the armrest my pig skin driving glove for my left hand. The only one I need so that I can pet Pepe with the bare right one. And behind that the paper map. Yes, real men still read paper.

Then, next day, continued south on 89 and started seeing the sights. The first stop was Wupatki National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/wupa/index.htm) that had ancient pueblo ruins different from the ones built under cliff overhangs in Mesa Verde. These ruins were built out on the open flats on and around huge rocks. Here's Wukoki ruin that we could get close enough to get a picture of with Old Henry:



We then continued on that scenic road until we came to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/sucr/index.htm).



Here's the VIDEO of the drive over the mountain to this point showing the crater from the other side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBI8NwBfN9A

Then we continued on down toward Flagstaff headed for our next National Monument - Walnut Canyon National Monument just east of Flagstaff. We were disappointed to find one had to hike to see anything there so no pictures and headed back to Flagstaff. Turned out to be fortuitous, however, because we stumbled onto old Route 66 and took it back to Flagstaff.



Here's the VIDEO of driving the original surface of old Route 66: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw5K-1z5oXg Very nostalgic.

Next stop was Montezuma Castle National Monument continuing south on I-17 (http://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm). Again, we were disappointed to discover that Old Henry couldn't get close enough to the main ruin to get in the picture but it was an easy level stroll to it so here it is:



From there we continued on down to Phoenix then turned west on I-10 toward Buckeye where we turned south on US 85 toward Gila Bend. On that stretch of I-10 my rear end started getting "loose" and fishtailing a bit. I just thought it was the typical "bias ply boogie". But, when we stopped for gas at Buckeye I noticed a rear tire going flat. Sure glad I had my rechargeable pump to pump it up with. That pump is the only tool I used on the whole trip other than a screw driver to remove the hubcap of that wheel at the garages I kept going to to get the tire fixed.



It was pretty much dark by the time we got to Gila Bend but we continued on south toward Ajo (pronounced Ah-ho) where we decided to stay the night. That was a long straight pitch black drive for 52 miles. About 2/3 the way along I noticed the rear end getting "loose" again and was afraid I was going to have to stop on that dark road in the middle of nowhere to pump up the tire again before getting to Ajo. I really really didn't want to do that so I prayed that the tire would make it to Ajo. It just barely did. When we pulled up to the first gas station it was nearly flat. I pumped it up again and by the time I drove across the street to the motel it was almost flat again. In the morning it was completely flat.

I had charged the pump up all night so it was ready to pump up the totally flat tire so I could drive to a garage to get it fixed. (Hate changing tires. That pump was an absolute back saver).

Drove to the nearest gas station that had what appeared to be some kind of tire operation next door. I went over there and asked the Hispanic guy if he could fix it. He explained in broken English that he had no jack to lift up the car to get the tire off to fix it and directed me to the nearby NAPA garage for the repair. At the NAPA garage they did not know enough about inner tubes to take the risk of fixing it but referred me to another garage. That garage did take it on and removed the tire and found the problem.



The leak in the brand new tube I'd just put in was, as was typical, caused by the rough rim. I'd coated the rim with Plasti-Dip rubber coating when I put the new tube in but it, apparently, didn't work so well. The coating where the tire slid on and off of the rim pealed right off. But, as you can see, even under the rubber coating the rust broke through the coating and punctured the tube.

Desperate to get back on the road and unable to do the right permanent fix to the rim what else could I do but turn to my trusty duct tape?



Of course, as became apparent at the next tube failure, I put the tape on the wrong surfaces. But, it got me back on the road and headed for another national monument and Mexico.

From there I drove through Ajo and found it to have a very historic down town.



Here's the VIDEO of the drive around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epI5JY41QTY

After that quaint visit we headed to Mexico. The road went through Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm)



The biggest cactus next to us is the organ pipe cactus. The spindly next one is an ocotillo cactus. Here's the VIDEO of the drive in the park where a lot of the tall Saguaro cactus are seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDTch2MblPI Such as this one with unusually growing arms:



Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ends just before the border at the small town of Lukeville on the US side. From there we crossed the border. The only thing the Mexican customs official wanted to see was Pepe's papers. Didn't care a thing about me and my passport. Weird.

Here's the VIDEO of the drive into Mexico to Sonoyta, Sonora: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyFJ4ECIX5U And our one stop for photos:



From the time my mother found out I was driving Old Henry to Mexico she begged me not to, even right up until I crossed the border. She had heard nothing but horror stories of people driving across the border and having their cars confiscated and never seen again. She thought for sure that would happen and wanted me to call her as soon as I "escaped" safely. I had a little difficulty getting her after re-entering the states and she thought the worst had happened.

But, those people were just like us - just living their regular lives without any interest in taking my car, my body, or my dog.

To get back into the country all they had to see was my passport.

We next headed for Tucson, AZ on the old two-lane US 86 to stay the night. By the time we got there it was dark and the rear end was "loose" again. So I pulled off the road at a convenience store to find out where I could fix it. It was pretty funny because there were several "Harley Dudes" and gals stopped there with their bikes and black leathers. I pulled up next to them, got out, and was immediately informed by them that my tire was going flat. I thanked them and pulled out my trusty pump to pump it up. I thought it was a comical contrast between Old Henry with the white wall tires and me in my Argyle sweater, white long sleeve shirt, and Gatsby cap compared to them and their "fashion statement".

The girl at the convenience store said there was a truck stop down the road so I drove there. They weren't about to mess with an inner tube. The guy referred me to a "24/7" tire place a few miles away. I drove there to find a Hispanic guy living amongst his vast piles of tires and working on them under a canopy in his front yard.




I thought I asked him if he could fix my tire with tubes in it and thought he said yes. So, I pulled it in and he went after it.

When he got the tire off, he put the whole tire and wheel in his "dunk tank". He pulled it out and said, "No, leak". He was testing it like he would a tubeless tire. I tried to explain again that it was not tubeless but did, in fact, have an inner tube in it and that he would have to take the tube out to check it and fix it. I think he then explained to me that he couldn't fix a leak in an inner tube. I asked why not. "We have no glue to glue on the patch." Oh boy. I told him to take the tube out and check it and we'd go from there. He did and again, "No leak". I don't know what the deal was. That tire was going flat but he couldn't find a leak in the tube. Fortunately, I had a spare tube and gave it to him to put in. Here was the state of the duct tape I'd put in earlier that day:



As you can see, nothing will stick to the surface that the tire slides on and off the rim. It just tears it all off.

So, he put the new tube in and put the tire back on the car and we carried on down the road for a couple more hours into New Mexico and stayed in Demming for the night.

The next day we stayed on I-10 to Las Cruces, New Mexico. By the time we got there the rear end was "loose" again. I made it to a huge multibay tire store before it went flat. The only person there that knew anything about inner tubes was the general manager. I was just about to just put the spare on and forget that troublesome tire and tube but the spare was bare and mom had called to warn me about heavy snow on the way home. So, I had the tire guy take both the sick tire and spare all apart. I put duct tape on both rims where I should have put it in the first place. Then put the spare rim and tube on the new tire that kept going flat and the sick tube and rim on the spare tire in the trunk and away we went. That was the last trouble I had with the tire, almost.

From there we headed for White Sands National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm) I've been there many times and it's always so weird to realize that it's not freezing cold snow nor salt but white crystalline sand. Here's the VIDEO of the drive to a couple of favorite old tunes about sand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fipnPAOqQg

Just think about what those "Harley Dudes" thought about this getup:



Hey, they had their fashion statement and I had mine.

From there we headed for Santa Fe for the night. Got there at about 10:00 PM:



The Cathedral Basillica of St. Francis of Assis at the heart of old Santa Fe.

In the morning went to church then retraced our route from the previous night when we came into the city on the Old Santa Fe Trail which was also the old Route 66. Here's the VIDEO of the drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eB1fpdtE8s

From there we headed north to Bandelier National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm). Here are another unusual form of ancient pueblos. These, rather than being built under a cliff like Mesa Verde or out on big rocks on the flat like Wupatki, were carved into the face of cliffs made of ancient volcanic ash turned into a soft stone easy to excavate.



You can see where the cave homes were excavated into the cliff and the sockets where logs were inserted to protrude beyond the cliff face where the they "added on" to the caves with structures like those at Mesa Verde, etc.

From there we went over the mountain toward Farmington. We drove through a beautiful frosted forest where all the trees were white with frost.



Then on to Farmington where we stayed for the night.

The next morning was our last day and we took the shortest route home. It took us north of Farmington past Chimney Rock that was beautiful in the sun brightened snow. (Had to delete photo. It exceeded maximum number allowed. Will show in a later post on this thread.)

Then we were into Colorado. North of Cortez we hit the blizzard.



Now, I've driven Old Henry in every kind of weather and snow imaginable with little trepidation of any kind. But the drive I had to survive through this storm was the scariest driving I have ever done. At the worst of it I was white knuckles on the steering wheel and clenched jaws almost holding my breath that we'd survive. The worst part was when the snow was deep everywhere except the two tracks left by a vehicle a few blocks ahead of me with an 18 wheeler pressing on my tail. The terrain was slight rolling hills. On an incline I started losing traction on the rear drive wheels and started fishtailing a bit. I was down to 30 mph in second gear. I was honestly afraid I'd lose traction and spin out in front of the 18 wheeler and he wouldn't be able to stop before squashing us. On top of that, the stock windshield wipers quit wiping off the heavy snow. They were moving OK. They just weren't wiping that were so coated with ice. I had to bend down and look through the bottom part of the windshield where the snow wasn't hitting to see anything. It seemed that the truck behind dropped back a little when he saw me starting to fishtail. Here's VIDEO of the drive up until it got too scary to drive and shoot video at the same time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LNzzNYqlJo

Eventually, we got over a hill, the snow started letting up, and the road eventually cleared and we returned to normal driving speed. It was real nice to finally get to a gas station to fill up and recover from the trauma. (That's where the above picture was taken after the harrowing drive.)

Soon we were back in Utah and decided to hit Arches National Park (http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htms)



If you don't watch any other VIDEO in this post watch this one. It is a real feel gooder to the music of Mannheim Steamroller's rendition of "The Pines of Rome" - by Pini Del Gianicolo". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdCSIlKAyZs

From there we headed home.

Epilog: The next morning the front right tire was flat and the transmission wouldn't go into 3rd gear. I believe my guardian angel was working overtime for us.

Total distance: 2,379 miles over 6 days, average 400 miles and 8 hours driving per day. Range of temperatures: 76° in Phoenix to 17° on the New Mexico desert. Altitude range: 752 near Gila Bend, AZ to 8,837 on Hwy 126 between Los Alamos and Cuba, New Mexico.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just to recap, here are the nine (9) videos in my post in case anyone missed any:

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBI8NwBfN9A

Route 66 into Flagstaff, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw5K-1z5oXg

Ajo, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epI5JY41QTY

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDTch2MblPI

Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyFJ4ECIX5U

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fipnPAOqQg

Route 66 into Santa Fe, New Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eB1fpdtE8s

Driving through the blizzard north of Cortez, Colorado: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LNzzNYqlJo

Arches National Park, Utah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdCSIlKAyZs

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous trips:

Ghost towns of Modena, UT and Pioche, NV in November 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155331

Million Dollar Highway, Durango to Montrose, Colorado in June 2014 https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142975

Transcontinental Railway Grade in May 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139471

City of Rocks, Idaho in April 2014:https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137684

Capitol Reef National Park in March 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133018

Grouse Creek and the AAA garage in February 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130966

Grand Canyon in January 2014: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128820

Moab, UT in December 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127222

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument November 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123694

Across Nevada on US 50, "The Loneliest Road in the Country", October 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120098

Mount Evans (the highest paved road in North America) August 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115013

Canada in June 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109872

Monument Valley in March 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99523

Bryce Canyon in February 2013: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97822

Milford, Utah in December 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93137

Nevada and Idaho in November 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89080

Rocky Mountain National Park in September 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83966

Yellowstone National Park in May 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72864

Death Valley in February 2012: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62705

Pike's Peak in July 2011: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19141

Route 66 in April 2010: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57511

[TonyM]

Wow. great. I read it all but have not watched the video yet. I will check it out. Thanks for posting.

[TonyM]

I could not imagine driving through a snow storm like you did near Cortez in my 1937 Ford. Yikes!

And I love White Sands, NM. The place can be disorientating--there are signs in the park that say "This Way Out."

I worry just driving out of my home town let alone a couple thousand miles.

Glad you made it home before the trans conked out on you. Thanks for posting.

[Ross F-1]

Beautiful pictures as always! Next time you're in my area, please call so we can meet up! BTW you got out of here just in time, it has been snowing for 3 days now.

[Old Henry]

Here are the great shots of Chimney Rock north of Farmington, NM that were too many for original post:

[Lawrie]

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Henry.you are missing a great opportunity,you should get onto national geographic or the likes,they could do a great story .
All I got was a write up in the local rag after sat night at the drags in the flathead,
we are off for a drive down to Canberra in the 33 next month,No snow here though.
Lawrie

[51 MERC-CT]

As usual, some pretty outstanding stuff.

[turnpikecrusier]

GREAT pictures and videos

[BILL WZOREK]

Henry:
I know you are a big boy and all & we can spend your $$
But I think it is time to buy some new rims / Fact you don't like changing tires ~ you had multiple flat tires ~ driving on soft tires is NOT SAFE ~ Think about what could have happened while you were driving in front of that truck in the snow.
What if the roughness of the rim made the tire not just go soft but,
BLOW OUT THE TIRE ~ Where would you be now ~ let alone what the truck driver may have to live with the rest of his life if he HIT you.
"Rims are cheap"
There are a lot of us on here that really / really enjoy your road trips & showing us parts of this beautiful country that we might never be able to see any other way.
( I guess I am selfish because if you did not have the soft tires you could have been on the road showing us MORE )

[Fibber Mcgee]

I agree with Lawrie, you need a TV show. Thanks for proving once again that these were once every day cars driven every day.

[Sid the Maineiac]

Henry, once again you have amazed me with your tenacity and good spirit as you venture forth into the relative unknown !! Thank God for people like you who remind us that if previous generations wanted to see parts of the country, this is how they did it !! May God continue to bless you and yours on these journeys ! Thank you for sharing !!

[scrapiron]

What Bill W. said !!!!! JEEEZZ

[Adam/Mill Valley CA]

Thanks for the usual great travelogue! Gotta sandblast and paint those rims!

Adam

[KiWinUS]

WOW ...... Thanks for sharing !!!!

[cmbrucew]

Prof.
That seems like an endurance test as well as a great trip.
Very nice pictures and commentary.
Just think where you can venture to when you retire.
Bruce

[FrankWest]

Amazing Trip! Fantastic Car!

[ricklove]

Great pics and great narrative!!! Thanks for sharing!

[LuckyFordGuy]

Thanks for posting pictures love them I would love to take trip like that with my 50 ford car maybe some day Thanks again Rog

[Barry-ct]

As always, What a great adventure and beautiful pictures! Wish I was there in person.

[RalphG]

Excellent story and pictures. I am going to watch the videos next. As usual I would never attempt such a journey myself but it is interesting to watch how it is done. How about sand blasting and re painting the inside of your rims? Or maybe go tubeless? Mine on the 39 are original paint and have held air sitting in the shed all winter without any problem. On the road might be a different story.

[ora masters]

great stuff prof wish i could have been with you and please get some new wheels we do not want to loose you

[5851a]

Now I've got something else for my bucket list, the pictures and video's are fantastic. Keep enjoying life.

[Old Henry]

I don't think the rims were the only cause of the flat tires. My last flat on my last trip was because the inner tube was too big, folded up in the tire and a leak wore in the creases. So, my last effort was to get a small enough tube so that wouldn't happen again. I had my local tire dealer get me a tube and this is what he got:



I was excited to see that it was not too big but I wondered about the "service limited to agricultural" warning. Oh well, have to trust someone so I let him put it in. I now think that it really wasn't made for highway tires and was weak contributing to the cause of the leaks. So, the night I got home I started searching for true 6.00-16 inner tubes with the TR15 stem. (Part of my problem with rust inside the rim has been being sold tubes by Coker with stems too small that let water into the rim. The worst rust was around the stem hole.) The correct size tube with the correct size stem is hard to find. I finally found them at Lucas Classic Tires and ordered three as well as 4 of the liner strips. Got them in Friday and spent hours with the wire wheel, grinder, stripping wheel, sander and rust remover to get the rims smooth to bare metal. Then applied two coats of automotive etching primer followed by 4 coats of gloss epoxy appliance paint. Then took the three rims back to the better tire store (the ones that just rebuilt my engine), installed the liner strips, powdered up the inside of the tires and rims and put the tires back on. The tire pro there said the rims were as smooth as new. We'll see how it goes. Previous paint was just black, not appliance epoxy. Hopefully this will work better. In the mean time, I'll keep my pump charged up.

[34pickup]

This reads like a trip one would have made back in the 50s with the same kind of obstacles to overcome except back then there would be garages with tube tire knowledge and supplies along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, it brought back memories of how it once used to be.
But yeah, buy you a better rim.....and carry a good spare.

p.s. POR15 is a good, hard coating for a rusty surface.

[Capn John]

Just EXCELLENT!! Thanks!! What type of camera are you using?

BEST WISHES!!!

[Old Henry]

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Originally Posted by Capn John

Just EXCELLENT!! Thanks!! What type of camera are you using?

BEST WISHES!!!

Sony DSC-WX350 point and shoot because if its outstanding video capability.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Prof.
That seems like an endurance test as well as a great trip.
Bruce

Yes. One of the absolute requirements of having an adventure is some kind of risk of the unknown and unforeseeable. That's what makes it an adventure. If I wanted to avoid all risks I'd stay home and watch someone else's adventure on the Travel Channel. I actually find it quite rewarding to be given a puzzle along the way to solve and figure out what to do and always feel fantastic when I'm "On the Road Again".

[V8COOPMAN]

Not that it has anything to do with the condition of that wheel's inner surface, but that wheel is not a '47 Ford wheel. It appears to be a '40 or '41 wheel, which is also 1/2" narrower than a '47 wheel.

Three hundred bucks or so for a set of new, reproduction wheels seems like a very wise investment at this point. Wire-brushing and a little epoxy paint just ain't the long-term answer you're wishing for with that wheel. DD

[bobH]

I wonder what you are seeing that I am missing. Looks like my 47 to me? Same rust and all.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by bobH

I wonder what you are seeing that I am missing. Looks like my 47 to me? Same rust and all.

Hey bobH......Fair question. I'm not able to upload better pictures of the individual wheels, but the pic below shows the early and later wheels in line with each other. The bottom wheel in my picture is the early type, like Craig's wheel. The two vertical surfaces that go down toward the center surface (where the rivets are) BOTH go down at a near 90 degree angle, an easy way to ID the '40-'41 wheel.

If you look at those two surfaces on the top wheel, that same surface on the left side is SLANTED downward and inward toward the surface with the rivets.....NOT nearly vertical as BOTH surfaces are on the early wheel. In my pic, you can also see the 1/2" difference in width on the left. Hope this helps. DD

[ccnelson]

I have been anxiously waiting to see pictures and videos of your trip since you mentioned how far and Where you were going on Ford Barn. Excellent, you have outdone yourself again!!! Just wondering how the new motor preformed and how was the temp and oil pressure? Also what kind of gas mileage did you get? Looking forward to another trip with you. I i lived closer I would ask to ride along. Best Regards, Craig N.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by ccnelson

Just wondering how the new motor preformed and how was the temp and oil pressure? Also what kind of gas mileage did you get? Best Regards, Craig N.

The new motor purred along better than it ever has in the 56 years that we've owned it. The day after I got home I took the mechanic another dozen doughnuts and thanked him again for the wonderful ride.

A lot has been made of my flat tires but I thought many times during the trip, especially when I made the whole trip without a single other mechanical problem, that, of all the problems I might pick to have, the flat tires are the ones I'd pick. Especially since I never had to change a flat - just pumped it up and drove to the tire shop to get fixed. How easy of a problem is that compared to all there could have been?

Temp and oil pressure were always ideal.

I get about 15 mpg at highway speeds.

Thanks for asking.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Sid the Maineiac

Henry, once again you have amazed me with your tenacity and good spirit as you venture forth into the relative unknown !! May God continue to bless you and yours on these journeys !

I do believe that God did bless me and mine on this trip. I keep thinking, "What if the transmission had quit going into 3rd gear just one day earlier? I would have had to drive home in 2nd gear at 30 mph, probably on the shoulders when I could find them, which would have taken another day at least, if the transmission would have lasted in 2nd gear that long." I had a very significant religious event that I was committed to the day after I got home. I would have missed that. I believe God's blessings may well have come in part because of my "secondary agenda" that I had on the trip related to the sign on the side of my car that no one has asked about.

[Thaplumbr]

Always enjoy reading your post and the pictures and videos,and to think I cringed a little this morning about driving my 48 F-1 to church in the rain ....lol

[cmbrucew]

Prof.
I was unable to make out what the decal was. I thought I must have missed the explanation earlier.
Bruce

[Sid the Maineiac]

Please tell us about the sign on your door !! I noticed it immediately but thought that if you wanted us to know, you'd have told us !! Thanks and best regards,Sid

[Old Henry]

I wanted to share something more than just about the car when all of the people came up to talk to me about the car everywhere I stopped. So, I made these magnetic signs for the front doors of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with me singing in it (4th down from the top on the right edge). It was a nice lead in to talk to them about the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and another testament of Jesus Christ - the Book of Mormon. Some were interested in a CD of the choir which I had on hand to give them and some were interested in a Book of Mormon that I also gave them if they wanted it. It made the trip all the more meaningful.

[Talkwrench]

Just loved it, been sitting here watching all the vids too.. Great adventure, great feel.. Hope to see more old Henry!

[Woodie1]

Thanks for letting me go on your trip Henry. The pictures were great & I really admire your pioneer spirit. It's always good to see the Lord has watched over someone in trying times.

[Old Henry]

Just to recap, here are the nine (9) videos in my post in case anyone missed any:

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBI8NwBfN9A

Route 66 into Flagstaff, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw5K-1z5oXg

Ajo, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epI5JY41QTY

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDTch2MblPI

Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyFJ4ECIX5U

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fipnPAOqQg

Route 66 into Santa Fe, New Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eB1fpdtE8s

Driving through the blizzard north of Cortez, Colorado: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LNzzNYqlJo

Arches National Park, Utah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdCSIlKAyZs

[deucemac]

My suggestion for worry free motoring and dependable tires would be two fold. First I would have the wheels powder coated. The powdercoater will blast the wheels and then they can be inspected to see how bad the rust craters might be. If you have any doubts, the craters can be filled with "All Metal" which will withstand the bake oven temperatures required to have the powder coating flow out and cure properly. This process will give your wheels a smooth surface to protect the tube and no further problems should arise from the chaffing of the tubes on bad spots on the inner side of the wheel. My own preference would be to get a set of 15" pickup wheels of '66 or older vintage, powder coat those to match you chosen color, and then run modern radial tires that match closely the diameter of you 16" original tires. You can use your original hub caps and get a set of 15" beauty rings that match the style on your car. Wide whites, narrow whites and black walls are available in most sizes and when properly selected would be a good visual match for all that were not EFV8 club judges. You will get all of the ride and mileage advantages of the modern radials in tubeless versions and eliminate the confusion of those that don't deal in repairs of our beloved old Fords. It would enhance your travel and tire life for the most part. I understand and respect keeping the car correct but, just as you had your seat and floorboards covered in "modern" conveniences, if it is a dedicated driver ( and Henry, you are one of the MOST drivingest guys out there) then you might consider what I suggested. Your version of "travels with Charlie" are an absolute delight and I, among very many look forward to each time you travel.

[Johnnydidd]

I feel as though I am getting to know you very well. Your road trips are fantastic cant wait to see another. Did you travel by yourself? What courage. Thanks for sharing. John

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Johnnydidd

I feel as though I am getting to know you very well. Your road trips are fantastic cant wait to see another. Did you travel by yourself? What courage. Thanks for sharing. John

I wasn't totally "by myself". Pepe was with me. I think it would be too lonely without him. But, if you mean without other cars and travelers, yes. I have tried trips with others before. All it meant was that, instead of having to stop when just I broke down, we all had to stop every time anyone broke down. And the "company" was no help. Just delayed the whole entourage much more that one traveling alone. So, I vowed never to do that again.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by deucemac

My suggestion for worry free motoring and dependable tires would be two fold. First I would have the wheels powder coated. The powdercoater will blast the wheels and then they can be inspected to see how bad the rust craters might be. If you have any doubts, the craters can be filled with "All Metal" which will withstand the bake oven temperatures required to have the powder coating flow out and cure properly. This process will give your wheels a smooth surface to protect the tube and no further problems should arise from the chaffing of the tubes on bad spots on the inner side of the wheel. My own preference would be to get a set of 15" pickup wheels of '66 or older vintage, powder coat those to match you chosen color, and then run modern radial tires that match closely the diameter of you 16" original tires. You can use your original hub caps and get a set of 15" beauty rings that match the style on your car. Wide whites, narrow whites and black walls are available in most sizes and when properly selected would be a good visual match for all that were not EFV8 club judges. You will get all of the ride and mileage advantages of the modern radials in tubeless versions and eliminate the confusion of those that don't deal in repairs of our beloved old Fords. It would enhance your travel and tire life for the most part. I understand and respect keeping the car correct but, just as you had your seat and floorboards covered in "modern" conveniences, if it is a dedicated driver ( and Henry, you are one of the MOST drivingest guys out there) then you might consider what I suggested. Your version of "travels with Charlie" are an absolute delight and I, among very many look forward to each time you travel.

You are, of course, absolutely correct in your suggestions to "modernize" my tires and wheels, if that's what I wanted to do. I must admit I have toyed with the idea more than once. But, every time I do I think back to the decision I made when I decided to restore this old car that dad bought when I was 7 and that I learned to drive in and dated in until I left home - whether to modernize and customize it or whether to keep it as original and stock as possible. I committed then and there to keep it as original as possible and only replace original parts that no longer worked and couldn't be fixed with authentic stock parts. And that meant everything. Having done so, my car is much more than just a "daily driver", it's a "time machine" that takes me back every time I drive it. At the last tire store that worked on my flat I mentioned to the general manager that was working on the tires, "Bet you all are sure glad you don't have to deal with inner tubes any more." His response, "Yeah, but your car would not be the car it is without them. It wouldn't ride the same nor handle the same." Right on. Every time I experience the "bias ply boogie" fighting the very slightest ruts in the asphalt made by repeated passes of heavy trucks I think, "This is how it was. This is the real experience." So, I keep to my original commitment to stock originality. It also shows all that observe the fact that these old cars were made to drive and drive a lot and far far away and can be counted on to do so. I don't believe Ford powder coated the wheels so I'll just keep painting them like Ford originally did.

Oh, and I haven't modernized my floor or seat coverings. I still have the stock rubber mat on the floor and only put a towel over the upholstery where I sit because the fuzz of the upholstery is starting to rub off after having driven it 71,000 miles since it was installed 7 years ago.

Thanks for the suggestion. It was a good one . . . for someone else.

[corvette8n]

I have those AG tubes in my 8n but they only see 4 mph.

[Planojc]

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Henry, love the videos and would like to know what kind of video editing software you are using. Fading in and out along with the graphics. Is it part of the camera feature?

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Planojc

Henry, love the videos and would like to know what kind of video editing software you are using. Fading in and out along with the graphics. Is it part of the camera feature?

I use CyberLink Power Director 13.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

I have those AG tubes in my 8n but they only see 4 mph.

Yeah. I have a feeling that they're not made for continuous speeds over 60 mph.

Love your old 8n.

[Ol' Ron]

All I can say is: Thank you very much, this trip was fantastic. Good tast in music.

[Mart]

Thanks for the travelog, Prof, fantastic photo's as usual.

Re the wheel and tyre problems. If you consider that the other three performed without fault, then all you really need is one or two decent 46-48 rims nicely prepared and equipped with good quality tubes.

Looking at what would be needed to fully equip the car with an alternative "touring" set of tubeless radials and matching wheels may also be a good way to go. The original wheels can be stored for posterity.

Whatever you decide, keep up the good work.

Mart.

PS why the hell did vigilink (whoever the hell they are ) add a link where I wrote "wheel and tyre"??

M.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Mart

Thanks for the travelog, Prof, fantastic photo's as usual.

Re the wheel and tyre problems. If you consider that the other three performed without fault, then all you really need is one or two decent 46-48 rims nicely prepared and equipped with good quality tubes.

Looking at what would be needed to fully equip the car with an alternative "touring" set of tubeless radials and matching wheels may also be a good way to go. The original wheels can be stored for posterity.

Whatever you decide, keep up the good work.

Mart.


PS why the hell did vigilink (whoever the hell they are ) add a link where I wrote "wheel and tyre"??

M.

Thanks Mart. See my response to your idea in post #44.

P.S. VigLink is an outbound-traffic monetization service for publishers, forums (such as this one), and bloggers, which specializes in in-text advertising and marketing. In other words, they find word phrases (groups) in text typed into any of those categories and automatically create a link out of that phrase or group of words to an advertiser that sells such products or services. So, some business that sells wheels and tyres (tires here in the colonies) pays for VigiLink to create that link to their products. No good word (or phrase) goes un-monetized.

P.P.S. The link did not show up in the text we see on this forum.

[johnh7]

Old Henry,

You really motivate me to get my pickup finished so I can take long trips in it. I hope to get it roadworthy again this summer!

[Bruce in southern OH]

Fantastic, thank you!!!!!

[oldogy]

It is so nice of you to take us along on your adventures. We do enjoy them.

[Krylon32]

What an adventure. I agree as much as you drive the car I would keep a set of modern radials with new wheels for your adventures and the originals for use locally and your close adventures. It's been my experience that a good set of radials really enhances the fun of driving an old car.

[Mart]

Prof, one though that did occur to me,after you mentioned it was your Dad's car, I was just wondering what would he do, if he was planning a series of long distance trips, and such items as tubeless radials were available to him?

Mart.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Mart

Prof, one though that did occur to me, after you mentioned it was your Dad's car, I was just wondering what would he do, if he was planning a series of long distance trips, and such items as tubeless radials were available to him?

Mart.

I'll tell you what Dad did for tires when he was driving this car (or any car). He bought the absolute cheapest used or retread tires as tall and skinny as he could find them to get better gas mileage. The wheel hubs on the right side even had left hand lug nuts on them when I was a kid. I think my brother switched those to right hand ones after I left home. No, dad wouldn't buy radials, he has always been way too cheap for that. I could buy them if I wanted to. I just don't want to. They don't ride right, they don't handle right, and they don't look right. They would really put a crimp in the authenticity of my "time machine".

[Vic Piano]

As always, an excellent adventure and outstanding videos.

[hook00pad]

I am always impressed at your attention to detail in your descriptions as well as your photography and videos. It's great to someone with your sense of adventure and tenacity to take these trips and document them for us to enjoy. I can identify with your car as well as I have a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor with an O.T. Olds engine and T-5 trans. that is a work in progress. I'm in the process of getting it street legal with lights etc. in order to license it again. It hasn't been licensed since the early 60's. Keep on cruising in "Old Henry" and writing about your adventures.

[41panelmark]

Great Job!!

[al's28/33]

WOW!!!!!.....W O W !!!!!!!!!!!................God Bless you! What a FANTASTIC trip!!!! I'm glad you made it home with ONLY the tube issue...........WOW!!!!!!

[47COE]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

so Pepe and I decided to check off another item on our bucket list

Good thing Pepe said yes. Otherwise you would have missed out on a great adventure.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by 47COE

Good thing Pepe said yes. Otherwise you would have missed out on a great adventure.

Pepe's pretty agreeable when I have him loaded with doggy Valium.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by hook00pad

I can identify with your car as well as I have a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor with an O.T. Olds engine and T-5 trans. that is a work in progress.

Here's a picture from our Death Valley trip of my car with my neighbor's tudor. His had just blown the differential because it had no oil in it (he'd counted on a local lube shop to check and fill it) and we were waiting for the tow truck to haul his back home. We carried on without him. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62705

[Planojc]

Henry, love the videos and was wondering how you have the camera mounted. If you are just holding it you sure have a steady hand, especially while steering around a corner.

[Old Henry]

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Originally Posted by Planojc

Henry, love the videos and was wondering how you have the camera mounted. If you are just holding it you sure have a steady hand, especially while steering around a corner.

The camera is mounted on a monopod that is just standing on the floor held against the dashboard to stabilize. With it there I can swivel it easily with my right hand or move it to the left window for side views. Steering is with my left hand on the steering knob. For the driving through the blizzard scene I wanted a wider shot to get the whole windshield to show the snow on it and the action of the wipers so collapsed the monopod and rested it on my thigh.

[Johnnydidd]

Did you change oil, filter and lube it. How many miles?

[Old Henry]

Did all that just before I left and when I got back. Not during the trip.

[Bertha]

Prof. Henry,

Great travelog as usual, really enjoyed it. Glad the rebuild was trouble free.

TIRES…

Like you, I have no desire to swap for radials. Fine for all our other stuff, but not for the Ford.

Just what I did…..…we also had ongoing problems with ‘Bertha’s’ tubed WW’s. Got fed up with the frequent tube repairs.

During the last tire swap I inspected the wheels, had them media blasted,(they are not riveted), and powder-coated black inside and out.
Got tubeless Firestone bias WW’s from Coker and have never looked back.

Bias ply tubeless, best of both worlds.


Bob

[Old Henry]

Now there's something I haven't heard of - tubeless bias ply tires. I'll have to think on that one.

Thanks for the idea.

[bobH]

I bought a new car in the mid-50's... bias-ply tubeless is what it came with. Radials weren't yet on the market.

[Lanny]

I coppied this from a tire blog.


BIAS-PLY HISTORY. In 1898, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (GT) discovered the process of vulcanizing rubber. To strengthen and mold the rubber, a number of layers or "plies" of fabric cords are embedded into it. Each layer is laid in an alternating diagonal pattern on the bias of the bead cord. The degree of the bias varied between manufactures, running between 30 degrees to 55 degrees to the bead cord.
For the next 60 years, bias-ply tires ruled the roads of America and gradually evolved from cotton cord belts in 1915, to rayon cord in the 1930s, and then to nylon cords in 1943. Improve technology was applied to bias-ply designs in 1954 with the advent of tubeless tires on Packards. The tire fast became the standard on all automobiles thereafter.
In 1959, steel-corded tires were introduced, followed by fiberglass-corded tires in 1963, still based on the bias-ply design. The level of bias-ply tire design has remained pretty much unchanged since around 1965 when radial tires started showing up in dealer showrooms.
The main advantage of bias-ply tires is in its load-carrying capabilities in relation to tire size. A smaller bias-ply tire can carry more load than a radial tire of similar size. A major drawback is higher friction, which creates higher tire temperatures and results in faster wear. Another problem: The tread contact area (the area were tread meets pavement) is smaller, and since the sidewall and tread area are constructed of one material, cornering affects the contact area more than on radial designed tires.










.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Great trip and wonderful pics and videos as usual. As far as your tire problems or any problem(s) with an old car on a long trip, it just keeps you on your toes and enhances the adventure!

[66f100]

Thanks for the story and pictures!