Reliability of Early V8 and Highway Driving

[alan_d]

Adam,

You raise a lot of good points. Most I can't argue with, but I've owned old cars before, and even cars from the 50s are an entirely different beast than modern cars.

I guess this is why people created hot rods to begin with, to make them drivable on modern roads...

When you say they are not good to use as daily drivers, I guess that depends on how many miles one actually drives, and I suspect that will get less in coming years...but for right now I'm going to be on the road quite a bit for the next few years, as I'm building a home 3 hours away from my house. My Tacoma and F-Super Duty will do that.

The house I'm building is a log home. I guess I just like old things.

Also might be worth my while to look at the early 40s pickups. I don't know that I would want anything newer than a jailbar. I kinda like the 40 and 41, but honestly, I am way more attracted to something like the 35/36 grill, those really rock, style wise compared to the larger bodies of the mid 40s and newer.

Maybe a daily driver is not really needed anyway, I only have half a dozen cars and trucks + farm equipment...I think I want to justify that it would be my daily driver to prioritize it over other projects.

If I wait I might not need to drive 3 hours so often and might start winding down at the lake...maybe that's when a 1/2 ton pickup from the 30s will make more sense...I might not want to drive faster than 45 mph at that point...

EDIT: and btw, the Tacoma is like driving a tin can, but it just doesn't require maintenance much. So while it's not my first preference in trucks, it really is a reliable pickup that can handle most of my needs. Just looking for something with a little more nostalgia...

[Tinker]

Hey man, this thread started out with a direction.... now not to much. thanks for the distraction i guess. neat

[alan_d]

Originally Posted by Tinker

Hey man, this thread started out with a direction.... now not to much. thanks for the distraction i guess. neat

Sounds like I wore out my welcome...sorry...

It started out with honest questions about Early V8s, and is ending discussing Early V8s.

For me this thread is still the same direction, the one as started and discussed.

Seems most pertains to this Early V8 forum...so not sure...seems a fitting subject also...I added on Highway Driving as that is an issue for me that I realized after the fact...

I'm pretty certain I will be looking for a 32-39, actually I'm going to say 32-41 "1/2 Ton Pickup", and appreciate the comments that were offered. I wouldn't mind a 40 or 41 pickup, but don't want anything larger than that no matter how fast they go.

Alan

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by alan_d

Sounds like I wore out my welcome...sorry...

It started out with honest questions about Early V8s, and is ending discussing Early V8s.

For me this thread is still the same direction, the one as started and discussed.

Seems most pertains to this Early V8 forum...so not sure...seems a fitting subject also...I added on Highway Driving as that is an issue for me that I realized after the fact...

I'm pretty certain I will be looking for a 32-39, actually I'm going to say 32-41 "1/2 Ton Pickup", and appreciate the comments that were offered. I wouldn't mind a 40 or 41 pickup, but don't want anything larger than that no matter how fast they go.

Alan

Your fine Alan! Interesting thread, you have a lot of followers (over 2000 views!).

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Your fine Alan! Interesting thread, you have a lot of followers (over 2000 views!).

I daily drove a 38 tonner pickup for 11 years running a business in the 80's and '90s. 12 v , 59ab with merc crank. Performed flawlessly and never once let me down. I put money into it to have it reliable, but that's what it takes. Today I love them more than ever but the money isn't the same, so I do most of the work myself and don't go up and down interstate 5 in the winter darkness. I tool around the island in good weather. BUT.... These rigs are up to what you build them for.

[Bored&Stroked]

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Originally Posted by GB SISSON

BUT.... These rigs are up to what you build them for.

I feel exactly the same way. There are more engine parts available today than 50 years ago - and many excellent products (some completely 'new' to this family of engines). I used to have to scrounge for used performance parts - with many of them thoroughly 'worn out' by the time I got my mitts on them. Just look at how many new intake manifolds and heads you can buy today - some with new design changes that improve the products. (Like 3/4 reach plugs in Edelbrock heads).

This is especially true for carburetors, ignitions and water pumps -- let alone modern moly ring packages and other such stuff. If one does the work correctly (using the right machine shop) and puts the right parts into these engines . . . they will run very reliably for many years.

In the end, it has always been this way . . . build the best you can with what you can afford, using quality parts --> to achieve the most optimal results.

B&S

[alan_d]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

I daily drove a 38 tonner pickup for 11 years running a business in the 80's and '90s. 12 v , 59ab with merc crank. Performed flawlessly and never once let me down. I put money into it to have it reliable, but that's what it takes. Today I love them more than ever but the money isn't the same, so I do most of the work myself and don't go up and down interstate 5 in the winter darkness. I tool around the island in good weather. BUT.... These rigs are up to what you build them for.

Gary,

I have forgot about you folks here, and did get a couple books. I got the AA Restoration supplement, and I also got another Schild book called "Restorer's Classic Car Shop Manual", I got it for $7 on abebooks. It's quite big and covers various classics, but the AA book is more of what I have been after.

Let me just say, my AA book is a POS, the binder is coming apart and one page is already coming out of it. The content is good, but the seller won't reply so I filed for a refund...I just asked to exchange it. Worst case I will cut it apart and scan it.

Anyway, I still love the AA and it might be that I really don't care about other things and would just like having one...I don't think it's in my immediate future, I need to get my log shell on a foundation and get it all enclosed...after I might just like having an AA...or even a 30s half ton...

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

I feel exactly the same way. There are more engine parts available today than 50 years ago

That does seem so, but I wouldn't find fabricating my own if need be...

I like the BB with V8. Or is that the AA with the V8? Oh, I should have had a V8....j/k

Alan

[flatford8]

Here ya go!!....Mark

[Cool 33]

I have a 33 BB with the original engine (rebuilt) and with larger tires on the back and using the hi speed gears runs 60 - 65 on the highway with no problem.

[alan_d]

Originally Posted by Cool 33

I have a 33 BB with the original engine (rebuilt) and with larger tires on the back and using the hi speed gears runs 60 - 65 on the highway with no problem.

Well, that is encouraging. You're one of the first to mention that fast with one, I don't need to go that fast, but as long as I could go 55 I would be ok, as I would take it on the highway.

Thanks for that V8 flatford8, I needed that!

Time will tell what I end up with, but I sure do like the AA/BB trucks, and it might be that I hold out and get one.

Alan