Making a Run to the LA Roadster Show and Beyond

[Steves46]

Tom,

Glad to hear everything is going well. Flagstaff is really nice-will you be staying there or driving through? Really appreciate the terrific photos and looking forward to reading future updates. You are certainly living the dream and as others have done, you are demonstrating that a maintained Flathead can go the distance with any other motor. Safe travels. Steve

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Hey, Steve - thanks! Stopped in Seligman,AZ where we became part of the Snow Cap display!

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Well, l did not think I would get away unscathed. Had some trouble with the roadster today. On the way up the mountain going to Flagstaff shecstarted sputtering. Figured it was vapor lock so I swapped out the invented gas cap forca vented one and flipped on the electric fuel pump. After a little bit it cleared up but came back really bad after crossing to the other side of Flagstaff. It was really hot - probably 115+, 120 or more at road level. When the problems started again, it was all I could do to keep it running. We had a frozen bottle of water we strapped to the gas lines by the carbs but that did nothing. A couple of the guys felt that the gas in the gas tank was just too hot. Si, Larry had a beach towel that I soaked in cold water , wrapped the gas tank in it and also strapped on a bag of ice. My roadster grew a bustle but it worked forca time until we started sputtering again but I think my fuel regulator may have disintegrated ( Rick warned me that it might happen and it did - thanks Rick!).

Anyway, I did make it to my destination but the pics will tell how ..... don't laugh - it worked!

I am visiting with johnrodz and between the two of us we will work out a solution. Thanks Rick and Larry for having my back today!

[Seth Swoboda]

Despite the trouble looks like you are having a blast. I hope I can make a trip like this someday when time permits. Have fun and safe travels!

[Grandadeo]

On my first roadster show trip I drove back solo and stopped in Seligman. I had read about the 80 some year old barber in town that had been a big part of the Rt 66 revitalization in that area. So I figured a hair cut was in order. I'm sure he's past on by now, that was 2001 or 2. Keep the pics coming.

Lee

[TomT/Williamsburg]

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Ok - found some carb issues that might have been the reason for all the issues. Had a piece of tumbleweed in one of the jets in my primary carb - I would have been starving for gas for sure. We are cleaning everything up and will wrap the fuel lines in aluminum foil just because. It will also be a lot cooler ...

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by TomT/Williamsburg

Ok - found some carb issues that might have been the reason for all the issues. Had a piece of tumbleweed in one of the jets in my primary carb - I would have been starving for gas for sure. We are cleaning everything up and will wrap the fuel lines in aluminum foil just because. It will also be a lot cooler ...

Wow, that is a big piece of debris. I wonder how that got past everything? (assuming you have some type of filtering system)

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by TomT/Williamsburg

Ok - found some carb issues that might have been the reason for all the issues. Had a piece of tumbleweed in one of the jets in my primary carb - I would have been starving for gas for sure. We are cleaning everything up and will wrap the fuel lines in aluminum foil just because. It will also be a lot cooler ...

YIKES,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I have heard of ethanol being added to gas but never tumble weed. Hope that was your problem Tom. I found some thing similar in an old carb of mine and had to scratch my head as to how it got there. How the rest of the trip is trouble free.

[41ford1]

If you are running scoops with screens and no filters that piece of FOD probably got in through the vent.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Flatjack sells a small filter for the scoops, Chuck - I had them in when I went to Bonneville. We hit a force little windstorm and tumbleweed was flying all over the place ....

So, we cleaned out both carb bowls, used the KnN cleaner through the filters after we carb cleaned them, replaced the fuel regulator (thanks again, Rick!), flushed the lines, air horns while running, and went for a test drive. Voila! Success in the desert! The little flattie roars once again - yeee haaaaa!

John has given me some aluminum foil should any vapor lock occur. However, temps are way down, 15 degrees or more, from yesterday's highs so I hope that is the end of any vapor lock issues ....

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Thanks, zz - on a trip like this expect the unexpected, right?!

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Tim - we went through a dust and tumbleweed storm that went by so fast and came up on us fast that you could not see a thing. I had a big piece if tumbleweed that got stuck under the axle of my car. Must have dragged it along about 30 miles or more! I run the small flatjack filters that sit in the scoop, not just the screens ...

We did find another piece of tumbleweed in the back carb bowl but since I run progressive, it did not factor into anything, and several pieces sticking in the carb filters. Should a storm like that come up again, I guess I will have to run some checks in the carbs .....

[sidevalve8ba]

Tom - Glad to hear you cleared that snafu with no major hang-ups. We're going to have to start calling you "The Tumbleweed Kid" or some such thing.

Ted

[41ford1]

That would be "Tom Tumbleweed(On the Rod Again)/Williamsburg. Glad you got it sorted out. Safe travels my friend.

[Elmo Rodge]

Tom, like snowflakes, no two tumbleweeds are alike. Don't worry about the next one. Wayno

[cmbrucew]

Tom
If you can get that flathead to burn weed, I got 5 acres of them in Apple Valley.
Maybe better than corn gas.
Bruce

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Oh, man, you guys are funny! We also got a ride in a 4x4 up the back side of Mt Taylor @13000' which few people get to see. Spectacular views ....

We also went to Sandstone Bluffs to see the sunset. Clouds obscured that but what a place ....

[zzlegend]

Thanks for posting the nice pictures Tom. Looks like you guys are making the most of your trip. Good for all of you. Envious here. Mark.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I have no internet service so I am really hampered posting pics. We are in Pueblo for the NSRA Rocky Mountain Nats. Got here ok but the front carb had one jet partially clogged again. Caused some issues but we were able to drive through them. We cleaned out the front carb again and after driving it today, we feel confident we are home free. I also changed the oil, adjusted the brakes, and did a few other maintenance items for our trip home.
On our way up to Pueblo we stopped at Rick's place, one of the NM guys who went to the roadster show - he was driving Larry's banger. We had breakfast at his place and got a tour of his shop. Thanks Rick ....

The Smithfield crew, NM,l guys, my Pueblo friends and maybe others are all talking about hitting the LSR next spring. If this all comes together it should be a great time. I am shooting to take my 5-window if it's ready to roll - that's a good goal to shoot for at any rate.

I also have a couple pics of a nice 4-door 32 with great patina here in Pueblo ....

Finally, a shot of my friend John, Earl andvI at Sandstone Bluffs, NM ...

[Bill]

Tom great pics all along the way! Love peeking around someone elses' (sp) shop especially when it's stuffed with early Fords. The signs on the building "Brakes and Tuneups" say it all...you've landed at the right place.... Bill