To be Continued... We had a couple of very good days in Dallas, while one of my sons drove the newer truck down with my own designed, but never tested tow bar...well part of it was my design. We picked up the truck near San Antonio...I was expecting to drive all the way back towing the 48 at about 50 -55 miles an hour. I had seen other vehicles being pulled and they can get squirly(?). Anyway, part of this bar had just been finished, and again, never tested. We took all safety measures...we had about 800 miles to drive! Even extra heavy chains. Well, we made it out of the hills and on to I-10...it was so solid...that we drove all the way at 70+. It shocked me completly! My sons could not believe how well it performed towing...and now...are beefing up their more modern frontends on their trucks! The old guy knew something. The basic parts of it...an old junky bumper(did not know if it would bend the other), a heavy bar bolted on that bumper at the center three bolts, plenty of extra chains, and emergency trailer lights(which turns out were wired backwards). Before we hit the road we tested sharp turns and circles, while I sat in back to see what would happen. Everything look great! Left the steering wheel free because we did not know if to chain down, bungee, or free. That's what the sharpe turns and testing was all about. Anyone tow??? Are you supposed to run steering wheel free? It worked perfectly(I think my son actually took it up to 80+ while I was sleeping...the highway is marked for that. The stuff is heavy and I could not carry all of it all of the time, maybe I will look into carrying the bumper bar and one of those fold up tow bars they sell at the auto store. At home...head is cracked at least 5 of the 6 exhaust valves. Still waiting to see if the machine shops have a head #3835913. Any suggestions as to what to check on the block? Laters, rod
Engine block Rod Glad to see you made it safe back home! Your towing bar arrangement looks very solid. What type and size block do you have in that truck ? I would lift the block out of the truck and give it a full inspection. Maybe a better way to inspect and see if there are moore damages ? Martinius.
Cracked Head Well ; I'm told I have a cracked head because I , like you , enjoy driving my old Chevy trucks anywhere , anytime . I wonder if your truck has a heater ? if so , the next time , long before the gauge pegs , turn the heater on high , it really does help . I also highly believe in electric fans , they also help hot running . I'm glad you made it home O.K. and yes , when flat towing you must always leave the steering loose so it can follow . Never , EVER back up when using a tow bar ! . I've had some custom tow bars made , I always weld in a tubular cross support to prevent it from flexing . Loops for the chains & wires too . You did very well in a tight spot here Rod .
Back on the road! Late Final Update! Ok, this is kinda late, but better than never. Ended up spending a couple of months looking for a good head and getting rebuilt with the upgrade. Finally, made it back on the road about July 4th, but... Later found out that the starter shaft was cracked...kinda worked but...really weird...had starter redone...but always complications...new switch had a little different reach, so put old one back in...also an old starter that I carried all the way to Las Vegas, NV year before and on this trip had a different gear in it...so I will not carry anymore on trips or anytime. We figured that it was "hyper or static locking??? while I was trying to get it back on the road in San Antonio. Decided to get a new radiator... because it seemed to run hotter than during the trip. Done! Motor mount was also replaced because it seemed cooked and mushy... Done! Oh...the new thermostat was replaced...it was cooked on this trip...Done! Now, back on the road! Man, that was a rough couple of months not having the truck running. I don't want to do that again. Finally, had no time to get some painting done that was planned for July...oh, well. Now, I can look forward to that! And, I mean it...it is fun working on this. Rod
