727
Well-Known Member
Just a little back story. I'm Chief engineer on a container ship that runs between California and Honolulu. My ship was laid up at pier 30 in San Francisco in December and the office kept me on the payroll while the ship was idle.I took a few weeks off work to take care of things at home and will return to the ship to start it up for returning to sailing service in mid April.
I had my wife and 11 year old daughter fly out to San Francisco and we started our trek home on Wednesday 3/15. We first headed in the direction of Sequoia National park. The hot engine light came on while blasting up some mountains on the way to interstate 5. I backed off the throttle, the panic and light soon went away. Then the hot engine light came on again down by Fresno( at this point I'm wondering if I made a mistake) I pulled into Orielys and grabbed two bottles of water wetter. Adding it wasn't an issue because the radiator cap lifted in the parking lot. We took off again at a conservative pace and the hot light winked on and off until we hit elevation in the national park. At elevation the light never came on. So I decided to install a smaller set of needles in the Carter AFB to see if maybe a lean condition was the root cause of my problem. It seemed to work as we left the park and made it to Barstow, Ca before checking in for the night. The next morning was cool out and I thought the day would be better on the temps. I really didn't have any issues until we got close to Lake Havasu at which point we were reduced to 45mph on the uphills. Right around this time we jumped on Route 66 and with the slower pace and slow inclines the high temps went away. We got back onto interstate 40 in Flagstaff and ran at 70-75mph all the way to Albuquerque. Stayed the night there and got on the road again 70-75 all the way to Dallas. With a pit stop on the way In Amarillo to see the Cadillac Ranch and eat at the Big Texan. After Dallas we made good speed all the way to Shreveport, La at which point the high temps returned(low elevation) So we slowed to 60-65 and drove to Natchez, Ms by way of Alexandria, La. while in Natchez my wife made me bring her to a Steam Punk coffee shop. Not my crowd but the coffee was good. Then we made it all the way to Hattiesburg, Ms (Gods Country and home) before dark. The trip turned out to be an adventure and would jump at the chance to do it again. Just as a side note: I had lots of tools, a spare fuel pump, water pump, alternator, set of points, ballast resistor and voltage regulator in case I needed them. I didnt! Also of note:California premium gas is a joke in a 10-1 compression 383.
Follow up:I installed the smallest needle rods I owned in my carb and drove to New Orleans in it yesterday. No issues with overheating. I guess the jetting was a bit lean.
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