Spare parts for an old car road trip | What do YOU bring?

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44) 05/17/2019 at 09:25 • Filed to: None

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I’m road tripping the ‘70 Corvette this weekend. My go-to spare collection for a trip like this is: ignition coil, fuel filter, fuel pump, fan belt, and a length of fuel hose. I call it the “get me off the side of the road” essentials. May bring a water pump too. What do you guys bring?

nerd_racing > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:27

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AAA card 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:29

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Fuel pump, some heater hose and an axle.

adamftw > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:29

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AAA Gold membership and a small tool set.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > nerd_racing 05/17/2019 at 09:32

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Got one of those!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > adamftw 05/17/2019 at 09:32

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Yeah I carry a pretty decent set of tools as well. 

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/17/2019 at 09:33

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An axle???

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:35

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David Tracy

pip bip - choose Corrour > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:39

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thoughts and prayers?

InFierority Complex > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:41

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I’ve had a portable jump starter around for the past several years and it’s been good for peac e of mind alone. Just in case a light gets left on or whatnot. It’s also nice on the off chance someone asks you for a jump as well.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > InFierority Complex 05/17/2019 at 09:47

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Yeah that’s a handy upgrade over the standard jumper cables. 

loki03xlh > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:49

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Basic tool kit (wrenches, sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, bfh, etc...), H aynes manual, insurance card (roadside assistance), cell phone, credit card.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:52

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Try finding an axle for a 1970 Datsun 240z at autozone. The ones on the car can be nearly 40 years old and randomly explode.

bob and john > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:56

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on LONG trips with the bike I bring:

plug kit and pump
zip ties
spare fuses
electrical tape
small tool set (some allen, flat and phillips, small pair of pliers)
pocket knife
spare controls (levers, shifter, etc etc) just in case

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 09:58

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Depends on the car usually. I almost always bring my “emergency kit” which includes fuses, fiber fix, seal tape, gas resistant epoxy, bailing wire, and a few things with the word “miracle” on the bottle.

Cars I try and identify their weaknesses and where I’m going. Last big trip with the Landy I brough a full suite of fluids including ATF and ABS sensors. The Honda it was belts and spare ignition stuff. Alfa I carry a spare alternator belt and some water. And Saab...... pretty much every spare part I own, plus every test kit I own. Because Saab.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > adamftw 05/17/2019 at 10:04

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And a credit card.  

ttyymmnn > adamftw 05/17/2019 at 10:04

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This. And duct tape.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 10:07

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Usually nothing. I like to sort out issues before I take a vehicle on a road trip. ;)

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/17/2019 at 10:08

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I laughed way harder at this than I should have.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 10:16

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My daily is 23 years old and has unknown mileage and, as I just learned/realized while working on it the other day, a junkyard motor. So, yeah.

I keep my toolbox in the trunk at all times along with spares of pretty much every consumable I could conceivably need or could conceivably change on the side of the road. So, fuel pump, some spark plugs, ignition coil (thanks VW), a spare throttle body, clutch cable, distributor, MAF, wiper motor and linkage... a few other odds and ends.

I’ve also never had to do any replacements on the side of the road so far. I’ve only ever broken down when I didn’t have tools or the right parts with me. I mostly keep them in there as a talisman to ward off bad spirits.

Also the top tier of AAA, because my parents love me and don’t want me to fix my car on the side of I-71, but I’m gonna do it anyways. AAA is for towing inoperable cars out of random dude’s yards back to my place, where I’ll eventually fix them.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ttyymmnn 05/17/2019 at 10:19

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Bailing wire?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 10:20

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A random assortment of nuts bolts screws and hose clamps. 2 qts of oil and a gallon of coolant. ATF if the car is an auto.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/17/2019 at 10:21

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Cleatus vette is not David Tracy car shitty.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 10:26

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My analog to this is probably what I keep as spares o n the boat (a 24 year old boat with a carbureted GM big block): a set of belts and cooling hoses, a set of spark plugs, an extra water- separating fuel filter, some extra engine oil and a basic (and very cheap) tool kit, a pry bar (there’s no adjuster mechanism on the alternator belt, so tensioning it is achieved via pry bar) . The VHF radio serves as the backup plan.

In my older trucks, I used to carry a jump start box in them.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/17/2019 at 10:28

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To be fair, a tire fire isn’t David Tracy levels of shitty

AuthiCooper1300 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 10:56

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Jump leads, set of points, at least a couple of spark plugs (not necessarily new, but good enough), spare condenser; towing rope strap; some lengths of string and not-too-thin wire (for connections but also a little of the bailing type); a small jerrycan (not necessarily full of petrol, but always good to have); jubilee clips of several sizes; bar of soap; nitrile gloves. A torch (with spare batteries/bulb). Cigarette lighter.

I imagine in your toolbox you carry sundry zip ties, duct tape, bulbs and fuses; I would add a valve core tool, a few cores and some replacement caps.

Depending on how far you are going to stray away from civilisation, maybe you could also take some antifreeze/oil/brake fluid.

A big old towel (or just an old blanket) always comes in handy. Same about an old parka. At the very least always carry a pocket poncho (really useful if you have to change a wheel in the pouring rain) and a white (or yellow) plastic bag.

If you have to work on your car while stuck on the side of the road (say, changing a tyre), fill the bag with some dirt or stones and place it between you and the flow of cars. Drivers will keep a much more reasonable (and safer) distance.

Mercedes Streeter > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 11:36

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For scootering the Gambler 500 next week, I’m bringing:

- Extra drive belt.
- Carb cleaner.
- Starting fluid.
- USB port (hardwired).
- Adjustable wrench.
- Screwdriver and drill bit.
- ALL the zip ties.

Texasfoolontherule > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 12:24

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ignition condenser if you have points distributor

AuthiCooper1300 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 12:24

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Just realised you don’t have a radio in the ‘Vette! Well, p l e a s e do install one with a proper aerial .

It does not matter if the radio itself is not wonderful as long as it gets good reception and clear enough sound on AM and FM. Through the radio you c a n find out about the weather or info about serious accidents that would require you to make a detour etc.

O f c o u r se y o u c a n g e t t h a t info throu g h y o u r cellphone b u t i n s o m e a r e a s y ou m a y n o t g e t g o o d r e c e p t i o n .

WhiskyTangoFoxtrot > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 13:56

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Tool kit, JB Weld, Para cord, Duct tape, a working cell phone, a floor jack (Hell no with the manufactured widowmaker), a gas can, jumper cables, tire pump, a tire patch kit, and some water. Most of this will fit in either a standard tool box, or a pocket (except for the gas can, and jack ofc) .

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/17/2019 at 21:25

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Alternator belt, head temp sensor, 13mm slotted socker for head temp sensor, spare ignition switch. hagerty raodside assistance with 150mi towing .

+ roadside kit, tool kit and extinquisher

MM54 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 05/18/2019 at 14:33

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Depends on the car; for something like the cletus-vette I’d say a set of points (if you’re not HEI), fuel filter, belts, a long plug wire or two (in case one gets burnt), a couple fuses, some wire, some 3/8 fuel line and clamps, zip ties, and basic hand tools; with that and some fluids you should be good to go with most any ‘typical’ break-down, at least well enough to get off the highway and to a parts store which should have just about anything for a C3.

Edit: And a tarp! Just in case, you never know when you may need it to lay on or whatever, and it doesn’t take much space at all .