<VV> Smitty trip NOT

[Padgett]

Hokey folks, the quest is over. Yesterday I flew up to BWI and bought a 
car. Not quite sight unseen, 25 MB of JPGs and a local member's 
description. Can see a first jpg in my garage at 
http://padgett.ws/files/faceoff.jpg . As you know I cannot handle rust. Odd 
thing was that all of the southern cars I looked at were:
1) a DIY kit
2) I could put my finger through the body
3) All chrome was bubbled

There seems to be this myth about "rust free Florida cars". Definitely not 
true. I live in Orlando and things do not rust here. Unfortunately Orlando 
was not here in 1966 other than as a widespot in the road.

Not saying this car is perfect, just that it's issues are ones that I can 
handle. For example I would not have felt comfortable driving a 35 year old 
car that will not idle, which has no gauges (yet), and which I had never 
touched before the 893 miles home. So I drove it about 45 miles on either 
end and let the Amtrak Autotrain handle the rest. Worked well with some 
caveats.

1) I put an instruction sheet on the passenger seat warning about the poor 
idle, no park, dash shifter, etc. Still had to show the young lady who 
drove it onto the train how to release the parking brake.

2) Was the very last car off the train. Same condition it went on.

3) Meals were included and had a very nice Chicken Marsala last night 
(first seating because had gotten to the airport at 6 am and not had a meal 
yet) paper plate took away a bit. Orange juice this morning was canned.

4) Seats were probably very comfortable and I had an entire row to myself 
(were only four people in the lower compartment of my car - hint: there is 
no difference in price between the upper and lower seating but the lower 
sways a lot less at speed and was cooler on a summer day). However I cannot 
sleep for over 20 minutes in a seat so as when my wife and I fly to London 
(I have a LOT of frequent flyer miles) I wound up spreading a blanket on 
the floor and stretching out under the seat.

5) Allow lots of time particularly at Sanford, schedule said 8:30 am 
arrival. Did arrive at 10:30, got in car at noon (they did give me an 
Amtrak windshield cover for being patient)..

Which brings me to two questions:
1) Tires are BFG 185x80x13 radials and fronts were at 25 psi (still felt 
soft). Despite a very low number of miles on a new front and rear 
suspension, at low speeds particularly I wasn't steering, I was aiming. 
Fortunately in my yout I did a lot of sailing. Is this typical of these 
tires or would 35 psi help ? (Until I mount something better).

2) Car flat does not want to idle. Revs too high in neutral (had to shift 
to N at every light) and dies in gear.  Tailpipe is black/sooty so running 
very rich. Carbs have been rebuilt and ignition system is essentially new. 
Bosch plugs look new. PO also said it does not ping on 87 PON and I did not 
hear any. Seems to run very nice at 60 mph indicated. Have not instrumented 
yet but will dig out timing light, vacuum gauge, dwell-tach, etc. Where 
would you look first ?

Padgett

ps if replying to the list, please just quote the question.