*DEFEAT 5 miles from the end of my Cross Country Trip

[flyusmc]

Hey all I just wanted to post and let everyone know I am starting my North Dakota to Maryland X-country trip tomorrow. I just swapped my "old" 401 for "used" 401 and she seems to run real fine. My A518 Chrysler 4-Speed Auto was shifting great and I am getting heavy duty J4000 spring packs put in the rear for towing.

I'm going to be towing my 1968 Barracuda X-country behind a 18' flatbed trailer.

Yeah I am very nervous as I haven't towed with this set-up before. I'm think I'll throw my "old" 401 on the trailer as well and re-build it down the road a while. I have a 25 Gal Bronco tank and I am turning 1450 RPM at 57 MPH. I haven't tested gas millage with this new engine, but I was getting darn near 18 MPG with my old 400 H.P. 401.

PS If anyone is along the route from ND-MN-WI-IL-IN-OH-PA-WV-VA-MD I would be happy to stop by and say hey.

-Wish me Luck!
-FLYUSMC
Andy

[salbt]

I live in the Akron Area. It's exit 180 on the Ohio Turnpike. PH: 330.780.6000. Stop by and have a cup.

[Brizio]

Unfortunately I'm in OR, but good luck for your trip!!! :)

[baybilly]

good luck Andy, i'm on the tail end but if you need anything give me a shout.

[Ristow]

if you're coming through I94 you'll drive right by within a mile of our warehouse. swing in lemme see how that transmission drives.

[threepiece188]

If you're towing with a Wagoneer or Cherokee I would recomend you take advantage of the new heavy rear springs. I have done a fair amount of towing with my Wagoneer and it seems that when I have a light tongue weight the trailer will try to control the Wagoneer and that's no fun.
Dan

[FSJ Guy]

Safe travels!

[flyusmc]

if you're coming through I94 you'll drive right by within a mile of our warehouse. swing in lemme see how that transmission drives.


I forgot I am actually stopping right by your place!!! So I will indeed stop by. I am meeting Gadgetman and he is right next to you correct?

-I should be there tomorrow mid-afternoon...

BTW Thanks all I will definitely call or stop by as many peps I can!

BTW II, I am SOOOOOO very happy with my J4000 springs. It actually rode way better with-out a trailer and of course way better with a trailer then stock springs.

I have pics and videos I will try and post.
FLYUSMC
-Andy

[Ristow]

wisconsin side. exit 16.

[mrtazwrench]

I'm in MN, but 80 miles or so south of I94.

[flyusmc]

Okay some update pics.

1st Stock leaf springs- Note the WAGSAG
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfsja/photos/album/475493080/pic/816386163/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc

With J4000 Springs- Sits Way nicer and unbeleivably drives way better loaded or unloaded. Smoother with less wander
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfsja/photos/album/475493080/pic/1121769968/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc


This is what I'm puling. Around 5,000-5,500 total pounds above the Waggy weight. Not the best picture but you get the Idea
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfsja/photos/album/475493080/pic/639151863/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc

Fist stops tomorrow should have me saying hey to RISTOW and Gadgetman.

-FLYUSMC
Andy

[The Colonel]

Okay some update pics.

1st Stock leaf springs- Note the WAGSAG
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfsja/photos/album/475493080/pic/816386163/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc

With J4000 Springs- Sits Way nicer and unbeleivably drives way better loaded or unloaded. Smoother with less wander
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfsja/photos/album/475493080/pic/1121769968/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc


This is what I'm puling. Around 5,000-5,500 total pounds above the Waggy weight. Not the best picture but you get the Idea
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfsja/photos/album/475493080/pic/639151863/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc

Fist stops tomorrow should have me saying hey to RISTOW and Gadgetman.

-FLYUSMC
Andy

I can't see these pictures..are they set to private?

[The Colonel]

If you need anything going through Chicagoland let me know.

[The Colonel]

I guess CFSJA.org now only allows members to view photos. I can e-mail my photos if someone can host?

FLYUSMC
-Andy

I'll do it for ya.

[The Colonel]

Here are Andy's photos:

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab10/89GW360NP229Dana44/89%20Wagoneer/Wiring/photo.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab10/89GW360NP229Dana44/89%20Wagoneer/Wiring/photo2.jpg

[The Colonel]

And here is the photo of the wag-sag:

[j10jim]

Nice looking setup! The cuda is very nice. Anything special about installing a A518 (or whatever it is) 4sp auto in place of the 727? I have a 727 in my J10/20 and would like an overdrive. What did they come in that I need to look for?

Have a safe trip!

[Eugene 1]

Love that notch with the Magnums on it! Safe Travels:thumbsup:

[flyusmc]

Nice looking setup! The cuda is very nice. Anything special about installing a A518 (or whatever it is) 4sp auto in place of the 727? I have a 727 in my J10/20 and would like an overdrive. What did they come in that I need to look for?

Have a safe trip!

This A518 is a one off creation made by RISTOW. He welded a AMC bellhousing to a A518:eek: I've got 5000 miles on it so far. I think most people do the 700R4 swap for ease/cost.

FLYUSMC
-Andy

[budojeepr]

Ooooo dat's a nice Fish. Where's my drool bucket?

Safe travels!

[HighlandJ10]

I love notchback Cuda's....Nice Waggy too!

[flyusmc]

A little trip update for everyone.
around 525 total miles so far, and knock on wood no problems or even using any oil. Running highest temp of 200, but mostly right over my 190' t-stat.

3 tanks of gas
worst = 10.38
best= 11.9

towing around 5000 pounds.

I have to keep it under 70 cause' she starts to get sqirly above that.

Sorry to Gadgetman and RISTOW as I missed them.

Btw thanks for the kudos on the Barracuda.
As a teaser it is a 418 small block (340 bored and stroked) hipo cam/ ported Edelebrock heads with a Tremeck TKO-600 5 speed, oh yeah and I have her plummed for E85 112 octane pump gas. ;)

-Flyusmc
Andy

[Ristow]

no worries. glad all's well. can't gripe about that mileage,eh? if that case will hold up to a 401 pulling that weight i think it's considered durable.

[Wagoneerlover]

Hey all I just wanted to post and let everyone know I am starting my North Dakota to Maryland X-country trip tomorrow. I just swapped my "old" 401 for "used" 401 and she seems to run real fine. My A518 Chrysler 4-Speed Auto was shifting great and I am getting heavy duty J4000 spring packs put in the rear for towing.

I'm going to be towing my 1968 Barracuda X-country behind a 18' flatbed trailer.

Yeah I am very nervous as I haven't towed with this set-up before. I'm think I'll throw my "old" 401 on the trailer as well and re-build it down the road a while. I have a 25 Gal Bronco tank and I am turning 1450 RPM at 57 MPH. I haven't tested gas millage with this new engine, but I was getting darn near 18 MPG with my old 400 H.P. 401.


PS If anyone is along the route from ND-MN-WI-IL-IN-OH-PA-WV-VA-MD I would be happy to stop by and say hey.

-Wish me Luck!
-FLYUSMC
Andy



I too am at the tail end of the trip. So what brings you to our neck of the woods?? Or our city actually?

[shimniok]

Have a safe trip!!

[GWDriver]

I forgot I am actually stopping right by your place!!! So I will indeed stop by. I am meeting Gadgetman and he is right next to you correct?

-I should be there tomorrow mid-afternoon...

BTW Thanks all I will definitely call or stop by as many peps I can!

BTW II, I am SOOOOOO very happy with my J4000 springs. It actually rode way better with-out a trailer and of course way better with a trailer then stock springs.

I have pics and videos I will try and post.
FLYUSMC
-Andy

Semper Fi, Andy. Have a safe trip.

[flyusmc]

Despite my best attempt to jinx my trip including snapping two backup tow straps and one "flat" tire, I am making good time and having some surprising results.

First I got weighed and here are the results
front axle: 2120 lbs
rear axle: 3440 lbs
trailer: 4680 lbs
total weight: 10240 lbs*

*plus me and 1/2 tank of gas ~400 lbs
total of 10640 lbs.

4 tanks of gas
1st 9.2 mpg*
2nd 11.9 mpg
3rd 13.1 mpg
4th 12.4 mpg - slow and stop and go

*it's amazing what a 80% deflated tire will do to your mpg. I did not realize until around 150 miles! It aired right up and has held for 14 hours without loosing any air pressure.

I am pretty happy. I see that a new Hemi gets around 13 mpg when towing. So again I am pleased.
-FLYUSMC
Andy

[Ristow]

not bad.

[skinnyD]

:thumbsup: Glad to hear your trip is going so well.

[The Colonel]

:thumbsup: Glad to hear your trip is going so well.

X2! :thumbsup:

[flyusmc]

:( :( :( :( :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: OHHNOOOO!!!
Defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Hard Luck continues! I made it exactly 1495 out of 1500 miles before my Transmission blew!!!:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

7 miles from home I pulled off the freeway and I drove 2 more miles then pulling away from a stop I heard a squeal followed by a loud thunk. Then nothing. NoGo FWD or Reverse. Tranny was full of fluid and did not smell burnt, plus I have a BJ"s Aluminum radiator with transmission cooler. Water temp never got above 200.

I had to get towed to a Transmission shop and I will see what the verdict is here soon.

-

[WWI Flying Ace]

Ahhhhhhhh!
Sorry to hear that. At least you are in the home area so you can take it to y our local shop. That sucks though! Hope they can fix it up quick!

[710 Burner]

Oh, sorry to hear that.
Please tell me you had more than just the radiator cooling that fluid. :eek:

[babywag]

Check to make sure the transfer case didn't pop out of gear into neutral?

[flyusmc]

Oh, sorry to hear that.
Please tell me you had more than just the radiator cooling that fluid. :eek:


Yeah it had a tranny cooler on the back of it. :(

FLYUSMC
-Andy

[rustywagoneers_com]

Check to make sure the transfer case didn't pop out of gear into neutral?

YES. That for sure.

[flyusmc]

YES. That for sure.

No such luck. Transfer case is still in gear and before I had it towed it would move forward or backward a touch if I revved it high. But I didn't rev it too much as I wanted to limit the damage as much as possible.

-FLYUSMC

[mattmopar440]

What does the fluid look like ??? Might be a linkage problem weird as it would just die out like that

[Ristow]

that's not good news. where in maryland are you? if you can pull the transmission i may be able to pick it up and have a look.

[flyusmc]

that's not good news. where in maryland are you? if you can pull the transmission i may be able to pick it up and have a look.

I am in Pasadena MD. I already took my jeep to a highly recommended shop. Hopefully it is not too bad. I am going to wait and here what they say.
Thank You for the offer..

On the positive side, the case held up fine with no problems. I will let you know what the verdict is.

-Andy

[Ristow]

yah,lemme know. the front of that transmission is pretty much all 727,and i've been into several without incident. kinda curious what popped.

[shimniok]

Dang :( Well, hope it turns out ok!

[flyusmc]

Just wanted to let everyone know what the diagnosis is. It looks like a bearing went out in my Transmission causing all my fluid to leak out.

-FLYUSMC

[Ristow]

the output bearing?

[seventynine]

Sorry to hear about the problem but thats not too bad a place for it to happen. So...did you unload the Cuda and drive that home?;-)

Welcome...I'm about 50 miles West of DC on the Virginia side...

Dean

[flyusmc]

the output bearing?
Yes sorry