Just got back from Jackson, TN Bunny Run

[steveplym]

Well just got back from the Bunny Run. I didn't see you there Ed Griffin, sorry if I missed ya. Had a good time and other than the occasional rain showers and cold wind on Saturday it was a good weekend.

Car did really good. Drove it about 550 miles round trip. Checked the mileage and getting about 21-22 mpg. Lots of highway driving and avoided major interstates if at all possible. Only hiccup I had this weekend was that on the way down I lost the brakes about 50 miles out of Jackson. Had enough pedal left to make a stop at a traffic light, then the next light it went to the floor. With no where to stop really and get any parts I made it there with the help of engine braking and emergency brake. Also driving quite a bit slower. Once I got to Jackson the group I was with was ready to eat and pulled into a local smorgasbord to fill up. Although I was concerned about my car, they assured me we would fix the problem.

After lunch I decided the car wasn't leaving the parking lot on its own without brakes. So I checked the master cyl, expecting the worst I was fairly delighted to see it was bone dry. Hardly any fluid left in it. So the master cylinder was most likely good. Only part of the brake system I probably can't get on the road. A friend of mine looked under the back of the car and said he could see where brake fluid had been spraying onto the front of the fuel tank. Must be a leak somewhere I thought, so headed over to dollar general (only store within walking distance other than harbor freight) and picked up some brake fluid. Filled up the mc and got under the left rear. Friend pumped the brakes and found that the left rear brake line has a hole. Apparently when I swapped rear ends last year I forgot to check how close that brake line was up against the metal fuel line. Rubbing up and down for about 500 miles and the brake pressure shortened its life quite a bit.

Now confident I can fix the car and have it back on the road in at least an hour I removed the offending line, hopped in my friends '37 Chevy, and located a parts store by gps on my android phone. Found an advance auto parts right next to an autozone and he pulled into the advance. Asked for a matching brake line, guy behind the counter went a got one, looked like the right one, so paid the man and left. Fifteen minute drive back to the car and got back under it and started to screw the fitting into the wheel cylinder, doesn't start well, got back up from under the car and checked the line. 3/8" and 7/16" wrench will not fit, thought it's gotta be metric. Tag says Japanese, whoops, back the the auto parts store. Fifteen minutes back to the parts store, went in and told the guy of his mistake. He agreed he missed the fine print on the tag, apologized, and went to find another line.

Couldn't find another line, told me only length he had that I needed was metric. Explained that is why he made the mistake. I understood and headed to autozone. Talked to a guy behind the counter there for a few minutes, he told me he had a duster he was working on and it took the same line. Chatted for a minute or two about old Mopars and he assured me this line would fit. Headed back to the car, got a cold refreshment out of my cooler, then back under the car. Guy came by walking in the parking lot and said, "Looks like you got problems, driver's side wheel is off the ground." Smiled and said "yep that's it, thank you!". Laughed that apparently he didn't see the jack under the car, or didn't put two and two together. Back under the car and line fits, bled brakes and headed over to the hotel. It was about 3:30pm at this point and all this fun started at about 1:30pm. Turned a one hour job into two I guess.

Rest of the weekend was smooth and had a lot of fun, also learned a lot of lessons. Found out that being able to get parts on the road and fix the car yourself is very rewarding. Also very helpful to have friends that are willing to help you out in your time of need. Brings back the old adage that the cars are a lot of fun, but the people involved are what makes are hobby great.

Here's a couple pics of the car in the parking lot and cruising up Hwy 45E North of Milan, TN.

[Ed Griffin]

I hate that I didnt get a chance to go but my projects have been on hold. I've been extremely busy getting the lawn tractor a new PTO clutch, my sons car towed to a repair shop,twice, my wifes car towed home and installing a new alternator...this all started last Friday and I was able to finish up just yesterday evening. I'd at least like to have tried viewing the cars at the show but even that was impossible. Hopefully I'll have something running before the next gig and if not I'd still like to go for the eye candy. I hadnt been to a car show in about 6 years when my Dodge was running and we went to the Tunica car show. All I can really say is maybe next time.

[steveplym]

No problem Ed. Already registered for next year, so I plan on being there then. Glad you were able to get caught up on a few projects. I know my honey-do list is getting longer every day.

[Don Coatney]

The posted picture sure looks like this photo of me following Fast Eddie Spaghetti in his shiverlay pickem-up on the same road in 2004.