Road Trip Through The Americas

[Don Coatney]

Day 6

 

Had a few generator problems today. Rear bushing is shot and squalling. Found a repair shop with a very friendly and helpful owner. Pulled the rear cap and packed the bushing with grease. Charging good but still noisy.

 

Drove from Toronto to Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. Total mileage so far 2064. Plan is to head to Wisconsin in the morning.

 

Link to todays photos

 

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DonCoatney/library/Billy%20Austin/day%206?sort=3&page=1#/user/DonCoatney/library/Billy%20Austin/day%206?sort=3&page=1&_suid=137920314659805644517480939379

 

 

 

 

 

[Frank Elder]

Over 2000 miles..........you gonna get to drive Don?

[Don Coatney]

I am enjoying the ride. I may drive someday or I may not

[greg g]

All this time and no reports of paper towels in eateries.

[Don Coatney]

Pooped in the woods and used paper towels if that counts.

 

Day 7

 

Rained most of the day. Rain X works well. Drove from Sault Saint Marie to Green Bay across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Today is the opening day of bear season and they are allowed to use dogs. Did not see any bears but lots of hunters. Still fighting a generator issue and have made arrangements to visit a local shop here in Green Bay first thing in the morning. If that fails Young Ed has a spare that he is taking in for a rebuild and we will pick it up from him when we pay him a visit tomorrow evening.

 

Total miles so far 2360

 

Link to a few new pictures.

 

http://smg.photobucket.com/upload?location=Billy Austin/day 7

 

 

 

 

[Merle Coggins]

I talked to the guys today. It sounds like they're having a good time. Unfortunately I was teaching at the motorcycle school today and wasn't able to run up to Green Bay to see them.

 

I hope you guys get the generator issue fixed before you get out west of Ed where the population gets more sparse. Enjoy your cruise across the Badger State. If you get a chance to get some fresh cheese curds don't pass it up. They're the best treat you'll ever find.

[greg g]

Link for pics asking for a sign in.

[steveplym]

Fixed again.  http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DonCoatney/library/Billy%20Austin/day%207

[Don Coatney]

Day 8

 

Total miles so far, 2702.

 

Busy day but not a lot of miles. Drove from Green Bay to Minnapolis. Awoke early and drove from the hotel to an Auto Electric shop for generator repairs.

 

MacDonald Auto Electric

2340 Woodale Ave

Green Bay WI 54313

(920) 499-2186

 

This guy really treated us right. Loaned us his floor jack and jack stand so Billy could remove the generator. Once the genny was removed the shop owner jumped on it. As feared the rear bushing was toast. The bushing was a stock item and was replaced in short order ay a very fair price. While the genny was being repaired Billy gave the car a lube job and topped off all fluid levels. Found one missing zerk and the shop owner loaned me his car so I could go buy a new zwek. He made this offer without us asking. Once the repaired genny was installed and tested we headed to Minnapolis to see Young Ed.

 

Young Ed was aware of our genny issues so he took a spare he had to a repair shop for a refresh.Once we arrived Ed treated us to a ride in his P-15 to pick up the repaired spare genny so we now have a good spare in the trunk. Spent some quality time trying to steal some of Ed's tools from his garage. Had no luck stealing tools so we all (me, Billy, Ed, Carmen, and Leo) went out to eat.

 

Follow this link for todays pictures.

 

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DonCoatney/library/#/user/DonCoatney/library/Billy%20Austin/day%208?sort=3&page=1&_suid=137938307792409134977734867981

 

Spotted this free thing in the alley behind Ed's garage so we loaded it up and will deliver it to Plymouthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shop owners  6 year old son races this kart.

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

what's wrong with this picture...Ed in t-shirt..Billy in a sweat shirt..surprised he did not have the hoodie up.....time to toughen up Billy...!! you running with the big dogs...

[Don Coatney]

Pictures from Young Ed place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Don Coatney]

[TodFitch]

. . . Loaned us his floor jack and jack stand so Billy could remove the generator.  . . .

 

Sounds like you found a good shop to fix that generator. But I am having a bit of difficulty understanding why a jack and jack stand were needed to remove the generator. Mine is most easily installed and removed from the top.

[Don Coatney]

Sounds like you found a good shop to fix that generator. But I am having a bit of difficulty understanding why a jack and jack stand were needed to remove the generator. Mine is most easily installed and removed from the top.

Have you ever had to R&R a generator on a D-24 with a butterfly hood and the battery mounted above the generator?

[TodFitch]

Have you ever had to R&R a generator on a D-24 with a butterfly hood and the battery mounted above the generator?

Thats your problem, the battery is supposed to be under the front seat where nature intended it.

[Don Coatney]

Day 9

 

Drove from Minnapolis to Rapid City, SD. A tad shy of 600 miles. Longest day so far. Total miles to date 3258. Highlight of the day was paying a visit to forum member highpockets. The car is running a tad warm in the mountains. Other than that no issues.

 

Link to todays pictures.

 

http://smg.photobucket.com/upload?location=Billy Austin/day 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[greg g]

Field of Mopars???  Didja change the oil yet??  What range are you getting on a full tank???  Are you planning on visiting with Blueskies?  If you have time the drive though Custer State Park just outside of Rapid City is worth while if wild life is on you agenda.  Saw more there than in Yellowstone.  

[1940plymouth]

If you are headed west towards Sturgis and Spearfish, you will see some beautiful country also.  Not far from Spearfish you can look off into Wyoming, such a beautiful sight.  Also in Spearfish there is a nice fish hatchery that is worth visiting.

 

Was unable to get to open the link again this morning

 

Have a fun trip today

Edited September 18, 2013 by 1940plymouth

[mrwrstory]

Ditto!!!!!!!! Don't seem to be able to open the link that is posted for pics.

[pflaming]

Unless something very unexpected comes up, mrsrstroy and I are going to join up with Don and Bill in Carmel, CA. then caravan down the BIG SUR HYW #1 to Moro Bay. We all invite as many as can to join us. I will drive my truck, Bill his car, Don's 48, maybe Mark Hayward can join us as the official photographer.  So this invitation is to Mopar vehicles at large. 

 

Tentative plans (actually there are no plans yet, except to meet and drive the Sur) are to meet the night before in Carmel,  then spend most of the following day on that 100 mile stretch of awesome coastline. 

 

 

Estimated date mid October. Don will contact me from Seattle. 

Edited September 18, 2013 by pflaming

[TodFitch]

Mid-October might work for me. I will track the timing to see if it will work with my schedule during what is a fairly hectic time of year for me.

[Dave72dt]

Ditto!!!!!!!! Don't seem to be able to open the link that is posted for pics.

It takes me to his photobucket account.  Over in the top left corner in the library, it has "recent uploads".  photos are in there

[1940plymouth]

It takes me to his photobucket account.  Over in the top left corner in the library, it has "recent uploads".  photos are in there

Still didn't work for me:(

[steveplym]

Fixed again. http://smg.photobucket.com/user/DonCoatney/library/Billy%20Austin/day%209

 

For some reason when he posts the link it doesn't highlight the last word, which has to be in the link. 

[Young Ed]

Don are you copying the link from the link bar or using the share options through photobucket?