[RedRaven]

Well guys I made it home first off!! What an adventure eh???!!!


Ok so I started out from Dublin at about 07.00 I was running late so I just had time to throw the mite into the car and carefully place a few bags also . It was a cold start so away I went, got about ½ mile down the road when she cut out at the traffic lights…running like a pig to be fair. I made it as far a the quays along the river Liffey which runs almost right to the ferry port she cut out in morning traffic I looked at the time it was 07.15 I think and I thought right that’s it I will never make the 08.00 ferry to Holyhead ..then in my mirror who pulls up behind me in on the inside lane..only the bold Mo Malone ladies and gentlemen…and hauling a Sox and Martin Duster!!

The lads pulled in and we pushed it to the side of the road and popped the hood to have a gander, whipped off the air cleaner and took out the rough as a bears arse element, the lads tweaked the mix to get more fuel in and left off the element and it fired enough to get me going, just then the Gardai (Irish police) showed up and one of them started to flap his chops about driving in the bus lane so I floored it and pulled in front of them, they sat on my tail the whole way down past O Connell St. I’d say they were just waiting for me to make a mistake to pull me and slap me with a ticket . I had to ride both pedals to keep her alive at every traffic light, made it down to the ferry still running like a pig, straight up the ramp and on to the boat….We made it!!

So spent three hours getting across the Irish Sea I though right that will be plenty time to settle if engine flooding was the issue, anyway got the other side and tried to start her, no luck..the stuarts had to push me off the boat!!

I got her started on the dock and made it up the rest of the lads and again they had a quick look, one or two of the leads had some heat damage from the exhaust manifold so Vinnie swapped em over and it made a bit of a difference so away we went I got about 500 metres and got stuck behind a car and a transit van at a red light and that was it I had lost the lads …I tried to catch up but she was running slow but Mo left me a trail of texts with directions so that was cool I just followed them for a while.

I made it as far as LLandulas in North Wales and had to refuel, I rolled on the forecourt and filled her up, When I tried to start her she wasn’t having any of it so I pumped the pedal a bit and she started got about ten feet and she stopped again so I turned the key and whhooff up went the carb..no big bang she was just snotting flame out of the out dual snorkel and the two hood scoops…I hopped out and was looking for a CO2 and couldn’t find one at this stage I began to think right here we go when I came out of the shop the lad working there already had a foam nozzle jammed up the hood scoop and was spraying away so I thought it will be fine then foam will cover the block and what ever petrol is in the carb will burn itself off.
I just hoped the wiring and electrics were ok and no foam got into the carb.
The lad who worked at the station fair play to him he done as he was trained I suppose, he then shut down the station and called the fire brigade as this is protocol Im told, when they arrived about 12-15 mins later the fire chief came up and said right lets have a look then, so I opened up the hood and I was relieved to see the engine the same was it was bar some black smoke on the inner wing etc.

So he said, “Right what we are going to do is dowse the whole engine bay will a high power fire hose”, I looked at him and said “Right what was the going to achieve….he looked at me funny and I said “The fire is out, its 12 or so mins since, its cooling down now , I added” I bet if I take off this air cleaner lid it will be dry as a bone”…so he said “ok lets see it”..I took off the lid and right enough it was, he said “fine we won’t need to use the water” so I took out the battery as well just to put him at ease.

Before he went he took my details and left me with what I considered to be a warning of some sort he I said “I’m advising you to see a mechanic before you continue your journey sir and ensure car is ok because I don’t want to have to come here again in 20mins or so to do the same thing”.

I phoned Mo and told him to continue on without me and I would try to catch up..they were only about 500 metres away from me on the motor way as it turned out but large trees were blocking visibility.. anyway I didn’t want to stop the whole convoy just for me so away they went.

I read between the lines of what the fire chief had said and decided to call the AA, they arrived about 1.40 mins later and when the AA guy got out he said “ok lets have a go at starting her up before we go any further”.. I turned the key and she fired up..still rough but fired none the less..I had made up my mind that when she cools down she was a bit happier…So I had the AA guy confirm that I was ok to continue my journey so her away I went.

I travelled as a far as I could and got to Sandbach I think and refuelled..I left her on the forecourt for a bout 1hr 20 mins and let her cool down, I came back and she fired up and away I went again I avoided B’ham and took the A50 and linked up with the M1, I got to Leicester and done the same thing with a refill of gas…. it was dark by then, I was about 34 miles from Northampton and I thought right I’m in reach of this…on the way there I realized I had lost me speedo and couldn’t tell how fast I was going ah well it didn’t matter as I was struggling at this stage I’m sure looking back at it now I was running 4 maybe 6 cyl. at this stage.

I got to N’Hants and got to the 509, I couldn’t roll up the windows because the fuel and air mix was so rich I was stinging my eyes.

Id made it to Poddington and it was pitch dark with no signs for Santa Pod…all the little winding roads looked the same…..I made it to the entrance by following what appeared to be some local lad piled into a vanette (obviously on the beer), I drove up to the gate and I thought wow the auld girl actually got me here……… as Dunc would say Mustard!!!

Since my 8 year old son Cian was out for the count in the back I spent a while looking for Mo and the lads but I couldn’t find them so I just I pulled up and pitched the tent and we crashed for the night.

The next day I moved the car (all the instruments on the dash had gone at this stage all flat) to where the lads had parked and went for a stroll..I was great I met up with the Crewe posse…Big Dunc, Ray and the rascal himself “THE BRI”!!

I popped over to see Ivor and the gang, I met Tony O and Jim, I met AndyRob and Rebel, I found Robbo on the top of Andys rolling palace so I said hello and went straight down to Pascal in Sixpack Speed Shop for parts…New plugs, new MSD 8.5mm, new oil filter, oil, couldn’t find a new air filter element..

I was frog marched back to the car by Robbo and Dave 999 came over too and they set about a Santa Pod Mopar 101 class….I was all ears, they done the carb mix, the timing, it was sounding a lot better, when they got the other 4 or 2 cyl pumping a big plum of black smoke sot out the pipes..my eyes widened!!

Dave said don’t worry she’s just clearing the muck out like man!!

The lads had done the job on the carb and timing etc, I changed the leads over and found some nasty heat damage on the leads which was a huge factor on the problems I imagine.

Had a few drinks that night with some of the crew and met more of the crew, Nanner and Connor 69 and Budgie. Some had already heard of my Woes !!

The next day I changed the fuel filter and the plugs for fresh ones…Thanks to AndyRob for letting me use his spanners etc.

There was still a clattering noise for the exhaust manifold, it just needs a new gasket and I think one of the bolts had seized so it was a bitch to get off, I will do it during the week, I just didn’t want it to shear off over there and not have a fresh one to replace it with.

My car at the moment sounds like a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T M/F. Road Track / Massey Ferguson!!

Whilst I was under the car changing the plugs a big German lad cam up the engine bay and started to read the vin and was listing off the decode like he was reading from a book, I got up and I was amazed at how well he was able to list the VIN without having a reference book and all I could think to say was….VOT IS YOUR NAME!!

Anyway he asked me about the car, me and where I was from etc, he left and returned 15 mins later and said your won a comp, I thought that nice I had no idea what it was but it cheered me up a bit as I did need it.

Went down to pick up me prize…Further distance prize I got…but judging from the pics I think I got the boobie prize..cheers Drogo!! I don’t think Dublin is a huge distance, but I do think I had the most trouble getting there.

I said me goodbyes to all I could find took some more photos etc, got back to the car and tried to start her..she was out of fuel ha ha..Mo had a bit in his jerry can so that was enough to get to Tescos for a full tank with Budgie leading the way.

The funniest bit of the whole weekend was as we filled up in Tescos I got back in the car and closed the car door as I did the drivers side mirror fell off had hit the ground, I reckon the screws came loose from all the engine vibrations over the journey. I drove it around the tescos car park to prevent her from over heating as the rest of the gang filled up with petrol I bet that looked funny.

Budgie brought us about 25 miles out of his way to avoid an accident in B’HAM the info screens on the M1 , we also passed a massive car fire on the way as well..though myself lucky there and then I can tell you what with my little mishap.

Anyway, she travelled the whole way at about 70 mph all the way to Holyhead with not a bother to her….

Made it on to the ferry and said right Ive made it there and back so just a short run home and I’m safe.

Well guys that’s all I can remember from a hectic weekend…real flying by the seat of me pants stuff, I could have said no I will turn back on a couple of occasions but I had a real desire to get there to meet the guys and experience the Nats, I also thought if anybody can help me with car it’s the MMA boys and that’s exactly what they did, the lads from Ireland Mo, Bill, Gary, Vinny, Brian.. they looked after me as well, good guys no doubt…..thanks lads…..living the dream Bill!!

My only regret was not getting the chance to run her on the strip but since we got her back running I thought Id better not take the chance just in case, getting my boy and the car home was my first priority .

So it was great to meet everyone at last, and a big thanks to all who helped me with the car I wont forget it, I will be back next year and I will run her on the strip!!

Enjoy the pics....


Thanks MMA!!

RedRaven.
Wayne.

[dave-r]

Glad you made it back OK.

I laughed out loud to myself when you said that bit about the mirror falling off.

My wife Diana saw you getting your prize with those two girls while I nipped to the bogs for a slash. I wonder if that is why she is keeping a hold of your hand there in that photo?

[RedRaven]

Ha Ha...I cant show the missus that photo or I will get a six match ban Dave!!!

[dave-r]

Oh and it was dirt in the secondary fuel bowl valve that was causing the mad leak on Reds Challenger. I pulled it out and blew through it to clear it. Then, with it being a side float Holley with no easy way of setting the fuel level, I put it back in enough to make sure the float was low enough to stop the leak.

Dave999 is an Oz Charger owner and good chap. He helped with tools and got his hands dirty even more than me on that Saturday.

AndyRob lives local to me and runs a 66 Coronet called "Big Red and Loud" and he lent his tools and the facilities of his large RV on the Sunday for Red to do more work on his car (under my supervision from the shade) which was enough to make sure he got home OK.

But I still worried until I saw his post here tonight!

[drewcrane]

they hand out long distance awards or the sympathy awards, at some shows you should get both of those, man i cant believe that you stayed with it, you are a dedicated man,so how much gas did you actually go through? sounds like alot of miles,and a great story!

[dave-r]

[Eddie]

Excellent adventure!(I laughed so hard I cried), not at you Wayne--For you! Great story! It's always times like those that are remembered the best. I am happy you made it home Wayne! Glad Dave and the lads were there to aid you. I noticed Dave's wife holding your hand very tight! Sorry you didnt have your car there Dave. I am proud that you tried as hard as you did and we all know how hard you worked to get it there on time.

[RedRaven]

Livin the dream Eddie.....Thats what Bill who owns the Cuda says I really like him hes nuts!!!

Mine one goes like this "Livin the dream...surviving the nightmare"!!

[drewcrane]

"Livin the dream...surviving the nightmare"!!,and then getting up and going to work

[Eddie]

Yep, you're a true MoPar Man Wayne! I bet you learned a lot too!

[RedRaven]

Yep, you're a true MoPar Man Wayne! I bet you learned a lot too!

Yes Eddie I did indeed I tried to listen to what Dave was saying and watched what he was doing..Id still be a bit unsure on some off it, Id need to do it a couple of times but Im in better nick now that I was 48 hours ago, I know what to look out for and how to fix it!!

[jh27n0b]

Great story Wayne. Glad you made it. This is what is is all about. Good car when it is running well and great friends when it is not running so well.
Bob

[fal308]

Sounds like quite the adventure. How much fuel did you go through? It sounds like you filled up almost every time you stopped.
I learned a long time ago that you have to have a sense of humor when driving an older car any distance. BTDT. Just remember, next year you'll be laughing about it over a beer at the Nat's. Plus you'll be be butt of many jokes. All in good humor though, I'm sure.
Glad it all turned out okay.

[RedRaven]

Sounds like quite the adventure. How much fuel did you go through? It sounds like you filled up almost every time you stopped.
I learned a long time ago that you have to have a sense of humor when driving an older car any distance. BTDT. Just remember, next year you'll be laughing about it over a beer at the Nat's. Plus you'll be be butt of many jokes. All in good humor though, I'm sure.
Glad it all turned out okay.

I only stopped cause I had to haha....if I could have I would have had a rollin refuel!!!

The only way I can stop being the butt of many jokes will be to whip this photo of the gaffer out....this is Dave doing his Tina Turner impression!!

Robbo Turner..."simply the best like"!!!

[fal308]