Hey guys I just bought a 1962 Strato Chief in Edmonton - 3900kms from my home in Toronto and I intend to drive it home in a few weeks. I am having a mechanic look it over before I take off but any suggestions of things to look for before I take off are welcome. It's got 100k original miles on it and seems to be in great shape, currently insured and running, was used all last summer. Going to do oil changes on my way home and maybe run some seafoam through her to see if that helps. I have done a ton of research on the car and the 261 seems to be an epic engine like the Ford 6's I am familiar with. Yah I have a 68 F100 also love Pontiacs. Any info on where you guys are getting engine parts would be appreciated and if anyone has tossed a Petronix in theirs I would be curious to see what their thoughts are about that. I did it to a 86 Windsor and it worked great.
I really appreciate all the info you guys have in the forum and I will continue to comb through a ton of it, reading all the info you guys have put up there. Thank you for having me in your community! I'm down to meet up on my way home, I will be taking the Canadian route the whole way.
David
-- Edited by Morty on Friday 13th of May 2022 09:46:08 PM
DonSSDD said
Mar 23, 2022
Id do Pertronics and Seafoam, check age of tires, heater, oil and grease, universals, fan belts, what transmission does it have? Check fluids in rear end, transmission, check all lights are working. Post your route and if you need help, you may find someone nearby. Thats a start.
Id try to drive it a few days before leaving for the trip to check it out.
Welcome to an exclusive club, we need pictures!!
4SPEED427 said
Mar 23, 2022
Sounds like a fun adventure. Just offering if you happen to run into any need for assistance in the Winnipeg area I am only about 30 minutes south of Winnipeg. I have a fairly well equipped garage so if you're running into a snag feel free to contact me. If you would like contact information for me other than this site just send me a private message and I'd be happy to give you that.
oshawacliff said
Mar 23, 2022
Sounds like an excellent opportunity for some breakfast meetings as you pilot your way home
Morty said
Mar 23, 2022
Don! 4speed427! Thank you so much for replying. I will absolutely get those items checked. Apparently everything works as it should, BUT it will be looked over prior to my drive. I will post my route. As for the transmission I honestly have no idea what is in it -it is the manual shift 3 speed on the column - what were the options for that period? I did some digging but the answer I got was there were two kinds used but they were essentially the same, same final drive output etc. I really appreciate the offer and I will swing by if I have the time near Winnipeg !
DonSSDD said
Mar 23, 2022
3 on the tree was likely Saginaw, rear end likely 3.36, pretty solid setup if you dont go drag racing. Drop by Carls place, he probably could do a 427 4 speed in no time. Check the clutch too, if it was a powerglide, youd have a lot more to check. All the old trannies were 1:1 final drive ratio.
-- Edited by DonSSDD on Wednesday 23rd of March 2022 03:49:22 PM
cdnpont said
Mar 23, 2022
Epic roadtrip, and welcome Morty! You are lucky in that that car has been a driver recently and as such should be proven to be capable of a extended drive.
I agree with all Don said. While I am 100% a Pertronix fan, in your case I'd be inclined to leave for the trip on the points. Do the conversion when you get home.
Guys this is awesome! I did this last year with a 1964 Mercury Comet and it was epic. I really wanted a 3 on the tree car so the Comet is sold and the Pontiac is in! For those who have done it, the northern part of Ontario, the route that hugs Lake Superior is wild. Up by Schreiber and Marathon. I have never ever driven up something so steep, not even in BC. I think the poor Comet with its 170 and a C4 came out of some of those hills going about 30kmh or less. I think I'll take the longer flatter route this time.
Great advice on the points cdnpont - I kinda want to do it myself and if its running right why mess with it right before a huge drive. Thats what I found DonSSDD - I think Saginaw was a plant it was manufactured in. Either way Im excited for this.
Morty said
Mar 23, 2022
Question for the crew - What is the general lifetime of the 261 engine, how long do they last. I 100% know this based on use, care, maintenance etc but would these do 200K+ miles like some of the other 6 cylinder engines made (thinking of the Ford 300 here)? Just wondering if I might be in for a rebuild or if I am for sure in for a rebuild. Thank you
1961ragtop said
Mar 23, 2022
Hi Monty. Sounds like a fabulous trip! I would also have the drive-shaft hanger bearing checked before the trip and be inclined to have a spare on hand for the trip. Best of luck on the trip! John
4SPEED427 said
Mar 23, 2022
Morty wrote:
I really appreciate the offer and I will swing by if I have the time near Winnipeg !
You will come around Winnipeg on the south bypass and I'm 30 minutes south. Even if you're only stopping for gas we can at least catch a coffee at Macdonalds (1 block away from the bypass) on your way through. I'm retired so as long as I have no commitments we can make it work.
Canadian Poncho said
Mar 23, 2022
Welcome aboard Morty. If possilbe start a thread when you begin your journey and document your trip. We'd love to see photos and hear about your adventure as it is happening!
Morty said
Mar 23, 2022
I 100% will do that and I will also stop and chat to anyone who wants to grab a coffee, look at my rig and make any suggestions. Thank you all again for responding. Im sure I will be asking lots of questions in future and now I can be a stop for the community in Toronto should anyone need a car looked at, a place to stay or any other local recommendations.
seventy2plus2 said
Mar 23, 2022
To be honest, I don't think I'd bother with the Pertronix conversion for the trip, just one more thing to go wrong. Put in new points, condensor, rotor, cap, plugs & wires (doing this on a 6 cylinder should only take you about hour at most). Change all the rubber hoses (vacuum & fuel lines) as well as the fan belt and be on your way. It'd be wise to bring a spare fan belt, rad hoses and heater hose. All that, plus some booster cables.
I bought a 70 2+2 from the original owner in Nanaimo, and drove it back to Calgary. While waiting at the Nanaimo ferry terminal I got looking at the electrical system, and found almost everything was disconnected. The car was in need of a tune-up on departure, and was definitely in need of one by the time I got back to Calgary. And both horns quit working on the way home!!!!
Greaser said
Mar 23, 2022
Morty,
Before going I'd calculate the cost of the whole trip.
Cost of gas ($1.65 a litre ),accommodations,meals ect.
You might find that it might be cheaper (or almost cheaper) to get it 3900 kilometers without worrying
about the car making the trip. It might just be easier to ship the car home.
Just something to think about.
Welcome to CP.
-G
Morty said
Mar 23, 2022
You're not wrong about that - I will look into it. However I love a good road trip and its a good opportunity to get to know the car. It is a bit wild to buy a car sight unseen, drive it 3900kms but its also exciting. I hope to get to meet some of you guys along the way.
4SPEED427 said
Mar 23, 2022
A member here a few years ago bought a 1964 F*** that had been sitting in a shed for just over 30 years. After a bit of a refresh (fan belts, new tires, pack wheel bearings etc) he drove it 2100 Km's from southern Mb to near Toronto with virtually no issues (Seems to me he had minor carb issues maybe?
Go for it!
Pontiacanada said
Mar 24, 2022
Welcome from Canada's east coast!
Are you going to call it "Mort" like Neil Young's old hearse?
Morty said
Mar 24, 2022
Thats the kind of inspiration I need! Thanks for this!
67Poncho said
Mar 24, 2022
We are all the way along the drive with you... if you take the Yellowhead (#16) from Edmonton, there are many members in "Stoontown as well as myself right on the highway 2.5hrs east of 'Stoon. We will be sure to lend a helpong hand if needed or just a visit.
Here are 2 of my adventures, one I have yet to finish the story to after nearly 6 years!
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Thursday 24th of March 2022 04:50:06 PM
Morty said
Mar 24, 2022
You know what I might, I'll decide when I hit the prairies!
Morty said
Mar 24, 2022
Thanks 67 Poncho - I will post my dates when I know them and I will for sure meet up and we can take a look at this new rig. Thanks for sharing your travels, I just love this stuff. I will be in touch
hawkeye5766 said
Mar 25, 2022
Welcome to CP from the West Coast (Sooke) . Road trip??!! Went from Victoria to Winnipeg with my Canso a few years back. Almost 6000 km in 7 days of driving! Trip of a lifetime, meeting members and having them put us up for the night (or two) !! As what to take..foam tire fill or good spare, first aid kit (all thumbs like me), fire extinguisher and a good cooler. Don't worry..have fun and enjoy the ride...what else is there?? My road trip Planning a trip "Heading East" with the Canso. AGAIN! - Canadian Poncho (activeboard.com)
-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Friday 25th of March 2022 01:42:15 AM
pontiax said
Mar 25, 2022
If you leave points in the car, throw a points file in the glove box. cheap insurance to keep you off the side of the road.
hope to see you on the southside of Winnipeg with your newly acquired Poncho. As said before- post pictures when you can.
-Pete
67Poncho said
Mar 25, 2022
With regards to keeping points? I agree with the guys here. Although I did buy a pertronix kit, I have witnessed the issues it may cause as well as heard. I bought my wagon with the points in it and it had @ 98,000 on the odom. I believe there is @ 119,000 on it now. The trip to Newfoundland was @ 7830mi. I set the dwell twice and those points still sit under the cap to this day.
Hey guys I just bought a 1962 Strato Chief in Edmonton - 3900kms from my home in Toronto and I intend to drive it home in a few weeks. I am having a mechanic look it over before I take off but any suggestions of things to look for before I take off are welcome. It's got 100k original miles on it and seems to be in great shape, currently insured and running, was used all last summer. Going to do oil changes on my way home and maybe run some seafoam through her to see if that helps. I have done a ton of research on the car and the 261 seems to be an epic engine like the Ford 6's I am familiar with. Yah I have a 68 F100 also love Pontiacs. Any info on where you guys are getting engine parts would be appreciated and if anyone has tossed a Petronix in theirs I would be curious to see what their thoughts are about that. I did it to a 86 Windsor and it worked great.
I really appreciate all the info you guys have in the forum and I will continue to comb through a ton of it, reading all the info you guys have put up there. Thank you for having me in your community! I'm down to meet up on my way home, I will be taking the Canadian route the whole way.
David
-- Edited by Morty on Friday 13th of May 2022 09:46:08 PM
Id try to drive it a few days before leaving for the trip to check it out.
Welcome to an exclusive club, we need pictures!!
Sounds like an excellent opportunity for some breakfast meetings as you pilot your way home
3 on the tree was likely Saginaw, rear end likely 3.36, pretty solid setup if you dont go drag racing. Drop by Carls place, he probably could do a 427 4 speed in no time. Check the clutch too, if it was a powerglide, youd have a lot more to check. All the old trannies were 1:1 final drive ratio.
-- Edited by DonSSDD on Wednesday 23rd of March 2022 03:49:22 PM
Epic roadtrip, and welcome Morty! You are lucky in that that car has been a driver recently and as such should be proven to be capable of a extended drive.
I agree with all Don said. While I am 100% a Pertronix fan, in your case I'd be inclined to leave for the trip on the points. Do the conversion when you get home.
Help on the road, https://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t67506114/north-american-cp-members-the-help-resource/
Great advice on the points cdnpont - I kinda want to do it myself and if its running right why mess with it right before a huge drive. Thats what I found DonSSDD - I think Saginaw was a plant it was manufactured in. Either way Im excited for this.
You will come around Winnipeg on the south bypass and I'm 30 minutes south. Even if you're only stopping for gas we can at least catch a coffee at Macdonalds (1 block away from the bypass) on your way through. I'm retired so as long as I have no commitments we can make it work.
I 100% will do that and I will also stop and chat to anyone who wants to grab a coffee, look at my rig and make any suggestions. Thank you all again for responding. Im sure I will be asking lots of questions in future and now I can be a stop for the community in Toronto should anyone need a car looked at, a place to stay or any other local recommendations.
I bought a 70 2+2 from the original owner in Nanaimo, and drove it back to Calgary. While waiting at the Nanaimo ferry terminal I got looking at the electrical system, and found almost everything was disconnected. The car was in need of a tune-up on departure, and was definitely in need of one by the time I got back to Calgary. And both horns quit working on the way home!!!!
Morty,
Before going I'd calculate the cost of the whole trip.
Cost of gas ($1.65 a litre ),accommodations,meals ect.
You might find that it might be cheaper (or almost cheaper) to get it 3900 kilometers without worrying
about the car making the trip. It might just be easier to ship the car home.
Just something to think about.
Welcome to CP.
-G
You're not wrong about that - I will look into it. However I love a good road trip and its a good opportunity to get to know the car. It is a bit wild to buy a car sight unseen, drive it 3900kms but its also exciting. I hope to get to meet some of you guys along the way.
Go for it!
Welcome from Canada's east coast!
Are you going to call it "Mort" like Neil Young's old hearse?
Thats the kind of inspiration I need! Thanks for this!
We are all the way along the drive with you... if you take the Yellowhead (#16) from Edmonton, there are many members in "Stoontown as well as myself right on the highway 2.5hrs east of 'Stoon. We will be sure to lend a helpong hand if needed or just a visit.
Here are 2 of my adventures, one I have yet to finish the story to after nearly 6 years!
Traveling East Central Saskie Across Canada to The Rock With The Great Estate! - Canadian Poncho (activeboard.com)
This one was MUCH more of a hair raising adventure.....
Road Trip From Victoria, BC To Saskatchewan - Canadian Poncho (activeboard.com)
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Thursday 24th of March 2022 04:50:06 PM
You know what I might, I'll decide when I hit the prairies!
Thanks 67 Poncho - I will post my dates when I know them and I will for sure meet up and we can take a look at this new rig. Thanks for sharing your travels, I just love this stuff. I will be in touch
Welcome to CP from the West Coast (Sooke) . Road trip??!! Went from Victoria to Winnipeg with my Canso a few years back. Almost 6000 km in 7 days of driving! Trip of a lifetime, meeting members and having them put us up for the night (or two) !! As what to take..foam tire fill or good spare, first aid kit (all thumbs like me), fire extinguisher and a good cooler.
Don't worry..have fun and enjoy the ride...what else is there?? My road trip Planning a trip "Heading East" with the Canso. AGAIN! - Canadian Poncho (activeboard.com)
-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Friday 25th of March 2022 01:42:15 AM
If you leave points in the car, throw a points file in the glove box. cheap insurance to keep you off the side of the road.
hope to see you on the southside of Winnipeg with your newly acquired Poncho. As said before- post pictures when you can.
-Pete
With regards to keeping points? I agree with the guys here. Although I did buy a pertronix kit, I have witnessed the issues it may cause as well as heard. I bought my wagon with the points in it and it had @ 98,000 on the odom. I believe there is @ 119,000 on it now. The trip to Newfoundland was @ 7830mi. I set the dwell twice and those points still sit under the cap to this day.