88 orangepeel notch

Since it's kinda slow in here lately, I thought I'd share a feel good story.

My wife and I left last Saturday on this year's Hot Rod Power Tour. Followed it from Madison Wi, to Champaign Il., to St. Loius, then down to Memphis Tn. Being our first time, we didn't quit know what to expect. But after leaving the tour on Wednesday to come home for prior plans, we're already planning for next year's tour. It was a blast, like a never ending cruise night. We didn't know anyone at the beginning, but every stop over we met nothing but the nicest, friendliest people. No attitudes at all, no matter what you were driving.

I spent the last three weeks going thru my 88, double checking everything I could think of. I replaced the old worn out valve seals that burned a quart every 500 miles, with Viton seals from Alex's Parts, and didn't burn a drop in the 1800 mile trip. I replaced the clutch packs in the 8.8 and thru in set of Moser axles for the drag racing in St.Loius and Memphis. All in all, the car ran perfect, not one hicup along the way. I rewired my electric fan the correct way and temps never climbed over 200 even when stuck in traffic for an hour in 90+ temps.

Which, by the way, you southern folk can keep that crap. How do you do anything outside in that sunny, humid weather. That really sucks lol.





Champaign Ill. stop<br/>





Staging lanes in St.Loius.





Picture from Hot Rod website, in St.Loius.





All loaded up for the trip home from Memphis.


All in all, if you ever get the chance to run the tour for a couple days, I doubt you'd regret it. A "Bucket List" must.

jwog666

glad to hear it was a good time. i wanted to go in the worst way, but too many other obligations. it is on my list for sure.

88 orangepeel notch

You won't regret it. I thought they would take the shortest route to the next city, meaning 4 lane highway. But in reality, 90% of the routes are 2 lane country roads that run thru all these small towns were it seems everybody takes off work and camps out for the day to watch all the cars go by. I felt like I was in a parade the first 2 days. Much more enjoyable than all highway.

jwog666

awesome, i hope i can go next year!

jwog666

https://www.facebook.com/events/595338057243078/


here is a FB link to an event in wi dells, its an all ford show in oct. i am going for the first time, but a guy i work with has gone for several years, its always a good time according to him, and its for charity

88 orangepeel notch

Thanks for the link, I'll put it on the calendar.

bluebeastsrt

Looks like a blast. Now get your helmet on at the drag strip!!!

9redfox3

Very nice thanks for sharing !

88 orangepeel notch

lol, no room for helmets on this trip. Car was packed pretty tight.

You should have seen tech, if your car had 4 tires, you were good. The worst part was the heat, mid 90's and having to roll the windows up 2 cars out from the water box. That gets HOT inside the car.

Best run was a 13.5 @ 105, 2.15 60ft. I've never raced my car on street tires after the T5 swap so it was a learning curve to hook.

No great times from other cars either, new 5.0s were in the lower 14's to upper 13's at 108-109. Hellcats were low 12's at 118-120.

Never got lined up with anything close except a newer vette, but he missed 2nd on our run and that was it. Otherwise my other runs were against a mid 90's Grand Prix, a 70 442 that wasn't driven well, and a new F350 Crew Cab. And a solo run where my radio slid out on the shift to 2nd, blocking my shift to 3rd lol.

It was a fun trip.

Chromeshadow

Cool, I might make it. Be great to see 88, btw are you meeting at Mickeys again this year?