I got back yesterday after putting just over 1500 miles running back and forth through the Rockies. Elevation changes from 600ft to 6800.
I'd decided to go despite the oil leak. The first 650 miles was at relatively low speeds as over 80 cars wove their way through the mountains. The dipstick still read full the 4th morning. The speeds that day were in the 65-75mph range, and I found the oil level down a full quart, and the bottom of my Elco pretty well rust-proofed at days end. Ran two more days at 45-55mph and no oil used. Yesterday my wife drove that last leg, and she was hoofing it. Down one quart, and the undercarriage dripping with oil again. It seems that windage has a great deal to do with the oil leak.
Total trip mileage hasn't been computed yet as I've still got to fill the tank after yesterday's run, but it's been in the 22 range all week. The 250 has no trouble pulling the 3.36 gear + overdrive, having found only 3 passes that needed direct.
I was really pleased with the result and the plans for a 250 in my '37 2dr are underway. Tom (tlowe) had freshened up a Saginaw/Borgwarner OD for me, and he thought the 250 would be quite happy with the 3.36 rear gear and OD(normally the OD came with 3.73s), and he was right. Pulling all but the steepest grades was easy, the reduced rpm made it much quieter, and the mileage was great. A big thankyou, Tom.
I've got some chores to catch up on, and then I'll pull the engine on the Valdez as it is now known, and attempt to stem the leak.
Last edited by Greybeard; 06/23/08 05:08 PM.
