LoyaleFan Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 This summer, I plan a road trip from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania to Missoula, Montana! Whoa! This trip will be done by My 92 Subaru Loyale, my twin brother Matt, and myself. I bought my Soobie Loyale at 70k miles, it now has 81k and by the time i go to Montana will most likely have 86k miles on it. I have not yet replaced the timing belts, and i dont know if they've ever been replaced. SO! Should i have the belts replaced? To get ready for the trip, should i get anything else replaced? I recently tightened the belts, and they squeaked the next day, anyway.....So, what's the news? I guess, i'm not worried about money, since i'll save it at my own mechanic. Let me know what you think. Sorry if this is long winded...I'm wasted! Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudduck Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Might not be a bad idea to replace the timing belts. Woullnd't hurt to do a tune up and such before your trip also. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 This summer, I plan a road trip from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania to Missoula, Montana! Whoa!... Well, I did this trip just last month. Except it was in the reverse direction. And it started in Seattle-area. And continued to Connecticut. And back. In the snow. Towing a Subaru instead of driving one. It should be a pleasant fun trip. Take your time and enjoy it! Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooziewhatsit Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 I'd recommend changing/carrying new belts (V-belts & Tbelts) with you. When you change the tbelts, just throw the old ones in the back. It stinks being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken alt. belt... ask me how I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 ...It stinks being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken alt. belt... ask me how I know ...and there is PLENTY of nowhere in Montana, and some more getting there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tailgatewagon Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 if you come through bozeman mt ill be here and will be willing to lend a hand if you need some help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 timing belt is pretty much the only thing that can go wrong. make sure your cooling system is in good working order. take a spare thermostat and a jug of coolant. going into altitude in the mountains will make the cooant more likely to boil over if you do the timing belts i recommed leaving all the plastic covers of, so in the event of a belt failure you can fix it of the side of the road in minutes. if you install new belts keep the old ones as spares, you will only need one ratchet, one 12mm socket, and one 22mm or 7/8" socket to make the repair, open belts of course put on your best tires and take a spare, if not 2. keep a gas can with gas for emergency fuel up when going through the more desolate regions like dakota dont pass up any gas stations. if you are 1/2 full and see one tank up, exits can be 50 mile apart, and any town or gas could be 50 miles from the exit take a basic of tools with you, screwdrivers, pliers, wire cuters, spare wire, 10, 12, 14mm wrenches and or sockets. make sure you have a jack and anything to change a tire, in the dark even. any kind of cb radio would be ideal also keep basic survival aids like drinking water and non perishable food, blankets, clothing to keep warm should you be stranded somewhere cold which way do you plan to go? i suggest keeping off the toll roads around chicago, you can catch the 80/90 at the joliet ill. interchange. if you take us 30 from the west side of ohio you can stop by jims or my place for a pit stop. i have made the trip so if you want suggestions which way to go, how far things are apart, i can lend my expertise. somewhere i have a log of my miles and times between stops. pace yourself and dont get tired behind the wheel, dont rush and enjoy the trip! are you going through iowa or the northern states? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty2Austin Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 i just got back from a 1800 mile trip across WA, ID, MT, ND and MN... and we had no belt issues! but.. they were all new.. and I had extras with me! so do yourself a favor, and bring extra belts, and all the needed tools to change them if it happens!! you never know when you pop one, especialy when your 50+ miles from civilization in any direction! good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Real good pointers thus far. I will add Do yourself and your engine a favor and replace the 13 year old radiator. The PA salt has delaminated the cooling fins along the lower portion - no flush will fix it. Word from a neighbor, tell Matt, Skip says "Yo" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 You guyz. Summer of '03 (remember that?) I just climbed into my trusty '87 with over 200,000 miles and timing belt of indeterminant age in Whitefish, MT and drove straight through to Baltimore, MD in a total time of under fifty hours. I did prepare some road emergency supplies, basic tools a couple of road flares, a bag full of cassett tapes and audio books, a bottle of Canadian 2-2-2's a BIG commuter cup and thermos, and a couple of packages of my favorite cheap cigars. Four months later I did the same trip back home (after my design contract was completed), that time I took it easy ... fifty-four hours, but hey, I hit snow all the way across South Dakota. Yeah, make sure the car is in good condition, and take care of the obvious deficincies ... but don't obsess. Hit the road, drive at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the trip ... OH, and welcome to Montana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
operose Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 I plan on taking my '90 (or is it '91?) legacy wagon from here (the extreme top of new york state) to san francisco california and then a whole ************load of other places (maybe visit relatives in alaska?) the only thing I need to do to prepare besides getting the car in tip-top shape which I have plenty of time for, is graduate high-school and quit my ************ty job. then it's on the road time. not sure if my gf is coming with me or not because her mom relies on her to work at the family business most of the time, but it'll be great!! I've been looking for the best route to take for a while now, and I just need to find a way that takes me near people I've met here, on xt6.net, on legacycentral.org and a whole slew of other people I've met on the internet that are spread-eagled across the country ps. I can't wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Real good pointers thus far.I will add Do yourself and your engine a favor and replace the 13 year old radiator. The PA salt has delaminated the cooling fins along the lower portion - no flush will fix it. For sure !_! Radiator, water pump and t-belts would be on the top of my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoyaleFan Posted February 10, 2005 Author Share Posted February 10, 2005 All good advice! I have a feeling my car will be getting a major tune-up for this trip. It should be an awesome time and i'm gettin excited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 I think this deserves the award for Worst Advice Evar I don't THINK so, shadow. Please re-read my post with a little more care. To wit: the following is NOT advice, it is related personal experience. Please point out any sentence in which I advise the poster to follow my actions. "You guyz. Summer of '03 (remember that?) I just climbed into my trusty '87 with over 200,000 miles and timing belt of indeterminant age in Whitefish, MT and drove straight through to Baltimore, MD in a total time of under fifty hours. I did prepare some road emergency supplies, basic tools a couple of road flares, a bag full of cassett tapes and audio books, a bottle of Canadian 2-2-2's a BIG commuter cup and thermos, and a couple of packages of my favorite cheap cigars. Four months later I did the same trip back home (after my design contract was completed), that time I took it easy ... fifty-four hours, but hey, I hit snow all the way across South Dakota." Now, HERE is my advice: it may be different, and more generalized than others, but I hardly think it deserves the approbate as "the worst advice evar[sic]" "Yeah, make sure the car is in good condition, and take care of the obvious deficincies ... but don't obsess. Hit the road, drive at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the trip" And here is my finish: "... OH, and welcome to Montana." BTW, if you ever make the trip, you'll be welcome in Montana too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbslalom Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 Gatorade or Powerade are good beverage choices, they keep you hydrated better than soft drinks like cola or Mt. Dew, plus they have a wide top for ease of use when you don't want to stop to use the facilities. Have Fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 No worries shadow, I didn't take it as an affront, my sarcasim is sometimes too dense. HEY, I did welcome you to Montana! But, now think I know who has been throwing out all those plastic bottles filled with liquid which doesn't match the labels. Man, when I was workin on I-90 from Billings to Spokane I musta seen a thousand of those 'deposits'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 No worries shadow, I didn't take it as an affront, my sarcasim is sometimes too dense. HEY, I did welcome you to Montana! But, now think I know who has been throwing out all those plastic bottles filled with liquid which doesn't match the labels. Man, when I was workin on I-90 from Billings to Spokane I musta seen a thousand of those 'deposits'. Yeah thats really freak'n sick guys. Take 5 damn minutes to pull over and pee like a normal mammal... :-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudduck Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 Makes me think of that scene in Dunb and Dumber, when they get pulled over, and they have all the beer bottles on the floor, but they didn't have beer in them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tin Soldier Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 This is quite the trip. I did it in a plane and big can once. I live in Frankin, PA and visited my aunt in Misoula, MT. I hope to make this trip to drive the in the Moab sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 You guyz. Summer of '03 (remember that?) I just climbed into my trusty '87 with over 200,000 miles and timing belt of indeterminant age in Whitefish, MT and drove straight through to Baltimore, MD in a total time of under fifty hours. I did prepare some road emergency supplies, basic tools a couple of road flares, a bag full of cassett tapes and audio books, a bottle of Canadian 2-2-2's a BIG commuter cup and thermos, and a couple of packages of my favorite cheap cigars. Four months later I did the same trip back home (after my design contract was completed), that time I took it easy ... fifty-four hours, but hey, I hit snow all the way across South Dakota. Yeah, make sure the car is in good condition, and take care of the obvious deficincies ... but don't obsess. Hit the road, drive at a speed that is comfortable for you and enjoy the trip ... OH, and welcome to Montana. And the guy met us at Pine Barrens (south Jersey) and went 4wheelin with us. I have to confess,I have no idea what Canadian 2-2-2's are but I'm guessing they're about one quarter strength of the 8-8-8's we popped back in the late 70's,early 80's......Strictly for medicinal puposes,of course. I'd say to do as folks mentioned,better to have a slightly large care kit than one that falls short at the wrong time,in the wrong place,etc. There's foil duct tape,even better than the regular but not a bad idea to have both.The foil type can really save your skin.Excellent quick water seal,and heat resistance all in one. Lightbulbs,hoses,belts,tools,blanket,map of truck stops..... Just ask NorthWet,he's the Ultimate Trans-USA victim,er uhh,warrior.He's done it all,and he just did it recently.And I thank him dearly!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbslalom Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 You are suppossed to empty the bottle out when you do stop and than wash it out and recycle it. Throwing plastic bottles out the window empty or not is just wrong. Just so you don't think that recycling the bottles after they have been used is disgusting, urine is sterile when it leaves the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 i worked as maintenance at a truck stop and found all kinds of bottles of pee and ziplock bags of dook the truckers would toss behind their trucks as they parked for the night. i would have rather found the dook on the ground, where i wouldn have had to pick it up, let nature recycle it. pornos with stuck pages too. them truckers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted February 11, 2005 Share Posted February 11, 2005 And the guy met us at Pine Barrens (south Jersey) and went 4wheelin with us.I have to confess,I have no idea what Canadian 2-2-2's are Hi Paulie, yeah that was fun, altho' it finally killed the left front wheel bearing that had been complaining for a week or so. Made it back to Pasadena, MD tho', and got it fixed. Did anyone ever get any pics of the "soobie train" gang-pulling the Legacy out of the sand trap? 2-2-2's are Canadian over-the-counter aspirin with codeine and caffine, very effective for headache and fatigue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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