Tomorrow

[comet_666]

As it stands right now, I am set to pick my car up tomorrow and drive it home! This will be the first time in almost 10 years I have driven it! I am so excited! This will also be the first time driving it with an automatic, a 512 stroker motor , 3.23 gears and the dakota digital dash.
The place is an hour away so I am a bit anxious of having "issues" on the drive back especially in the 90 degree heat. I do have AAA+ though and am having my gf follow me home just in case.
Any bits of advice?

[ws23rt]

Drive as fast as you can so you get home before something goes wrong.

I know what it feels like stepping out for a distance the first time.    Your gf following and the AAA card are good items of comfort and would help put me at ease.

If you are ok with what your guages are telling you  (like the fuel guage for example )  I'd say you are set.

[b5blue]

  Ya may wanna drive around for a 1/2 hour or so just to cycle everything and shake things up a bit before heading back home. I can relate, I've done much to my car over the last few years and basically confirmed operation a bit then moved into the next change right away. Now that I've driven about 200 miles over the last month my trust is building back up to where it was. On the way home from work today I got to confirm my disk brake swap works as someone stopped in front of me in short order to do a goofy U turn in 45MPH traffic. 
  Good Luck!   

[Mike DC]

 
Agreed.  Spend the first 20 minutes driving around but staying within a few miles of the shop.  Run it up to highway speed, go around town, etc. 

[68X426]

If something breaks/fails during the first test drive, is there somewhere along the way to "drop" it off?  Meaning one or two friends where it would be temporarily safe, and even fixable, so as to avoid the hassle of a tow? (a tow home and then another tow is a hassle).

Best wishes for success!

[TexasStroker]

Very nice...enjoy it!

I'd also discretely cruise around within close vicinity of the shop...that way, if something goes wrong, you can have them come help, lol.

I imagine everything will be fine...hope you have gas money 

[XH29N0G]

I did the same.  The shop owner asked if he could drive it for a week or so to shake things loose.  His description was basically first he would drive around a bit, and then take it on a longer drive, etc.... and I let him (after all he had done all the work).  The trip was warm (I don't think 90's but it could have been).  and I started on back roads, but migrated to highways and beltways.  After 2.5 hours I was home, had a lot of thumbs up, and was very happy.  I hope your drive is as fun. 

If you don't have experience with the 512 or something like it in these cars, I would take it easy.  I babied it home, and then it took a while for me to learn how to drive.  If you are like many on here with experience driving cars like yours then ignore what I just wrote.  I went from a 383 to a fairly stout 452 and it completely changed the car.   

[Patronus]

Why don't you bring some tools, sockets n' such? You'll be sure to make it.

[comet_666]

Thanks guys! I made it. 1 hiccup while getting gas. realized fuel return line was not attached to anything and wide open. Quickly fixed. Seemed to run at around 195 ish or 205. hard to tell with the dakota digital dash.

[b5blue]

Yea!!  WTF...return line open or missing!    Now drive it bunches! 

[comet_666]

Yea!!  WTF...return line open or missing!    Now drive it bunches! 

Wide open lol
I have to block it off now and get a gas cap.

[keepat]

very cool! congrats! So after ten years how was it driving your Charger??
Pat

[ws23rt]

   This is what we (the folks that have extra long projects) need to here. 
It seems like the longer the project the greater the apprehension.

[comet_666]

It was a blast to drive but I was very anxious as well, in a way this still feels like the same car I have owned for over 20 years. I have had a bunch of thumbs up and people asking me about it. Not sure if people are rude or what but I have been asked 3x in 24 hrs how old I am. Who does that?

[XH29N0G]

It was a blast to drive but I was very anxious as well, in a way this still feels like the same car I have owned for over 20 years. I have had a bunch of thumbs up and people asking me about it. Not sure if people are rude or what but I have been asked 3x in 24 hrs how old I am. Who does that?

Sounds great. 

Being asked how old you are is probably a good sign. 

[M5Ivan]

Being asked how old you are is probably a good sign. 
[/quote]

I think it depends on how old you are 

Good luck, sounds like you're finally back in the saddle 

[holanae]

Congrats.  I can't wait to drive mine home from the shop in a couple weeks.  I haven't driven it in 20 years either.  Can't wait.

[lukedukem]

It was a blast to drive but I was very anxious as well, in a way this still feels like the same car I have owned for over 20 years. I have had a bunch of thumbs up and people asking me about it. Not sure if people are rude or what but I have been asked 3x in 24 hrs how old I am. Who does that?

I get that as well, i think some people find it hard to believe that someone young owns a car like this, I'm 37 but look younger and i get asked that a lot. usually followed by what i do for a living. i really don't like that question. its not what i do but how i have managed my money over the years. smart investments, and a lot of overtime and hard work have allowed me to have this car. then there's the people that think I'm just plain rich and loaded with cash. lol, not the case.
congrats on the ride, love the car.

Luke

[abe1968]

It was a blast to drive but I was very anxious as well, in a way this still feels like the same car I have owned for over 20 years. I have had a bunch of thumbs up and people asking me about it. Not sure if people are rude or what but I have been asked 3x in 24 hrs how old I am. Who does that?

I get that as well, i think some people find it hard to believe that someone young owns a car like this, I'm 37 but look younger and i get asked that a lot. usually followed by what i do for a living. i really don't like that question. its not what i do but how i have managed my money over the years. smart investments, and a lot of overtime and hard work have allowed me to have this car. then there's the people that think I'm just plain rich and loaded with cash. lol, not the case.
congrats on the ride, love the car.

Luke

Same for me, people think I'm in my mid 20's but I'm 38 and I've had my 68 since I was 14yrs old. After high school I finally had scraped enough money together to finally get it on the road. It was my daily til I was about 23 then I had a few other cars so not much got done to it. Then my daily again for about 5 years and now I just drive it to work here and there and slowly fix what need to.

-Abe