Rain, wrong gas, and 45 min from home (in Calif), a pleasant short story....

[Dans 68]

Last Wednesday I took the '68 to my brothers house in Livermore to meet up with him, and one of his sons, and go fishing for 3 days at Lake Almanor in northern California. I took the '68 because, being the good Christian I am, I lent my '90 Jeep Cherokee to a coworker of my wife's, whose own car was in the repair shop (she was in a nasty accident but only the cars involved were hurt). My work truck, a 1998 Silverado 3/4-Ton, I also left at home as it is one of three cars (Jeep, Truck and Charger) that our dogs are allowed ride in, and is the car of choice when my 10-yr old daughter goes up to the ranch for her riding lessons on the weekend. The dogs have to come with, you know, to the ranch...that horse poop won't get eaten by itself.  

So, I took the '68, and left her in my brothers driveway under her car cover. I did take out the rotor as a precaution (even though it is a good neighborhood) against unwelcomed joy riding. I threw my gear in his truck and off we all went for a few days of debauchery (I wish). I attached a few photos for extra credit.  

It was raining very hard when we left the lake to go home, and continued so through the mountains and on down Hwy 5. Arriving at my brothers house showed me a car cover covered Charger (say that fast 5-times) that resembled a wet dog. I rolled the cover up and stuck it in a plastic trash bag so it wouldn't pee in my trunk. I then opened the hood, and replaced the rotor. When I got into the car the rubber boot on the 4-speed console was full of water! It seemed I sent a flood of water over the hood cowl vents when I opened the hood and some managed to get in. That repair is on the top of my to-do list once it stops raining.

I had only vapors in my tank, so I bid my brother good bye, and set off to find a gas station. I found a station, and filled it up, only I was still stuck on autopilot from refueling my brothers truck on the trip home. Yep, that's correct, I filled up my high-performance, 383 4-barrel, 10.5 compression ratio Charger with the crappy 87 octane stuff.    I realized my mistake a few miles down the windy and rainy road when I smelled something strange (still no idea what) and my car backfired crazily when I decelerated. It only took me a full 60 seconds to realize what I had done (I was tired...fishing is exhausting!). The last photo is off the nasty deed being performed. As the engine water temperature stayed normal, and the performance seemed fine, I didn't worry a whole lot.    It was a very wet drive home. But, I was thankful I was in California where it is o.k. to drive your 42-year old classic in the rain.  

Dan

Photo 1 is of Mount Lassen (with a fishing pole in the foreground), Photo 2 is dusk with a Trophy between two Grady-Whites, and Photo 3 is of the North Fork of the Feather River

[PatrickPeeters]

Bet you can't wait to go fishing an driving it soon again....
Glad you didn't forgot to put the rotor back in...

[1969chargerrtse]

Love your license plate.  Ummmm Here's the thing.  All I put in my rebuilt 440 is crappy 87 octane.  It runs fine unless I stomp on it.  I time by ear so that's probably why.  It's just the way I set up the timing, with my ear. 

[tan top]

awesome pictures !! thanks for sharing 

[68blue]

Good story great pictures!

[FlatbackFanatic]

 

[CB]

I love to read your fully detailed stories, Dan!

[Wicked72]

awsome pics 

[ChgrSteve67]

Lucky you didn't filler up with desil

Did you catch any fish?

[Dans 68]

Here is a photo of a Brown Trout and yours truly. 

Dan

[grdprx]

LETS GO GIANTS!  Nice fish too!  Haha

[XS29L9B2]

beautifull photos