I was 21. I was driving a 78 Chevy Nova. Left everything I owned behind except what I could fit into the car. Which included tools, extra water, and a few spare parts. I had just replaced the fuel pump, speakers, and installed a CD player a week before I left. I knew that car would break down on me… hence the tools and stuff. 2,000 mile drive. Normally takes 4 days if you stop to sleep. I made it in 1.5 days.
Sure enough, going through Arkansas white smoke started coming through my air vents. I pulled over. The radiator hose had busted. I was lucky, it was only because the front of it was rotting. So I cut off the bad part, reattached the good part, and used those fluids to refill the radiator and went about my way.
The only A/C I had was a dual 55. For those who don’t know that means two windows down going 55 mph. Don’t remember what state it was but I was blasting some good country and going about 90. It was hot as hell so that 2/55 felt good. Got pulled over and got a hefty ticket.
In New Mexico it was getting hard to even get up a hill on the highway. I pulled over and the carburetor was spitting oil into the air filter. Basically the car “couldn’t breathe”. So I took off the top of the carb and took out the air filter. Btw I don’t suggest that unless it’s an emergency. But then she started purring again.
in Flagstaff my battery light started flashing. On old cars like that it usually means alternator problems. For yall who don’t know, the alternator powers most of the car… only second to the engine and transmission. If the alternator goes out your car will shut down.
I was passing through flagstaff. I could have stopped, bought a new alternator, and replaced it. I had all the tools and all but the light was only going “off and on” and flagstaff is really close to Vegas so I said “fuck it I can make it”.
I got to the top of the last mountain before Vegas when it failed. My headlights went out and the engine started failing. I pulled over on an off ramp. I didn’t fix the alternator but I rigged it with some electrical tape so it’d do. I had roadside assistance on my phone but no service on that mountain. All I need was a jump to keep going.
I spent 30 minutes with a flashlight trying to flag down a car to give me a jump… dead alternators drain the battery. I don’t blame anyone for not stopping… top of a mountain, middle of the night….. I’ve seen axe murder movies lol.
I layed down in my car ready to sleep for the night and try again the next day, but apparently someone called the cops. A cop showed up, gave me a jump, and I was on my way again.
I coasted down the mountain, light still flashing. Made it over the Hoover Dam and made it to the first gas station. I had to redo the electric tape because it loosens when it gets hot. From there I made it to Vegas.
was able to get a new alternator and replace it 3 days later.
Told you I knew it was gonna break down. Drove it for years until some lady rear ended me so hard it bent the frame. Ain’t no repairing that. Sad… I wanted to restore it.
Leave a Reply