Preparing for a 2K mile Vacation Trip

[OsoMoore]

At the end of July my wife and I are planning a 2000 mile trip from Wisconsin to Ontario to New York and back to Wisconsin. We'll be on the road for 8 days.
I am hoping to take my new '79 SC. We'll be backpacking/canoeing and then going to a wedding. Because we will be packing light for the canoeing, I think everything will fit, including space to take the Targa top off.

I would appreciate input on prep I should do before the trip, and things I should be sure to bring along.
The car had a PPI with high approval 2K miles ago. It was also checked out for an appraisal 1K miles ago. It had an oil change 1K miles ago.

Known issues:
Left oil cam line leaks about 1 drop every 2-3 hours.
Battery is not secured - its a newer battery and doesn't strap in like an original battery.
The Targa top seals pretty well, but in heavy rain it will drip.
Emergency brake has little to no effect.

Planned car supplies:
Extra fuses
Extra quart of oil.
Tarp to put over the car when parked overnight outside in rain.
Spare tire, jack, air compressor, and other flat tire stuff

Planned prep:
Check brake pads
Check tire pressure
Check oil level (I do this every time I get gas)

Is there anything else I should do before hand, or bring along?

[JAR0023]

Just did 2400 miles to get my new to me '86 home.

I went in my head the repairs I thought I'd be capable of making and made sure I had tools/parts to handle those issues. For the rest I had a cell phone and AAA card. Off the top of my head...

Plug kit for a punctured tire. Air compressor that works.

Alt/Fan belt and tools to change. (should be in your kit, but you need to check)

A/C belt.

Spare relays and fuses.

Couple of quarts of oil.

Jumper cables.

Fire extinguisher.

Windshield cleaner and couple of newspapers.

Basic hand tools, zip ties, duct tape (doubles as a cupholder)

J

[Joe Bob]

AAA premium card with 200 mile tow. Suitable pistol....there are a few threads that have some interesting suggestions. Do a search.

[GH85Carrera]

A short 20 inch piece of string trimmer line. If the gas door pull handle breaks you can get the fuel door open with it with no damage to the car.

One pain in the butt thing to do is add oil to the oil tank. You really need a long funnel, and then you have a oily funnel. I have a heavy plastic trash compactor bag to keep my funnel in and a 1/2 a roll of paper towels.

I would love to find an funnel that has some slick self storage and room for a quart of oil all built in together. I usually end up with my funnel behind the driver's seat, wrapped in the plastic bag.

I will be doing a 3,500 to 4,000 mile trip to Utah very soon in my 85 Carrera.

[kerthunk]

I just took my '79 on a road trip for work. Seattle to San Francisco and back. 1750 miles in two days.

I made sure that I had extra fuses and relays, couple quarts of oil and verified that everything necessary was in my tool kit. Always have a fire extinguisher in the car.

Before I headed off, I gave the car a good going over to make sure that everything looked correct.

The car ran like a top the entire trip. No real issues.

[OsoMoore]

I have an extra fan belt, but none of my sockets will fit the fan lug nut. What size is it? Is it possible to get a single wrench that will do it?

[PorscheGAL]

It is a 24 MM Socket for the Fan and you need the tool from the tool kit to hold in place.

I would add a pack of paper funnels for the oil. Then you can use and toss.

[pete3799]

You should fix your e-brake before you go.

[Craig]

Oso,
Your e-brake may not be too hard to fix. The e-brakes are activated when the ebrake cable is pulled, which pulls against the E-Brake Expander (911-352-090-00-OEM). What this does is pull down the center of the E-Brake Expander, which has the effect of pushing the ends of the 'arms' of the E-Brake Expander against the e-brake pads. Which puts on your ebrake.
In my case, the ends of the 'arms' were loose, not sitting against the pads, so I had no-ebrake either. I just put the 'arms' back in place, and now my e-brake is as good as new. All this will make sense once you see it.
The only drawback to this is that you have to take off the calipers and rotors to see this. No need to drain brake fluid or anything, just undo the caliper and the the clips that hold the brake line in place, and then hang the caliper by wire by the axle.

HTh, enjoy your trip!
Craig

[Porchcar guy]

+2 on the E-brake fix...could be as simple as an elongated cable that needs adjusting. You should also look into the threads for mounting a battery. Some of them are fairly easy to do. Did not see red relay (fuel pump) on your list...very important !! Have the car aligned and wheels balanced as a long trip gets longer with out of balance wheels or a car that pulls !! The AAA premium really works when you need it. Change fuel filter and air filter prior to trip. OH, assorted wrenches and a small hammer.....Have a great time :=)

[OsoMoore]

Originally Posted by Porchcar guy

+2 on the E-brake fix...could be as simple as an elongated cable that needs adjusting. You should also look into the threads for mounting a battery. Some of them are fairly easy to do. Did not see red relay (fuel pump) on your list...very important !! Have the car aligned and wheels balanced as a long trip gets longer with out of balance wheels or a car that pulls !! The AAA premium really works when you need it. Change fuel filter and air filter prior to trip. OH, assorted wrenches and a small hammer.....Have a great time :=)

Thanks guys. I'll see if I can do the ebrake before I leave on Friday. I will also be fixing my high-beams/turn signal issue (a common one) and fixing a door handle bolt that pulled out.

I do have a red relay which I found in my smuggler's box - the car is only 3 months old to me.

[Porchcar guy]

Make sure the red relay works. I had one that the red cap pulled off when I pulled the fuse box cover. I have a few spares....Bought my 79SC in LA...drove to my kids house to load up car parts in the SC from his SUV to drive home to Albuquerque. Went to start the car....turned over...no start. called the PO...he said ...find the red relay in the parts I gave you. I did, installed it...3 clicks and she started right up.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

AAA premium card with 200 mile tow. Suitable pistol....there are a few threads that have some interesting suggestions. Do a search.

Pistol?? Uhh, I wouldn't suggest it. He's going to Canada. Taking any firearm is a sure way to interrupt the vacation with a trip to the slammer. Our law enforcement/customs types don't have much of a sense of humour about guns.