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Author
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Topic: Winter driving suggestions?
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masterrh
Journeyman Posts: 70
From:
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 12-11-2005 04:00 PM
 
Although I'm sure most of you go into hibernation during this time, my '66 289 (4spd manual) is my daily driver and only car. I was wondering if anyone had some tips as far as preparing to USE it in winter time (ie snow driving or any additives). Obviously snow driving only happens if it is absolutely necessary, but sometimes that is the case. Currently I have ALL of my tools and gadgets in the trunk, so hopefully that adds a little weight to the rear tires as far as traction goes. Any other suggestions?
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silverblueBP
Journeyman Posts: 44
From: Bend, Oregon
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 12-11-2005 04:49 PM
Swap out to some good Snow Tires! It makes all the difference.------------------
Mark Sellers
1966 Mustang 2+2 set up for Open Track and Vintage Racing.
Details here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/667160
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 22791
From: Reno Nv M&M #1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 12-11-2005 04:58 PM
These are awsome winter tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+WS-50 I have used them on many cars. They cost more then ohters but they worked the best for me.
Check your antifrezze mixture. I'd run 10-40w or 5-30w motor oil. ------------------
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs HOOD HACKERS DELIGHT!
My Pics [This message has been edited by Fastymz (edited 12-11-2005).]
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mustangs68
Moderator Posts: 27681
From: Hampton Va MCA#39406 M&M #12 Member Mustang Club of Tidewater
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-11-2005 05:39 PM
Warm Coat,gloves and long johns,I don't care who says,those old Ponies heaters suck  Sam
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 48752
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-11-2005 06:24 PM
The best advice I could give is to buy a disposable beater to drive during the winter months, unless you are totally commited to destroying your car. These are old cars, with hundreds of hidden pockets of rust which will bloom at light speed rates once they are exposed to water and salt.Buy a $500 junk, drive it all winter, then sell it for $500 next spring. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'05 Mercury Sable LS 3.0L DOHC 24V Duratech V6
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 3058
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 12-11-2005 06:56 PM
These cars are made form pain ole' mild steel. They don't have the corrosion protection of new cars. Many areas aren't coated with anything. Back in the day, it was common to see rust HOLES in cars only 3-4 years old. Cars were much cheaper and more disposable back then. If you drive it in salt (which they use MUCH more of now) don't expect it to last very long.I drive a $800 1990 Nissan Sentra as daily 'beater' duty. ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 12-11-2005 07:23 PM
I agree with Mike & Steve. Buy some old FWD econo box for cheap, and even if it`s too bad to sell at the end of winter, it gets another piece of FWD crap off the road! PLUS, it saves your early Mustang. Win win situation!!  ------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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trashline
Gearhead Posts: 2230
From: Levittown, Pa
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 12-11-2005 07:27 PM
i know how you feel, when I bought my mustang I daily drove it for 2 years. thru two winters. My first step was good tires when i had money. I always ran in the snow with a full tank of gas. the spare tire, and my tool bag. There was only one storm i used a 50 lb sand bag. One good thing was Im a member of a fire company which i could hose off my car inside and let it dry, cleaning the under carriage, wheel wells and body panels. Trying to keep the salt off. next I used the rain-x ice melt washer fluid and a good scrapper. if the jets dont work then fix them. i clean my windows drive 15 minutes and they would ice up again so i used the stuff to keep the window clean. inside the defrosters suck bad, so i always had a clean cotten towel or shirt, or a small piece of a shami to wipe the windows down. make sure if you have Al wheels to keep them clean salt tears them up bad. make sure all the bearings are packed with cleah grease. heat is gonna suck too, so have gloves and a knit hat till it warms up. drive safe and slow, gie yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. good luck------------------
88 thunderbird TC 2.3L
Gillis at 15 psi, walbro 255 lph fuel pump, Kirban at 39 psi, 3.73 8.8" rear, rebuilt head, brand new IHI 66 mustang 200ci 3 speed
Holley weber two barrel, msd 6A, 3.5 gears, 3.03 v8 three speed trans. 68 Fairlane 289 w/ auto
rusting away motor is going in the mustang 79 f150 300 3 onda tree
awaiting a new transmission
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masterrh
Journeyman Posts: 70
From:
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 12-11-2005 10:03 PM
Thanks, I will look into those tires. Eventually I will have a 'beater' all year round but right now I'm graduating college in 6 months and I am barely paying the bills as it is. There is no such thing as a $500 car. I could go buy a $500 crap car but then it will need $xx in repairs to get it running or past inspection which I don't have the time to do right now. But hopefully next summer I will. Thanks again.
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64coupe
Gearhead Posts: 173
From: Bristol, PA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 12-12-2005 05:04 PM
two bags of sand over the gas tank...i used two bags of rock salt in case of emergency but bags of sand are cheaper. have fun and just take your time
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TOPDowNMUSTANG
Gearhead Posts: 281
From: Kennett Square, PA
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 12-12-2005 05:24 PM
I have a '93 4WD Explorer which is a great bad-weather car.My dad drove the '73 vert I now have every day in all weather. It really killed the body. There was rust everywhere. But, when he did drive it in the winter he swore by his snow tires. ------------------
'73 Convertible, 351C 2V
'91 LX Convertible 5.0
Member: Valley Forge Mustang Club
"The best things in life are free, but the really kick-a** things cost a fortune."
My Site [This message has been edited by TOPDowNMUSTANG (edited 12-12-2005).]
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Dave Witthoeft
Gearhead Posts: 2613
From: IL.
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 12-12-2005 10:02 PM
I used to drive my 69 year round before it got almost totaled. Could be quite the charachter builder... Good snow tires, then save up and get a truck.. ------------------
MCA# 48755
71 Mach 1
69 Fastback
92 F-150
M&M#884
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buening
Gearhead Posts: 317
From: Decatur, IL
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-13-2005 09:16 AM
quote:
Originally posted by masterrh:
Thanks, I will look into those tires. Eventually I will have a 'beater' all year round but right now I'm graduating college in 6 months and I am barely paying the bills as it is. There is no such thing as a $500 car. I could go buy a $500 crap car but then it will need $xx in repairs to get it running or past inspection which I don't have the time to do right now. But hopefully next summer I will. Thanks again.
I feel you man. I am a year out of college and i know all about being a poor college student. My first car was a 70 fastback and living in Illinois i know a bit about snow. Snow tires, blanket, spare tire, and a CELL PHONE will do wonders. If you get stuck then you get stuck. Don't leave home without a cell phone though. I blew the motor in my FWD ricer on the interstate in the middle of winter and i did not have my cell phone. Needless to say i walked quite a few miles before being picked up by a nice person. You can buy big bags of salt either for the driveways or even bags of salt for water softeners. Put a few bags in the trunk over the tires. I agree that it's hard to find a RELIABLE car for $500. There are deals out there if you don't mind driving a pile. ------------------
1970 Grabber Blue Mach 1 H-code
1970 Fastback
2003 Torch Red Mustang
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68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 3835
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 12-14-2005 08:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SteveLaRiviere:
The best advice I could give is to buy a disposable beater to drive during the winter months, unless you are totally commited to destroying your car. These are old cars, with hundreds of hidden pockets of rust which will bloom at light speed rates once they are exposed to water and salt.Buy a $500 junk, drive it all winter, then sell it for $500 next spring.
Ditto! ------------------
Ed S. 68 S-code FB GT 4spd(now C6)/3.25 PS PDB
68 J-code(now 289) Cp Sprint"B" C4/3L00-9" PDB PS AC Bla-Bla-Bla
99 F150 XLT Ext/cab, 4X4, 5.4L, 3L55
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