Ouch!!! I might skip the far parade and just do the local ones. I really don't want to spend a couple of hundred for the tow.

 

Keith,
It's only 50 miles. Drive the beauty!
Afterall, that is what its for and it would probably be good for it to stretch its legs a bit.

I know that it would be a bit nerve wracking heading out there but with each successful mile you're shoulders will start to relax and you'll really enjoy it.
In the last couple of years I've stepped out onto the open road in my truck and have made several 400 to 500 mile round trips. Its fantastic!

Bobby

 

I failed to mention that the $600 tow was for about 300 mile distance. This was at least six years ago.

I agree with Bobby. Drive it. Are there any backroads you can take?

 

Drive it! Drive it! Drive it! Drive it!

50 miles there
a few miles for the parade
lots of friendly wave and smiles
50 miles home
being able to let the boys really let the siren wail while going down the highway.....

...priceless!!!!

Bobby

 

She runs good but I'm just worried there may be a problem. It would be a disaster if I had an issue that far from home. I really want to do it. Imagine 100 thousand people packed in along the route. They will really freak out when it goes by.

 

Betsy is insured through Hagerty and I got the roadside assistance plan. I've never had to use it (yet) and I don't know what kind of flatbed they'd have to send out to pick her up. But I think it would be worth it to drive a shiny fire truck 500 miles to have 100,000 people see it...

 

Keith, I would drive it! The first trip I took in my F-7 was about 65 miles each way, to the ATHS National show in Springfield, MA. I got it ready just in time, and barely had time to drive it around my neighborhood. I figured I would just stay on secondary roads, and it would be no big deal. Well, Hartford is between me and my destination, and I discovered after several laps through the city (GPS got bounced so hard on the seat after miles of potholes that it reset itself to home!) the only way out was I-91! If that wasn't bad enough, the entrance ramp is where several lanes of 75 MPH traffic come together, so I had no choice but to boot it. To my surprise, after only a few seconds, and multiple shifts of the 2 transmissions, I was in 15th gear, rocketing past the traffic at well over 75 MPH! That was when I finally relaxed, and realized I was in control, and I could go anywhere I wanted to. I actually had to pull over a couple miles up the road to wait for my buddy in his F-1 Panel, because I had left him in the dust.
I have Hagerty insurance, and the roadside assistance plan as well. I have wondered if they would try to weasel out of a big truck tow. Maybe you should ask them? If they say it's OK, and you don't have them, you should probably switch for the peace of mind.
And by the way, that fuel fitting leak at the carb is common to all flathead powered Big Jobs! Just keep tightening it, until it stops (assuming you checked that the fittings are fine).
Chuck

 

Joe, I might give it a try. I wish I had Hagerty for the truck. I do for the Buick. Hagerty wouldn't insure it because it wasn't in a completely enclosed building.
I am using another company in Florida that insures bigger trucks. A friend from the fire truck club has a company that does work on his truck and also has towing services so I will check into them for a back-up.

Chuck, thanks for the advice on the fuel fitting. I almost gave u a call about it .... the fittings are good so I will give it another tighten.

 

It's been a while since I saw the progress on your truck. Looks great!! A real beauty.

 

Thanks!! All the hard work has paid off!

 

WOW I just got some unexpected news. I tried calling Gerald, the mastermind behind the truck's restoration and found out he is having emergency surgery right now. Im pretty worried about him. Without him, the truck would not of come out so well! Here we are at the founder's day parade last April.

 

I hope Gerald is ok and recovers quickly.

 

Praying for Gerald. Keep us updated on his progress.

 

Keith,
Please pass along our well wishes, prayers, and hopes for a speedy recovery to Gerald.

Bobby

 

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Gerald.