It’s been a little while since my last post. Winter decided it wasn’t done yet, but spring is eager to get going. The result has been seasonal changes on a day to day basis. 

I am going over the Cutlass and preparing it for my first road trip. The Hot Rod Power Tour is headed this way in June and I want to catch the Indianapolis, Indiana to Bowling Green, Kentucky leg of the tour. For those not familiar with the HRPT, it is a multiple state road trip involving thousands of hot rods each summer. There are several venues along the way and with that many cars traveling together, every stop turns into a car show or cruise-in.

Recently I filled up the gas tank and in doing so, I noticed fuel dripping when I made left turns. So the car goes up on jack stands for inspection. The tank seems to be fine but the rubber hoses for fuel and emissions seem to be original to the car. The 45 year old lines held on for dear life when I tried to remove them and the sharp edges of the gas tank left me reminders of struggle. The hoses were dry rotted and cracked, the damage shown occurred while forcefully removing them. I got all the hoses replaced and I now feel better about the fuel system.

I then removed the rear drums to inspect and clean the rear brakes. In repositioning the car on the jack stands the brake line connection midway the length of the car started leaking. It appears a repair was made to the line at some point and the fitting was now rusted and broke from the movement. Another thing to replace on the car, but I am glad it quit during an inspection and not during spirited driving. 

I cleaned all the brake parts, took a wire brush to the drums and I will paint the drums black when the weather warms up.  The Right Stuff Detailing carries the factory style brake line and they are located here in central Ohio. I may stop in this week to pick up the part and say hello. I bought their Signature Series front disc brake kit last year and I have been very pleased with it.

So what started with a few drops of fuel has turned into new fuel and emissions hoses, and a new brake line. It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I would much rather identify these issues in the comfort of my garage rather than broken down on the side of the road. I have a little under 90 days to get the car ready. I’ll keep you posted.