619,284.5 Miles and Counting
- Thread starter Volvohead
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Not suprising. He hasn't been working that engine very hard - putting in lower gearing and driving for economy. around 20 mpg is pretty good for a carburated 351 V-8.
Its interesting that we had the thread about OCD among BITOG members - this guy definetly qualifies with his log-keeping. Don't see many take the time for that these days!
Its interesting that we had the thread about OCD among BITOG members - this guy definetly qualifies with his log-keeping. Don't see many take the time for that these days!
I would like to set down and have a cup of coffee with him. I bet that would be very interesting.
Thanks! Really enjoyed reading that.
Great read. That takes "detailed maintenance records" to a new level!
351 Cleveland is a solid motor, hard to kill. I don't think most of today's cars could last that long, honestly. Too much plastic trim to fall apart, engine would lose compression and transmission would fail before it got that far.
351 Cleveland is a solid motor, hard to kill. I don't think most of today's cars could last that long, honestly. Too much plastic trim to fall apart, engine would lose compression and transmission would fail before it got that far.
Kestas
Staff member
He must not drive it in the winter. Around here that car would've disintegrated 15 years ago.
It works out to just over 16k miles a year. Sounds like just everyday driving to me - no indication of putting it away in the article. But yeah, he must have done SOMETHING - early Mustangs weren't know for their rust-resistance!
Would be neat to know all his maintenance habits...
Would be neat to know all his maintenance habits...
Originally Posted By: AcuraTech
Great read. That takes "detailed maintenance records" to a new level!
351 Cleveland is a solid motor, hard to kill. I don't think most of today's cars could last that long, honestly. Too much plastic trim to fall apart, engine would lose compression and transmission would fail before it got that far.
+1
Great read. That takes "detailed maintenance records" to a new level!
351 Cleveland is a solid motor, hard to kill. I don't think most of today's cars could last that long, honestly. Too much plastic trim to fall apart, engine would lose compression and transmission would fail before it got that far.
+1
I watched his video and think he said it was serviced every 5K. Said one of the keys was to keep it clean, especially washing the under carriage.
Kestas
Staff member
I keep my winter car clean, rustproofed, etc. After 19 years it still began to corrode on the visible panels at the corners. The undercarriage is rust-free though.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Its interesting that we had the thread about OCD among BITOG members - this guy definetly qualifies with his log-keeping. Don't see many take the time for that these days!
Now that guy is
Its interesting that we had the thread about OCD among BITOG members - this guy definetly qualifies with his log-keeping. Don't see many take the time for that these days!
Now that guy is
There was an article about Mr. Fuchs and this car in Popular Mechanics many years ago. I think he said that as part of maintenance program he would periodically drop the oil pan just to inspect. Also, if i remember correctly, he used straight 30W Havoline oil.
Kestas
Staff member
For his long distance drives out West, straight 30W makes good sense.
I am digging the spotlight, mudflaps, and dog dish hubcaps!!! Also note the head restraints are actually adjusted to a useful position.
There was an old geezer on my paper route, think Hank Hill but worse, who had two 1971-ish Olds Cutlasses still looking sharp in 1992. His secret was to hose the salt off then pull into his garage; the runoff would refreeze on his driveway and I'd go skating.
He was just as cool, he wired in extra brake lights on the package shelf, like cops used to sometimes have before the CHSML.
From the article:
"Upon taking delivery, Fuchs began making tweaks to promote long life and better efficiency. He added an auxiliary engine oil filter, an extra fuel filter, and even a coolant filter that was then produced by Fram, though no longer. He feels that filter is largely responsible for the fact that his 351 is still using most of its original, factory-fill coolant."
"Upon taking delivery, Fuchs began making tweaks to promote long life and better efficiency. He added an auxiliary engine oil filter, an extra fuel filter, and even a coolant filter that was then produced by Fram, though no longer. He feels that filter is largely responsible for the fact that his 351 is still using most of its original, factory-fill coolant."
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