Driving in July 4th parade tips

B

billybronco1

Well-known member
Old town parade about five miles long takes maybe 1 1/2 hours at a slow pace to complete. I never drove an antique car in the parade. My 1931 Coupe runs well and never has over heated but I'm concerned if its a 90 degree day how will she do at this stopped a lot slow pace without getting a lot of cooling air.

Also the cab will be very warm and my feet cooking. I took off the manifold heater for starters any other suggestions?

Thanks
 
Make sure your plugs are clean. They will probably fowl during the parade. If they do, pull over and clean them. No big deal and you will get a lot of help.
Bring a bottle of water along to pour on the carb. if it gets too hot, which it probably will. Just pour it on the bowl. Quick fix for a while.
I would turn the engine off when you get the chance. Would help a little.
Depends on which way the wind is blowing. If it's with you, look out!!! A nice head wind would be best.
Good luck.
 
My parade routine is simple, have been doing it for over 40 years, while waiting for the parade to start I clean the horn armature and back the adjustment 1 click out (adjusts the horn for best sound idling)
For a walking speed parade I fine adjust the speed with the spark advance, my cars base idle is about walking parade speed in first gear (modified cars this may not work) with 1/2 advance

under some conditions there may be a time a little clutch slipping and a higher engine speed is needed (5-10 seconds---sometimes I hav had carb icing, blipping the throttle cleared it

there is no need to worry about the lack of generator charging at idle during a parade unless you have non stock equipment using battery ---
 
If the day is hot and the cooling system is not first-rate, temporarily remove the front license plate so that the air flow through the radiator will increase. Most states require a front license plate be present, so put it on the front bumper until the parade is over.
Marshall
 
1.5 hours of constant clutch work? Yikes! Do 50 squats a day in preparation. Parades are hard work! :)
 
I did a 1 hour 2 mile parade in 90F last year.. car ran well ran out of candy... pack water for you and your candy gunner mates... enjoy!
 
Rev up your engine once in awhile to get the fan to cool the engine a bit and to clear out stuff in the engine. Use you horn to scare the kids away from the candy in front of you.
A horn does it every time.
 
Mitch//pa said:
a 5 mile parade is pretty long... you might want to go 2 miles then exit stage left up a side street...
Click to expand...

I thought so too. I'd be looking for a side street also.

Nobody has mentioned the tried and true method of 'Hook a rope to the rear end of the guy in front of you, and let him PULL you through' while you cruise in neutral with your engine off:D
 
Oil your horn armature felts and IF you throw candy be REAL SURE it they do not fall in the line of following cars since there are WAY to often occurrences of kids picking up candy in front of following vehicles. Hang patriotic decorations and flags on the car and consider the choice of red white & blue clothes.
Make sure your radiator is filled with coolant. No need to keep it below the baffle at 5 mph.
ENJOY !
 
Whenever the parade comes to a stop, kick it in neutral and pull the hand throttle down to run at 1000 RPM or so to get more airflow through the radiator to delay/prevent overheating problems.
 
After being in a parade, although it was fun, I don't think I will do it again for one reason. All the clutch work. A parade simply does not go at a steady speed. Go, shift, stop, shift, race to catch up, shift, slow down, shift. Put in new throwout bearing.
I know, I know, Grouchy, Grouchy! But it took out a lot of the fun.
By the way, our town does not allow candy because of the cleanup afterward in addition to taffy on your shoes, carpet, bar floor, hands & knees, heels from being dragged back to the curb.... been there done that...

If I go in another one I will give a call to a farmer friend who has a donkey and get him to tow me with a rope. Just like they did back in the old days. That could get Best of Parade!
 
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