72 TA : New Project

[njsteve]

Received the uber-detailed hood latch mechanism from Norwood (a member here and on the Performance Years website), who shamed me into getting one for the never-ending project. Installed it just in time for my hood to arrive.

Here is the installed hood latch looking all pretty and original.

Thanks Norwood! Youdaman!







You might notice the rubber vacuum line wrapped on the hood spring. It helps to prevent the huge gouges that the hood spring makes in the paint on the underside of the hood. Looks kind of cheesy but until someone comes up with a better idea, this seems to be the prevailing idea.

[njsteve]

Had to get the trailer out of the bushes this morning. The thing hasn't gone for a ride in about 2 years. Greased the wheel bearings and checked the tires. Of course I had another blowout on the way back from PA, today. I think I'll stick with the Goodyear Marathons. I seem to have better luck with them. One of the 4 year old Carlisles let go. Time to buy 3 more tires to match the one remaining Goodyear Marathon I bought in 2008. I lose more trailer tires to sun damage and age than tread wear. I don't think I have ever actually worn out a tire in 30 years of trailering. The sun is the worst thing for tires. That ozone just cooks them.

Anyway, here is the car after trailering it all the way to the bodyshop in PA and then back. Had to drop the shaker off for a touch up and still waiting on the last body panel: the polyethylene valance.





And I'm waiting on the Phoenix Graphixs hood stripe decal to see how that compares with the Stencils and Stripes decals on the rest of the car. It's supposed to get here on Tuesday. Check here for the the whole story of ten months of waiting on the S&S hood decal:
http://forums.performanceyears.com/f...d.php?t=635128

[njsteve]

OK maybe I'll stay away from the Goodyear Marathons after reading all the bad reviews that mirror my experiences over the years. Anybody recomment a 225/75R15 trailer tire that doesn't explode like it has a two year timed fuse in it?

[Norwood]

Now that Trans Am is starting to come together...I have a bad feeling that you are going to removing some striping this week, but lets hope I am wrong. Steve please do me a favor and measure and post the width of your current S&S roof stripe.

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Norwood</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now that Trans Am is starting to come together...I have a bad feeling that you are going to removing some striping this week, but lets hope I am wrong. Steve please do me a favor and measure and post the width of your current S&amp;S roof stripe. </div></div>

The S&amp;S roof and trunk stripe are 18-3/8&quot; wide to the clear outer edge

[RPOLS3]

We've actually had great luck with the Marathon's on all of the boat trailers in the family. Carlisle not so much.

Jake

[CamarosRus]

Regarding trailer tires: I bought Load Range E TOW MAX tires. Not only are they rated to carry more weight, but they call for 80 PSI.

Yes they are made off shore.

I dont have any real legitimate experience, but they are only one of two brands (MAXIS) that I found offering LOAD RANGE E 15&quot; trailer tires.

[m22mike]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK maybe I'll stay away from the Goodyear Marathons after reading all the bad reviews that mirror my experiences over the years. Anybody recomment a 225/75R15 trailer tire that doesn't explode like it has a two year timed fuse in it? </div></div>

Here is a chart from Tire Rack that shows the country of origin for the Goodyear Marathon tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...rtnum=275R5MAR8

You should consider load range &quot;D&quot; in a 225 75-15.( US made) There are not allot of good choices out there that are not Chi-Neez.
I have read allot of horror stories about trailer tires, my best guess is half the blowouts are from tire age, and under inflation.
From everything I have read, 4 years is about it for trailer tires, and no you may never wear a set out.
I just got four last year B4 the haul to the reunion. I think I will also buy covers, as my trailer is always outside.
And run the suckers at full pressure.

Good luck

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m22mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK maybe I'll stay away from the Goodyear Marathons after reading all the bad reviews that mirror my experiences over the years. Anybody recomment a 225/75R15 trailer tire that doesn't explode like it has a two year timed fuse in it? </div></div>

Here is a chart from Tire Rack that shows the country of origin for the Goodyear Marathon tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...rtnum=275R5MAR8

You should consider load range &quot;D&quot; in a 225 75-15.( US made) There are not allot of good choices out there that are not Chi-Neez.
I have read allot of horror stories about trailer tires, my best guess is half the blowouts are from tire age, and under inflation.
From everything I have read, 4 years is about it for trailer tires, and no you may never wear a set out.
I just got four last year B4 the haul to the reunion. I think I will also buy covers, as my trailer is always outside.
And run the suckers at full pressure.

Good luck </div></div>

It's beyond me that any manufacturer would build a tire that is only rated for a maximum speed of 65 mph. That's nuts!

[SS427]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> You might notice the rubber vacuum line wrapped on the hood spring. Looks kind of cheesy but until someone comes up with a better idea................. </div></div>

How about dipping it or spraying it with several coats of plasti-dip? Very durable though not near as thick looking as the rubber tube so it may not stick out so bad.

Throw away the Good Year Marathons!!!! I as well as most of my fellow car buddies have had numerous issues with Marathons. I blew three in one 500 mile trip!!!! The only one that did not blow on the trip was the non Marathon tire. To add to the issue, when I when in to a Goodyear dealer I found on the way, they would not even sell me the Marathons as they too agreed they were junk. Stowers and I blew only one tire on our trip to Carlise last year, the ONLY Marathon on the trailer! JMO