Broke down on the road yesterday....

[Sam_Fear]

Driving home from work, my Olds was overheating. Shut it down, popped the hood.... alternator bracket had broke. Guy in a old Willys Jeep stopped and we talked for a few. He said his son had a MIG I could use about 3 miles away. So let it cool and headed for his sons farm. Got about a mile before it heated up again. Shut it down to let it cool. Started spinning the water pump by hand to speed up the cooling. That made me think - there isn't that much resistance to a water pump and it doesn't need to spin that fast to keep the motor cool. Didn't have much in my emergency kit - I had test leads, a couple rags, and electrical tape. ...and the shirt on my back.

I tried the electrical tape and wrapped it around the pullys about 5 times. Started it up and it was working. I decided to forget the farmer and try for home. Drove almost 10 miles at about 30 MPH before I had to stop and do it again. Another 3 miles and I was home.

Honestly, I didn't think it would work for 3 seconds.

 

[05snopro440]

That's using your head!!! We found this stuff called magic tape that is a rubber tape that can be used to repair rad hoses on the go. Always keep a roll under the seat. Glad dyou were able to make it home. Last time I drove Mt truck to work I limped it home with a bent valve, so I'm a little hesitant.

 

[Old Iron]

"I tried the electrical tape and wrapped it around the pulleys about 5 times. Started it up and it was working. I decided to forget the farmer and try for home. Drove almost 10 miles at about 30 MPH before I had to stop and do it again. Another 3 miles and I was home"
Try that with a serpentine system
If ya just stop n use your head, you can get out of most situations

 

[Sam_Fear]

Try that with a serpentine system

Might still work? All you really need for a few miles is the water pump. Wrapping anything around pullys in a new car might be next to impossible though...

 

[Willowbilly3]

I had a 70 SS Chevelle back in 72 and it was a real POS. It threw the belt and I decided to drive it the 30 miles to where I was going (young and dumb, don't ask) Apparently the wind turned the fan enough to circulate the coolant because it never overheated. About the only amazing thing that terd of a car ever did, except transform me to a Ford fan.

 

[soltz]

Yay

Glad you made it. If you do what I did, carry a spare belt you'll and I will never lose another one. [cl

 

[Yankee Transplant]

Might still work? All you really need for a few miles is the water pump. Wrapping anything around pullys in a new car might be next to impossible though...

you got that right .. I think the new stuff the water pump runs backwards so that wouldn't work. thats why I like the old stuff . I heard about a man using his wife's pantie-hoes < if thats how you spell that ... he tied them around the pulley's and got them home ..

 

[donsrods]

Glad you made it. They sell emergency fan belts that you cut to size and then put a joiner on to make them one piece. We used to carry them at work. Never tried one, but it beats panty hose !

Don

 

[Dirtyrat]

Ingenuity right there, nice work!

 

[CR55]

Ingenuity right there, nice work!

Exactly!!![cl Good job Sam!

 

[Neverdone]

wish I had your kind of luck.

 

[smallfoot]

I love stories where jury-rigged fixes succeed. That tends to happen to people who enjoy working on their own cars and trucks. Some of us just because we're stubborn. The same traits that make you want to work on them, drive you to the point that getting left on the roadside by one is just not in your routine. Outside of catastrophic events to an engine or other important drive train component, we get back after breakdowns in a high percentage of the times. Good thinking on the duct tape!!! [cl

 

[Sam_Fear]

wish I had your kind of luck.

???? Lucky enough to have your alternator bracket break? [S

 

[billy]

???? Lucky enough to have your alternator bracket break? [S

i wish i was lucky enough to have two brain cells to rub together so i could think of something like that.....

 

[christcrusader13]

I'm glad I always have a roll of electrical tape with me.... now I know why, thanks for the Tip!

 

[bob w]

Good thinking Sam.

A week ago I was cruising down the highway in my Anglia when I smelled electrical smoke. Pulled to the side of the road and threw the master disconnect at the back of the car. Luckily no fire. It was the alternator and I was able to drive home on the battery.
Started thinking, the car could have burned to the ground if it had been wires shorted under the dash or someplace else.
The car now has a fire extinguisher in it.