tbm3fan
Old Man with a Hat
I haven't driven the 72 AMC wagon in almost 4 weeks after flushing the cooling system and putting on all new hoses and thermostat. Take her out on a quiet two lane highway. Seventeen out and seventeen back. Car drove fine and even had it up as high a 95 mph. This 360 is definitely stronger feeling than the 360 in the Polara. Coming home I get off the freeway and at the bottom of the exit I can bear right as there is no stop sign. After the turn I noticed that the rear end of the wagon was passing me on the left and I was falling behind it. Ok, maybe I took this a tad to fast. Ya, think! Steer to counter and get the car stop facing right into the curb without hitting it. Whew, that was close and dumb.
But wait, that isn't the best part. As the car came to a stop a huge white cloud arose from under the hood and under the car. Since I am spread eagle in the road I back up, straighten it out and park along the curb to turn the car off. Cloud of steam is really coming out. Get out and open the hood to see coolant and steam all over. Looking, I see the lower hoses came off the water pump. Not torn, not broken, just came off. I am only 3.3 miles form home but no screw driver on me so I call AAA. After 45 minutes the driver comes around, he has a screw driver, but we decide not to chance it so we tow home. Nice guy, all four this year have been, and is amazed at the car. Back home he unloads and by the time that is done I have been in the garage getting a screw driver, water, and coolant. The car took 5 quarts after which washed all the coolant off the front. That was my last free tow of the year and now have to be careful till December 11th.
But wait, that isn't the best part. As the car came to a stop a huge white cloud arose from under the hood and under the car. Since I am spread eagle in the road I back up, straighten it out and park along the curb to turn the car off. Cloud of steam is really coming out. Get out and open the hood to see coolant and steam all over. Looking, I see the lower hoses came off the water pump. Not torn, not broken, just came off. I am only 3.3 miles form home but no screw driver on me so I call AAA. After 45 minutes the driver comes around, he has a screw driver, but we decide not to chance it so we tow home. Nice guy, all four this year have been, and is amazed at the car. Back home he unloads and by the time that is done I have been in the garage getting a screw driver, water, and coolant. The car took 5 quarts after which washed all the coolant off the front. That was my last free tow of the year and now have to be careful till December 11th.
