This summer I tuned the front suspension, took up the engine bearings and rebuilt the coils. After burning a hole in the spare tire with the tailpipe I even sprung for a couple of new white walls. The pickup was all dressed up with nowhere to go; so when friends suggested we join them camping at the Dutch Creek Resort just south of Fairmont Hot Springs we decided to put the old truck to the test.
We left Monday August 14th about noon with the truck box stuffed to the rafters with camping gear. Our first stop was in Banff for gas, a sale at Bath and Body Works for Marge and two flavors of fudge for me, oh and of course, ice cream.
Late in the afternoon we made camp at Johnson Canyon campground. This is a beautiful setting just off highway 1A. At Johnson Canyon we quickly learned two things. The main east west train line was not that far away and the wood we purchased for a campfire was non-combustible. In fact I would recommend that in the case of a forest fire they should drop fire wood on the blaze to smother the flames.
Tuesday morning we planned an early start for B.C. but the vacation mentality had taken over and it wasn’t until 11:30am that we were back on the highway. The 108 km trip from Johnson Canyon to Radium took 1:45 minutes averaging about 62 kph (39 mph). Except for the two mountain passes it seemed like it was downhill all the way. On the open road we cruised between 70 and 75 kph.
In Invermere we met Jimmy McGilvery who introduced us to his dad “Streak” McGilvery. Streak is selling a 1926 T pickup. While he and I visited, Marge read half of the novel she had brought along for just such occasions. Streak sold me a coil box and starter and a few other odds and ends and we continued our journey south.
On the way to Fairmont we fueled up at Race Track Gas. They must add alcohol to the mix which caused the T to cough and sputter until we filled up again on the return trip.
The campground was first class. Lots of space between sites, clean, well maintained washrooms and showers. We booked late and asked to extend our stay while we were there so we ended up moving twice. The move was easy, just start up the T and drive.
Burk and Rose, long time residents of the campground, entertained us one evening with conversation and accordion music.
I was a little concerned about the return trip. The road going east from Radium Hot Springs has an 11% uphill grade followed by successive 6% and 8% grades. About 10-12 km without a break. Thank goodness for “Ruxtell”. We made the climb in high “Henry” / low Ruxtell. I set the fuel lever about half way down and the speed varied between 28 and 35 km. I tried cutting back on the spark when the engine lugged but immediately lost power.
We stopped five times on the way home: for photos, fuel, bio break, to weigh the car and check the coils.
The average speed was 60 kph including the stops and may have been better but we developed ignition problems going up Scott Lake Hill. At the top I stopped to diagnose the problem but there was so much traffic on the highway that I couldn’t hear the engine. We limped the rest of the way home with two cylinders missing intermittently and using low pedal to climb the steeper hills.
Along the way we stopped at a weigh scale – 1230 kg (2711 lb). I guess we have to learn to pack lighter.
Our pickup has a stock T engine with a T crank, milled high head, Anderson timer and NH carb. The round trip was 660 km (410 miles). Top speed was 87 kph (54 mph) which happened on a busy stretch of road where there was a narrow shoulder so I couldn’t pull over to let the impatient drivers pass. I was holding up traffic so I sped up so as not to give the Chevy drivers any ammunition.