Oklahoma to Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore

[Herrett]

With the work Jason performed a couple of years ago and the work he’s doing next week, the 80 should be fairly base lined but it’s always something isn’t it?

 

[Mrtwooooo]

Sounds like you’ve got a way to monitor coolant temp already. Which is very helpful to know. Also sounds like you’re addressing a lot of things before you go on this trip.

Just drive it and keep an eye on things. Don’t expect it to go 70 up a mountain pass. Watch your coolant temps closely and pull off and let the engine rest if you’re able to.

I did a trip from Alabama to Death Valley and back in 9 days. I had one hill coming out of Las Vegas that was a long climb that got temps up to 217 degrees. 2nd gear doing maybe 45mph. Thankfully got to the top before it went any higher. I know I still had a decent amount of temp left but it was the beginning of the trip and I didn’t need issues so I wasn’t going to push things any harder.

 

[Herrett]

I bet your eyes were glued on that temp gauge. I use a scan gauge II. Overland Outfitters flushed my block and removed radiator to clean it a couple of years ago coupled with the blue fan hub, my temps running around Ok and Arkansas are great.

 

[Herrett]

What SUV does your wife have?
Perhaps a routing through Wyoming rather than Colorado would be more flat and therefore easier on the old beast, I don't know.
The suggestions to bring oil along and drive more slowly are good ones, especially for an 80.

Wife has an Escalade with that big motor.