Breakdown kit Essentials advice please

[RobMoore]

In a few weeks I make moggys farthest trip, I think I should be reasonably prepared and would like to take along some odds n sods just incase.
Could someone pleasea advise a good list of things I should take in case of break down.
I'm guessing rotor arm condensor and coil so far.

[rayofleamington]

how far is "farthest"?
If the car is well serviced/inspected and used regularly then chances are tht you'll be fine anyway.
However if you've replaced all the ignition parts then carry the old (working) parts with you in case the new ones turn out to be faulty (plug leads, dizzy cap etc..)

During a service you should check/replace the dizzy points AND the fuel pump points. Most people forget the fuel pump until it starts to play up. Making sure the points are good removes most of that risk.

When travelling through Africa, I didn't take too much! I'd been using the car for more than 2 months to try and get things sorted. I took ignition parts, a head gasket, dynamo brushes, fuel flexi hose, a fuel pump & fuel hose 3 brake cylinders (front left, front right and rear - as they are the 3 different types) and a spare propshaft joint.
The rest of the stuff was to aid emergency repairs (steel wire, fuel flexi hose, cable ties, electrical wire, gaffa tape, chemical metal, nuts,bolts,washers,brackets etc...)
The Chemical metal got used to repair a hole in a Lada gearbox.
The fluel flexi hose got used to repair a Golf split fuel hose.
The steel wire got used to hold a block to my font inner wing where the bump stop had pushed through (6 foot airbornbe in a Minor is not a good way to check your bumpstops)
The brushes were cut down and used to repair the Golf's alternator (sand reduces brush life..)
Gaffa tape got used to hold in the plastic replacement plastic rear windscreen (don't ask - some lads from Bristol was travelling with us..)

[mike.perry]

Sod's Law (or is it Murphy's Law?) says that the component which will fail will be the one you have not got as a spare. Therefore the most important thing is your breakdown recovery membership card.

[RobMoore]

It's about 120 miles each way on mainly dual-carriage/motorway.
I do use the car daily, as it is my only car and it managed Ripon and back last weekend without any issues (54 miles).
I guess I am just a tad nervous and unsure as this is my 1st classic and I am still getting to know the car. In the 600 miles done so far he has not used a drop of oil. and the oil still looks as clean as it was when it was put in.
MY Fj insurance come with breakdown cover so I guess that should keep me covered lol.

[RobMoore]

Yes Mike I think your dead right about Sods law haha

[Jefftav]

AS above + spare wheel, wheel brace, hub cap removal tool, starting handle, jack, torch, hi viz bib or similar and fan belt. Basic tools like pliers, screwdriver/s, spanners. Charged and pre loaded mobile phone.

Also check your oil and coolant levels daily and tyre pressures before you leave oh + petrol never ceases to amaze me how many folk I see at the side of the road walking to the next petrol station.

Apologies if some of this is obvious have a good trip

[faversham999]

Some things I carry Plugs ,points ,rotor arm,condenser, and dissy cap all thes Items have been used so you know they work.
Top,Bottom , bypass Hose and fanbelt . But I did not have a Radiaitor when that was leaking beyond repair.

[woodiesenfrance]

It'll probably be the newest part on the car which fails (sods law again), and something no-one carries a spare of. Or something big, like the gearbox.

My most useful bit to carry is..... my husband

Cheer up, 120 miles each way is nothing, but do make sure you know how accurate your fuel gauge is.

[aupickup]

i carry a spare set of points, coil, cap just in case

i jave just done a round trip of 1360 miles in mine for the mot uk, so they are reliable

[ferret76]

A torch. I always seem to break down after dark.