I am a newcomer to the list and send my first posting with hopes that I
cause no crashes. I am also a newcomer to SOLdom having recently acquired
a 1967 TR4A. It is my first lbc and the first car I have taken any interest
in other than for transportation. In fact, I was inflicted with this disease
only 2 or 3 years ago, studied the marques with elan but as an 'outsider'
having had no prior experience, concluded that the 4A was indeed my
perfect genetic match, and then engaged in the long search for just the right
specimen. After *much* hunting (not to mention rationalizing the expenditure)
I found the lovely beast.
The history I have available tells me that the original owner was from
Michigan, put few miles on it, garaged it, and verily passed on to the
Coventry above (hopefully not the Speke below). About 3 years ago, it was
liquidated in an estate and found its way to an auction where it was
purchased by a chap named Paul who owns Newcastle Motor Cars in Newcastle,
Ontario. Paul tells me his thing is really TR3's but found the 'originality'
of the 4A unresistable. His shop did a body restoration - not totally
body-off and not 99.9 - but quite a respectable job nevertheless. He also
tells me that they popped the head, dropped the oil pan, and went through
the engine which they found in good shape. The engine was not 'rebuilt'
but refurbished and detailed and reinstalled. The car was then purchased
by Wayne Clute from Duntroon, Ontario. I purchased the car from Wayne.
She now has about 32,000 miles which both PO's swear is original.
I love the car, and she is exactly what I was looking for. She looks
swell and drives well, but I have a couple of concerns about which I am
looking for help. I should also say that my knowledge of automechanics is
thin, that I have spent half a lifetime intimidated by these machines, and
that the Triumph is my excuse to get down and dirty and learn something about
cars. I am determined to overcome this handicap even though it may consume
the remainder of my time in Lucasland. I say this as I really appreciate the
wisdom out there. Both the knowledge of the Ray's, Greg's, Chris's, Roger's,
and many others whose names don't come to mind at the moment, and their
willingness to share and assist is truly remarkable.
With apologies for the log-winded preamble, let me get to the point(s):
1. I have been following the thread on oil pressure and have encountered
similar experiences. The 4A starts well on the choke and registers about
70 psi on the gauge at start idle (say 2500 rpm). Bringing the idle down to
about 1500 rpm, the gauge still reads over 50 psi. At speed, it is a
fairly constant 50 psi. After she is fully warm and at a stop, the idle
often drops to 600-800 rpm and the oil pressure drops to 20-30 psi. All
of this seems to be very consistent with previous reports on the list.
What causes some anxiety, is that at a long stop when the pressure is
down to the 20-25 psi range, the red oil pressure light comes on. Some
comments from Egil, and perhaps others, suggest that this should be a cause
for concern while others suggest 20 psi at idle is no big deal.
The question then is: do I heed the oil pressure gauge reading (which I
assume to be true) or do I deficate bricks because of the shining warning
light? Moreover, how is the warning light triggered? Is it not a pressure
setpoint? If so, the different bits of advice above would seem to be in
conflict. If it is a pressure setpoint, then I have an additional concern
because the warning light has also glowed at pressures around 40 psi at
idle a couple of times. Is this just a fluke of Lucas or do I have a problem?
2. After she has been on a good run, stopping and immediately cutting the
ignition causes some preignition. OTOH, after stopping and letting the
engine idle for a minute or so (which causes the idle to drop to ~600-700
rpm and the blasted red light to glow!) results in a quiet stop when the
ignition is cut. Any advice on what the problem is? Does it need
'decoking', timing adjusted, carb adjustment, different plugs, different
petrol?
3. What is the wisdom on nonleaded gas? As far as I know, the 4A's engine
is original and not prep'ed for nonleaded gas. I have been using an additive
(although I have consumed only two tanks so far). Are there better
alternatives other than redoing the valves, seats, etc.? Such an expensive
alternative at this point would cause some serious family discord!
Suggestions?
Sorry for the length of this note. Any advice would be much appreciated.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Barry Adams, Civil Engineering (at times like this I wish it were
Mechanical Engineering), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A4
Phone: (416)978-3096 Fax: (416)978-6813 e-MAIL: adams@civ.utoronto.ca
******************************************************************************
|