On Wed, 11 Jun 1997, Ed Burger wrote:
> Hello everyone. I registered my Spitfire today, allowing me to take it
> for its first long drive since I (sorta) restored it. I noticed A LOT
> of things wrong with it. BTW: its a '65.
>
> Is the speedometer supposed to bonce around all crazy-like? It was
> almost accurate, if you could catch it still for long enough to read it.
It really shouldn't be bouncing that much. Could be that the cable needs
a bit of lubrication, and/or the speedometer itself is in need of
cleaning or overhaul?
> The front end wobbles and rolls and all kinds of nasty stuff. It's got
> new tires and tunnions ... The ball joints are a little loose, but I
> wouldn't think they'd merrit this kind of driving. Over 60, the little
> bugger was hopping around the road so much it was all I could do to keep
> it in my lane.
Bent wheels, bad tires, wheel alignment and wheel balance are all
possible causes, but don't discount those ball joints. They shouldn't
have any play in them; if they do, change them!
> I can't downshift into first, and second's a pain too. I have to come
> to a complete stop before I can put it into first. Does this have to do
> with the non-sych first gear? What's the point in downshifting anyway?
> Why not just dissengage the tranny and coast?
Yes, that's the way it is with a non-synchro first, hence the discussion
we had a few days back on double-clutching, etc. Downshifting to 1st is
probably not actually necessary unless one does come to a complete stop.
As for disegaging the tranny and coasting, ok. That's what brakes are
for, and there's little reason to abuse a transmission worth many
hundreds of $$$ to repair for the sake of sparing a $25 set of brake
pads. Of course, it's worth noting that coasting might be illegal in some
states (I think it is in NY).
--Andy
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* 10/Herald/Vitesse (Sports 6) Consultant *
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