[TR] And speaking of OD oil

[Jim Muller]

I drained and refilled the Spitfire's gearbox today.  I was 
astonished by how little oil drained out.  I cleaned up the drain 
plug, poured the requisit volume of Valvoline Racing Oil 20w50 back 
in, took it for a spin around the neighborhood.  That's more like it, 
easy shifting, quick en/disengagment of the OD.  Now we'll wait and 
see...

I had noticed before that after driving most of the way home from 
work I'd hit a stoplight and sometimes experience the smell of oil 
dripping onto the tailpipe.  The box itself seems to be leaking very 
slowly from a myriad of seams.  It's only a matter of time before the 
oil all slithers out again, but maybe this 20w50 stuff will slither 
out more slowly.  It has sure not been what I would have expected in 
a rebuilt box from QM.  However I will not trouble to pull it again 
until necessary.

In the meantime the body is begging for serious attention.  At least 
the car is mechanically sound (for the time being).

Thank you all for all the advice.

Jim Muller
jimmuller at rcn.com