[TR] ENGINE RUNNING!

[dorpaul]

I've had the engine running smoothly at about 3000rpm now for about 20
minutes.  The carb linkage issue has been resolved for now.  It sounded great!
(Although the exhaust rumblings were a little inconsistant- but, hey, don't I
hear that on other old sports cars? (Why does it do that?)
    The new Wizard Cooling Radiator was doing great...I think.  It has
antifreeze in it, and when I pump 7 lbs. of pressure (using a rented LAPS rad.
pressure checker) it will go down to 5 or 6 lbs. of pressure and hold it for
several minutes.  The rental's little instruction booklet says this is good
enuf, but, they may not be the right equipment for a Triumph.  The reason I
say that is they make no mention of an 'overnight test' and also that I had to
cut a piece of rubber for a temporary gasket to insert in the very top of the
rad. neck in order to try and get a good seal.  Possibly, this gauge had been
rented out too much, cause I suspect it would leak out air if left on it
overnight.
    Which is my next question: how does one use this or another/better
radiator pressure checker to test for pressure leakage?  I think if the
pressure doesn't hold 5 lbs. overnight then one might suspect their figure-8
gaskets, right?  I think 'figure-8 gasket' testing is prudent since I found
the crankcase partily full of water about a week ago.
    Another issue is the water temp.  While running, it slowly rose to 190
degrees, and after cutting it off it went to 200.  I don't remember the
specification of the installed thermostat,- it might have been 190.  But I had
one thermostat that was a 180 specification.  If the 180 thermostat was the
one installed, shouldn't I be concerned with the 190-195 on the gauge?
Proably not, cause the engine was sitting still, with a window fan running
right in front of it.  I have installed the radiator's electric fan, but, I
have not wired it up yet!
    That brings me to the biggest question: after about 5 minutes of running,
the new radiator was dripping coolant out of the uppermost 'bung hole'.  This
is a threaded hole TIG(?) welded in by Scott at wizard radiator, and is
located on the top tank and on the same level as the neck of the radiator  .
This bung has a plug (requiring an 11/16" wrench to tighten) was a $20
addition which would be required by the future electric fan temp sensor.  On
the outside of the 11/16" plug is a drab green colored tape-covered small
electrical terminal.   Perhaps I only need tighten this plug to  about 50
ftlbs. of torque.  Is that about right?
      I dunno, maybe I should number my questions?

Thanks, Paul