[TR] To feed or not to feed

[Mark Hooper]

Thank you to John, Randall, Dave, Brad and Stan (so far) for the detailed
responses. I was convinced by the unanimous chorus of "Take it off" to pull
the external oiler.

I can understand that, at idle, the intake manifold is at full vacuum and is
just sucking very hard around the intake valve guides and pulling oil into the
combustion chamber.

Recently, as is my preferred method, I ran the engine with the valve cover off
and used my mechanical stethoscope to detect overly tight or loose valves and
adjust accordingly. I like being able to adjust the valves with the engine
running. While working, I noticed that the "pits" in which the lifters are set
were completely full of oil. It was just churning and splashing around in
there, too full to even drain properly. That does not seem right to me.

So, I just went to the garage, whisky in hand, and removed the offending
article. After that, I went for run a few Km up and down the road. It seems
that at idle now I see no smoke. Is that it: well we'll see. But it is
encouraging. If this works, SWMBO will be much less savage about the fumes.
So, this fix may be good for my ears as well as my nose; one can but hope!

Thanks again, oh massed minds!

Mark
1972 TR6

________________________________________
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net [triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Randall [tr3driver at ca.rr.com]
Sent: July 3, 2010 7:27 PM
To: 'Triumph List'
Subject: Re: [TR] To feed or not to feed

> So, I am guessing the solution is either to install valve
> stem seals, or to
> dump the oiling feed. Is there concensus/opinion on the list
> as to which way is best?

I don't know if it is the consensus, but my very definite opinion is to dump
the external feed!

I tried all the other approaches on a TR3 motor (nearly identical to the TR6
in this area), the final result was a broken piston.
http://tinyurl.com/25l899z

This was with both seals AND a restrictor installed (one of the seals came
apart).

Note that the rockers don't need very much oil (just as the original system
supplies).  As long as they get a few drops now and again, more oil won't
make them last any longer.  It is worthwhile checking every few years (maybe
every other time you adjust the valves) that oil is still slowly getting to
them.  If not, you can pull and clean the rocker shaft.  Excess sludge in
the shaft is the usual cause of lack of oil (although in my case, it
appeared that someone had installed the cam bearing wrong).

Randall