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<font size="+1">David, can't help you with your questions however I
had a similar experience; the year was 1976 and I was driving a
TR3A with a transplanted TR6 engine on a Los Angles freeway.<br>
It was dark outside and I had never been on more than a 2 perhaps
3 lane highway before and when I checked my instrument panel, the
oil pressure indicate 0 psi<br>
<br>
Managed to get over to the side of the road and when I checked the
dipstick, nothing.<br>
</font><br>
<font size="+1"><font size="+1">Turns out I had used some rubber
surgical tubing to make the connection from the metal oil
pressure line to the engine block and the barbed fitting had
finally let go after a few thousand miles.<br>
</font>A state trooper drove me down to the nearest service
station and I purchased 4 quarts of oil and received a ride back
to the car from one of the employees. Girlfriend and contents were
still in the car.<br>
<br>
After adding the oil and starting the engine, there would be a
brief knocking. At low rpm, I did not hear any other strange
noises. After reconnecting the line, the oil pressure was down to
about 10 psi<br>
I added a couple of cans of STP oil additive which was similar to
the consistency of honey at 0 F. This raised the oil pressure by
about 5 psi and I was able to drive the car back to Canada (2000
Miles) at about 40 mph. (the tranny had O/D)<br>
<br>
Was a very long trip back, a 12 hour day netted about 350 miles
with a few sight seeing stops along the coastal route.<br>
<br>
From what I recall, several mechanical issues on this trip prior
to the oil loss. - loose alternator connection on gauge, - brake
fluid leak at master cylinder, -water pump replacement, and torn
diaphragm on one carbs.<br>
<br>
The torn diaphragm occurred on the way from Vegas to LA and caused
the car to run lean and the added heat in the exhaust system
resulted in some carpet melting/burning behind the drivers seat.<br>
The first sign of the carpet meltdown was a sweet odor which we
thought was desert air and later, s</font><font size="+1"><font
size="+1">moke came out from under the dash making me think the
prince of darkness was at it.<br>
<br>
Oh yeah, then there was the rainstorm somewhere around
Yellowstone National Park which proved that the car was not
waterproof. Water came in everywhere which probably explains why
floor pans require replacement.<br>
The rain was a bit of a relief from the bytes of the mosquito
swarm that feasted when I stopped to put the top up and and
install the side curtains.<br>
<br>
</font>I am thinking about a Spitfire trip from Vancouver to
Phoenix in the Spring but not so sure I could handle as many
issues at this point in my life. Perhaps I will trailer the car.<br>
<br>
Larry<br>
</font>
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