Joe Curry wrote:
>
> Eric,
> Here's my "Opinions" (Not that they count for much)
>
> "Eric A. Yates" wrote:
> >
> > Okay, I've been following this thread carefully trying to find out if my
> > driving habits are rough on my car. Can someone please review (without
> > reopening debate) what seems to be the general list consensus on these
>issues:
> >
> > 1. Starting with car in neutral, clutch pedal out: good/bad/no difference?
> > I usually do it this way. It seems most listers think it's either a good
> > habit or doesn't matter.
>
> Probably a good idea.
> >
> > 2. Sitting at traffic lights in neutral, clutch pedal out: good/bad/no
> > difference? I often wait at red lights with my car in gear and the clutch
> > pedal to the floor. No idea what the vote is on this one.
> >
> Probably not the best idea, but likely the most often used procedure (I
> do it too).
>
> > And here's another couple questions I was wondering about:
> >
> > 3. Coming to a near-complete stop at a stop sign and pulling away in 2nd
> > gear. Good/bad/no difference? I have to admit I do this often too.
>
> Bad idea, especially if it causes the engine to lug, and especially if
> there is a cop watching from behind a hedge!!
> >
> > 4. The only manual shift vehicles I had ever driven before getting my
> > Spitfire were motorcycles. My clutch habits come from that training I
> > guess. When I want to slow down in my Spit, the first thing I do is depress
> > the clutch pedal (as well as letting off the gas of course). Then I brake
> > and downshift. This sounds like such a dumb question, but is this the
> > normal procedure? If so, is it good/bad/no difference? I imagine the only
> > alternative is to let off the throttle and let the engine do some "braking"
> > before downshifting. Seems to me that would result in increased wear on the
> > mechanicals. Thoughts?
>
> I tend to let the engine do a lot of the deceleration when coming to a
> stop. I watch the revs to ensure against over-revving the engine, but I
> feel that it saves on the brakes and doesn't really hurt the engine
> (Flames anyone?)
>
> Regards,
> Joe
>
> --
> "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
> -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
joe, i think everyone is missing the point. if the engine is rebuilt
correctly with the end float tolerance at the tight end (.004") it won't
make a lot of difference. the engine does turn over easier with the
clutch in since it takes lass effort to overcome the clutch drag than it
does to oevercome the drag from the 90 weight gear oil. the secret to
the thrust washer problem on this engine family - which also includes
tr6 - is to pin the thrust washers to the block. this is done with
brass pins - we use .100" diameter brass rod - and drill through the t/w
into the block. since the brass is softer than the t/w material, as the
surface startws towear. the brass does not hurt the thrust surface of
the crank. some extra work, but our engines, both street and race,
don't lose t/w's. ted
--
Ted Schumacher
TS Imported Automotive
404 Basinger Rd.
Pandora, Ohio, USA 45877
Ph. 800/543-6648 USA/Canada FAX 419/384-3272 24 hour
Ph. 419/384-3022 - tech./general information
Web page http://www.tsimportedautomotive.com
New-Used-Rebuilt-NOS-Performance British car parts.
200 - 300 parts cars in our British-only salvage yard.
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