Evening all,
This is a rather long e-mail detailing a few 'problems' I have been
experiencing of late. I need help!
Problem 1. Oil Pressure light comes on at 1000rpm and below. I fitted
the new oil pressure switch last week and since then I have not
experienced the light coming on at 1000 and below revs. Problem 1
solved.
Problem 2 worries me slightly more as I have heard of 'Triumph Death
Rattle', now I am not sure what this is but my engine rattles for a
second or two when started up from cold. Is this
a) fine, don't worry
b) bad
c) very bad
d) buy a new engine (again) and burn larger hole in pocket?
What could the rattle be and what is the infamous 'Triumph death rattle'?
Problem 3. Not sure if this is a problem or a quirk, but on over-run
(when I have taken my foot off the accelerator and coasting, or engine
breaking) the valves get a lot noisier. It is possible that the valves
are are out of adjustment as the garage had the cylinder head off and
would have had to re-set these.
Problem 4 is the most mysterious of the three. Previously I had reported
the exhaust roaring a lot more at 2800rpm and above. I am not sure if
the noise, or my perception of the noise has changed but now I would say
that it was more of a regular vibration. The vibration cannot be heard
at below 2800rpm, always starts at the same place regardless of roadspeed
or gear. It sounds like it is coming from the left side of the car (UK
car, rhd). I can't think how the vibration could be the engine. The
only bit I would imagine could vibrate noisily would be the camshaft and
I don't think that I would be driving round for too long if was. I
thought it could be an out of balance fly wheel, but I am not sure if
this is possible? The flywheel and clutch from my old engine were put
onto the new. The third possiblility would be that the propshaft has
gone out of balance. This is a possibility as I suspect that it is a
little worn, but why would this start happening when I put a new engine
in? It could be coincidence, but that is unlikely also coupled with the
fact it is rpm and not roadspeed linked.
Problem 5. Now this one I may already know the answer to although I am
not sure. At low rpm or idling the idle is very unstable. At 800rpm the
car will stall if I don't pull the choke out a little or step on the
accelerator (the oil light will turn on at 4-500rpm but I would imagine
this is normal?). The garage reported that he had had problems getting
the engine to run smoothly and had cleaned up the carbs a couple of times
but didn't that the correct o ring that needed to be replaced (not sure
where in the carb that goes?). I pulled the fuel lines round the carbs
and noticed that one had a load of muck in the middle that would have
restricted petrol flow to 1 & 2 cylinders. I have now replaced both
these hoses and will do the same for the hose between the fuel pump and
carbs tonight. That didn't sort out the lumpy idle. Next I thought that
it could be general wear and air leaks. I need to carry out some more
investigations by spraying carb cleaner on the spindle/carb to check for
wear here and if I find any then I may have a go at rebuilding the carbs
with a carb repair kit. How hard is this? The third possibility is that
the waxstat jets need replacing. I think they are waxstat jets but I am
now sure, how can I tell? My car is a UK spec '77 model with twin SUs.
Or I could be totally wrong and the bad idling has nothing to do with the
carbs and is linked to another of problems?
As I have said before performance through all of these noises and
problems is fine, the engine is not over-heating, if anything it is
running a little cool.
Sorry for the long e-mail but if any of you can provide any insight into
these problems then I can do further investigation or take the car to the
garage for further diagnosis/repair.
cheers all
John & Saskia(1977 Spit 1500)
http://www.spit1500.co.uk/
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