Roger wrote:
My basic concept on working on these cars is to envision what they were like
when new. A friend had a Spitfire and we drove it all over the place. I do
not recall ANY overheating problems. So rather than assume overheating is
normal, I'd start looking at what is different from when the car was new,
including head passages clogged up (favorite TR6 problem).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Roger - (1) I never said I assumed that overheating was normal - it
shouldn't be, (2) nor did I say that my Spitfire was "overheating." What I
said was that after rebuilding the motor, having it hot tanked to clean out
the internal passages, hot tanking the radiator, installing a new water
pump, new hoses, all the valances, etc., etc., etc. it runs toward the hot
end of the scale in "heavy" stop and go driving which heats up the intake
charge resulting in poor driveability. Timing is set at idle at 4 degrees
BTDC which results in a maximum advance of 32 degrees at approx. 2500 rpm
and above. Fuel/air mixture "appears" to be perfect as the plugs all check
out beautiful, with a nice light tan color and a clean electrode.
I installed the electric fan fully recognizing that it is not original (but
can be easily removed if I choose to sell it to a fanatical "originist") and
am considering an oil cooler for the same reason - I can install it and
remove it at will without permanently screwing up the vehicle. I am at a
loss as to why the vehicle runs very warm in heavy stop and go driving if
everything is bone stock and checks out clean and fully operational. My
thought is that an oil cooler can't hurt and certainly is "likely" to help
and provides peace of mind.
Ross D. Vincenti - Costa Mesa, CA
64 Spitfire 4
64 Porsche 356C Coupe
|