At 11:15 AM 6/6/97 -0500, John Di Fede wrote:
>
> Hello all;
>
> I'm new to the list, so I'll introduce myself. I'm John Di Fede,
> working at Consumers Reports (the car test people) in Yonkers NY (just
> north of NYC). I sharpened my teeth on a 1970 Spit while in college,
> but sold it because parts were too expensive (cut into my beer money).
>
> Currently own : 1975 TR-6 70k miles good condition
> 1973 MGB Total restoration by me
> 1980 MGB I'm getting around to it
>
> My most recent purchase is the TR-6. I've changed the U-joints,
> springs, shocks, rebuilt carbs, rebuilt brakes, tune, etc.
>
> This car runs liks a shaved ape! The motor pulls well (less shifting
> then the MG) and just hums along. The sound out of the stock exhaust
> is sweet.
>
> Ok. My point. At start up with 20-50 oil the pressure is at 90lbs.
>
> After 50 miles, at idle the pressure is maybe 15lbs acording to the
> dash gauge. Idiot light never comes on. The engine shows no sign of
> excess wear no unusual sounds, and the sparkplugs are clean.
>
> The only thing I hear is a faint sound (rumble?) of moving parts sort
> of like an old water pump might make.
>
> Anybody out there ever experience this? Would rocker arm wear cause
> this?
>
> Would changing the connecting rod bearings improve this condition?
> Somewhere I read where Bentley recommends changing them at 50k miles.
>
> I checked the oil presure relief spring length and added a small
> washer to bring the free spring length bask to spec. This seemed to
> help. Also the oil gauge always reads steady. The needle dosen't
> bounce.
>
> I really can't believe a full rebuild is necessary at this point.
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated!
>
> PS. Thanks to all for oil cooler mounting advice.
>
>
> "AN ACCOUNTANT WITH DIRTY FINGERS"
>
>
> "MY VEHICLES ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VEHICLES OF MY EMPLOYER"
>
>
> You have given a good description of worn main and rod bearing
symtoms. It is a very simple task ( 2 hours at most ) for you or your
mechainc to drop the oil pan and check one of each. Have a new gasket , put
it back together , decide what to do later. While you have the pan off,
check the thrust washer clearances.
Sam Haynes
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