Allright, finally got the E-mail running again after about a week of it
being down, perhaps a new ISP is in order? Anyways, I really appreciate
the responses I was given from the list. It is nice to have veteran
Triumph mechanics offer me their ideas. I think it was Joe Curry who
wanted to know about he car, so here are the stats, according to the plate
on the door:
Triumph Spitfire 1500
April 1978
FM 77534 UO
Paint: NMC (Leyland White?)
Trim: C11 (It has much different upholstery now, the houndstooth seats
wereSOOOO ugly!)
It has:
Overdrive
Original luggage rack
Chrome trim rings
Original tools
Original spare
ALL receipts dating back to 1980, I am the second owner.
and..... A FUNCTIONAL HEATER!!!!!!!!
Ok, Ok, it does not have the orignal motor....I spun the third rod bearing
(again) and took the motor out of my previous 79 Spit which burned to the
ground. I had rebuilt this motor myself and pretty much followed the
rebuild precedure as described in the Haynes manual. I lapped the valves
in myself, and polished up the combustion chambers by hand. (Oh so shiny!)
With the exception of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and the carbon
canisters, all smog equipment is removed. The catalytic converter had been
hollowed out by the previous owner. After having the manifold welded twice
unsuccessfully, of course, I will be replaceing it by a PaceSetter unit.
Ok, here is what I know about the oil problem. Someone suggested that it
was the oil pressure simply returning to normal when I let off the
accelerator. However,it happens even when cold, going from @ 80 psi to 10
or 15 until I give it some gas. I am pretty sure it is starved for oil at
this time. When hot, the motor puts about @ 20-25 psi at idle and
@ 45 psi at 2000 rpm. With the exception of the mystical oil fluctuations,
is this normal?
I put about 4.7 quarts of 20w-50 oil in it with a filter change as
recommended by both of the workshop manuals, and it reaches the fill mark
on the dipstick. Can a bad spring on the oil relief valve have anything to
do with this?
Can anyone on the list share their experience with synthetic oils? I
understand that they keep up better at high engine temperatures, and are
less susceptible to breakdown. I am trying to decide whether or not to use
some Mobil One 15w-50 in it. My car has larger tolerances than today's
cars, but 50 weight is 50 weight isnt it? With synthetics increased
ability to operate at high temperatures, should I expect higher oil
pressure?
Thanks again for all the responses I was given. You guys are great.
Josh Hayes
18 year old full time student and McDonalds employee
San Diego, California.
1978 Spit
1960 TR3-A
Post-Script: The Charlie B. that responded would'nt happen to be the one I
know from the Triumph club of San Diego would it?
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