1st things to look for before driving...

[robdmau]

Just picket up a 1965 Austin Healey Sprite. It is in the body shop getting a new coat of paint. I'm looking for a little help as to what are some key things to look for before taking her on the road for the 1st time. I know I'm going to replace the driver rear brake cylinder and rebuild the master brake/clutch cylinder. I will be taking all four tires off and inspecting the brakes, probably replace the brake fluid and bleed the brakes, also going to do an oil change with a new filter.

Looking for help as far as:
What kind of oil should go in?
Can I get an oil filter at AutoZone?
Type of brake fluid?

Any other recommendation you think I should do before driving her for the first time?

 

[Deleted member 8987]

One axle's worth.

Been doing this too many years.

Anything done to the brakes must be done on both sides of one axle.

Shoes, cylinders (rebuild or new), springs, hoses (front).
You rebild/replace one w/cyl, guaranteed, unless everythging is new and it's just a "defective" unit, you will blow the other side in short order.

 

[198686d]

...ummm..."everything"...at least if you're on the side of the road, it will look good.

 

[Jer]

This is what I use in my Midget(s)

80/90 Gear Oil in Rear Diff. (what ever is on sale)
30 Motor Oil in Tranny (what ever is on sale)
20/50 Motor Oil in Motor(what ever is on sale)
Dot 3 Brake Fluid is typically used, unless someone has switched over to something fancy on the car.

I buy whatever is on sale as oil in Spridgets are actually there for a short time before it is leaking or burning off - It's there for a good time, not a long time !

Oil Filter for yours originally is a canistor/cartridge type assembly, the cartridge can be ordered by any jobber or you could just order from the usual suspects (VB, Moss etc.)

Check the tranny fluid level as it is often overlooked, & a full grease job (including steering rack) is a given also. & ... brake, clutch,engine, tranny, rear diff & radiator fluid levels... oops & yes,carb dampner fluid levels.

As long as you have topped up fluids & grease that'l help you out for a first run.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Unless you've got a Spin on Filter Adapter you'll need to order from MOSS or VB. Old style cannister filter messy to change.

Brake Fluid - Castrol LMA

Oil 20W/50W, 3.5 Qts I believe

Valvoline VR-1 has high levels of ZDDP needed to support our old engines

Hoses, hoses, hoses, they collapse internally and don't let the fluid through, replace all 3 Brake Hoses.

CLutch - Castrol LMA as well - Flush and Bleed as well as brake fluid

 

[Jim_Gruber]

There is a good section in the WIKI I Believe on steps needed to be done before you attempt to start a Spridget that has been hibernating for years.

 

[robdmau]

Perfect, thanks for all the pointers...

 

[walshja]

don't forget to check the oil level in your carburetor dashpots . . .

 

[histerical]

Just curious, but why would you have the car painted before doing any of the work needed to get it running and on the road ?

 

[HAN8L1965]

Everything I have read is the same oil in the tranny as the engine 20/50. Other than that I agree with all of the above and oil goes in the steering rack not lube.

Mark

 

[twas_brillig]

Have a look at your points and timing and look at the plugs for surprises; check the age of your tyres and get real interested if they're more than about 7 or so years old; do a search in here regards tyre pressures as the manual was for bias ply; jack up the front end and give all the wheels a good shake and look for play; check your rad fluid for level and condition; make sure the brake lights work. As mentioned above, fluids are key.

Priorities: 1 - does it stop? 2 - does it turn? 3- will it start? 4 - does it run?

And for your own joy, do a search here as well for a beautifully written Kijiiji Midget for sale ad, and have fun!

Doug