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Engine Diagnostics Advice needed-

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Tinster

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The Crypt Car may soon be operational- somewhat.

Dan Masters' son Mike is graciously flying down
from Georgia this Saturday to spend a week with
me finalizing the install of the Dan Masters
complete car wire harness.

I have lined up a Brit carb doctor who makes house
calls to visit the Crypt Car and connect the new
carbs and then hopefully crank up the TR by Halloween.

Then a trip to have the clutch changed out.

My engine question. The PO had every other
vehicle component in really sorry, broke down
condition. I doubt the engine is very good.

What is the very first item I should check out
in terms of the engine being messed up? I already
know the thrust bearings are shot.

thanks as always,

dale
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Crypt Car may soon be operational- somewhat.

Dan Masters' son Mike is graciously flying down
from Georgia this Saturday to spend a week with
me finalizing the install of the Dan Masters
complete car wire harness.

I have lined up a Brit carb doctor who makes house
calls to visit the Crypt Car and connect the new
carbs and then hopefully crank up the TR by Halloween.

Then a trip to have the clutch changed out.

My engine question. The PO had every other
vehicle component in really sorry, broke down
condition. I doubt the engine is very good.

What is the very first item I should check out
in terms of the engine being messed up? I already
know the thrust bearings are shot.

thanks as always,

dale

[/ QUOTE ]

Am I dreaming? Dan won't even return my calls! (Just kidding, Dan.)

Dale, are you saying that you have never cranked this engine? Or did I read early on that you drove it briefly at the outset? If so, what did it sound like then?

There is a whole litany of things you should look for before you crank her up. Well, not really that long a list. You can run an engine with bad thrust washers but not under load. Just check the fluids, set your valves, set your timing statically and give her a twirl. At this point, if she blows, I have a really nice little resto-mod TR6 that I can ship to Puerto Rico. (Half-way kidding)

Seriously, if the engine is truly shot as you intimate, stop the madness and get someone to do a quick, good overhaul so you can get her on the road.


Bill
 
While I have to agree with Bill as usual, how about doing a dry compression test first? Record all readings and if any are off the others by more than 10%, squirt some oil in the cylinders and do a wet test as well. Then compare the readings.

This is when you should use your head and disconnect the coil wire and keep the plugs in the cylinders that are not being tested, to keep you from getting oil all over the car and yourself as well.
 
Too, they do have several companies/individuals out there that will build you a crate motor (yeah, I know, it's supposed to be engine but the redneck in me likes motor better)
that you can just drop in, even with a trann attached. Just don't let Alana or LastDeadLast do it for you, you will end up killing yourself.


Bill
 
Thanks all,

Correct Bill, the car was somewhat operational for
a brief few days after I got it. Mostly, I was trying
to determine why the rear end was making so much noise
and would bottom out on a peanut shell. 67 miles before
it died on me and became a crypt car.

d
 
Just think of the hours of pleasure that we've all had comparing notes with you about potential and real problems and things that can and will go wrong with these cars.

At least you've made a lot of new friends, so it isn't all bad.
 
Bill,

I'll have you know that I haven't killed myself.... yet. I see nothing wrong with, as long as you've got things apart, to make a few "improvements".

Dale,
I can tell you how to build a quick street-able engine though if you're interested... and what not to do.

1. Balance the assembly. It will let you engine run smoother and last longer
2. Heads: shave to 9.5:1 compression, do a 3 angle valve job and install hardened seats with good valves (especially if you plan to drive the car a lot). The compression is a cheap mod with nice results.
3. Roller rockers are a nice addition, but not necessary. You can get them with a mild ratio.
4. Get a nice torque cam. I'm running Richard Good's GP2 cam and I'm very satisfied with it, although there are several that would work as well.
5. Aluminum flywheel. By far the most noticeable improvement, this mod really wakes up the TR6 motor without sacrificing ANY drive-ability.
6. Triple carbs. I'm running triple ZS units with a Richard Good manifold. It's a real trick piece. After about a year of messing with them, I've got them dialed in real nice. Do yourself a favor and buy the linkage kit from Ratco.
7. Electric Fan. I absolutely hated the "jet engine" sound from the stock, belt driven fan. Not sure how many HP this mod freed up, but based on my experience with Mustangs, probably 5-10.
8. Headers. Not necessary but they look great.

But I'm not nearly as crazy as Alana is. and Bill is just as nutty as any of us. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
and Bill is just as nutty as any of us. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Considering my age, I'm nuttier....


Bill /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
I would give it a tune up, oil change, fresh gas and drive it. You will learn a lot about the car by putting some miles on it.
If the engine is shot, just don't run it hard. You will get a decent indicator on it's condition when you see the oil pressure at temperature.
Who knows, you may drive the thing and find that it's not the car you want. On the other hand, it may recharge your batteries toward further upgrading and make you anxious for things to come.
 
Thanks Doug but with all the hundreds of hours of my
labor and many $$ thousands of cash dumped into the
beast,I intend to enjoy drving the car for many years
to come; God willing and if my health holds out.

dale
 
Thanks Shannon for the shopping list.

Life here in the tropics is a bit different than
stateside. Of the items in your list- I can probably
deal with the electric fan. The other items just
ain't gonna be possible here on the island.

I have new Jeff Paltech refurbished carbs and a
new intake manifold already installed. New GM
alternator with (soon) a Dan Masters complete
car wire harness. New radiator and a complete
new rear suspension. New oil seals everywhere
but one.

But it's nice to know racy TRs exist.

I will be content when I can turn the key, the engine
starts and I can drive more than 4 miles from home
without breaking down.

thanks,

D
 
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