OK, now what

[walshja]

I've had my '74 for a few weeks now, and completed the following maintenance items:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]changed oil[*]changed transmission oil[*]changed rear differential oil[*]buffed the original paint out[*]adjusted the rear brakes[/list]

I still need to do the following:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]change coolant[*]change hydraulic fluids: brake & clutch[*]change spark plugs[*]grease all fittings[*]adjust the timing, I get a popping noise when I let the gas off[*]clean the interior[/list]

what other maintenance items should I be looking at?

and does anyone have any tips on how to clean the seats? all the little texture lines in the seats are filled with dirt. Can I use any type cleaner? Do I need to protect them with any product like Armor All?

also, when I turn the ignition off on the car, it feels like the engine hops a bit, is that normal?

finally, I think I may need shocks, is something I can do to check the shocks?

thanks

joe

 

[Baz]

also, when I turn the ignition off on the car, it feels like the engine hops a bit, is that normal?

When you get your timing dialed in, that will go away.
You may want to change your points, condenser and rotor in the distributor, and check your plug leads and distributor cap.
Adjust your valve clearance too.
That's about the usual routine stuff, but I may forget something.....

 

[regularman]

also, when I turn the ignition off on the car, it feels like the engine hops a bit, is that normal?

When you get your timing dialed in, that will go away.
You may want to change your points, condenser and rotor in the distributor, and check your plug leads and distributor cap.
Adjust your valve clearance too.
That's about the usual routine stuff, but I may forget something.....

Order two sets of points condenser and rotor and put one set in the boot in a ziplock for emergencies for yourself or some other LBC on the roadside.

 

[walshja]

thanks for the feedback, ordering parts on Moss right now.

when looking for all the parts, I came across an electronic ignition, replaces the points?

is this a smart upgrade? or not needed/necessary?

joe

 

[regularman]

thanks for the feedback, ordering parts on Moss right now.

when looking for all the parts, I came across an electronic ignition, replaces the points?

is this a smart upgrade? or not needed/necessary?

joe

You might find a bit of aguement on that one. I prefer points because I can fix them if they give problem. E/I on the other hand does not give much problem but when it does it can't be fixed. Some go electronic and carry a spare distibutor with points in the boot in case the electronic one dies.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I went electronic one day when my points had worn out. I installed the pertronix unit at a car show and drove home. I haven't had a moments trouble in 5 years and 3?,000 miles. But like Kim said, stories will vary. I used to carry a spare set of points and condenser mounted on a base plate as backup. I finally quit carrying them.

 

[jlaird]

Over 100,000 miles and have never had a dizzy go bad. Hmmm, maybe I should not have said that.

 

[ecurie_ecosse]

Over 100,000 miles and have never had a dizzy go bad. Hmmm, maybe I should not have said that.

Those come under the heading ---"Famous last words" Jack.

Stuart.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Dieselling / Run On - Issue could be timing but guess what, this little engine requies PREMIUM GAS. Sunoco 240 94 Octane for Bugsy my 68 Sprite with a '66 1098 Engine. Easy to overlook. Back in the old days when Gas Was Gas.

Backfire when letting off the gas - likely needs a Gulp Valve - That saucer shaped thingy right by the carbs.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Shocks got to Peter Caldwell and

Worldwide Auto Part in Madison, the absolute guru of Lever Are Shocks. He remanufactures and upgrades Lever Arm SWhocks so they are better than new.

It will make a TREMENDOUS and I mean a TREMENDOUS difference in handling.

nosimport@mailbag.com
>
> Peter Caldwell
> World Wide Auto Parts
> 2517 Seiferth Rd., Madison, WI 53716
> (800) 362-1025 Fax (608) 223-9403

 

[walshja]

I went electronic one day when my points had worn out. I installed the pertronix unit at a car show and drove home. I haven't had a moments trouble in 5 years and 3?,000 miles. But like Kim said, stories will vary. I used to carry a spare set of points and condenser mounted on a base plate as backup. I finally quit carrying them.

that's the unit I saw on Moss, $112, seems like a cheap upgrade

https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=38779

what to do, WHAT TO DO????

what are some symptoms that my points need to be replaced?

joe

 

[walshja]

Shocks got to Peter Caldwell and

Worldwide Auto Part in Madison, the absolute guru of Lever Are Shocks. He remanufactures and upgrades Lever Arm SWhocks so they are better than new.

It will make a TREMENDOUS and I mean a TREMENDOUS difference in handling.

nosimport@mailbag.com
>
> Peter Caldwell
> World Wide Auto Parts
> 2517 Seiferth Rd., Madison, WI 53716
> (800) 362-1025 Fax (608) 223-9403

thanks for the lead. how would I tell if the lever shock are bad? is this a serviceable item? do they require maintenance? or are they disposable like normal shocks?

joe

 

[jlaird]

For most of us shocks go to Peter if they are in question. He warentees for his lifetime and he is a young guy.

Peter wants the cores on old shocks so they are not disposable. Peters shocks should never need maintance, he rebuilds em better than new. They get real seals.

How to tell, easier to show. Hmmm, test as you would modern shocks they will give when pushed but will dampen rebound in one bounce.

 

[walshja]

aside from the bounce test, is there something else I can look at? are there fluids that can be checked? I am going to guess that I have the original lever shocks installed, and they have never been rebuilt.

joe

 

[tony barnhill]

...how would I tell if the lever shock are bad?
Disconnect the upper trunion from the shock. Pull the arms all the way up. Are they easy to move? Do they stay at the top or do they slowly drop? If either question is 'yes' replace them.

Or, is there oil 'growing' around the ends of the arms where they enter the body? That says 'oil leak,' Replace them.

...is this a serviceable item? do they require maintenance?
You can take them off the car, clean them out & put new mineral oil in them. On some models you can add an upgraded valve. That's about all you can do to them. Everything else is PeterC!

...or are they disposable like normal shocks?
You could throw them away but any rebuilder will want them as a core.

 

[regularman]

I wanted to catch that whole session with peter on the shocks. Was out with the wife for a meal after a cool shower from being out in the sun being out with the spridgets all day and just remembered it after getting back. Showed up late and grabbed a beer and danged if I didn't start falling asleep from being so tired. Trevor has that video, I think, and I need a copy of it so as not to embarass myself by asking stupid questions. I did a tube shock conversion on the front and I am satisfied with that, but I am not sure about the rear. They felt good but still it seem kind of dancy when I get above 50 or so. Being the moron that I am an being so involved in everyone elses stuff, I didn't think the have one of the Gurus go for a ride in my car and see if it felt "normal".