Re: Running the first time

[Glenn Merrell <gmerrel@domain.elided>]

Hello Duncan,
    You need to give us more info about the car, so I'll ask the standard
questions.  So it did not boilover on idle after 20 minutes, good sign so
far...maybe.  What happened when you drove it after the 20 minute idle?  Did
it cool right down, or take a while to cool down?  Does the fan wobble,
engine off, when you move it front to back?  Does the fan free spin or stop
in less than a rotation.  Is there any coolant in the "Vee" under the intake
manifold?  Is there coolant in the overflow bottle, full empth, half full,
more/less?  Is there coolant filled to the top of the filler cap on the
radiator, or is it down an inch or more?  Is there any damage to the
radiator?  How many miles on the car?  Does the owner have maintenance and
service receipts showing frequent servicing?  Is the oil clean?  Is the
coolant clean, or is there a rust bubble when you take the radiator filler
cap off?  Is the radiator correct PSI, 13 psi on a MKI, 20 PSI on a MKII.
Is the brake fluid clean and reserviour clean (recent brake job)?  Is the
engine clean, show signs of recent overhaul?  If so, is there blue gasket
sealer squeezing out form all the gasket joints (if so, do not buy it)!  Any
engine fluid leaks anywhere.   Are the tires worn abnormally?  Is there body
damage?  Has it been resprayed recently?  If so, do a light magnet test to
detect bondo plastic filler from a collision.  Do the wheels wobble when
pulled on top to bottom, front to rear (bad bearings).  Does the engine idle
smoothly?  Does the engine respond immediately to immediate smash of the
throttle with no misfires, then back right back down with no shutter or
backfire?  Does the engine make any ticks, pings or rattles on acceleration
or deceleration?

Trans gear grinding:
   This could be a dozen things.  If the clutch is not fully disengaging,
possibly caused by a leaky slave cylinder or weak hose, this could cause a
grind.  Since it did not grind into 4th, this might be a possible cause as
it is easier to synchronize shift into 4th without the clutch.  Or, the
synchros could be shot, depends on how many miles are on the transmission
Does the shifter feel sloppy or firm (broken or worn shifter parts show
heavy use or mileage)?  When you shift into 1st with the engine running and
clutch pushed in, does it grind a bit?  When you let the clutch out in 1st,
any clunks or pings (worn U-Joints or diff)?  Does the transmission leak?

Hope you have a good set of coveralls, go at it!
Regards,
Glenn Merrell
"Keep Your Stag Cool, Install a NEW Composite Cowl Today"

See it at the site below:
http://pw1.netcom.com/~gmerrel/stagcowl001.html

Triumph Stag Registry USA VP
membership inquiry's to:
Mike Wattam <101714.1343@domain.elided>





Duncan Miller wrote:

> Well I Got the Stag Im thinking of buying for the first time and drove
> it about 10 miles. The temp stayed around the middle of the gage. then I
> let it sit and Idle for about 20 min, it was 80 deg. out. The temp went
> up to about 1/8 inch before the red line and just stayed there. Is this
> too hot? There is no Radiator shroud or electric fan. Is this thing
> going to be ok with a flush or am I going to be pulling it out before
> long?
>
>     Also I herd gear noise from 1,2.and3 but not 4.  Dose this mean lay
> shaft bearings?
>
> Duncan