First outing in 2014

[FI Spyder]

Yesterday it was blue sky and warm so to the Spider out for it's first run in 2014 as this Sunday is club outing (more to follow). I had it up on jack stands for a 5 wheel tire rotation, nipped up the excess wheel bearing play (last year it seemed something was loose when going slow over grass fields at car shows and had a little wheel wobble) grease the rack, paint the lower alterntor and compressor mounts and change the spark plugs. The battery was down as I hadn't checked the level for a long time and it was down below plates. Topped it up, charged it.

Here in lies the cautionary tale. It wouldn't fire. Smell of gas at the tail pipe. Never happened before, even after sitting all winter in years passed it always fired right up. Took the air plenum out, looked up firing order in the manual. Even though I was careful when changing the plugs, I wasn't careful enough and had mixed the three and four spark plug wires. Switched them around and it started and away I went. The car's steering seemed lighter, and was nice and tight. It was nice to get back in it. Can't wait for Sunday and the Saanich Restoration Fair

http://www.vicnews.com/neighbourhoods/sidney/253968571.html



- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[Last TR]

I flew into Portland from Anchorage this afternoon. Engine fired up after a little cranking and a few pumps on the accelerator. Had to top off the clutch master cylinder and pump on that pedal a long time to engage reverse and back out of the garage for a short drive. First task tomorrow is replacing slave and master cylinders, also the hose. Then on to suspension, brakes, wheels and tires.


Ken Morton
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees

[FI Spyder]

I would get a braided steel hose. I had put a new one on from VB but it expanded with fluid pressure so didn't work. That's when I decided to go with braided steel for clutch and brake lines.

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[Last TR]

Absolutely. I've got a braided hose for the clutch and a set for the brakes. When I backed out of the garage last night, the brakes were dragging a bit; I have to sort that too, I guess.

Ken Morton
Anchorage, Alaska

1980 TR8, 1973 TR6, 1965 Volvo PV544, 1958 MGA, Jeep Cherokees