Caring for the supercharger; RR + 3.5RV8 + Sprintex

[V8 Fettler]

3000 miles on the Rangie since resurrection, elderly RR with supercharged RV8 is addictive.

I have a separate oil reservoir for the supercharger, there is oil in it, I know not what variety, it looks grubby. Any pointers on oil type much appreciated.

Possible procedure to change oil: warm up engine, switch off, turn reservoir over to drain (it's on flexible hose), drain oil, refit reservoir in correct position, refill? Is priming needed? Would be good to check that oil is reaching the supercharger before starting the engine.

[adam quantrill]

Hiya Mr Fettler,

if the oil looks grubby then yes do change it (at least, what's in the reservoir).

I was advised by the "guru" Dennis Priddle to just put in ATF, which I have been doing for the last 6 years/60k miles and it's doing well on it.

With ATF in there, some oil is lost gradually, and you have to top up the reservoir around every 500 miles or so. I would imagine it's going into the air stream under vacuum as it doesn't drip anywhere.

I was lucky and bought a job lot of new old stock ATF out of a citroen dealer at a quid per 2l bottle, and still have a few left, so I reckon I use a litre every 10k?

I have never let it run dry so have never had the need to "prime" anything but I would imagine that if you raise the reservoir as high as possible and let the fluid settle for a few hours, any air bubbles would come up the pipe. Also you could try blowing down the bleed pipe if you have one that goes to the lid. If the reservoir level rises and falls then you're probably OK.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate...i have just emailed you, I have some Sprintex data that could be useful..I think i have already given it to you Adam...If not let me know and i will send you a copy too...Cheers...Ziga

[adam quantrill]

Cheers Mark why not just upload it and attach it to this thread:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...

[mrzigazaga]

Hopefully thats right?

[adam quantrill]

Brilliant! Cheers Zig some very useful info.

The only changes to the manual you posted up is that (according to Dennis Priddle) it's no longer necessary to grease the bearings, just keep topping up the ATF, as it gets used it draws any contaminants out with it I guess like a lost oil lubrication system.

[DonkeyApple]

V8 Fettler said:

3000 miles on the Rangie since resurrection, elderly RR with supercharged RV8 is addictive.

I have a separate oil reservoir for the supercharger, there is oil in it, I know not what variety, it looks grubby. Any pointers on oil type much appreciated.

Possible procedure to change oil: warm up engine, switch off, turn reservoir over to drain (it's on flexible hose), drain oil, refit reservoir in correct position, refill? Is priming needed? Would be good to check that oil is reaching the supercharger before starting the engine.

Evening. Any details on the Rangie?

I've currently got 3 3.5 V8s. A 1972, an '80 and an '89.

Have been pondering whether it's worth faffing with FI on one of them.

[V8 Fettler]

Thanks Adam, I've tested the existing oil by the time honoured "dip finger and have a sniff", smells like gear oil but quite low viscosity. I have some ATF so I'll use that.

Thanks Zig, PM received and replied to, I have been pondering how the rear bearing is lubricated, I suppose it's under much less load than the front bearing.

@DonkeyApple, it's a 1989 3.5 with flapper EFi (4CU), it had been resting for a while and it was doubtful if it ever ran with the Sprintex supercharger. Good fun and enables me to feed my RV8 addiction on wet winter days.

If your 1989 Rangie has flapper EFi then persevere, it's all fixable. I wouldn't fit a flapper EFi to an RV8 with existing carbs, unless the flapper EFi was absolutely complete and known to be OK. As I'm sure you know, there are several modern EFi alternatives that offer far greater control than the flapper system.

[adam quantrill]

Yeah Dennis said not to bother with the rear bearing greasing but I suppose it won't harm to do it. I bet that nipple has been feeling lonely!

So I found some NBU 12/300 KP grease but it's quite pricey - 80 quid for a 400g tube - all in.

The Sprintex probably only needs 10-20g to top it up!

Anderol L-786 has been discontinued, but I found some smaller tubes on the flea for a fiver each +p+p which have to come from Italy so I could order a few then post them out at this end - let me know if you're interested. Probably come to about a tenner for 6oz = 150g.

I guess this operation will need a dedicated grease gun - flea are doing them for 8 quid...

[V8 Fettler]

Thanks for looking into this Adam, I have a standard grease nipple on the rear of my S/C, what sort of grease gun can be used for such a small quantity of grease?

Edit: this looks like the smallest I can find on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Manaul-Push-Type-Small-G...

Edited by V8 Fettler on Wednesday 1st April 17:37

[adam quantrill]

Yeah I was looking at them but you can get lever action ones for only a quid more. just working out the postage it might only be 7 or 8 quid a tube all in... watch this space.

Edited by adam quantrill on Wednesday 1st April 19:24

[adam quantrill]

OK so the more the merrier with this one. Postage will be around 4 quid a tube if I have 5 tubes, or 2 quid a tube if I buy 10, but that might be overkill!

I am thinking 5 tubes which will make the UK price a tenner a tube. But if any other SX owners (Jasper?) want in, I'll get a few more tubes and the price will be lower. Please let me know.

[adam quantrill]

OK so far I have myself, Fettler and Jasper in, so prices are:

one 6oz. tube will come to £8.
two tubes will be £13. total.
three (overkill methinks!) would be £17.

If I can get more people signed up then I can knock a quid off all of these prices.

[V8 Fettler]

Thanks Adam, PM sent

[mrzigazaga]

Perhaps Adam in Oz and the guy who bought Martins SX..Whoever that was?...Id have some but i don't need it now...Although i might know someone who might...Ill see if i can find their details...Cheers...Ziga

[adam quantrill]

Please form an orderly queue - no pushing!



The tubes are a lot bigger than I thought.... I have to check the postage cost.

Right to business... now I have dimensions and have weighed them I know the postage.

per tube you pick up (e.g. at BBWF or I drop off at Linton) = £6
1 tube delivered = £9
2 tubes total = £15
3 tubes total = £20

PM me for details. All done pretty much at cost to keep our wedges (and a rangey) running!

Edited by adam quantrill on Friday 24th April 19:41

[V8 Fettler]

Thanks Adam, email sent

[boxer456]

400 SX !! I am pleased to say that I bought Martins 400 SX and am absolutely in love, will digress later!. Have been meaning to post on here for some time but since I bought the car last October have had a lot of work done including a gearbox rebuild and currently re-plumbing the induction system as too many pipes keep coming loose resulting in some rather embarrasing 3000 rpm journeys home (V.LOUD!). Martin fitted an intercooler which though good in theory, the extra pipework needs simplifying or I may just route from the supercharger to the plenum as per Dennis / Haughins original design. Anyhow, up for a tube of this stuff if still on offer and I will be at the BBWF.Look forward to seeing you there.

Will post a detailed summary of events since I bought G692 MEO very soon - currently awaiting Austec Racing to fine tune (and will have an up to date dyno - 260hp last week, hope to improve on that!).

ps. supercharger belt snapped, any advice on make to replace with appreciated. I have

Best
James

[adam quantrill]

Hi James yes I have tubes in stock. I'll be posting up a "how to" guide but if you are thinking of pulling the blower out any time soon, get a tube first, because the nipple is underneath and quite hard to reach,

For the best belt to get (and other info) see this thread:

SX Technical Information

Welcome to the world of SX's!

[boxer456]

Thanks Adam, appreciate your advice and looking forawrd to ownership of a v rare TVR, I can see why you have kept yours from new!. Might be a good time to 'grease the nipple' as works being carried out. Have used standard atf in the reservoir ?- uses a fair amount, guess it just needs topping up from time to time.


Cheers

James