Winter questions

[HarveyB]

Just two for now:

1) How do you get paint to the top of your outriggers- I've seen the customized paint pad used by tvrgit but I find that towards the front and rear, in particular, I can't even get a finger up there let alone any brushes/pads etc. Something to do with a thin sponges forced up there, maybe?

2) One for the mechanically minded: I've sorned my car so I can't drive it on the roads at present. I expect to re-tax it at the start of March. In the meantime I occasionally need to move it in and out of the garage- it's not really feasible to do this by pushing due to the way the slope in front of the garage so I have to run it to do so. If I have to start the car- is it better to leave it running and allow it to warm right up (took about 20 minutes for the fan to cut in at the weekend) or is running it at low revs for a short time causing excessive wear/battery damage etc? I've heard conflicting theories.



Thanks

Harvey

[coolcatmaz]

Can I also ask then these questions for the brainy bunch

1. How often should I be running it for, as obviously its not getting out on the roads much at the moment, but try to give it a good run out for an hour+ every week. Is this enough or do I need to have the engine running more often during the week?

2. Got caught short of petrol the other week and as no garages in Stratford had regular unleaded, I had no option but to put some Shell VMAX in it. It may be doing more MPG and goes like a rocket on it but is it wise to be using VMAX as opposed to normal unleaded?

Cheers guys, and sorry for hyjacking this thread.

[pies]

http://tvrsseries.com/paintbrush.JPG

[ketvrin]

HarveyB said:

1) How do you get paint to the top of your outriggers- I've seen the customized paint pad used by tvrgit but I find that towards the front and rear, in particular, I can't even get a finger up there let alone any brushes/pads etc. Something to do with a thin sponges forced up there, maybe?

Harvey

Hi Harvey, for what its worth I struggled to get access to the same area and finally used a strip of cloth about 1.1/2 inches wide, I fed it thru the gap and over the outrigger and then painted the strip liberally and pulled it back through, back and forth painting the strip each time. In this way I managed to get a good coating of red hammerite on top of the outrigger and down my sleeves and in my eyes etc etc you can feel the strip "gliding" when theres plenty paint but rubbing when the paint has gone so the trick is to keep it gliding...

really messy but it worked for me... good luck

K

[ketvrin]

coolcatmaz said:

is it wise to be using VMAX as opposed to normal unleaded?

Hey Maz - the ignition timing should be set for regular or super and I think I remember about a 3 deg difference, I dont suppose one tankful is going to give you any probs but you should have your timing set for the one you intend to use and stick to it.
If your motor really does feel better with the VMax, maybe thats what it was set for before you got it ? I cant remember seeing a post from you about timing before ???

K

[coolcatmaz]

no, no postings regarding timing before.

Only put half a tank in as its something like £108.9 a litre and didn't want to upset the engine either if it didn't like the VMAX. I've since mixed it with half a tank of normal unleaded, so half and half then at the moment.

Seems to like the VMAX (my credit card doesn't though) even with the 50/50 mix its running at the moment. Just don't want to muck the engine up thats all.

[Harry1972M]

Kev,
What did you end up setting your timing at in the end and for which fuel - I have just reset my timing tonight I am at about 10 degree BTDC at present.

My only winter tip is to use it as often as the weather and salty roads will allow as they don't like sitting around - seals perish without fluid going near them and electrics need juice through them regularly and move the car around as the tyres can get flat spots if sat in one position too long.

G

[Elfit]

Another tip, learnt from "the Gamekeeper" I think.Keep the fuel tank as full as possible ~ less exposed metal and hence less rusting.

[bills1]

I never take mine off the road during the winter, keep using it when its dry. A good 20 mile run at least once a month in the dry will keep it beter than anything by circulating the oils when warm and getting everything hot and dry. These cars need to be used, a lot of problems often arise after long periods of standing. No amount of warming up and moving around the drive will matach a good 20+ mile blast on a crisp dry morning and its good for you.

[ketvrin]

Harry1972M said:

Kev,
What did you end up setting your timing at in the end and for which fuel - I have just reset my timing tonight I am at about 10 degree BTDC at present.

G

Graham, I set mine at 12 deg and use regular unleaded... theres plenty performance for what I want without going to "Super" which is not always available (in the rural areas I frequent anyway...)

Agree with all of the tips as well... keep it used

[coolcatmaz]

ketvrin said:

Harry1972M said:

Kev,
What did you end up setting your timing at in the end and for which fuel - I have just reset my timing tonight I am at about 10 degree BTDC at present.

G

Graham, I set mine at 12 deg and use regular unleaded... theres plenty performance for what I want without going to "Super" which is not always available (in the rural areas I frequent anyway...)

Agree with all of the tips as well... keep it used

But doesn't it feel good when it hasn't been used for a while and you'd forgotten what fun it can be

[petclub]

coolcatmaz said:

But doesn't it feel good when it hasn't been used for a while and you'd forgotten what fun it can be

Can't remember

[coolcatmaz]

petclub said:

coolcatmaz said:

But doesn't it feel good when it hasn't been used for a while and you'd forgotten what fun it can be

Can't remember

Are we talking TVR's here or something else or both

[petclub]

coolcatmaz said:

Are we talking TVR's here or something else or both

D'oh, can't remember that either!

[coolcatmaz]

I think you need your memory jogging......in many areas

[petclub]

Too true!

I am the person that booked into a hotel a few years ago only to remember the next day I had already booked into the one next door which was far nicer!

[coolcatmaz]

ahhhh, think you're refering to 'senior moments' or 'craft moments' as some call them.

[ketvrin]

coolcatmaz said:

'craft moments'

what was I laughing at again ?

[HarveyB]

Thanks all- I’ll give the custom pipe and string a crack this weekend.

ketvrin said:

really messy but it worked for me... good luck

K

I’m already well accustomed to this along with “You’re bleeding!” cries from wife/friends/neighbours etc. If it adheres to my chassis as effectively as it does to the top of my head, I’ll be laughing.

Elfit said:

Another tip, learnt from "the Gamekeeper" I think.Keep the fuel tank as full as possible ~ less exposed metal and hence less rusting.

Another catch 22- doesn’t petrol deteriorate over time?

bills1 said:

I never take mine off the road during the winter, keep using it when its dry. A good 20 mile run at least once a month in the dry will keep it beter than anything by circulating the oils when warm and getting everything hot and dry.

Agreed- this seems to be the general view for all TVR’s as far as I can tell. However I did this last winter and thought I’d try sorning it this winter while I put another coat paint on the chassis and do a few other jobs. I’m also pretty conscious that last year “summer” was pretty much over by the end of April so I’m keen to be all done on the routine maintenance ASAP.

[petclub]

coolcatmaz said:

ahhhh, think you're refering to 'senior moments' or 'craft moments' as some call them.

But I'm only 17! (unless anyone that knows me reads this, then it's - but I act like I'm 17)