More Daft Questions

[gog440]

Hi all
I have a few more possibly daft questions:-

What engine oil is best to use in my 280?

How do I fix my mileometer? The speedo works but the mileometer and trip do nowt

How difficult is it to make up new carpets? I assume you take them out and use as a template but..

Is the suspension on my 280 any different to an early 350? and will I have any issues with my new 15" wheels fouling on anything?


I have just bought new plugs, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter so just need to see what people recomend for the oil before I give her a good service.
I have also bought some new plug leads but I am a bit confused about the rev limiter rotor arm, anyone have a link to where I can find the right ones? And what type of dizzy cap should I be looking for (apart from not intermotor lol)lk

[Danny Hoffman]

gog440 said:

How do I fix my mileometer? The speedo works but the mileometer and trip do nowt

There is probably a broken cog inside that could have been caused by someone re-setting the trip on the move. A specialist such as Speedy Cables should be able to repair it for you

gog440 said:

Is the suspension on my 280 any different to an early 350? and will I have any issues with my new 15" wheels fouling on anything?

They should fit fine, the owner (JamesMK) of my old 280i fitted 15" lattice wheels off a 350i

gog440 said:

I am a bit confused about the rev limiter rotor arm, anyone have a link to where I can find the right ones? And what type of dizzy cap should I be looking for (apart from not intermotor lol)lk

My old 280i didn't have the rev limiting rotor arm, I thought TVR just fitted standard ones to "improve" performance

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..You can use multigrade SAE 20w/40 or 20w/50 oil..Howlfrauds do a 20w/50 classic oil which is ok..Distributor caps are either bosch..(Brown) or i believe motorcraft..(Blue)..A ford capri 2.8i rotor arm is fine...The wheels should be ok although you might need a smaller wall tyre in case they rub on full lock..Athough im not sure..Cheers..Ziga

[gog440]

Back to buying cheap 20/50 then lol

How does the speedo come out so I can get it repaired? I expect that I will have to take the whole dash out to get at it.

[Danny Hoffman]

gog440 said:

How does the speedo come out so I can get it repaired? I expect that I will have to take the whole dash out to get at it.

The wood should just pull off, you'll need to remove the steering column cowl first.

Then from underneath you can fit a small hand up behind the dash - I think there are 2 nuts that holding a retaining bracket. Once removed you should be able to pull the speedo out. If the cable and dash light wires are short you may need to disconnect these first.

Removing the trim to the left of your knee may help access. Also laying on your back with your head in the footwell and legs in the air.....

[mrzigazaga]

Danny Hoffman said:

Also laying on your back with your head in the footwell and legs in the air.....

Sounds like a mandatory TVR repair position..I normally have to remove the steering wheel or i get trapped by my barrell-ness..

[adam quantrill]

gog440 said:

Back to buying cheap 20/50 then lol

It's not as cheap as it used to be - the days of £4 a gallon Unipart Green are long gone... ;^(

[RCK974X]

For more info - actually the whole dash assembly slides off, not just the wooden bit, but the whole crash pad etc. Two nuts, one at each side, which are a real bugger to get to, unless you happen to have double jointed wrists. These clamp onto a slot on each side, so don't undo them completely, just undo until the washers are loose.

Dont' forget to disconnet the speedo cable, otherwise you might pull the top fitting off (been there, done that...). Remove heater/lower surround moulding first (screw on each side)

(this from early style 2.8 - mine is '82)

Oil - I use 20/50, Castrol GTX Classic, typically, as it's reasobaly cheap here in NZ. I find the modern oil tends to leak out everywhere. (the 2.8 isn't the most oil tight of engines, especially the rocker covers)

Speedo - I agree if speedo bit works but mileage does not, then almost certainly one of the cogs inside has broken - as many are plastic. The cable drives a rotating 'dish' thing for the speed, and also a drive cog which is then progressively geared down to drive each number on the mileage 'stack' of rings. Probably need to take it to a specialist to fix it.

Carpet - buy car carpet as you can cut it without it fraying everywhere, and it bends more easily - paper template is about as good a method as any other - make it a bit big to start with !!


Hope that all makes sense !!

Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 26th June 21:51

Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 26th June 21:53

[gog440]

The carpet I am going to get is some big roll ends of jag/rangerover carpet that Aeromotive have managed to get hold of very cheaply, it is really good quality but failed jags QC checks as it is a bit wavy on the end of the roll.