Discussion
After 25 years my old girl has finally moved under her own steam. It feels great to say I have actually driven a Vixen - albeit 10 yards backwards and 10 yards forwards! I've had an interesting time getting it going, including a problem with the starter solenoid and then a duff rotor arm. It ran a bit like an old tractor at first but once I advanced the ignition timing a tad it ran quite well. Still got some issues with air locks in the cooling system - can't seem to get the bottom hose warm so definitely not pumping coolant all the way round as yet. Need to sort this problem out before moving onto to setting the mixtures up so plenty of tweaking to be done. All the gauges sprang into life (bonus!) although the charging warning light doesn't want to go out so I don't know as yet if my alternator is duff, or if I've cocked up the wiring somewhere.
Unfortunately starting it was only the first step to getting it to move! Although it's not something I really want to admit to, I managed to bolt the wrong clutch plate in behind the cover plate! It's amazing how poorly a 23 spline clutch plate grips onto a 20 spline input shaft! Never thought to see if it would slide onto the gearbox before bolting it to the flywheel. No wonder it seemed to mate up so easily! Fortunately the damage inflicted was to my pride and not the gearbox. Hauling the gearbox out and then back in again hasn't been that much fun!
I did wonder if there were any good tips for sorting out my air lock, or any thoughts on my system charge warning light staying on?
Unfortunately starting it was only the first step to getting it to move! Although it's not something I really want to admit to, I managed to bolt the wrong clutch plate in behind the cover plate! It's amazing how poorly a 23 spline clutch plate grips onto a 20 spline input shaft! Never thought to see if it would slide onto the gearbox before bolting it to the flywheel. No wonder it seemed to mate up so easily! Fortunately the damage inflicted was to my pride and not the gearbox. Hauling the gearbox out and then back in again hasn't been that much fun!
I did wonder if there were any good tips for sorting out my air lock, or any thoughts on my system charge warning light staying on?
Front end up a height leave expansion cap off and leave top hose off fill rad till you get a constant stream of water from top hose (block side) Then fit the hose
Also check that you have water in the heater matrix, again fill it open till you get a constant stream of water.
Its always a good idea to run your engine with cap off to get it warm and allow any air to escape then let stand, feel all pipes etc
and test your stat, lots of crappy ones. The x-flow needs the type with the small jiggle pin, If it doesn't have one drill a small 1/8 bypass hole in the stat flange.
N.
Also check that you have water in the heater matrix, again fill it open till you get a constant stream of water.
Its always a good idea to run your engine with cap off to get it warm and allow any air to escape then let stand, feel all pipes etc
and test your stat, lots of crappy ones. The x-flow needs the type with the small jiggle pin, If it doesn't have one drill a small 1/8 bypass hole in the stat flange.
N.
Edited by heightswitch on Monday 6th May 21:21
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