Discussion
Hello all quite an exiting time as I have just bought my first Griff.Its not a minter but mechanically its seems to be ok. before I rush in, respray and viz it up (although believe me its sooooooooooo temting!!) i am choosing to run it for a while to see if all is well. to this end I am looking to change all the oils and coolants myself for my piece of mind and so on. For ref the car is a 28,000 mile 500 preserp with a T5. my queries are as follows.
what engine oil?
what diff oil?
what axle oil?
what coolant?
also the temp guage sems to go up to 90 and just sit there whatever. Is this the guage or just a sender?? I know the cooling is marginal on these cars so any tips on senders or drainage procces to avoid air locks is most appreciated. Plus is their a better thermo to fit?
To the hard core please appreciate I am new to this and the forum seach is next to useless so please dont diss me and tell me to search for threads.
what engine oil?
what diff oil?
what axle oil?
what coolant?
also the temp guage sems to go up to 90 and just sit there whatever. Is this the guage or just a sender?? I know the cooling is marginal on these cars so any tips on senders or drainage procces to avoid air locks is most appreciated. Plus is their a better thermo to fit?
To the hard core please appreciate I am new to this and the forum seach is next to useless so please dont diss me and tell me to search for threads.
Sounds like you've got the right idea 
We did a similar thing 18 months ago (and the respray is still waiting - See the stone chipped black thing in my profile 
)
1st thing would be to get hold of a copy of Steve Heath's "bible". It's not as detailed as a full workshop manual, but it's got answers to most of your questions.
Coolant going to 90 sounds spot on to me. The thermostat is an odd (at least in normal car terms) 75 degree one. It's best left as-is unless you substantially upgrade the cooling system.
I use Castrol Magnatec in the engine. (recomended by Dave Batty) Change it frequently and you'll be OK. I have a 96k mile griff on its original camshaft - so Batty knows what he's about on this one!
I use 40% antifreeze and 60% water in the coolant. Bear in mind that Griffs tend to use a bit of coolant - it's just the way they are, so don't worry too much and keep a bottle of water in the boot! If you upgrade the cooling system (silicone hoses, new rad etc) then this loss can be minimised. Ours hardly uses any now, but it's had a new ally rad and new hoses. The bible has some good advice about changing the coolant...
Gearbox oil is automatic transmission fluid. I forget the exact type.
Not sure on the diff oil either, but I think it's normal gear oil suitable for LSDs.
Above all, use it regularly and enjoy it. They are more reliable the more they are used.
Hope this is useful.
We did a similar thing 18 months ago (and the respray is still waiting - See the stone chipped black thing in my profile ) 1st thing would be to get hold of a copy of Steve Heath's "bible". It's not as detailed as a full workshop manual, but it's got answers to most of your questions.
Coolant going to 90 sounds spot on to me. The thermostat is an odd (at least in normal car terms) 75 degree one. It's best left as-is unless you substantially upgrade the cooling system.
I use Castrol Magnatec in the engine. (recomended by Dave Batty) Change it frequently and you'll be OK. I have a 96k mile griff on its original camshaft - so Batty knows what he's about on this one!
I use 40% antifreeze and 60% water in the coolant. Bear in mind that Griffs tend to use a bit of coolant - it's just the way they are, so don't worry too much and keep a bottle of water in the boot! If you upgrade the cooling system (silicone hoses, new rad etc) then this loss can be minimised. Ours hardly uses any now, but it's had a new ally rad and new hoses. The bible has some good advice about changing the coolant...
Gearbox oil is automatic transmission fluid. I forget the exact type.
Not sure on the diff oil either, but I think it's normal gear oil suitable for LSDs.
Above all, use it regularly and enjoy it. They are more reliable the more they are used.
Hope this is useful.
Fan coming in at 90 degrees is good. Should go down in motion in this weather to around 75.
Good advice and indy servicing available in Middlewich, if you need it, from Ian & co at Torque TVR (ex main dealer mechanic throughout the 90s and griffs & chims are his thing)
Dont be afraid of semi synthetic oils as long as quality is good, as the advice above says, frequent changes are best.
Good advice and indy servicing available in Middlewich, if you need it, from Ian & co at Torque TVR (ex main dealer mechanic throughout the 90s and griffs & chims are his thing)
Dont be afraid of semi synthetic oils as long as quality is good, as the advice above says, frequent changes are best.
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