Discussion
I was out working on 1 of my cars, a few months ago and was asked if i was interested in buying an
old car? Their a friend had a TVR, but they did not know the model.Could they give them my phone number?
Saturday i get a phone call and pop round to have a look.
Here it is on the owners drive. Flat tyre on the offside rear. Hand brake stuck on. Car has not been started since
2008 and was pushed outside a year ago.. Owner lives 400 metres from my house and it is now tucked away
in one of the garages. I have never bought a non running car before. What is the best way to go about starting
the engine?
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/2bwSlX2Q.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/0uDmepOA" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/0uDmepOA.jpg)
old car? Their a friend had a TVR, but they did not know the model.Could they give them my phone number?
Saturday i get a phone call and pop round to have a look.
Here it is on the owners drive. Flat tyre on the offside rear. Hand brake stuck on. Car has not been started since
2008 and was pushed outside a year ago.. Owner lives 400 metres from my house and it is now tucked away
in one of the garages. I have never bought a non running car before. What is the best way to go about starting
the engine?
Does it turn with a handle on the crank (not trying to start the engine but turning manually)?
If not, marvel mystery oil, ATF or even some diesel poured into the bores after removing the spark plugs and leaving overnight should do the trick.
Either way I would change oil / filter and try and run fresh fuel before trying to start the engine. That tends to turn into a light service (air filter etc).
Others will say that simply starting is fine but I would be a bit more careful. You may as well do a light service.
Depending on how ignition works, things like having a distributor cap handy is no bad thing and you may as well replace the spark plugs if they are out.
If not, marvel mystery oil, ATF or even some diesel poured into the bores after removing the spark plugs and leaving overnight should do the trick.
Either way I would change oil / filter and try and run fresh fuel before trying to start the engine. That tends to turn into a light service (air filter etc).
Others will say that simply starting is fine but I would be a bit more careful. You may as well do a light service.
Depending on how ignition works, things like having a distributor cap handy is no bad thing and you may as well replace the spark plugs if they are out.
A gambling man! I like the colour. You'll have to get some better photo's up than that though op!
I would just check it's got oil, coolant, battery and fuel, then give it a try! Doubtless the carb will need some work, but if it has been garaged for most of it's time off the road, it hopefully shouldn't be seized.
A more cautious approach would be to whip the head off, have a good poke around then try turning it over by hand, see whats what.
Following with intetest.
I would just check it's got oil, coolant, battery and fuel, then give it a try! Doubtless the carb will need some work, but if it has been garaged for most of it's time off the road, it hopefully shouldn't be seized.
A more cautious approach would be to whip the head off, have a good poke around then try turning it over by hand, see whats what.
Following with intetest.
Thanks for all the replies. Will try and get some more photos this weekend. Just finishing off a few
other projects, before i get stuck into this one. Will take on board the advice, about trying to start the cat.
The original owner purchased the car in 2009. He tells me the engine has been worked on and
it has a race cam. He seemed to think it was also bored out to 3100cc. The frame underneath has
been powder coated,at some point in it's history and apart from a bit of surface rust, looked OKish.
Tyres are 185 85 14. I like the wheels, but i believe i might have to change them, as this tyre size is
difficult to find. Car has an electronic ignition kit, so don't have to deal with points.Couple of friends have
looked at it in the flesh and both commented that it Is a pretty car.
In the past, my wife would moan about me buying yet another car. We now have an agreement that i buy
her a designer handbag for each car i purchase. She has quite a collection now.
other projects, before i get stuck into this one. Will take on board the advice, about trying to start the cat.
The original owner purchased the car in 2009. He tells me the engine has been worked on and
it has a race cam. He seemed to think it was also bored out to 3100cc. The frame underneath has
been powder coated,at some point in it's history and apart from a bit of surface rust, looked OKish.
Tyres are 185 85 14. I like the wheels, but i believe i might have to change them, as this tyre size is
difficult to find. Car has an electronic ignition kit, so don't have to deal with points.Couple of friends have
looked at it in the flesh and both commented that it Is a pretty car.
In the past, my wife would moan about me buying yet another car. We now have an agreement that i buy
her a designer handbag for each car i purchase. She has quite a collection now.
hogg968 said:
Tyres are 185 85 14. I like the wheels, but i believe i might have to change them, as this tyre size is
difficult to find.
Blackcircles have a fair few options for 185/80/14, I doubt you'd notice the slight change in profile!difficult to find.
Interesting little car this, looking forward to following the thread.
OP, if its been sat that long you may find the oil has drained out of the pump
If it were me, i would take an HT lead off and turn the engine over, with no oil in, until the oil pressure light goes out. If it doesn't go out then you're going to have to prime the pump with vaseline.
I wouldn't start a car that hasn't run for 10 yeras without checking it can build pressure quickly.
New leads and points also key.
If it were me, i would take an HT lead off and turn the engine over, with no oil in, until the oil pressure light goes out. If it doesn't go out then you're going to have to prime the pump with vaseline.
I wouldn't start a car that hasn't run for 10 yeras without checking it can build pressure quickly.
Nice looking car.
The same car is mentioned in an old thread (with photo of it from 28 years ago, in a darker shade of blue with a silver stripe), and there's a reply from a previous owner....might be worth getting in contact:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The same car is mentioned in an old thread (with photo of it from 28 years ago, in a darker shade of blue with a silver stripe), and there's a reply from a previous owner....might be worth getting in contact:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by johnnyBv8 on Wednesday 1st August 13:55
Love the TVR. Will keep you nice and busy.
Just to echo and also add some. I would to empty the tank, if already empty check the inside for rust. When refilling add some sea foam supposed to be top stuff for cleaning your fuel supply. Maybe add some directly to your carbs. Remove the spark plugs add some diesel, leave it overnight. Next day remove fuel pipe at the carbs , put your ignition on make sure you get fuel through. Remove fuel pump fuse . With plugs out turn the crank with a wrench, if not in top gear rock the car gently. If all ok turn the engine over and check your oil pressure. Once turning try then with your spark plugs back in and pump fuse back in
Just to echo and also add some. I would to empty the tank, if already empty check the inside for rust. When refilling add some sea foam supposed to be top stuff for cleaning your fuel supply. Maybe add some directly to your carbs. Remove the spark plugs add some diesel, leave it overnight. Next day remove fuel pipe at the carbs , put your ignition on make sure you get fuel through. Remove fuel pump fuse . With plugs out turn the crank with a wrench, if not in top gear rock the car gently. If all ok turn the engine over and check your oil pressure. Once turning try then with your spark plugs back in and pump fuse back in
hogg968 said:
Johnybv8 Thanks to the link to the old post. Amazing to see the car from all those years ago.Have posted on that link and will send the original owner a message. Now looking for the stripes. Thanks
No problem. It would've only been 11 or 12 years old then..... equivalent to a 56 plate car in today's money 
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