Stupid Novice and Oil Changes

[McMuttley]

This weekend going to do my first oil changes after acquiring the car last year. Only done about 850 miles, but as the engine oil is nearly as black as my plugs, I am not sure when they were last done. History file suggests 2012, but ?????

 

Scanned the Forum using the really helpful 'NO 3 letter searches' facility !

 

Just to check.

 

Gearbox and overdrive

1.6 litres ? - using Pentrite GB 40

are the drain plug and filling points obvious ?

and can they be reached with the car flat on the floor ?

 

Diff

have read differing docs saying 0.8 and 1.1 litres

does it take the GB40? or 'diff'erent (see what i did there !)

 

Engine (with a pointless oil cooling rad tucked away behind the front valance)

5.7 litres (great that they sell it in 5l jugs !)

Penrite HPR30

ditto question re access and level on floor ?

 

Oil Filter

After hitting with a hammer what I assumed to be the starter motor after my recent non starting issue - I believe I may have found a spin on oil filter. Are these all a standard size ? If not how do i tell what I need ?

 

Steering Rack/box

Already successfully done with Penrite steering lube last year when I changed the steering wheel) but will top up with whats left in the tube

 

Greasing

I have the lubrication chart that IC kindly handed out at IWE2013.

I have a basic cheap grease gun so was planning on squirting grease into any nipple that seems appropriate from the chart.

Is it the same grease for all - if so does it matter what grease ?

 

 

If your' passing Bromley this weekend, feel free to pop in !

 

Yours stupidly grateful.

 

 

 

 

 

[mike3md]

Have a look at the maintenance pull out in the March 2014 TRaction by Ian Cornish and Tony Sheach. Also the Handbook is a useful source of everyday maintenance advice.

 

You will need a pit or to raise the car so you can at least slide underneath.

 

Search on here for spin on oil filter details, they are a common size/type fitted to many vehicles.

 

I wouldn't begin to advise others on which oil where - some even use engine oil in the g'box!!!

 

[McMuttley]

For the diff I have narrowed down 'Mild EP SAE10'?

 

I forgot to ask, with the oil left over, I assume that I pour some on the floor under the car and spray the rest around the engine bay to give both a ..... 'patina'

[McMuttley]

Some groups are organised !

 

http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/nene-valley/docs/Library/Penrite_brochure.pdf

[RogerH]

Hi Austin,

you do ask some purlers.

 

Gearbox and overdrive

1.6 litres ? - using Pentrite GB 40 -Good

are the drain plug and filling points obvious ? yes, if you look. The drain is at the bottom (square head).

and can they be reached with the car flat on the floor ?

The filler is on the nearside and is accessible from inside the car 'IF' the PO fitted an inspection/service hole in the tunnel.

Diff

have read differing docs saying 0.8 and 1.1 litres

does it take the GB40? or 'diff'erent (see what i did there !)

No - use EP80 or 90

Engine (with a pointless oil cooling rad tucked away behind the front valance)

5.7 litres (great that they sell it in 5l jugs !)

Penrite HPR30

ditto question re access and level on floor ?

The drain plug is bottom rear nearside corner. You will need to raise the car. Penrite is very good, otherwise Halfords 'Classic 20/50' is also very good.

Get the engine warm/hot first before draining. Add the 5Ltrs forst and see how much you need afterwards - probably none.

Oil Filter

After hitting with a hammer what I assumed to be the starter motor after my recent non starting issue - I believe I may have found a spin on oil filter. Are these all a standard size ? If not how do i tell what I need ?

The spin on filter could be either inperial or metric. I would get an imperial filter first and attempt to fit it with some caution. It should spin on freely. If not then it could be metric.

Steering Rack/box

Already successfully done with Penrite steering lube last year when I changed the steering wheel) but will top up with whats left in the tube

Greasing

I have the lubrication chart that IC kindly handed out at IWE2013.

I have a basic cheap grease gun so was planning on squirting grease into any nipple that seems appropriate from the chart.

Is it the same grease for all - if so does it matter what grease ?

A cheap grease gun may get some grease into a nipple but probably not. Go one ebay and buy a Wanner grease gun (£20 -£30). They fit and last a life time.

Castrol LM grease unless you find something better.

When working under the car please ensure it is jacked AND supported so that it can't drop on you. Stick the spare wheel underneath at the very least.

Have fun

Roger

[McMuttley]

Thanks Roger

 

Yes found the diff EP oil thin gamy stuff.

 

A tanker's worth of various oils arrives tomorrow.

 

(psst - where do I pour the oil into the engine - all I can see is a cap with "710" written on it !!!!)

 

 

Motor racing was so much easier, one just handed the car back to the scruffy looking chap with the phrase .....'i think it is broken' and miraculously for the next race the elf's had fixed it !!!! (although i was always amazed at how good elfs were at raising substantial invoices)

[McMuttley]

ps

....as my transmission tunnel is a plastic thing that is not (yet) fixed down in any way, access shouldn't be a problem, thank the lordy I didn't clamp/bolt the radio housing down last weekend or that would have been another job to remove !

pps, if the plasticky tranny tunnel doesn't have a hole, I assume that I can drill one with a wide hole drill. Is there a standard hole size and grommet ?

[RogerH]

Hi Austin,

Oil goes in the pipe in the rocker cover - do not over fill. Rumour has it that it produces clouds of blue smoke.

 

Regarding cutting holes in the tunnel. Do you have any holes saws for your drill (you do have a drill!!). These cut a neat round hole - 2" or 3" diameter.

Use a piece of mild steel sheet (or bean tin) to form a cover held down with three or four PK screws.

 

Roger

[McMuttley]

Pipe ?

 

I dont recall my rocker cover having a 'pipe' ? .... just a hole in the top for the push on black '710' lid

 

[RogerH]

That's the thing. If you remove the 710 device it will reveal a short pipe.

Perhaps pipe is an inappropriate word. I do have rather a good selection of inappropriate words.

 

See the brass caps to the two carbs. These, when removed, allow oil to be put in - this can work wonders.

 

Roger

[McMuttley]

my carb pots are 'dashing' with penrite oil (t'was the first ever lubricant I bought last year, alongside steering lube)

 

This dash oil, unlike all the other oils (tar) in my car doesn't seem to drop in level and is clear as a whatever.

[ianc]

If this is an early sidescreen car, the gearbox will have a dipstick on the front right of the gearbox top cover, and, once removed, the gearbox should be filled through this hole. The dipstick is marked to show the 'full' level - very convenient!

 

If the later type of gearbox, with the filler being a taper plug on the left side, cut a hole 2.25" in diameter and buy a rubber bung from Moss - it will be the same size as the bung which sits on the prop shaft tunnel directly above the universal joint.

 

Ian Cornish