[Smokey engine]

Have some compression results,they  don't look good. 

             1       2    3    4    5    6

Dry      60   55  55  50  56   65

Oil        75    72  70  75  75  75

I don't know how accurate the gauge is but readings look very low. The cylinder head looked in very good condition when I put it on. Tappet clearances are OK.

Eddie 

 

[Smokey engine]

John,smoke doesn't persist so I suspect it is water .

Rob, I don't know. I will check but can't run car on the road yet.

Looks like a leaking head gasket which is no real problem because I have a replacement UK head to fit sometime in the near future. Just need to make sure I buy a good gasket. 

If I  have the head off will putting oil in the cylinders and checking it leaking away be a useful check on ring sealing?

Many thanks for replies.

Eddie 

[Smokey engine]

I have white smoke coming from  the rocker cover vent and the exhaust.

Also I suspect low compression because the engine turns over very fast on the starter.

The engine was supposed to have been rebuilt when I bought it and it looked like it had a couple of new pistons and the head looked like it had been refurbished.Oil pressure is  good.

I thought if it was oil burning the smoke wouldn't  be white. Is this correct?

I haven't had the car MOTed yet so can't take it for a run.

Any ideas?

Thanks Eddie 

[TR250 wiper arms]

Peter,

It is squarish,  2 speed, number 75568B on the plate.

I think I  have resolved the problem. I have taken out the wheelboxes. They are completely wrong,  34 or more teeth,  not easy to count. They came with the car which was an abandoned project so I assumed they were original.

That would account for the reduced sweep. 

The motor definitely has 120 degrees marked on the gear and the new wheelboxes, which are old stock Lucas,  have 22 teeth and the part numbers, which are original  Lucas numbers , appear to correspond to the Moss number Roger quoted so I am confident that all will be OK when I put it all back together.

A bit of a fiddley and uncomfortable job though.

Eddie

 

[TR250 wiper arms]

Roger

I have got rh arms and new blades, the sweep it totally inadequate, less than 90 degrees.

Bought 2 new Lucas wiper boxes from Tatton Park yesterday, part numbers 72744A and 72850A ,but they seem to be identical, both with 22 teeth. Took a chance at £10 each, hopefully they will sort the problem.

Eddie 

[J type solenoid]

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the update. To be honest I am not very hopeful of the solenoid working but won't find out for a while unless I jack up the back of the car and try it.

ORS did the overdrive on my TR6 + some machining on the 2nd gear. Reasonable price and good service.

Thanks Eddie 

[TR250 wiper arms]

Hi Roger,

I have double checked and the wiper sweep is around 90 degrees. Also found similar problem in TR4 forum  in 2011. Looks like I might have to change the wheelboxes.

The suggestion was to change to TR6 wheelboxes  which are a better design and make. I am sure you are right and I will have to use rhd wiper arms, which is a pity because the new ones are very flimsy compared to the original lhd arms.

Thanks Eddie 

[TR250 wiper arms]

Hi Roger,

It is the sweep that doesn't  look enough., I  haven’t tried it in the rain, just trying to get the car ready for its MOT. It might even be less than 90 degrees so the park position would be nowhere near the bottom of the screen.. I have checked the wheelbox for play and there doesn't seem to be enough to cause this problem.

The wheelboxes and tubing came with the car and are probably TR250, which I think are the same as the TR4. As I said I think the rack is TR6 but I  can't see how that could make much difference.

Eddie 

[TR250 wiper arms]

Finally tried the wipers today after adjusting the park position. Trouble is they don't clear the screen in front of the driver. Is this because they are LH wipers or because the sweep is insufficient.  They only seem to sweep around 90 degrees  which doesn't  seem enough. I am wondering  if I have a mix of bits which are incompatible.  The wiper motor has 120 degree gear and the wheelboxes are original. From memory I  bought a TR6 rack.

Any thoughts anyone.

Thanks Eddie 

[J type solenoid]

Finally got the solenoid out and cleaned it. It seems to work now but the movement  is fairly small. Not had chance to try the overdrive yet.

Eddie 

[TR250 Alternator identification]

For information my TR6 alternator stopped charging. I checked output voltage, 0V DC, 25 VAC. Purchased an alternator repair kit on ebay, £19.95. It was an easy replacement and alternator now works.

[TR250 wiper arms]

Have found the original wipers which came with the car.

They will park on the opposite side to a rhd car but does that matter?

They are much more robust than the spindley new ones from Moss.

Eddie 

[J type solenoid]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for this, very useful.

Solenoid is a bit more complex than I imagined. 

Looks like an opportunity for someone to offer refurbished solenoids.

Eddie 

[J type solenoid]

My TR250 has a saloon gearbox fitted. I have just wired up the solenoid and it doesn't seem to work. It doesn't make a noise when switched on. I have checked the current and it is taking about 2 amps so electrical side is OK.

Can these be serviced/ repaired? New solenoids seem to be well in excess of £100.

Thanks Eddie 

[Washer Switch]

The wooden dash needs modifying to take the wider lucas switch. My new dash came with 2 wider switch openings to suit available switches.

Eddie 

[Rear suspension spring removal]

The previous owner fitted some long rear springs with over 9 coils.

A loose pair with approximately 71/2 coils came with the car. I suspect they are original because the back of the car rides far too high. Will I have to remove the drive shaft bolts to get enough movement to remove these extra long springs?

Thanks Eddie 

[TR250 Alternator identification]

Update, the alternator didn't work and I don’t know anyone local who could repair. 

So have fitted a replacement  Chinese one which is fine for now.

[TR250 wiper arms]

Thanks Stuart,

Got one  , and blades from Moss today  other to follow.

I am surprised that they are not as large or robust as TR6 wipers and the blades are smaller.

Eddie 

[TR250 wiper arms]

I have converted to RHD so do I need TR5 rhd wiper arms?

Thanks Eddie 

[2 speed wiper switch]

Roger, 

Sorry don't know how I have managed to repeat my reply, possibly having too many screens open and too many beers watching the football. 

I am committed to the Lucas size now with the new dashboard so I have to get a Lucas replacement or use my existing  one with relays/diodes.

Many thanks Eddie 

[2 speed wiper switch]

Hi Roger,

Car is a TR250, wiper motor is 2 speed. I have bought new lucas toggle switches to replace broken clear hooters wiper and wash switches. However I think I have the wrong wiper switch.

[2 speed wiper switch]

Hi Roger,

Car is a TR250, wiper motor is 2 speed. I have bought new lucas toggle switches to replace broken clear hooters wiper and wash switches. However I think I have the wrong wiper switch.

[2 speed wiper switch]

Hi Roger,

I have a Lucas toggle switch which I thought was a direct replacement for the Clear Hooters switch but I don't think the connections are correct. 

I will have to investigate.

Thanks Eddie 

[2 speed wiper switch]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I haven’t wired it up yet. I am sure it is the DR3A, number on it is 75568B and I had read about incorrect wiring burning the motor out. I am worried that the switch I have might not work.

Eddie 

[Windscreen cap]

Can anyone identify this windscreen capping. It came with my car but has slots in the holes that don't match the car. It looks like it hasn't been used so might be useful for someone. 

Thanks Eddie