Guest markh Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 hello. just bought my 1st TR7, FHC, 1978 still original. any useful hints and tips are always welcome, i'm no mechanic ! she is fine (i think) but wanted to know about things like best oil to use, which petrol etc, and any other do's and dont's that may be helpful. thanks. Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 Welcome to the best Club around... To get the most out of it, join your Local Group or, if you're near Kent, come along to ours one night... You'll be made very welcome. Maxwell DGL \ Kent Group Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TRishaTR Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Do's: - drive it a lot and err join a breakdown service. Slightly more seriously.... good choice on car (especially as it's an FHC). Oil I use something like GTX 15-40 in winter and 10-40 in summer... petrol is bog-standard unleaded. I regularly use Optimax (not BP Ultimate) in the daily car (v6 Mazda Probe) but didn't see the benefit in the TR7 - and I've heard that this performance fool only benefits higher spec performance engines..... and maybe the environment. Regular maintenance checks will keep the RAC/AA Man at bay, and lashings of waxoyl will help the fight against tin-worm. Just keep a close eye on coolant levels and the temp guage! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngtf Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I have always run my TR7 on normal unleaded petrol with no issue. The oil has generally been a reasonable quality 15W-40 which stays in for one year (5000ish miles) and then gets dumped along with filter. The only other suggestion I would make is if you are still running points, take them out and keep in the car but put in a good quality electronic ignition like the Aldon, it's easy to fit, only two wires and all the bits go into the distributor. Mine runs and starts like a dream. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest markh Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 thanks for your replies. the gerneral senous seems to be just to use standard unleaded, addatives not needed then? electronic ignition,do the points suffer on TR7's? or just a good upgrade? thanks for your imput. mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngtf Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 It's not really a case of suffering due to points, but because points wear at a reasonable rate, the car can quickly go "off tune", this would be true of any vehicle using the old points system not just the TR7. Access to the distributor on a 2Litre TR7 is very restricted and changing points, an absolute pain in the proverbial. By changing to a good electronic ignition you remove the problems because there is no points bounce, no gap fluctuation and no constant change in dwell angle, it's basically a fit and forget exercise. Keep the points etc. in the car in the unlikely event of the electronic bit failing, you or the AA man can re-fit them at the roadside and at least you should be able to get home. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonlar Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 Mark, you'll find setting points by using a meter is quicker, easier and more accurate than by feeler gauges and gaps. The points gap is rarely truly parallel, and with transfer of metal by arcing, will become untrue very quickly, but the meter will give the actual dwell angle despite the uneven surface. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
malcolm Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 Electronic ignition is a handy and cheap addition. As Gary says; fit it and forget it. No more messing about and the dizzy on a 7 is a real pain to get at. You will get a small increase in power and a reduction in noise by replacing the engine driven fan by an electric one. Otherwise brakes. Standard brakes aren't great and a cheap upgrade is to go to 2.8 Capri disks and calipers. You can get a kit from one of the TR7 specialists for about £250. Fit some Greenstuff pads too. Personally I'd also fit uprated (200lbs) and 1" lowered springs with reasonable shock absorbers. Spax are good value. This gives much more of a "sports" handling set-up. Enjoy the car what ever you do :: Malcolm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
robgeev Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 And remember, whatever anyone says, they ARE a classic, and are good fun to own and drive. Especially if you can nail a V8 or similiar lump in there! Rob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest markh Posted December 10, 2004 Report Share Posted December 10, 2004 thank-you all for your replies, some useful pointers there indeed. Collecting it saturday morning.. cant wait! Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
robgeev Posted December 10, 2004 Report Share Posted December 10, 2004 Mark, if you've not paid already, why not ask the likes of Malcolm or ngtf, perhaps evan Cinnobar! For some sensible advice on what problems to look for in your chosen toy. I know I recently made a mistake buying a 6, blinded by enthusiasm (one of my many flaws I'm afraid) , ended up buying a more sensible project and reselling the first one at more like its original worth (ie losing £1300). So, before you rush in-ask the boys, they are more than willing to help, there will always be another one, and perhaps one day you could be convinced to move down the numbers (tr7-?)!!!!!!!!!! Rob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carld Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Would like to add my opinion, I have secretly adored these cars for a long time, being held back by my craving to own one. Go on Mark go for it, I wish I could. Have to stick with my miserable old 4! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ngtf Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 When you've got it tucked safely at home, stick a picture or two on the forum for us all to see. As Robgeev said, any help needed just post the questions here and we will all be happy to help. As mentioned in my pm to you, if you want a factory workshop manual on cd, just send me a cheque for £3 to cover my costs and it will be despatched immediately. (This service is available to all who want a TR7 factory manual cd). Please pm your address and I will reply with mine. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
malcolm Posted December 11, 2004 Report Share Posted December 11, 2004 Have to stick with my miserable old 4! Carl. Why not sell the 4 and buy one? Prices refuse to increase despite the fact that the cars have become much more appreciated of late. I know more than one person who has picked up a really nice convertible for under 3k and the fixed heads are available for even less...... Malcolm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 Have to stick with my miserable old 4! Carl. Why not sell the 4 and buy one? Why not buy three? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest markh Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 got it -) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest markh Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 As you can see from the pic, she is still original, no sunroof, black matt at the back by the number plate etc. The interior is black / red check seats and door pannels to match. how do i find out the original carpet colour, its faded, but cant tell if it was red, or orange or what. thanks. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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