Nice day yesterday on my 6th annual Stilton Cheese run. While it
stayed overcast the rain held off so it was near perfect driving
weather. So my record of laying on good weather remains intact
(Incredibly I have only failed once in 6 years and that was the Stamford
Show about 3 years ago).
Including the journey to the start at
Uppingham and the journey back from the end at Stilton, I covered 125
miles. Tiger performed almost perfectly and I like the new taller gear
change, it made it much easier to change when in 1st/2nd.
It was a bit chilly but once the engine was up to temperature a quick
run of the fan every so often kept me nice and warm. I'm still not
sure about formation runs, which I don't really enjoy any more, but this
one is definitely one of the better ones as the couple who do the
lead are very sensible, keeping the speed down and slowing/stopping
after traffic lights until everyone has caught up.
But being at the back
I still found I had to do quite a bit of stop/start & slow running
and the Tiger does NOT like running below 10 mph, she vibrates,
kangaroos and rattles so much I can hear it even though I had my hearing
aids disabled. I think I better have her up on axle stands before the
Stoneleigh Kit Car Show next weekend and make sure nothing has worked
loose.
She is also beginning to be much more lively on poor roads so I have
to hang on the steering wheel for grim death as we bounce all over the
place. On the other hand, although it was a bit boring, the 25 mile
run back up the A1 was very pleasant, a steady 60 mph and she was very
stable. I have a complete set of brand new shock absorbers and
springs sitting in the attic and I am wondering whether I should
replace them all.
This year they must have upped the numbers as there were way more
than 300 cars. I have never seen it so busy and parking at Uppingham
before the start was a nightmare. The Club came with 15 cars in total,
although only 11 of them were Hoods, the others were just normal cars
(although 3 were sports cars so I guess they can be forgiven).
Here is
a picture of the 15 of us during a stop for a photo. You won't see me
as I was right at the back.
And here's a picture of the 2 Superspecs at the midpoint of the run
when we park up for lunch. The yellow one is owned by a chap called
Ivan who hails from Warrington. I like parking next to him as his car
is also a bit scruffy and 'lived in'
For almost 4 years now I have lived with the fact the the gear knob
rotates under use. It was just a push fit and over time it has got
worse and worse. It a symmetrical knob, so it didn't affect the use,
but I just got annoyed when the diagram on the top didn't match the gear
gate.
So time to stop faffing about and get a new one. Here it is installed (with the original just below it) and while it is still a
push fit, under the aluminium collar are 3 grub screws to anchor it
solidly to the shaft. It also has an extra bonus of being larger and
just over an inch taller so gives more torque on the gear change.
I'll be able to test it properly on the Stilton Cheese run tomorrow.
Been taking her out most days, but took some time out today to tinker.
You might have seen earlier in the blog that I fitted a cheap Chinese electric oil pressure
gauge some time ago. Initially I was a bit concerned as when the engine
started it shot up to 90psi and under load went to 100 psi. Even when
the engine was warm it still hovered around the 90psi mark when cruising
and dropped to only 80psi when idling.
The official pressures from
the T16 manual are 0.7 bar (10.5 psi) for the idle and 3.8 bar (57 psi)
when running.
I just decided there must be a mismatch between the sender and the
gauge so ignored it, although I was glad of it when I holed the sump as,
unlike the warning light, it gave plenty of warning that I was losing
oil.
Anyway, I decided to treat myself to a proper, old school, mechanical
one and see what that read. Fitted it all in and started the
engine. Slightly better, but still very high. At idle the pressure
was 70psi, rising to 80 psi when I blipped the throttle.
So took her
for a run to warm the engine up and when I got back the 'running'
pressure was 76 psi and the idle was 62 psi. So still way above
specification and I am not sure what to do, if anything. Maybe those
are minimum values and the engine is just very healthy? I think I will
ask on the forum and on the Rover forum as well.
Here it is as bought
and then installed:
Thank goodness manufactures all still use 2" as the standard size.
And this bit did:
New one on order.
