sunbeamtiger.co.uk

Im picking up with a friend his grandfathers old 1967 tiger and were having to drive it a good 40 miles to get a service and a ticket on it this weekend.
Ive driven old cars before (50s Truimphs (tr3s) and worked on/ restored old morris's) on a regular basis but was curious as to wether there are any tips on nurchering this through as it hasnt had a MOT for 2 years and obviuosly the engine size something im not entirely familiar with.
The car has a racing history to it.
Is there anything i should look out for?
comfortable rev level, oil pressure etc, any once over checks before we set off.
Havent actually seen the dash yet so dont know whats gonna be infront of me, but any little heads up on the little things that all classics seem to have in their own rights and define their characters would be much appreciated.
Rgds
D
one other thing - oil recomendations?

Others will be able to give you more detailed advice, but mine would be to check the brakes, check all of the lights and probably make sure you are fully comp. incase the worst happens.
Did I mention to check the brakes?

As with any car that has stood for any time brakes, oil,water,hydraulic fluid both brake and clutch tyres all the usal things
oil press should be around 35 40psi at idle up to around 65 70psi at speed
as to driving aTiger the steering may seem a little odd at first they dont tend to self centre well at low speed with small amounts of lock but other than that it is by far the easyist classic car I have ever driven, 4 th gear round a rounndabout at 15mph no problem
Now driving fast in aTiger thats a different story,

Sorry forgot to say welcome to the site

Jay

Check the clutch and brake MC's to see if they have lost fluid.. if they are down look on the outside and inside of the firewall for leaks.. if nto there check the rear wheel cylinders.

If the brakes are sticking on while driving it is often the front hoses have gone soft inside and are closing under pressure. Does the car still have a brake booster connected?

As for other things.. check the coolant is clean, look for radiator leaks. Watch the water temp.. if it gets above 190 be cautious, the gauges can be faulty, however so if it says the car is boiling and its not puking fluid, it may be the gauge but overheating is an issue with the cars and if the cooling sytsem is stock and is not clear you will have problems.

Brake lights often go out becuase of bad contact with the body so check that.. otherwise its often the pressure switch thats mounted in the T fitting down on the front right in the engine bay.

good luck with the trip.. take it easy

Hi D,

I can't elaborate any more on what you have to check as everyone else has already done that. Can you post some details of its racing history for us? One other thing you may need to take is a foot pump for the tyres. I'm tipping if it hasn't moved in a few years, you will need one. If you are going to put in some new oil, go for a 10W 50 or similar. Good luck with the trip.

Regards, Robin.

Check the clutch & tyres by reving to 5000 rpm & let out clutch rapidly. Should leave nice black stripe & smell of burning rubber. If 2 black stripes, it has LSD in axle. Just relax & enjoy it.

nice one bob i was thinking along the lines donuts are good for checking if u have an lsd too

Cheers for all your advice guys, good tips there what i was after - ty

Ill let you know how it goes.
D

.....mmmm donuts!!

bigbob wrote:reving to 5000 rpm & let out clutch rapidly. Should leave nice black stripe & smell of burning rubber.

Don't listen to bigbob, he's always breaking his Tiger

going to stop parking nr bob ,mine keeps breaking now must be catching

garyv8tiger wrote:mine keeps breaking now

.......you need to take it to a "specialist"

its at one now ,or at least he says he is

I sAiD NotHinG Of tHe SoRt...I'vE BeEN cAllEd "SPECIAL" not a specialist!!

Like most things, its best to do it yourself.