£3,800 spent and unreliable - is it just me?

[Alan Hart]

Hi All

Finally got my Stag back after an "overheat" event back in November - so two new cylinder heads, water pump, timing gear plus a whole host of other bits and bobs that were not quite right with the engine after 38 years of being tinkered with ... spent around £3.8 on engine re-build ...

Problem is (or should are):

Had it back two weeks - tried it twice - twice it was dead - eventually started but not sure of the problem. No starter but everything else OK - maybe gearbox inhibitor switch (yes it is an auto) ...

Rev counter erratic - stable until 2,500 revs then not!
Rear lights - tail lights OK - brake then one side completely off !
Bulb in auto selector indicator not working

All these are new - is it me being too fussy?

Cheers

Alan

[GDPR]

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Rear lights - the earth needs sorting on the side that goes off - when mine did it I routed a new earth the the bulb holder.

Auto selector bulb - s**t happens - get used to it

Rev counter - check the coil hasn't been connected backwards - yours looks like a Mk1 and the inductive loop tachos are very fickle.

Starting - check the wires are on the starter correctly and tight, check the harness connector where it disappears down the tunnel from the engine bay, and then disappear under and make sure they are tight on the inhibitor - failing that, it might be time to fit a relay to the starter circuit to take the load off the keyswitch.....

And yes - these are such trivial items - enjoy having your Stag back!!

Russ:dude:

[Alan Hart]

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OK ... OK ....

Point taken ... just that I'd had all this stuff sorted - when I'd had the new dash fitted and the new rear lights done (they did this when I bought the car so I had them sorted - so I thought by my local MG specialist).

I'll check the harness and connections tomorrow.

My rev counter - I'm going to get sorted - I need to get my speedo done also - so I'll get both done at the same time (need adjusting due to my tyres)


Sorry to be soooo fickle ...

Cheers

Alan

[martin]

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That Kryton's a hard man, personally I'd have been more sympathetic. Martin.

[nib]

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Hi Alan

Like Kryten pointed out the wires on the coil might have crossed resulting in blowing a capacitor in your rev-counter,I blew mine up.I think the best way out is to buy one off ebay they aint too expensive.

Get a bit of wet and dry and clean up your contacts on your bulb holders.

Not to much to worry about IMHO,the weathers meant to be half decent this weekend as well,go for a spin.

Mark

[martin]

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To be honest, apart from the Tacho, those sound like probs you get with lack of use, like sitting in a cold garage for a few months. Martin.

[GDPR]

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martin wrote:

That Kryton's a hard man, personally I'd have been more sympathetic. Martin.

Green is mean.......

[Guest]

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martin wrote:

That Kryton's a hard man, personally I'd have been more sympathetic. Martin.

Imagine taking a Triumph to Russ on a friday afternoon, or worse, a saturday morning with a hang over!!! He'd bite your head off

" so what its over heated!! they do that, get used to it"

Jason ( no offence Russ, and please forget this comment the next time i need your advice)

[GDPR]

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I hardly drink nowadays Jason, so the hangover thing is just a distant memory and to be honest, I'm a real pussycat with just a warped sense of humour..... ask the blokes at SE London - if you dare!

However, if you decided you wanted to buy me a pint..... be churlish of me to refuse and all that......

[Guest]

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Russ, should we meet i'd gladly buy you a pint, then, pick your brains!!

Jason

[GDPR]

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Doing Prescott with the boys on May 10th? I'll be there......

The problem with picking my brains is you never know what might fall out

[stustag]

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kryten wrote:

Doing Prescott with the boys on May 10th? I'll be there......

The problem with picking my brains is you never know what might fall out

Jason has to go on holiday instead of coming to Prescott!!!:shock:

He'll miss all the fun

Stuart

[Guest]

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stustag wrote:

kryten wrote:

Doing Prescott with the boys on May 10th? I'll be there......

The problem with picking my brains is you never know what might fall out

Jason has to go on holiday instead of coming to Prescott!!!:shock:

He'll miss all the fun

Stuart

Note to self, must sack secretary!!! (wife)

Jason

[alan230752]

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just to note if you are running any sort of electronic ignition with an early rvi type tacho then it will be erratic

alan

[V Mad]

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Alan Hart wrote:

Hi All


Problem is (or should are):


Rev counter erratic - stable until 2,500 revs then not!

Bulb in auto selector indicator not working

Some replacement auto selector bulbs are not quite the correct shape, and the brass terminal does make contact on the end caps of the bulb. Try twisting the brass terminals a bit until they fit. It worked for me.

I have fitted an L/C low pass filter to cure the rev counter problem. This prevents electronic voltage spikes from electronic ignition getting into the rev counter.