Mick O'Malley's - Tribute A352 - "D Type"

[Mick O'Malley]

Thanks for suggestions and encouragement chaps, most welcome .

Yesterday, whilst vegetating following a nasty turn standing up too quickly after a session under the Monaco, I thought back to previous problems and decided that the pesky dire frag'ems might be responsible. I've read that the alcohol in E5 unleaded can attack all sorts of old-skool components, and the symptoms could well be explained by tiny holes in the above. I immediately hit eBay and ordered replacements.

Watch this (hopeful) space.

Regards, Mick

[peterux]

Another thing I would try is a new distributor cap and rotor arm.

Keep plugging away and you'll find it

[Mick O'Malley]

Fitted the new diaphragms yesterday - no change. Had a good look at the distributor cap and rotor arm (Thanks peterux): contacts clean, no signs of tracking. However, two of the plug leads fell out of the cap under gravity whilst it was inverted. I simply couldn't be fagged to remedy this and test drive again after the earlier disappointment.

The latest tranche of prospective buyers (read 'dreamers') are asking the same tedious old questions. They all want a concours d'elegance winner for home-built money.

Despair.

Regards, Mick

[IanA]

The suspense to know the limp-mode cure is rivalling that of the USA election result, Mick !!!

[Mick O'Malley]

The only work I've done on her lately was a wash and photo' session last week for yet another prospective buyer (dreamer?). My focus (weather permitting) has been on the Monaco. A few of the coming days are forecast dry so I may get stuck in if Monaco tasks permit...

Regards, Mick

[Dpaz]

Has anyone sugested looking at the bob weights in the dizzy? My Marlin ran realy cr#p untill the springs were replaced on the bob weights. That fixed it!

[Mick O'Malley]

In yesterday's sunshine I had another crack at the mystery fault, concentrating on the distributor (thanks Dpaz). I reset the points, even though the gap was spot on, oiled and greased as necessary, remade all the lead connections and took her out for a test drive. No change. The symptoms are consistent - for the first 30/seconds/100 metres she pulls like a train on all six then goes gutless, as though a switch has been flicked, exactly what happened on my way back from Specials day (10 August - aaaaargh!).

To sum up, it's not the coil, it's not the carbs, it's not the condenser, it's not the points, it's not the leads and it's not the cap.

All and any further suggestions will be gratefully accepted.

Regards, Mick

[Jaguartvr]

Ballast resistor? Loose earth? Fuel pump filter, not allowing enough fuel through?

After the 30 second run, does the car go back to normal running after it has been turned off and then back on?

If you leave the car running on a fast idle, does it loose power after 30 seconds or is it only when being driven?

When it suffers from the lack of power, what difference do you get pulling the plug leads off one at a time?
If you take the plugs out as soon as it has a loss of power, what are they like? Clean, sooty or wet?

[Mister Towed]

Blocked breather on the fuel cap?

[IanA]

I had a TVR once that sprayed water onto the distributor from a leaky radiator seam. I blamed the misfire on some cheap petrol bought previously. The leak wasn't apparent with the engine stopped.
I think that one of the original Crypton analyser units would solve this- they measured all sorts of engine parameters and could even diagnose single cylinder problems.
Without breathing too deeply, when in limp mode, does the exhaust smell of unburnt fuel? For a fuel delivery problem- do you have any transparent pipe, or a clear filter in the fuel line?

[Jaguartvr]

A blocked breather on the fuel cap wouldn't cause a vacuum after just a 30 second run but I think you are right, it is probably fuel related.
I would check the fuel pump, a weak or porous diaphragm could cause a lack of fuel. I would also try and put an airline on the fuel pipe and blow air back into the tank to make sure there isn't a blockage.
You could fit a small temporary fuel tank under the bonnet and run the car just using the throttle linkage to see if it drops power, if it doesn't I would fit a new fuel pump, they are not very expensive.

[Mitchelkitman]

Flexi fuel pipe collapse?

[Mister Towed]

Congratulations on the sale and good luck with your first trip out in the Monaco.

[redratbike]

good news !!!

[Dpaz]

Lovely car, underappreciated but gaining followers at last.

[Paul L]

Mick - A belated farewell to your Tribute.

I was always a big fan of how well your 'D Type' turned out.

Cheers, Paul.

[Mick O'Malley]

This appeared on Ebay overnight. Ten day listing, should fetch a good few quid. After declining the Sherpa based project I still have the A352 and Lotus sales funds burning a hole in my pocket. I've been toying with going back to two wheels but this looks eminently do-able. I know I've done the 'D-Type' thing already but I miss the old girl and have my period plate on retention.

Please, somebody on here buy it to save me from myself...

Regards, Mick

[Mick O'Malley]

Originally Posted by Mick O'Malley

I still have the A352 and Lotus sales funds burning a hole in my pocket.
Regards, Mick

Having viewed on line hundreds of kits/classics/projects without the slightest stirring of enthusiasm for any of them, I decided to blow some funds in a different retro-machinery direction and purchased a flight in this, something I've dreamed of for ages.



There were four basic options, of which I chose (at extra expense) the Biggin Hill to Beachy Head and return which meant 40+ minutes in the air. An impossibly great experience, well worth the hole blown in my wallet. A goody bag with an embroidered patch, car sticker, reprinted WWII Spitfire pilot's notes and money off voucher for another flight was included, together with this certificate which will hang alongside my 'Antarctic Plunge' one for maximum bragging rights, should I ever have a visitor .



If I can work out how, I'll post the over my shoulder Go-Pro footage also included.

Regards, Mick

[Jaguartvr]

Great option as a donor, go on, pry open that wallet

[Lucky@LeMans]

An interesting project ! The advert quotes just a few weekends work to complete it so you could have it on the road by the end of lock down !
Trouble is with TVR's is they usually end up off the road due to a rusty chassis so that needs to be factored in. Will that body really fit over the chassis, I thought they were quite wide cars ?