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I had an unexpected visit today from none other than "Froggyman"
He happened to be passing my house, and looked backwards up the driveway and saw my little VW Van.
We had a good chat, and he was able to see and hear my XKSS, and seemed impressed.
He wants to build one, but in D Type form, which ought to be a bit easier than going the windscreen route!
Good luck to you Froggyman, and it was good talking to you today.
Hi Scottie, thanks for showing me your lovely XKSS last week. I hope you can get out and about to shows and things for enthusiasts to see it as it is a true work of art. The attention to detail is incredible. It sounds great too. It was good to meet you after following your daily updates during the build, I just hope you didn't think me cheeky just popping in. Our son had a great week at 'Morgan Cars' and we are back in rainy Devon.
Scottie, you need to get down to the Silverstone Classic and park your little beauty next to this to make buyers realise they don't need to part with a quarter of a million to look cool.
If I was skimming auctioneer's fees and the buyer's premium against the hammer price I'd consider (£): 250,000 - 280,000 a very sensible and attractive guide price as well.
Derek Bell; Norman Dewis; Porsche 962; Jaguar XJR9. The blurb I received from MAC mentions 'several important Jaguar anniversaries' being celebrated. Good chance that there'll be other some interesting cars on display.
There was a real XKSS, D Type and C Type there. I bought Norman Dewis' book from him and got it signed. After early rain (I was first through the gate, as usual) it turned out brilliant with massive crowds, some in period dress, and a lunchtime stunt flying display.
To cap it all I got chatting to an old boy who has decided to buy the Marlin. Result!
A misfire on two cylinders? And you have twin carbs? I noticed you used pancake air filters. It is not unknown for them to disintegrate and get sucked into the carbs. There is also the possibility of dirt in float chambers blocking jets. Water in the fuel can have the same effect if enough gets trapped in the float chamber. Good luck with tracking the fault.
Thanks Gareth, that has given me more to think about!
Ian, in answer to your mopping paint question, yes I did use Farecla,
and I used the G3 compound, and sometimes basic T-cut.
It worked very well for me.
Scottie i would start with a compression test on each cylinder if low you have a problem with the valves staying open due to incorrect tappet setting/seized valve, piston damage or ring damage (either of the latter two will give high crank case back pressure, when the engine limps along is there high pressure coming out of the rocker box cap or oil dip stick holder which may spurt oil out when the dip stick is removed with the engine running, just had this problem with a 4x4 i bought and had to pull the engine to replace the rings) if cylinder pressure ok then check the plug HT lead's are getting a spark by fitting a spark plug to each HT lead one at a time and grounding the plug onto the engine block while engine is turned over you should see a spark, i have seen guys put their pinkies up the HT lead end and do a fantastic impersonation of Michael Jackson dancing (not recommended and children please don't try this at home).
If all plugs sparking i would then turn my attention to the carbs, you said it seemed that two cylinder were off can you identify the cylinders that are off by pulling the HT leads one at a time with the engine running, when good lead pulled the engine will die or run rougher where as the bad lead removed will have no effect on the poor running engine, if the two rough running cylinder are linked to one carb then check that carb.
Good luck matey but these old engine's are pretty easy to work on, no lap top required here.
My money's on Gareth's suggestion that it's crap in the fuel. Does it still do it when it's cold? I only ask because another Triumph 'charming quirk' is that by putting the carbs right above the exhaust manifold, the fuel will evaporate in the float chambers when the engine's hot on a hot day. I'm sure you'll sort it somehow.
I hope its what you think Mr T, but I have a sneaky feeling that Swifty may be on the right track. (Yes it does it when its cold too.)
I have just come in from fitting the new coil, and while its not cured it, (and this may sound stupid) but it seems to be running smoother on whatever cylinders are still working. So it is a slight improvement.
Another day, I will try to follow Swifty's route and sort something out!
