Oil = Done, Rear Diff = Uhhh.....

Changed the oil and in the process spilled half a quart all over the rear of the engine. Stupid cold weather and thick oil. Got that cleaned up and went on to the rear differential. Where I discovered that at some point the rear diff cover has been replaced by a cover with NO DRAIN PLUG! Grrr. Anyway, checked the oil level and looks of it. It wasn't that dark and was just a tad low so I topped it off. Guess the new rear seal will have to wait until I feel really compelled to get oil all over the place.

Radiator flush and t-stat replacement is the next thing on the list. I'll do that in the next few weeks.

Stereo is Done

Finished up wiring the stereo last night. Works and sounds great. In fact I think it sounds better than the one in my MINI. I'll post pictures this weekend.

Started to change the oil and realized that the drain plug was a square bolt not a hex head. After a few attempts with improvised solutions I decided I needed to get the correct socket. Picked up a few 8 point sockets at Sears. I will give the oil change another go tonight.

Time to get some work done

All the stereo gear came in the week and the last of the maintenance stuff came in (Loctite Instant Gasket). Figure I will mess around with the stereo a bit this weekend and if I have time change the engine oil and rear diff oil, also changing out the rear diff gasket. If I get that all done that leaves lubing the chassis, flushing the radiator and changing the transmission fluid the last things on my short turn list. Guessing I will have everything done by the first weekend in Feb. I'll post plenty of pictures when after I get the work all done.

Parts Quiz

Who can tell me what this is?


I plan on adding one to the TR equipment kit sometime this week.

It is a Uni-Syn, used to synchronize carburetors. A guy in the AtlantaMINIs is going to send me one that he had sitting around from his days of owning a Datsun.

The Replacements

Ordered/bought a bunch of fluids and other bits for the TR last week. List is below:

20w50 engine oil
Anti-freeze and a radiator flush kit
Red Line 75w140 oil for the rear differential
Red Line MT-90 for the transmission
New Radiator Cap
New bulbs for the license plate lights
Temperature gage sending unit
160 degree Tstat
New Rear differential gasket
New gasket for brake master cylinder
I also picked up a grease gun and some grease fittings at Harbor Freight.

Figure to get to putting all this stuff in/on the car sometime this month. Next big project after all this may be to replace the oil pan gasket to see if that fixes any of the oil leaks. I also plan on ordering the components for the stereo sometime in the next week. I just have to double check the front speaker hole sizes. I'll take plenty of pictures while working on this stuff and post them when I get each thing done.