> Tomorrow I plan on draining the coolant (water) out of the engine or radiator
> (as if it should make any difference) and check to see if there's traces of
> motor oil in it indicating that the head had run too hot.
Not necessary, Paul. Oil floats on water, so any oil in the coolant will
quickly find it's way to the radiator neck where you can see it. An oil leak
due to overheating is very unlikely anyway, IMO. If anything leaks, it's likely
to be combustion gases into the coolant, both because they are under much higher
pressure and because there is much more area exposed to the pressure.
> Surely, it's not normal for the left rear
> wheel to remain motionless, is it?
Not exactly "normal", but not necessarily a problem, either. The differential
applies equal torque to each rear wheel, so if one turns easier than the other,
only the easy one will turn. As long as the stiff one still turns easily by
hand, it's probably OK.
> I admit that it was kinda tight after
> reassembling it month's ago.
And that's the problem.
> I wonder what could be wrong? Does anybody care
> to take a guess?
Most likely a brake dragging. Might be incorrect adjustment, incorrect
assembly, etc. Sometimes new/relined shoes don't fit the drums exactly right
and so drag a bit ... used to be a good brake shop could "arc" the shoes to fit
the drums, but maybe that's a lost art today.
> Also, while sitting in the TR3's with the drive train and new clutch installed
> I found it difficult to change gears. This was because the gear shift
> (without the gear shift knob) hit the bottom of the dash. Is this the way
> it's suppose to be?
Nope. Even the knob should clear the underside of the dash. Any chance you've
got the wrong gearshift lever ?
Randall
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