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[tbosa]

Hello, everyone. I just bought a pretty nice 1972 TR6 over the weekend and became a member of VTR on Monday.  The car sat for years after a restoration, so I'm draining the fuel, changing the oil, flushing cooling system, etc. before I drive it any farther than the test drive I took.

I've ordered a maintenance manual, but was hoping I could get some answers to get me started before I receive the manual for the more complicated work.  I searched every term I could think of in the forums and did not find these answers.  I would sure appreciate any help, as I'm sure you experienced folk can answer these pretty easily.  If there is a website that lists out some of these capacities, please point me in that direction.  :-)

1.  Does it matter which oil filter I use?  I see WIX, Fram and Purolator are all available in Round Rock.  I have the old spin on type.
2.  How much oil capacity does this have/take?  I was planning on using Castrol 20W/50 and a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer and don't know how much I need.  I know there is a lot of debate on the brand and zddp, etc., so I'm all ears.
3.  The fuel filter on it now is a Fram G12, but Moss Motors shows a G2.  Does this matter, and if so, which should I use...it needs replaced.
3.  What is the coolant capacity in approximate gallons?  Is any old green 50/50 antifreeze going to be okay?
4.  The alternator on this thing is a Delco Remy.  How do I know if it is positive or negative ground?  I want to install an electronic ignition at some point, and also might need to replace my voltage stabilizer, and apparently I need to know which type I have.
5.  The fuel lines are dry rotted into the fuel filter, out of the fuel filter into the carb, and between the two carbs (dual stromberg 175cds).  The fuel lines are currently 1/4", but they are almost impossible to fit on the fuel filter and other connections.  Would it be okay to switch over to 5/16" and not cause any leaks? 

I really appreciate any advice I can get on these items.  I've spent 4 days reading websites and catalogs and haven't been able to figure these items out. 

(if anybody is around the Round Rock, TX area, I would sure pay ya to come help me)  LOL....there is only one person I know of about 50 miles from me that works on these vehicles.

Sorry for the long post.

[Glenn K]

tbosa,

I'm a newbie myself and have a '73, but I see that you've had no replies, so I'll pass along what I think I've learned.  My '73 TR6 takes 6 quarts of oil, so I assume that your's does too.  The manual says 5.4 qts for the sump but I have a longer filter than stock (because I have the adapter that tutns the filer 90 degrees) and 6 qts takes it right to the full line on the dipstick. 

I have the K&N filter that Moss sells.  They claim it's the best of the three brands they sell.  Several commenters on the forums at 6-pack.org seem to disfavor the Fram filter for the TR6.

As for the type of oil, there seems to be quite a bit of controversy.  My impression is that there's a decided majority that favor a synthetic that contains ZDDP.  Castrol Syntec, Mobil 1, and Vavoline Racing Oil seem to be the more popular choices.  (I use the 20w-50 Vavoline RO myself).  But you'll see advocates for conventional oils, both single weight and multi-viscosity, and no need for ZDDP and other commenters that argue for convential oils and then adding your own ZDDP additive.

I've not seen anything on coolants.  I use a 50-50 pre-blended mix from Prestone. One guy I talked to recommended using full-strength anti-freeze after flushing, under the assumption that there'd be enough pure water left in the hoses and heater core after the flush so that once you added the full-strength antifreeze, you'd end up with about a 50-50 blend.

Re your alternator, I assume that it's polarity is the same as the ground of your battery.  But that's just a guess.

Can't help you with the fuel lines.

If you don't get some more meaningful feedback soon on your questions from this site, you might try the aforementioned 6-pack.org site, as well as the British Car Forum.

Good luck.

[tbosa]

Thank you for your reply, Glenn.  I really appreciate it. 

[craigbean]

Hi tbosa -
Welcome and congratulations. I'm sure I had just as many questions as you when I got my TR.
The spin-on oil filter is actually not old, but a new upgrade. I think Wix filters are the best, the one I'm using is 51342. The sump is supposed to hold 5.4 quarts. Put that in and then check your dip stick. Most people use 20-50 weight oil with a ZDDP additive. I use the one from Red Line.
I think any in-line fuel filter will do as long as it doesn't leak. Someone else may have a better opinion on that.
It should take a little over 3 gallons to fill the cooling system. Again put in that much and check the level. The old green antifreeze will be fine, but some people use a mixture of plain water and "water wetter" which gets good results and claims to keep your engine cooler than water with just anti-freeze. I'm running water, anti-freeze and water wetter. Probably over-kill, but my temp gadge has never gone over the half-way mark.
If it's a '72 it's almost certainly negative ground. I don't think they made any 6's with positive, but I could be wrong. Also, if you have an alternator, isn't the voltage regulator built in as a part of the unit?
I don't know what to tell you abut the fuel lines except to say that if they don't leak and you have appropriate fuel pressure to the carbs, you're probably OK.
Hang in there with this forum. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people out there who can answer most any question you have. I'm sure you'll get a lot more posts.
Most of all, weather you're under the car or in it, have fun!

- Craig

[Tommal]

I have a 73. I still have the old cartridge filter and generally use the Fram and have not had any problems. I find I need 6 qts for an oil change with filter change. The fuel filter is the G2 but shouldn't really matter if you are getting adequate flow. Same with the rubber fuel lines. I've been using the standard "green" antifreeze, 50/50 mix for years and have no issues although I wish it ran cooler. I agree about the ground, the battery is negative to ground.

Great car. Lots of fun to drive. Welcome to the club!