Re: New (to me) Spider

[Jon Pike <jhpike@domain.elided>]

> I would suggest performing a compression check of your own.  Upon completing 
> the check, for any cylinders that are low, put an ounce of oil in those 
> cylinders and re-do the compression check.  If the compression comes up to 
> normal levels, the rings (or rings, piston, sleeve) are bad.  If the 
> compression remains poor, you need a valve job or a new headgasket.
>
> As far as the Spica is concerned, go to Wes Ingram's web-site and order his 
> book for $23.  I just ordered mine! He is the authority on Spica.
Congrats on the Spider, Maurice!

As Jason says, doing the wet/dry compression test should tell you a fair 
amount about what's going on.

One thing.. when you get in there, try to measure the roundness and 
taper of the cylinders and pistons if you can.. I am told that they tend 
to wear oval, and if that's the case (beyond a small amount) you should 
just get new pistons/liners.  Same if there is too much ridge at the 
top, that won't hone out.. can cause those rings to go sooner than they 
would have.

Gas in oil is not a great thing..  though it might be something else 
than a Spica leaking..  I thought I might have that problem with our 
rather badly maintained Spider, turned out mostly from bad rings, being 
overly rich, and the prior owners never changing the oil for God knows 
how long..

The suggested test to know if it's coming from the Spica, is to remove 
the barometric capsule plate on the top of the pump, (when you get Wes's 
book you'll know) and dip down into the oil inside.. if it smells of 
gas, you probably need a rebuild.

I may need one yet.. but after the oil change I realized things were not 
near as bad as I feared, mostly extremely filthy oil..

Good Luck!

Jon
77 Spider
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