This tank is looking very good, will fill tomorrow after a trip out to the gloucester flea market, where the gas might be under $3 a gallon.
Some interesting things;
New thermostat brings it to operating temp in 60 degree ambient within 1 mile of a cold start, middle of the temp gauge.
Reverse flow cooling system, thermostat feeds hot coolant to the bottom radiator hose. I know Corvette made big deal out of this like it was an innovation, but I'm fairly sure Nissan did it earlier. It warms up the tranny fluid quicker as well as feeding the coolest coolant to the hottest part of the engine first, which means more stable temperatures in the whole engine with the hottest coolant feeding to the bottom of the engine block, where the least heat is generated.
4 speed auto with lockup converter, 4 distinct "shift points", last one is at 42 MPH so you try to stay above that speed for best economy. Shifts are firm, indicating transmission is still in good shape.
Variable valve timing on intake cam with internally lubed timing chain and external electrically activated solenoid operation.
Valve lash range is .010 with maximum lash at .020, therefore no recommended valve lash adjustments for the life of the engine.
Single wire 02 sensor (cheap).
Hall effect distributor, no ignitor module to fail. Interrupted light not magnetic. Plug wires instead of individual coils that are very expensive to replace when they fail versus plug wires I paid 99 cents each for.
Hot wire mass air flow sensor, more accurate than a MAP sensor since it compensates for density and humidity, not detectable when you only measure the difference in atmospheric pressure with MAP.
Twin cam 4 valve per cylinder, direct cam to valve with no rocker arms that increase reciprocating mass in valve train and increase propensity for valve float. No palstic intake manifold or valve cover.
Runs perfect on the cheapest gas I can buy, none of the "trace surge" in almost every newer vehicle I have owned.
Today I finally fixed the rapidly blinking left turn signals, a trace of corrosion on the ground connection of the 1157 amber bulb for park and signal lights. Remove single screw pop out lens assembly, bulb socket, clean connection and reinstall. A few minutes to fix.
Sinatra now rests easy in the garage. I think tomorrows fill will be better than 40.
regards
Mech
