It's probably* so it still works when the fluid runs low and the master pressure drops or the system gets a slight leak
meaning it's generally more reliable. I realise this is not a rational reason when you think about it, but it was built by Landrover in the 80s. Be thankful it's got the correct number of wheels

*definitely
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:28, 2 replies, latest was 13 years ago)

but it seems, after bleeding the system and using a syringe to check the problem wasn't at the gear box end,
the travel in the master cylinder is over twice what it needs to be, which is way more than neccessary to make up for leaks. If the fluid is so low that you need twice the travel to engage the clutch, you would have to make a hole in the floor to push the clutch pedal far enough.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:32, Reply)

This is seriously impressive stuff
I really don't understand engines or cars in general, which is why I am very glad we moved in near to an excellent mechanic.

When I next buy a car will you please come with me and check the engine bits for me?
(Bazongaloid, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:34, Reply)

i can't do modern cars,
too much computery electronic jiggery pokery.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:36, Reply)

The only difference sensors and whatnot make is that garages rely on those to tell them what's wrong.
Which is shit because the ECU can only tell that a sensor's going, not what's causing it. Took me a year to track down a problem with my turbo because the ECU kept flaggin up MAF faults and pressure drop faults. Turned out it was a few split hoses.
( Kroney, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:38, Reply)

i also don't like that you can't get to engines in modern cars without loads of messing about,
most old cars you can sit in the engine bay and work on it.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:40, Reply)

I prefer old cars too
but I'll be fucked if I'm letting a garage do something I can do myself.
( Kroney, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:44, Reply)

this,
the only things that get done at the garage is the welding and the suspension, but only because i don't have a pit or a lift to get underneath properly.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:48, Reply)

It's just not the same
when some spanner monkey has to connect a computer to it, before reading off a 5 digit code and THEN whistling through his teeth, shaking his head and going, "woah, that's gonna cost ya"
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:40, Reply)

It's just like large scale, oily Lego, Al.
Have a bash.
( Kroney, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:36, Reply)

Like I said, it's a stupid thing to do. For exactly those reasons
And also that it makes a well maintained vehicle less reliable than a poorly maintained one.

but that'll still be why it is that way.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:34, Reply)

British engineering,
nothing quite like it.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:35, Reply)

I've had two 1970s BL sports cars in the last 10 years
There's nothing that would surprise me.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:36, Reply)

I've got a Morris Minor at the moment,
and apart from a leaky rocker cover gasket, the thing seems to be almost perfect. I mean, there are so few mving parts, as long as you keep it all oiled up and clean, and fluid in it, it won't ever die.
However, i had a 75 mgb, and i'm pretty sure the engineer had only 1 hand and one eye and half a brain.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:39, Reply)

I had a 72 MGB roadster
that was great ... but then I had replaced more or less everything on it bar the original shell. On the other hand, the 78 spitfire I had would overheat without fail if the air temperature got above 25 degrees no matter what the fuck I did to it. Top end rebuild, bigger rad, oil cooler, Kenlowe, not the tiniest fucking effect. I think it was just built by a spiteful cunt who didn't like the idea of people enjoying the sun
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:42, Reply)

lol,
i met a bloke who had a 74 mgbgt i think, and had done all of this, without once checking if the water pump was working.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:47, Reply)

haha. no, I checked that.
It was the temperature that confused me. 20 degrees, it would be fine stuck stationary in a traffic jam for hours. 30 degrees, it would overheat at 70 on the motorway.

BL witchcraft, I'm telling you.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:49, Reply)

i'd have said oil pressure,
but if you said you put an oil cooler in, then it is probably a valve somewhere. hmmmm, was it just cutting out, or properly steam out of the radiator over-heating?
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:54, Reply)

properly steam out of the radiator. Well, I learned at what point on the temp gauge
I needed to stop and let the engine cool to just prevent coolant boiling, to be fair.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 16:04, Reply)

and pretty much the only valve in a spit engine in the thermostat. And I took that out too.
So the coolant was on full whack constantly.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 16:05, Reply)

sounds like witchcraft to me.

( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 16:07, Reply)

It did turn me into a newt.

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 16:08, Reply)

we're a long way over here,
i'm a little scared of falling off the edge of the internet.
( Windy Pig I'm naturally quite suspicious about the moon., Thu 16 Aug 2012, 16:10, Reply)

You're finally off the edge of my screen at last.

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 16:13, Reply)

West Midlands manufacturing at its finest!

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Thu 16 Aug 2012, 15:32, Reply)