Careful about attaching too much significance to the luke warm heater. The heater on the P6 is the first ever example of an air mix heater - that is the heater matrix is fully hot all the time. To get cold air you open a flap to let cold air into the system and close a flap to stop hot air (via the heater matrix) getting into the system. So there are three possible scenario's here. First luke warm heater matrix; second, perished sealing foam on the air flaps; third, linkage from the levers not connected / adjusted properly.
So your luke warm heater could be a symptom of a cooling system running BELOW temperature, a blocked heater matrix, or a problem with the heater flaps.
That might well tie in with your bulkhead rattle.
Confirm that it is well worth getting the THREE side plates off (small one on the back of the block) flushing generally doesn't shift the build up hidden behind them.
The hesitation at idle sounds like straightforward engine tune. A 2200TC should give you an ear to ear grin performance wise. They are reckoned to be as quick as the V8. So yours sounds down on power to me.
As far as improvements goes. On the basis of your priorities I'd start with electronic ignition - the SimonBBC unit seems to be getting good reviews at the moment. Next up has to be a coolant header tank, followed by electric rad fans in place of the engine driven one. Then a good rolling road set up will transform driveability and economy. If you want to improve the roll so that roundabouts are easier, just fit an uprated front roll bar. Different wheels so that you get a wider choice of tyres can wait until you've got used to driving it. I do think 165 section tyres are a bit skinny by modern standards to give adequate braking and traction in the wet though.
Chris
So your luke warm heater could be a symptom of a cooling system running BELOW temperature, a blocked heater matrix, or a problem with the heater flaps.
That might well tie in with your bulkhead rattle.
Confirm that it is well worth getting the THREE side plates off (small one on the back of the block) flushing generally doesn't shift the build up hidden behind them.
The hesitation at idle sounds like straightforward engine tune. A 2200TC should give you an ear to ear grin performance wise. They are reckoned to be as quick as the V8. So yours sounds down on power to me.
As far as improvements goes. On the basis of your priorities I'd start with electronic ignition - the SimonBBC unit seems to be getting good reviews at the moment. Next up has to be a coolant header tank, followed by electric rad fans in place of the engine driven one. Then a good rolling road set up will transform driveability and economy. If you want to improve the roll so that roundabouts are easier, just fit an uprated front roll bar. Different wheels so that you get a wider choice of tyres can wait until you've got used to driving it. I do think 165 section tyres are a bit skinny by modern standards to give adequate braking and traction in the wet though.
Chris
