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Author: John Bartell
Total 9 posts - Started on 2012-10-13
Last Post Time: 2013-05-06 22:44:33
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
I was going to be laid up for awhile with some nech surgery so I decided I better paint the car, or I might not be able to do it for awhile. I chose an Eastwood urethane metallic red. Being new to automotive painting, I went through alot of trial and error. At first I had a very heavy orange peel on the car. After talking to some expert painters at work I bought a filter and gauge to put on the gun itself. What I found out was that my gun pressure was dropping too low. Once I fixed that it went pretty smoothe. I tried to cut the urethane metallic but it didn't work out well. It seems that the flakes are very visible after significant sanding. SO I just danded it flat and put some more base followed by 2 clear coats. I think it came out pretty well considering it was my first attempt.
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Author: Preman M
Total 11 posts - Started on 2012-02-23
Last Post Time: 2013-05-04 08:04:49
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Work on the Spitty has been incredible slow. Not a lot has been done since February as a result of the Chinese New Year and to a large part, the paint shop prioritizing other cars ahead of the Spitty. It didn't help that he had the majority of his workers leave en mass !!
Up to this weekend, I was starting to lose faith I was ever going to get the Spitty on the road BUT at my weekly visit today, there appeared to be some progress. The hard top had been painted and the inner bonnet..however the main shell was still being prepped for paint !! Go figure ! Don't know why they have decided to do the painting on a piece meal basis but I'm just happy there has been progress.
On a more positive note, I'm glad I stuck with the signal red and the paint job on the hard top looks pretty good ! I'm already starting to dream of the finished product. Painter tells me he will have started painting the body by next weekend....I live in hope !! Watch this space for more updates...hopefully next weekend with images of a painted body!!
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Author: Steve McCarthy
Total 34 posts - Started on 2010-12-08
Last Post Time: 2013-05-02 13:28:35
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Road Trippin’
with
Steve McCarthy
Ok, we got to lovely Visalia, now it time to head for the hills. There are a huge number of options here. When we did the “Gold in Them Thar Hills” about five years ago, we went all the way up to Jackson in the heart of the Gold Country, and used Hwy. 49 for a lot of it. That on it’s own is a great drive, but there are also a bunch of side roads that make this whole area great Road Trip territory.
The one thing you have to keep in mind is time of year. Many of these secondary roads are closed in the winter. They don’t want to spend the money to plow them. That dough is better spent keeping the main roads in the southern Sierras open as much as possible. Most should be open by May, but it’s always a good idea to check first, especially after a wet winter. It’s also worth noting that even in the spring, a snow storm CAN hit. Keeping an eye on the weather is an important idea. In the summer, these mountains can also get surprisingly hot, and the hill climbing and heat can challenge an Auld Crate’s cooling system. Make sure your’s is up to snuff!
The key to this whole drive is located on a little back road called “Italian Bar Road.” I need to do some research on how it got it’s name. Was there a bar for Italians? Were Italians barred from crossing further south or north? Some kind of 19th century Pale? Who knows. Anyway, it’s on this road that you will find the exact geographical center of California. Now...
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Author: Hazen Wardle
Total 22 posts - Started on 2011-11-17
Last Post Time: 2013-05-01 23:22:39
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
The donor fender for the driver's side on the bonnet had a hole above the wheel and one in just below the headlight that needed filling. The one below the headlight had been brazed and filled with bondo.
Ready for final treating and installation.
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Author: Anthony Kurilla
Total 38 posts - Started on 2012-04-04
Last Post Time: 2013-05-01 08:07:44
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Changed my gasket and cleaned the sludge from the sump and discovered 2 out of 16 bolts stripped.
Also found my brakes to start grinding in front...I thought they were in better shape than that...oh well time to replace rotors and pads.
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Author: Leon Guyot
Total 261 posts - Started on 2012-04-25
Last Post Time: 2013-04-18 03:44:37
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
March 2013: Attached workbench to the wall, so that it doesn't wobbly around any longer.
Next, to screw work surface to bench so that I can attach vices securely.
4th March 2013: Leon's 54th birthday.
Attached removable lamps to garage wall, so that I can see underneath car when I turn it round and put it up on stands to fit oil cooler.
1st April 2013: Vitesse First Registered at Reigate Garage, Surrey, UK, 50 years ago today as 7456PJ.
3rd April 2013: Took photos of Alloy GT6 Alternator Mounting block for Ronnie Babbitt in Georgia.
6th April 2013: Started to turn stick-on decal into magnetic decal which I think best describes Diva's 'personality'.
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Author: Eric G
Total 12 posts - Started on 2012-05-05
Last Post Time: 2013-04-15 19:09:38
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
This past weekend I removed the front suspension assemblies from the frame. As an aside, I would recommend breaking loose all of the bolts and nuts (brake calipers, ball joints etc.) before removing the entire assembly from the car, so you can get some good leverage. I didn't think of this until I was trying to get everything taken apart on my folding workbench. What a pain!
The brake caliper bolts were absolutely seized. I ended up standing on the assembly and doing the old "all or nothing" pull on the wrench with two hands. If the bolt had broke I probably would have ended up flying across the carport and into the thorn bushes lol. Thankfully the bolts finally gave in without breaking. Inspection revealed that the hours of soaking with PB Blaster didn't even get remotely into the threads.
I also had to hacksaw one of the control arm to frame bracket bolts with just the hacksaw blade wrapped in a rag to protect my hand. There was no good angle with it otherwise, so I'd saw for a little bit, turn the bolt (it was turning the whole bushing) and saw some more. When it was down to a spindly thing I whacked it with the hammer to break it apart.
I have "new" control arms that came with the GT6 frame and luckily so. One of the lower arms has an oblong hole worn where the lower trunnion bolt goes through. The trunnions themselves are in quite good condition, and the spindle/vertical link are good too. I had been using grease to lubricate when I was driving the car (n...
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Author: Eugene Villaluz
Total 10 posts - Started on 2012-11-11
Last Post Time: 2012-12-26 02:20:52
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Delivered a Christmas gift this morning and on the way home, I stopped at a nearby service station and vacuumed the interior. The seat foams are still crumbling and I need to clear that out. Hoping to schedule time with the upholsterer soon to redo the seats and carpets.
I also vacuumed away the battery acid residue in the passenger footwell. Will need to pull the battery and see if it is leaking. Why would there be so much in the interior of the car?
When I arrived home I replaced the windshield wiper blades. It's raining more these days and the split rubber on the passenger blade kept reminding me to get it done. Finally.
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Author: Jeff C
Total 10 posts - Started on 2012-07-26
Last Post Time: 2012-11-04 09:45:07
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
I haven't been at my spitfire in a while it would seem. But I did do a few things of late. I have the vertical link assemblies cleaned up, sandblasted and painted. New rotors, bearings, races, seals, even 'D' washers. Plus I have a number of small bits and pieces sandblasted and painted. Every little bit helps. This puppy will be back on her wheels in no time! Once I get the front back together then I'll get the back axles painted up. I have the rear trunnions done already, the u-joints feel good and all new fasteners are there so the back end will be rolling soon too. I found a good used set of 175's so I have to get those mounted and balanced soon too.
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Author: Michael Stoliker
Total 18 posts - Started on 2011-02-20
Last Post Time: 2012-09-28 12:45:12
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
As the title says, I feel I am at a tipping point in my Triumph ownership. Due to my continued unemployment I find myself teetering on the edge of a decision to keep the cars or sell them to recover what little money I can.
My concern is that if I keep the cars and wait for the economy to improve to the point where employers will take a chance on a 59 year old IT guy, too much damage will occur to both cars from sitting out in the open under covers and tarps.
Frankly, it's getting to the point where I can'teven justify spending money on rust removal tools and paint to preserve the parts I have removed. I've been unemployed since April and unemployment compensation is going to dry up shortly. My best shot at a permanent good paying position over this time period was withdrawn at the last minute due to the economy, and most resumes just go unanswered.
I may need to admit defeat and embrace my inner Walmart greeter. I can't pay the bills and restore two cars on a minimum wage.
Watch this space...
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Author: Mark Freece
Total 9 posts - Started on 2012-01-14
Last Post Time: 2012-08-06 10:20:46
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Applied for classic tags today! Whohoo! (Now waiting on Penndot)
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Author: Rupert Wild
Total 9 posts - Started on 2009-11-27
Last Post Time: 2012-07-13 14:29:11
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
The next round of mudding and skim coat shapes things up nicely.
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Author: Don McHale
Total 11 posts - Started on 2008-12-04
Last Post Time: 2012-06-11 10:53:31
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
putting the new wiring harness in. I may be adding some gauges too. Refinished dash, new crash pad. painted vents.
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Author: dave roberts
Total 9 posts - Started on 2011-04-29
Last Post Time: 2012-06-10 19:00:36
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Back to work on Nance! The body was soooo bad I decided to stop where I was and just paint it a uniform color. Rustoleum flat blue...
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Author: Dave B
Total 33 posts - Started on 2011-12-22
Last Post Time: 2012-05-19 16:28:34
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Well even though some think its risky to have wood visors incase of an accident I think if I wipe out in my spitty I have bigger things to worry about. My old visors are completly wrotten so made some of oak.
I re used the old brackets cutting off the outer rod just keeping the mounting and pivot part of the frame. I used a die grinder to put a slice up the new oak part then glued and slipped the flat part of the bracket into the crack.
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Author: Bob Coker
Total 13 posts - Started on 2009-01-06
Last Post Time: 2012-04-20 18:25:11
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Removing the diff was not a difficult chore but was time-consuming, taking all morning and into the early afternoon. The car is still on 6 jackstands since I previously removed the transmission. I marked the unions between the propshaft and trans before removing the trans, so I did the same with the propshaft at the diff to insure correct balance upon re-assembly.
Following instructions in the manuals I have, it was a matter of removing the outer axles, the transverse spring (unbolt at top and at the eyebolts on the ends.) and unbolt the diff itself.
I found that if I unbolt the rear first and put a thick drift into the hole on one side, it remains steady as I unbolt the front bolts. Then, when ready, I slid underneath it and, with a sheet of heavy cardboard on my chest, I slid out the punch and wiggled the diff free.
I cleaned it with copious amounts of brake cleaner and undid the stub axles. I love how the factory illustrations show a disembodied hand removing the stub axle with pinkie extended as if it were the easiest thing in the world. While they were not pressed into place, it took two flat-head screwdrivers (one on each side) to prise it free.
Then the case bolts were removed and a ubiquitous 5-in-one painters tool was used to pry the halves apart. Presto!
Once apart, the back half was thoroughly cleaned and the spot where there used to be a drain plug on earlier models was drilled and tapped. Now I have a drain plug! Yee-Ha!
The gears are in ...
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Author: Bob Evans
Total 11 posts - Started on 2011-01-19
Last Post Time: 2012-02-04 09:29:53
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
In response to Al (Falkon's) post on old models I dug out two I could not part with. A 1/8 scale Monogram Jag E-Type coupe that I did when I was 15 or 16 and a 1/24 scale Monogram die-cast metal MG-TC that I did in my 20's. The glue is letting go on both and they will have to be refurbished if I keep them. The plan is to put them in a glass case in my garage.
Bob
Feb. 05/12
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Author: Jamie Richardson
Total 44 posts - Started on 2011-02-20
Last Post Time: 2011-11-11 04:48:45
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
The dash is solid walnut and the door tops are walnut veneered. The shifter knob, window crank knobs, e-brake handle and door pulls are all walnut as well.
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Author: Eric dit Meo
Total 36 posts - Started on 2011-06-02
Last Post Time: 2011-09-25 10:21:22
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Some other pic of the work made on the rear....
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Author: Geoff Kearley
Total 23 posts - Started on 2010-09-19
Last Post Time: 2011-07-08 17:33:02
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Well. It's been a week, or two. The weather has been great and the TR7 has been performing perfectly. Well, really good. The top comes down and stows away easily. The car starts first try, every time. And, all you naysayers, it is a TR7.
The clutch ran dry and needed refilling and bleeding. The carbs ran low on oil and needed to be topped up. I checked these in March but should have checked them again as I have been using the car quite a lot lately. I haven't checked the differential or gearbox and, based on recent experience, guess I should soon. Those things are hard to do on an unpaved driveway. [Oh, my back!]
I have had several fantastic drives in the car lately; a 40 km run with a local club and a few private drives on my own. The club drive was great. There were 25 cars and about 1/4 were British; 3 Triumphs, 2 Minis, 1 Lotus and 1 Jag.
I have been on vacation and been using the car a lot. It is nice to get up in the morning and go for a drive with the top down. This is exactly what the car was built for.
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Author: Marcos Rodriguez
Total 24 posts - Started on 2011-03-27
Last Post Time: 2011-05-28 10:24:00
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Finale view with wheel mounted
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Author: Loren Welch
Total 24 posts - Started on 2009-07-04
Last Post Time: 2010-06-19 10:11:40
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
I fabricated an air tunnel to force air up into my lay-down radiator.
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Author: Jonathan Cronin
Total 12 posts - Started on 2010-01-08
Last Post Time: 2010-05-23 12:13:05
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
Things going well (ish!) This weekend I removed the windscreen glass and the surround then removed the dashtop. This was a little nervy as the dashtop are notorious for splitting and the very early Spitfires have a different dashtop to almost the rest of the Mk1, 2 and 3 production which all had the same. The early dashtops had no extended lip over the instrument cluster - it's not a documented change but it's beleived to have been chanegd sometime after the 1st 1000 cars or so were built. Fortunately mine is in good condition and came off easily enough in the end. Just need to store it someplace safe now :-)
To be honest I'm finding a lot of things are different on the very early cars (I have all the mechanical parts and interior for a mid 1963 Spitfire4 - FC14255 - to compare against) - The radio console/dash support is different; the fuel tank is different; the rear stop lamps are different (although I think mine are prototypes (no part numbers anywhere or makers name (lucas) if fact the design is ever so slightly different too; the inlet manifold is different; no makers name on my header tank (compared to the header tank for FC14255 which has a little plate underneath) - all interesting stuff (to me at least!).
The building up of the suspension is going ok too - apart from I've fitted the lower wishbones the wrong way so the antiroll bar won't fit! Doh! At least I hadn't tightened anything up so it's an easy shift really!
Post some pics of FC316 on this ...
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Author: Greg Deyo
Total 55 posts - Started on 2007-10-17
Last Post Time: 2010-05-20 06:40:48
Posted on: The Triumph Experience
I have always wanted to go to a Minnesota Triumph Sports Car Club meeting, but it meets at Fort Snelling's Officer's Club, and when I was unemployed last summer I couldn't afford the drive. Now I work five miles away and decided to go. They meet the second Thursday of the month. The meeting itself was boring, conducted as it was by classic rules, but I met some interesting people. It seems that almost everyone who drives a Spitfire is an insanely tall or large person. I thought I was big at 6'2" and 250 lbs., but I was average or even on the small side compared to most of these guys! After the meeting we all went out to look at the cars, but it was crappy weather and there were about six Spitfires and one TR3. I tried to get some ideas of where everything went so I could use it on my car, and some carb ideas as well. One guy had a four pack of Mikuni carbs on his that was interesting. We didn't stay long because as it got towards dusk, te temp dropped to around 40 degrees and the wind was blowing 25 to 30 mph along with light drizzle. It was freaking cold! I think I will hit next months and hope for nicer weather. I will have to bring my camera along as well.
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