Time in Driveway : 4.0 hours
For the last week or so I have had some driveway work sessions. A few moments here and there. Today I installed the water pump and oil filter assembly and the top bracket for the new alternator. Also attached the fuel line to the fuel pump. Earlier in the week I worked on the rear fender for the 1957..making patch panels..some progress being made..still lots of distractions....work, year end tax filing and gardening being the main focuses..
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Garage and Daydreaming
Time in Garage: none
I bought a new rechargeable electric lawn mover yesterday and through the process realized my garage is a mess.
I did my research on the internet and chose a Black and Decker model that our local Home Depot had on sale for $100 off. Bonus time..They only had one left and the clerk that located it for me, stood next to it and held it for me (while I went to find a cart) in case someone else came by and took it...his gesture was very much appreciated. Last night I unboxed it and assembled the handle and grass catcher and set the machine up for charging and realized I had no room inside my garage to move the mower in and charge it.... Garage clean up is definitely on the agenda for today....
It is gardening season and there is lots to do around the house to get the garden prepared for planting. Triumph work is put on the back burner for now but the daydreaming continues...
Hopefully I will get out in the garage and turns some wrenches soon??
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Hammering Away
Time in Driveway: 3.5 hours
Money spent:$500 or so
The replacement master cylinders came in yesterday along with the replacement reservoir, connector lines , front suspension kit, ball joints and the TR6 brake calliper mounting brackets. A very nice young women at the Greyhound freight desk asked me what I was working on which I found interesting. I am sure lots of people have Greyhound ship their purchases and she sees gearheads regularly. I am pretty sure she did not know what a Triumph TR3 looked like but she seemed interested..I explained I had been working on the car for 5 years and it wasn't finished yet. She smiled and told me to go home and have fun....sometimes encouragement comes from unusual places?
I removed the back brake drum and inspected the brakes on the differential. They look good...lots of wear left and they are dry. I sorted through removed suspension parts and separated the ball joints etc. An enjoyable time in the driveway and garage all round. Did some garage clean up also.....
Money spent:$500 or so
The replacement master cylinders came in yesterday along with the replacement reservoir, connector lines , front suspension kit, ball joints and the TR6 brake calliper mounting brackets. A very nice young women at the Greyhound freight desk asked me what I was working on which I found interesting. I am sure lots of people have Greyhound ship their purchases and she sees gearheads regularly. I am pretty sure she did not know what a Triumph TR3 looked like but she seemed interested..I explained I had been working on the car for 5 years and it wasn't finished yet. She smiled and told me to go home and have fun....sometimes encouragement comes from unusual places?
I removed the back brake drum and inspected the brakes on the differential. They look good...lots of wear left and they are dry. I sorted through removed suspension parts and separated the ball joints etc. An enjoyable time in the driveway and garage all round. Did some garage clean up also.....
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Chassis Developments
Time in Driveway: 2 hours
A beautiful evening working outside in the driveway. Very quiet neighbourhood wise and a bit on the cool side but great to be out of the house and away from the TV set. It felt good overall and I had a sense of accomplishment when I was finished.
I finished pulling apart the front suspension on the purchased frame. The fasteners are ready for cleaning in the Eastwood tumbler and today I will start the clean up process on the removed suspension parts. I also want to remove the brake drums from the rear axle and see the condition of the brakes etc. I am still pondering the validity of the purchase price of the spare frame vrs the value of the parts harvested (vrs buying them separately which would have a freight and time component attached) but I need to move on and focus on the reassembly. There is no use at looking back at this point? I think it will be a bit of a wash overall...
I have started looking at the wiring harness purchase which I hope to do early next week. I plan to order a replacement ignition switch, light switch, horn button and wiper switch..I may need a new solenoid...not sure yet....
I have the chassis parts on order that I need plus the parts needed to put the spare motor back together. Included is 2 TR6 wheels and tires that I am using for the rear wheels on the '57 reassembly.
Today I have to focus on cleaning up the garage and putting tools away. Also my wife bought me a set of combination wrenches at an estate sale that complement my tool box collection in a good way. Now I have multiply versions of the same size which comes in handy when working on cars. All for $10.00
A beautiful evening working outside in the driveway. Very quiet neighbourhood wise and a bit on the cool side but great to be out of the house and away from the TV set. It felt good overall and I had a sense of accomplishment when I was finished.
I finished pulling apart the front suspension on the purchased frame. The fasteners are ready for cleaning in the Eastwood tumbler and today I will start the clean up process on the removed suspension parts. I also want to remove the brake drums from the rear axle and see the condition of the brakes etc. I am still pondering the validity of the purchase price of the spare frame vrs the value of the parts harvested (vrs buying them separately which would have a freight and time component attached) but I need to move on and focus on the reassembly. There is no use at looking back at this point? I think it will be a bit of a wash overall...
I have started looking at the wiring harness purchase which I hope to do early next week. I plan to order a replacement ignition switch, light switch, horn button and wiper switch..I may need a new solenoid...not sure yet....
I have the chassis parts on order that I need plus the parts needed to put the spare motor back together. Included is 2 TR6 wheels and tires that I am using for the rear wheels on the '57 reassembly.
Today I have to focus on cleaning up the garage and putting tools away. Also my wife bought me a set of combination wrenches at an estate sale that complement my tool box collection in a good way. Now I have multiply versions of the same size which comes in handy when working on cars. All for $10.00
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Front Suspension Disassembly
Time in the Driveway: 4 hours
Yesterday I tackled the disassembly of the purchased chassis components. I got the right side completely disassembled and the left about 50% done. Things went well. I kept the chassis in the bed of my truck and worked at waist height which was helpful. The most difficult bolt removal was the bolts holding the brake callipers on.....took lots of torque to loosen them. Interesting the brake pads look almost new and the rotors are in good shape-though rusty. I am going to see if the pistons move in the callipers with an eye on potentially reusing them. The lower control arm condition is great on one of the arms and not so good on the other with the trunnion bushing worn. The trunnions themselves seem fine as are the ball joints. I may reuse the ball joints rather than replace...not sure? I also removed the rear shock absorber from the frame piece. It appears to still work but further investigation is required. I still have to remove the other. I want to pull the rear brake drums off and check out the condition of the linings etc. I want to be able to reuse as many parts as possible.
The day was coolish and overcast but it felt good to be outside and in the fresh air. I found the work challenging and satisfying but noticed some discomfort in my lower back when I was finished for the day.
I am hoping the purchase pays off.....the trend says probably...I won't really know until I get the left hand side of the front suspension disassembled.
Yesterday I tackled the disassembly of the purchased chassis components. I got the right side completely disassembled and the left about 50% done. Things went well. I kept the chassis in the bed of my truck and worked at waist height which was helpful. The most difficult bolt removal was the bolts holding the brake callipers on.....took lots of torque to loosen them. Interesting the brake pads look almost new and the rotors are in good shape-though rusty. I am going to see if the pistons move in the callipers with an eye on potentially reusing them. The lower control arm condition is great on one of the arms and not so good on the other with the trunnion bushing worn. The trunnions themselves seem fine as are the ball joints. I may reuse the ball joints rather than replace...not sure? I also removed the rear shock absorber from the frame piece. It appears to still work but further investigation is required. I still have to remove the other. I want to pull the rear brake drums off and check out the condition of the linings etc. I want to be able to reuse as many parts as possible.
The day was coolish and overcast but it felt good to be outside and in the fresh air. I found the work challenging and satisfying but noticed some discomfort in my lower back when I was finished for the day.
I am hoping the purchase pays off.....the trend says probably...I won't really know until I get the left hand side of the front suspension disassembled.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Rolling Chassis 1957
$$ Spent $950
The project has taken an interesting turn of late. About a week and a half ago I shared a beer with the original owner of my TR3's . Through the course of the conversation our attention turned to the TR3 market and what appears to be few cars coming up for sale and when they do they sell fast. My friend still longs for a TR3 and is not really happy owing my old MGB which is currently going through a major body restoration. How he arrived in this spot is interesting to consider but not for sharing today.
At the end of our conversation I determined I do not want to sit on the fence for another summer season and have the '57 body sit on my utility trailer and the frame propped up against the fence so in my wisdom (based on marketing the car) I have decided to take a side trip and reassemble the pieces into a rolling chassis and then determine the next steps. The car is worth more if I do so and there is a potential I have nearly enough pieces to put it back together. Previously there were some complexities to doing this around the damaged rear hubs and having to replace them and some missing suspension parts that need to be bought. In order to address these concerns I have purchased a discarded TR3 chassis from my parts supplier and had it cut up so I could transport it home easily. The frame was damaged and not repairable but the components look good. So I have another differential and a complete front suspension that appears to be tight. I have purchased new ball joints and a front suspension kit for reassembly. I am keeping my fingers crossed this purchase will translate into all (if not most) of the parts I need.
I have the original '59 front right fender in for bead blasting as I am not happy with the 2 other repaired fenders. I need to make a new lower patch and bang out a few dents then apply a skim coat and prime. This is also a departure from the original plan.
The project has taken an interesting turn of late. About a week and a half ago I shared a beer with the original owner of my TR3's . Through the course of the conversation our attention turned to the TR3 market and what appears to be few cars coming up for sale and when they do they sell fast. My friend still longs for a TR3 and is not really happy owing my old MGB which is currently going through a major body restoration. How he arrived in this spot is interesting to consider but not for sharing today.
At the end of our conversation I determined I do not want to sit on the fence for another summer season and have the '57 body sit on my utility trailer and the frame propped up against the fence so in my wisdom (based on marketing the car) I have decided to take a side trip and reassemble the pieces into a rolling chassis and then determine the next steps. The car is worth more if I do so and there is a potential I have nearly enough pieces to put it back together. Previously there were some complexities to doing this around the damaged rear hubs and having to replace them and some missing suspension parts that need to be bought. In order to address these concerns I have purchased a discarded TR3 chassis from my parts supplier and had it cut up so I could transport it home easily. The frame was damaged and not repairable but the components look good. So I have another differential and a complete front suspension that appears to be tight. I have purchased new ball joints and a front suspension kit for reassembly. I am keeping my fingers crossed this purchase will translate into all (if not most) of the parts I need.
I have the original '59 front right fender in for bead blasting as I am not happy with the 2 other repaired fenders. I need to make a new lower patch and bang out a few dents then apply a skim coat and prime. This is also a departure from the original plan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
