Triumph TR3- Project Update

Yesterday I turned on the garage heater and went out for an hour and a half and cleaned up my work space. My workbench was very crowded, dirty and covered with tools and parts as was the floor which really contributed to my sense of chaos!!! I had set my self an intention to clean up the space prior to my leaving on vacation next week. I really didn't want to leave things in a chaotic state any longer so it was "heads down" to get the work done. The CKUA tunes proved to be an excellent backdrop to the work....an enjoyable time for sure....

I realized this morning (based on a review of my blog entries) I have not been doing anything Triumph wise for over a month-wow times flies....Other priorities (many of which were truly higher priorities (caring for an ailing parent, end of the season yard clean up, contract work etc) continue to impact any available time to be spent on the project which in tern impacts the reassembly timeline. The project completion date continues to get pushed out...

Through the act of the cleaning up I started to contemplate where I am at with project and some largely constructive "self talk" ensued. I do firmly believe I am "over the hump" with respect to the difficult aspects of the reconstruction and but I also realize I really need to focus on my life priorities and be very discriminating with respect to how I spend my time over the winter. In order to complete the reassembly I need to take the position working on the Triumph is a high priority and that I should allocate appropriate segments of time on a daily basis to meeting my goals and completing the necessary work. In principle there are no "apparent" barriers that will prevent me from doing so. I have the skill set and with my contract work commitments for 2011 being largely completed (my last 2 days of work are this week) the time to refocus my attention. I am really going to need to be disciplined with my approach!!!

Triumph TR3- More Surface Rust Removal-'59

Yesterday evening I spent about an hour removing surface rust from underneath the floorboards of the '59 in preparation for primer and paint. It was a low stress excursion in the garage with some really great CBC radio playing in the background for company...I used some Marine Clean to start prepping the areas where I have removed most of the rust which resulted in ending off the evening with a sense of accomplishment and some visually apparent improvements in the quality of the surface for paint. I figure I am about 70% finished the prep. I really need to apply the hour now and then rule (trying to get out to the garage on a daily basis-this is the only way the project is going to get finished) to get out into the garage and get the job done vrs committing to long stretches of labor...

I also did some garage clean up earlier in the evening. Mainly putting tools away. I need to do a major purge again in the next few days to once again "clear the decks" in order to proceed with the work in an orderly, safe and efficient manner....

Triumph TR3- 1957 Next Steps

Yesterday I uncovered the 1957 tub and cleaned off the crud and took pictures from all different angles. I seem to be vacillating dramatically on what to do next with the car as winter is fast approaching and I will have to move it out of my driveway.(once again). I spent a few moments doing a reality check on whether I can actually reassemble the car and market it? (unlikely)... There are pros from a $$$ perspective but to actually accomplish the task from a time and priority basis is much more challenging? I am growing weary of the vacillation so a decision needs to be made soon!!

Triumph TR3- Out into the Shed

Yesterday I spend about 4 hours sorting through spare parts and getting my "parts" shed in order. I decided to do this now verses having to do it when the weather is far less hospitable. My motivation is that I have misplaced the new engine mounts I purchased back in 2010 and I wanted to make sure the plastic storage tubs were close to the front door of the shed so I can sort through them when the time comes? I also moved most of the 1957 body panels (with the exception of the hood and truck lid) into the 1957 tub (that is sitting in my driveway under a tarp)-to get them out of the shed and out of the way and ready for sale... I now have much better access to the contents of my shed...

Triumph TR3- Undercarriage Prep Started

Other priorities (work,travel, hiking, bicycle riding, gardening and other distractions) have "trumped" working on my TR this summer so not much progress to report for the last few months. The weather is changing rapidly (getting cooler) and I can see myself out in the garage more in the near future...

Some updates:

1. the body is now tilted on it's side so I can access the undercarriage for rust removal. primer and finish coat. The work got started on Thursday (3-1/2 hours spent) and I have made some good progress.

2. Yesterday I did some work on some floor board flange repair(and replacement) and some touch up on the rear valance patch panels I installed earlier in the year. (another 3 hours or so)

A fellow at work suggested I really push the body work portion of the rebuild and get it handled before winter sets in. Mechanical work and reassembly is fine in the confined space of a heated garage but bodywork is another issue (from a toxicity perspective) so that is my focus right now through the next month. I want to have the undercarriage and engine bay painted so I can start the re-assembly in an earnest fashion...

Triumph TR3 -Fastener Refreshing

Yesterday I fired up my Economy Vibratory Tumbler-Gen 11 purchased from the Eastwood Company and threw in some fasteners to see how the system works. After a few hours of tumbling clean fasteners emerged from the green media. I am impressed.

Triumph TR3 -Engine Compartment Primed/Rear Springs Installed

Yesterday I spent about 5 hours out in the garage, head down installing the rear springs, doing a final sanding and clean of the engine compartment and applying a coat of primer. The day was beautiful and warm and ideal for painting so I made the most of it.

I was " in the flow" for most of the time although I did notice myself snapping out of the flow and playing out a "fit for purpose" analysis related to the condition of the inner fender wells. There are a few minor ripples/dents in the sheet metal that weren't obvious prior to applying the primer and when examining my finished work I started to obsess a bit about whether or not I should spend some more time prepping the surface. For now I am going to move onto priming the underside of the floor boards. I might go back and do some touch up later but for now I consider the work to be "fit for purpose"...I have to continue to remind myself this is not a 100 point restoration and if the inner fender wells show a bit of wear and tear that is not a bad thing!!