Oil Pump/Oil Pan Installed

Time in Garage 3-1/2 Hours

A good day in the garage yesterday....installed the new oil pump cartridge. Pretty straight forward other than my not checking the oil pickup configuration before installing the cover so I ended up pulling the cover off one more time. Tolerances look good. I ran the oil pan sump bolts through another cleaning cycle utilizing my Eastwood tumbler. Applied gasket sealer to the oil pan gasket and installed the newly painted Oil pan- torquing down the bolts to spec. Satisfying to see the bottom end buttoned up. I applied some paint to the bolt heads for rust protection. Looks good too.

Engine Painting

Time in garage 4-1/2 hours

Cleaned up the engine block one more time and painted it with Duplicolor engine enamel.
Removed oil pan (again) and cleaned exterior in preparation for painting.
Reviewed manual to determine torque values for oil pump installation
Checked out Alternator kit. Read literature.

Good day all round...

Summer Solstice Garage Time

Time in garage : 2-1/2 hours

Worked on the front suspension (replacing nuts etc and installing a missing bolt that was misplaced for the rack and pinion mounting bracket) plus refitted the right hand brake calliper. It required a slight grinding modification to the body of the calliper where it mounts to the support bracket to address some excess material the was causing the calliper to rub against the rotor ( and bind) when tightened down. A simple fix that worked well.

The previous weekend found me cleaning off my work bench in order to free up a working area and cleaning up generally. I have some ideas for future improvements in storage efficiency that need to be done based on my limited space availability.

I purchase an alternator replacement kit from Moss Motors that was on sale for $50 off..by looking at the installation video I determined it would be easier to install with the body off the chassis than on so I splurged so I can have it on hand. 

I have an offer in hand for my 1957 tub only. Currently contemplating my next steps! 

Modified Moss Rack and Pinion Mounting Bracket

Time in garage:45 mins
Task: Modification of steering assembly bracket

Last week I had some welding done on my mounting bracket by a local firm to my specifications. After a couple of trial fits and 2 sets of measurements I took the plunge and drilled out the new mounting holes. The bracket looks great and I think will resolve the clearance issue between the steering shaft knuckle and frame.

No Wrenching In The Neighbourhood

Yesterday I took the Rack and pinion mounting bracket to a welding shop to see about getting a modification made. I couldn't seem to communicate what I needed done in a way that the fellow understood...I also don't think he was  too interested in doing the work either which didn't help the situation ..he  recommended another shop which is better suited to taking in a small project which I appreciated.

I have done no work in the garage since March 10th...it is now May...my work contract is consuming my time and energy and keeping me away from "wrenching" on my Triumph...one of many excuses..ha ha...

Rack and Pinion Mount/Clutch Install

Back into the garage this afternoon.
Time spent: 1-1/2 hrs

Removed the rack and pinion bracket so the new tab can be welded on.
Cleaned off the flywheel clutch plate surface.
Installed new clutch.
Drafted out new "to do" list

Listened to the radio-choosing of the new Pope on "Cross Country Checkup" on the C.B.C.-interesting phone in quests...

Looking towards some warmer weather so I can get the engine block painted.

Checking out ads on Kijjiji looking for a cheap utility trailer to move body around...

Need to do another clean up of the garage. Woodworking tools spread about...from Kitchen reno...

Looking to Magnus Walker (major 911 Porsche obsession) for inspiration-to get my TR3 project/enthusiasm refueled

Deep in Thought-Project Execution

For the last 3 weeks I have been a home handyman-my spare time totally focused on my daughter's kitchen renovation with no progress being made on the Triumph. This time, last year I was out in the garage almost daily working on my car. Once again I am experiencing conflicting priorities and compromise with respect to my project completion deadline.

Last week has been interesting from the perspective 3 people have asked my about my project? Totally unsolicitied enquiries which really got me thinking about the bigger picture with respect to how I approach working on the Triumph.

The "rub" for me is the project has now gone on too long to complete...taking it out of the category of hobby and pleasurable spare time pursuit into the realm of aggravation and disappointment with the unfinished state. A dangerous place to be in the overall scheme of things....

When people ask me how things are going I now become defensive and offer up excuses for non-completion and lately, a lack of progress....the other issue than causes me grief is my garage is not accessible for other endeavors based on the car being dismantled and not moveable.

The internal dialog continues......