MOOP (Material Out Of Place)

I have wandered out into the garage a couple of times in the last month or so....I glance at my disassembled Triumph and wonder two things:

1. Why has my enthusiasm for the project diminished so dramatically in the last few months...
2. What am I going to do about it??

Re Point 1: the bent frame scenario was very discouraging. Although I have a plan to address the issue I have yet to take action...no action-no results... Logically there are other things I can be working on in lieu of frame related tasks but I haven't even attempted to pick up a wrench, sander or any other tool which ultimately doesn't move the project along... To complicate the issue, we are enjoying the best summer weather wise in a decade so multiple distractions have kept me outside and away from home also diminishing my focus...Working on the Triumph has not been a real priority...I met a friend in a book store a few weeks ago and we had a brief conversation about finding time to do the things we dream about and how hard it is to keep the commitment of taking the time to pursue our interests "front and center"..another important point in my analysis as I have not made the Triumph work a priority...the list goes on and on....

Re Point 2: The project time line drifts into the future....I have missed a number of critical milestone dates that I had set for myself which in itself is kind of discouraging. Intellectually I know I have to stop beating myself up for not being focused and get back to the work at hand...small steps-small victories can build up momentum so  I need to get back into the garage (and start blogging my progress again)...

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A few weeks ago I needed to repair a section of my fence. The bottom rung had rotted out and the boards were hanging loose....the work needed to be done...I went to my local Home Depot and grabbed my building materials and set out to get the work done...Nearly every tool I needed to use was out of place...the term is MOOP....material out of place vrs MIP...material in place...rung true...I marveled at how much time it took me to "search out" my tools...a detriment to the successful execution of a project...after my daughter's renovation project I didn't take time to re-shelve and organize my woodworking tools....plus I left my drill in the back of my truck-a place I would not normally look to find it....I needed to spend some time considering what I had used the tool for last....as it was not in any of the usual places...my patience was certainly tested....it is all in the details.....fortunately my mechanic tools are all where they need to be...I won't be able to use MOOP as an excuse not to work on the Triumph....

Inspiration and Such

On Wednesday night I went out to the garage and "yet again" played with the positioning of the rack and pinion assembly to see what modifications would need to be made to the bracket to get the clearance I need for the steering yoke. While I was there I remeasured "yet again" the frame misalignment and tried to figure out if correcting the slightly twisted configuration will help me with the clearance...verdict is still out...In addition I went out into the shed and retrieved the TR-7 steering shaft I had purchased a few years ago to see if it had different sized knuckles than the Moss supplied unit...unfortunately they are remarkably similar. The support bracket would require the welding of a plate to support the moved U-bolt bracket...pretty straightforward fabrication I would assume? I sat for a few minutes and contemplated where I was at project wise- then left the garage and went to bed...

Last night (looking for some automotive inspiration/motivation on Youtube)  I watched a couple of episodes of Rat Rod TV....the aspect of having the ability and drive to create a unique piece of automotive art for a reasonable sum of money is truly inspiring...the show has a very "can do" type of feel to it...which is what I need to feel right now...I have wanted to build a hot rod since I was 8 years old and seeing the show rekindles that desire..interestingly I am still contemplating the building of a rat rod using my Triumph frame and even did a quick calculation on cost...the idea really intrigues me...but alas I can't start on anything like that until I get my car back together...

Ford Van Brake Caliper Challenge Revisited

On Saturday I tackled removing the broken e-z out from the steering knuckle on my 1979 Ford van and was successful in removing the offending hardened tool piece. I took my time and gingerly ground out an access area with my Dremel tool (after reading about the process on the Internet). With some persuasion from a hammer and drift I was able to extract the piece with a pair of pliers. I re-drilled the hole and ran a tap into the hole and created new threads. The first 1/8 to 3/16 of the hole is damaged from the e-z out extraction but there is still about 5/16 of an inch of threads available for the bolt and with a torque value of 17ft pounds I am sure the treads are adequate for the bolt tightening..To be on the safe side I applied some JB Weld to the opening and created additional material for threading. The bolt is now securely housed and given it is just a "stop" for the sliding caliper bracket I am comfortable the fix is "fit for purpose" I will examine the bolt for tightness once I have a few kilometers on the vehicle. I figure my "bolt breaking" fubar took 4 hours to correct and cost me $30 (including the cost of the broken e-z out) to remedy. All  avoidable if I had taken some time to "evaluate" the situation to determine my next steps before blindly proceeding in a "forceful" way..a good lesson learned on many fronts...

First Day of Summer-Update

My Triumph project has stalled..earlier in the week I contemplated how "best" to move the project along? After careful consideration I determined the next step should be to move back to finishing off the body work while the weather is more conducive to the task...I have a few higher priority tasks outside of working on the Triumph which I hope to finish off in the next few days...then hopefully I will return to my long abandoned project and start making progress....

Recently I listed my '57 body on Kijjiji and had no takers but lots of "hits". I figured I was sitting on a treasure trove of desirable parts but that does not seem to be the case?? I withdrew the listing after a couple of weeks to rethink my marketing approach...

Automotive Fubar-Broken Bolt

Earlier this week I over tightened a bolt and broke it off. I should have known better and backed away from applying a bit more pressure to "seat" the bolt tighter when it wasn't really necessary. I had actually stopped to assess the situation at one point because what I was experiencing tightening the bolt didn't seem to make sense..I removed the bolt-compared it to the original and reinstalled it. Rather than go back into the house and grab the repair manual to check torque values I pushed ahead and suffered the consequences... After breaking off the bolt and I went out an bought an easyout tool that also broke off when I went to extract the remains. In retrospect it was a mistake to buy a cheap easyout which further compounded the problem. I now have a major mechanical issue to resolve that could have been avoided for sure....


This is not a Triumph story but a Ford one.I own a 1979 Ford Camper van. It has been in the family since the early 1990's. Lots of great camping memories come with the vehicle. In 2009 my wife and I drove the van 5000 kilometers from Canada to the Oregon coast. The van required some mechanical prep to bring it up to travel standard and it performed well only requiring a fan belt adjustment while on the road...

About a week ago we decided to take the van on an excursion for 10 days or so. This decision required I do some pre-work and bring the van up to travel standards again. One thing that needed repair was the front brake calipers. The plungers weren't operating properly and the calipers needed to be replaced. I went to the auto parts store and bought everything I needed. Things went fairly well until the last bolt was to be installed.

The series of events have provided a valuable lesson for me. In fact multiple lessons on a whole bunch of different levels.

Rack and Pinion/Critical Path

Last week  I had an opportunity to discuss the rack and pinion installation with Moss Motors. Their installation has about 1/8 of an inch clearance on the steering shaft yoke which is not a huge tolerance in my opinion. I am surprised given the year of the car that the British manufacturer of the part would consider frame fabrication to be so consistent that a 1/8" tolerance would be acceptable???  We talked at length about options including the return of the assembly for a credit etc. I want to stay on course and install the assembly so I am going to proceed with the frame straightening in the next few weeks. If the unit still does not clear properly I will need to "engineer" a modification to the mounting plate (moving the rack and pinion further to the left but drilling new holes for the u-bolts and reinforcing the plate in some fashion) so the yoke clears and/or switch out the yoke for an aftermarket yoke with a smaller diameter. I work with mechanical engineers so I will sit down with one and have them check out what I am doing to ensure the mounting plate still has integrity. I have to admit this setback has impacted my enthusiasm somewhat but I know I have to get back to the build and turn some wrenches soon.

This week I have been brainstorming about what my next steps might be? Based on my considerations I think I will move to painting the underside of the body and engine compartment while the frame is out for straightening. The weather is warmer and more conducive to this activity and I really need to get it done as it is a bit of a bottleneck to moving the build forward.

I have put the '57 tub, fenders etc up for sale-no inquires yet...

More Frame Musings

Time in Garage Thursday 1 hour

I went back out to the garage on Thursday and did another "level" check of the frame and trial fit of the rack and pinion assembly. For sure the frame is slightly twisted-no doubt about it but perhaps only 1/4" to 1/2 inch? I took a tape measure and utilizing the shop manual did a check of the other coordinates and the frame appears to be straight in other aspects. Jiggling around the rack and pinion does not provide any kind of clearance opportunity with the steering shaft yoke so I am painted into a corner-something must be done.

Follow up with My Parts Supplier/Body Shop Friday
Money spent: $3.45

I went down to the big city and talked to my Triumph specialist (while picking up my previously ordered trunnion nuts) and he said I definitely should take the time and have the frame straightened while the body is off the chassis. He suggested it is time and money well spent and I "for sure" can't argue with the logic. Earlier they had recommended a body shop next door to them which has a lot of experience with frame straightening. I went next door and talked to the manager and determined there is an opening the bring the frame in (week after next) so my next steps is to make an appointment and arrangements to borrow a car trailer and haul the chassis down.

We also discussed the potential of using an different after market universal joint which would have better clearance potential for the steering shaft yoke to spring tower. He showed me an example he had in his shop and looked very fit for purpose. Cost around $65.00. A viable option if the frame straightening doesn't give me the clearance I need??

I am still not sure why the rack and pinion assembly is designed to have such close tolerances for steering shaft yoke clearance but until I hear back from MOSS motors all I can do is speculate. One way or the other I have a problem to resolve before I can move on.

While in the shop I noticed a British Sports Car gathering in Radium Hot Springs in mid June. I longed to be able to participate.....I really want to be driving a sports car again....