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......

Engine Work...More parts cleaning

Time in Garage over the past few days: about 6 hours

I have stripped down the engine to a long block configuration. Today I  purchased a high quality wire brush attachment for my drill and really cleaned up the block and transmission. One final surface prep clean and I should be able to apply some paint. As with a majority of the tasks on this car it has taken me longer than expected to get the work done, as always I am more aptimistic than practical...a majority of the removed parts are cleaned up and wire brushed. A long and tedious process that still needs completion.

I attempted to remove the broken studs on the exhaust manifold. Soaked the studs overnight wnd used a stud remover but the studs were just too brittle after years of use. I ended up having to drill out the remaining portion of the studs and clean up the treads with a tap 3/8 nc cost $9. It took me about a hour to do the job not including the time spent to get the proper tap.

I removed the intake manifold from the exhaust manifold and cleaned it up..it looks much more presentable. Started to clean up the distributor..about another 30 mins left to finish it off.

Finished cleaning up the oil canister housing..looks good and polished off some other clean up jobs.

I am coming to the conclusion one had to be a bit obsessive to take on a project like this and get it finished in a reasonable time frame ....oh well ...live and learn...

Rekindled Project Focus

Time in Garage Friday: 6 hours

I am recently back from a January vacation to the Palm Desert in Southern California, somewhat recharged and refocused and ready to get back to work on my car. Christmas break was a bit challenging health wise as I contracted a fairly serious cold/flu that put Christmas celebrating and working on the Triumph on the back burner. I had to lay low and take it easy...

Yesterday I did the following:

Removed the fan extension from the front engine pulley..interestingly I didn't realize there was a large bolt that had to be removed. After a bit of frustration trying to break the extension free I referenced my manual and read through the instructions...I chuckled to myself around the 15 minutes I wasted that could have been avoided had I read the manual first!!! Arghhh..

While referencing the manual I recorded all the relevant torgue readings on a piece of paper that I put into a clip board...easier to read and doesn't mess up the manual with greasy fingers

I removed the thermostat housing and waterpump housing for clean up and reinstallation with new gaskets..

Removed the distributor and found a large deposit of gunk that needed cleaning out...it has been a while since the distributor has been removed. It will require clean up and a bushing check...

I did another clean of the block in prep for painting. I removed the spark plugs to clean up the head surface and noticed one was broken. Not sure how that happened but it will need to be replaced.

The block is now about 80 percent prepared for paint...yesterday was a great day to work on the car as I could keep the garage door open...record temperatures in our area...felt more like spring than mid winter...also good light and ventilation for parts cleaning...

On Thursday I traded out the remaining after market slotted wheel for the proper rim that I had recently powder coated...now the chassis has all the right rims installed. Cost to do this: $42 for the rim recoat and $22 for tire swap and balancing and a new valve stem...the slotted rim was put into storage...

2012 Project Review

Year End Review

Hmmm...I made progress in 2012 which is a good thing!!!!!

Has my project been well managed in 2012?  No!!!!!

If this was a performance evaluation of me as a project manager I would probably be fired!!!

But I don't really want to dwell on my short comings...my earlier blogs reflect the challenges and my observations...nothing to be gained by going back over it all again....

So what is needed "right now" to get the project back on track?

1. Setting garage time as a priority in 2013
2. Celebrating the successes and building on them to move the project forward
3. Continue to search out inspiration from what ever sources are available
4. Stay positive-do not dwell on the obstacles...
5. Stay energized---

I have the skill sets and the resources...I really need to focus.....




The biggest challenge is setting garage time as a priority...

Oil Filter Head Clean Up

Time in Garage 1.5 hours

Cleaned up my recovered Oil |Filter Head...looks good!!!!!
Spent some time straightening out my work area...

Out into the Shed

Time in the great outdoors: 1 hour

There was a break in our winter weather yesterday (higher temperature) that allowed me to venture outside and sift through my shed for the oil filter head that I had mistakenly thought I didn't need when I bought my spin on filter adapter from Moss Motors. (I didn't read the instructions first-left them in the box until very recently)...I figured the part was in one of the Rubbermaid tubs I have stored. Unfortunately the extraction required the moving of a number of items including my table saw which is heavy and cumbersome....about 45 minutes later I came to the realization the part was not where I anticipated it was!....next step was to move over to my other shed-which is much more accessible but still required the moving off my lawn mower and assorted "stuff" to extract a box of spare parts I had put aside for later sale...the head was there....it is now in my garage awaiting clean up and reinstallation.

I delivered one of my "straightened" spare wheels down to the powder coater for refinishing. I need to change over one of the wheels on the chassis which is not an OEM issue which has slots verses the round holes of the original wheels. The tire will need to be moved over. One of the things on my list of tasks...

My parts are in...with the exception of the shock absorber mounting rubbers which are on back order....

Some activity this week but no "wrench turning" as such...