'57 & '59 Project Plan -Setting Reasonable goals?

Project Plan

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1957 Triumph Tr3 Rat Rod

Phase 1 of the ’57 Triumph Project: to December 15,2014

Complete the 57 to engine start up . Get parts painted in October2014 and installed where it makes sense through the balance of 2014….Move the car outside for the winter-EARLY DECEMBER IS PREFERABLE. Intent is to move it out at whatever stage of completion. Tarp to be installed and vehicle winterized. Potential engine/trans may not be serviceable. Would need to change focus on drivetrain if this is the case.

Make sure the car is appraised and insured before doing so.

The rat rod will be the main focus during October 2014. Intent is to keep expenditures low through the balance of the project.Scrounging parts etc. Focus on “coolness” without excess.

Phase 11 of the build starts in May 2015 with a focus during the winter of 2015 to locate missing components such as a gas tank, rad test and painting , windshield, etc etc.

1959 Triumph

Phase 1 “goal” of the ’59 Triumph project is to body mounting on the assembled but not completed chassis before April 15th.Classified as a “the” winter project. Includes chassis build up but potentially not hydraulics or front brakes, brake lines , shocks etc..(long list) but to rolling chassis status.Includes the Moss Rack and Pinion etc… Expenditures to be kept to a bare minimum through the winter. Look at the potential of utilizing the “spare” rear brake parts etc…..List to be compiled in the winter outlying what needs to be purchased. Body will not be permanently mounted on chassis. Intention is to refurbish the1957 engine to operating status and start it up before April 2015. A starter motor might be a required purchase… Once again focusing on component check out and installation where applicable and to use all existing parts before any new components are purchase. Note: both engines check out then the ’57 will be swapped back into the rat rod... If only one works out then an engine transplant on the ’57 will be considered. At least explored.

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Phase 11 of the project is the body work and final paint which will commence in mid May 2015. Funds to be put aside for the project through the course of the winter. Intention is to undertake the body work during the summer months inside the garage. Budget estimate is around $1000.00?

Once the body work is completed focus will turn back to the procuring the required component pcs.

1957 deficiency list

Gas tank

Steering column

Windshield

Side curtains

Seats???

Need to further exploration on the status of the parts in the partsbins and fasteners? Is there anything to sell? i.e. the moss side rail, steering box etc.

1957 Progress Report

Time in Garage this week(actually the driveway) 10 hours

I have spent an additional 6 hours working on the challenging left hand rear fender. The fender was very marginal originally and when repairing it the first time I did not realize there was another area of weakness that I had overlooked. Plus I had missed putting in a couple of rivets which further compromised the fit up. All of this has been resolved and the final fit up completed. I am fairly happy with the outcome. I will be doing an update video on YouTube on Monday to show what I have been doing. I will post the link on this blog.

I also did about 40% of the body painting. Originally I had painted the body with Por 15 gray finish to preserve the body which over the past few years has transformed into kind of a flat green hue with streaks of dark gray/black. I like the patina so I decided to continue the theme for the rest of the car.  I had a green custom mixed at my local paint store and through a process of applying and matching made a decision to add some flat black to the mix. I am not 100% happy with the match up but through trial and error I am getting closer. At least now the panels blend to a reasonable degree. I enjoyed applying the paint and playing around with making the finish. It hasn't taken too long so far.

1957 Triumph Rat Rod Project

Time in Garage: 30 hours-20 over the last week..10 in mid June

I am back in the garage. I decided to resurrect the '57 Triumph and place the body on the chassis I have been building for the past few years. This is a definite change of direction but I feel the right one to get on with my project.

The rationale to do so is complicated and multifaceted.

1. Selling the '57 for parts was not successful when attempted in 2013.
2. The value of the car is not realized if "parted out"
3. The '57 tub is very structurally sound
4. The '57 is an ideal candidate for a rat rod project
5. I can use the  '57 as a test bed for checking out the other motor and transmission and components
6. The rat rod approach seems appealing to people who have viewed the project.
7. I can get a sports car on the road sooner than the '59
8. I can get a much better return on my investment.
9. etc etc

Painting TR6 Wheels

Money Spent $15
Time in Garage: 2 hours

Focused on cleaning up the wheels and painting them. Job done...pleased with outcome. Looking forward to remounting the tires and installing the wide whitewall tire inserts.

Wiring Harness,Electrical Components, Tires and Wide Whitewall and Fixing the Exhaust System

Time in Garage 0
Money Spent- around $800

Last week I took the plunge and purchased a 12 circuit wiring harness from Hot Rod Wires along with a component package, turn indicator switch, ignition switch, cut off switch, wire covering and light switch with built in dimmer. Total bill including freight around $550. The package should be delivered to my door around June 5th...customer service has been great so far. I am looking forward to the challenge of wiring up the Triumph..

I also spent $250 for two new tires and a set of 2" wide whitewalls that get mounted in the wheel bead. Cost is about $80 for the 4. Hopefully my local tire shop has experience with these inserts. There are YouTube videos to show how it is done.

I took my exhaust system back to the muffler shop and got them to expand the pipe so the down pipe fits easily into the rest of the system so I have space to adjust one I get it installed. They did the modification for free and I appreciated it...

There has been no time or energy for garage work in the last week...

Driveway Mechanics

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..

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??