Garage hoist...

When removing the engine I borrowed a engine hoist from a friend, which means a 70 miles round trip. In my fathers garage we had setup a 2" tubular bar fixed to the wall and an RSJ - we used it on a few cars over the years.

My garage being a converted outbuilding it doesn't have the ideal height without a lot of work - anyway I needed to get the engine off the stand on to my trolley.

Taking some measurements of the bar was the correct length to fix across my garage, this would allow me to support the engine and lower it on to the trolley.

I removed 4" of the cladding each side and fixed the bar in place with two ceiling joist hangers upside down.

It worked great and I may consider getting a couple of small RSJs to seeing if I can get it to work longways by lifting the bar up on supports blocks maybe.

2hrs

Temporary engine stand...

Well I say temporary it may be for a while - to make space in the garage and allow me to fit the flywheel, clutch and gearbox. I needed to get the engine off the large stand and be able to move it around easily.

I find some old lenghts of steel angle in my fathers garage to make a stand which I will then fit to my trolley.

Using the lower engine mount as a staring point, I measured the distant to the side mount which luckily lined up. I made a frame and welded the front mounting point then a couple fixing points to pickup on the rear plate. Once the gearbox is attached I will add additional supports.

4hrs

Clutch master repaired...

With the master cylinder final stripped (thanks Pete for the high pressure blast) I put the body and parts in the ultrasonic cleaner for a couple of hours, using the repair kit I then reassembled it.

The slave cylinder is far to rusty to rescue, so I will need to buy a new one with connecting pipe. Also a new 'Girling Ltd' alloy cap to finish it off.

3hrs

Sitting pretty...

With my new welding skills it was time to start on a small job before tackling the body work - my drivers seat back had always wobbled and when removing the seat back cover I spotted the frame was split at the base.

On removing the lower seat cover I noticed a crack in the rear base plate and then the front leg mount fell off in my hand - great BL welding!

Cleaned off all the paint around the areas and repaired the welds – for my first bit of welding on the TR I was very happy.

2 hrs