But, I have sold the donor car today which is going to a home where the 'auto axle' is helping in restoration of the first production Auto FHD TR7 ACG44A - I think she's done her duty for me and others, thank you!
This is my record of the restoration of my 1977 Triumph TR7, I bought the car in 1983 for £1500. Over the four years of driving it I had got married, moved to a 110 year old cottage in need of renovation and given a new company car. The TR was parked in the garage (1987) at the end of the garden. I always joked saying "that one day I put it back on the road". Twenty-four years later (Nov 2011) that day has arrived - wish me luck.
Showing posts with label Donor Car. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Donor Car. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Donor car sold...
Its been a while since my last reported but work, a holiday to the US and work again - I haven't had the time to work on the 7.
But, I have sold the donor car today which is going to a home where the 'auto axle' is helping in restoration of the first production Auto FHD TR7 ACG44A - I think she's done her duty for me and others, thank you!
But, I have sold the donor car today which is going to a home where the 'auto axle' is helping in restoration of the first production Auto FHD TR7 ACG44A - I think she's done her duty for me and others, thank you!
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Rear lower sill...
The rear low sill has some rust holes. I cut out a section and welded in a plate, but as I was cleaning the area up to more holes appeared. Again looking at the donor car both these sections had been replaced with repair panels.
The poor state of repairs on the donor meant it was very easy to remove the one I needed. With only six tick welds holding it in place, this also meant it was already rusting like most of the other repairs done.
I decided as it was on the underside surface, I would patch it after removing the rusty bits and cut a section from the repair panel.
The panel already had rusty areas so I used it as a template cutting a new section form new metal. Clamping in place and then seam welding along the edges.
Using a flap disc on the front edge to get the right profile before welding this part - I don't think your notice the extra thickness once some finishing is done.
3hrs
The poor state of repairs on the donor meant it was very easy to remove the one I needed. With only six tick welds holding it in place, this also meant it was already rusting like most of the other repairs done.
I decided as it was on the underside surface, I would patch it after removing the rusty bits and cut a section from the repair panel.
The panel already had rusty areas so I used it as a template cutting a new section form new metal. Clamping in place and then seam welding along the edges.
Using a flap disc on the front edge to get the right profile before welding this part - I don't think your notice the extra thickness once some finishing is done.
3hrs
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Water pipe...
After removing and cleaning the donor water pipe which connects the heater to the water pump via the inlet manifold (under the carbs). I prepped it with Kurust and then a coat of black satin.
The following photos show some the corrosion on my old pipe.
2hrs
The following photos show some the corrosion on my old pipe.
2hrs
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Donor stripping...
Two parts I wanted off the donor car - the water pipe from the heater to the water pump/inlet manifold and the water pump.
My water pipe is corroded with small pin holes around where the hoses finished - and the water pump that I had dropped smashing the impeller.
I started by removing the air filter box, fuel line, linkage and draining the water. Unbolted the inlet manifold with carbs in place, then stripped off the water pipe and removed the cover to the pump.
Another 12 vane pump which means I can use my cleaned and painted cover - my water pump just lifted out but this one didn't want to budge.
The workshop manual shows a special tool which screws into the top with a heavy weight and rod to slide and pull it out. So a bit like Blue Peter with some old stud, a weight and metal strips I fashioned my special tool. Worked like a dream.
I cleaned up the water pipe and gave it a coat of Kurust, the water pump is boxed in bubble wrap!
4hrs
My water pipe is corroded with small pin holes around where the hoses finished - and the water pump that I had dropped smashing the impeller.
I started by removing the air filter box, fuel line, linkage and draining the water. Unbolted the inlet manifold with carbs in place, then stripped off the water pipe and removed the cover to the pump.
Another 12 vane pump which means I can use my cleaned and painted cover - my water pump just lifted out but this one didn't want to budge.
The workshop manual shows a special tool which screws into the top with a heavy weight and rod to slide and pull it out. So a bit like Blue Peter with some old stud, a weight and metal strips I fashioned my special tool. Worked like a dream.
I cleaned up the water pipe and gave it a coat of Kurust, the water pump is boxed in bubble wrap!
4hrs
Friday, April 5, 2013
Donor car purchased...
On arriving and getting the paperwork done, I started by pumping up the tyres - the backs were low and the fronts flat.
With my brother-in-law Steve, we tried pushing the TR out of the garage but one of rear wheels was seized. Using my car we pulled the car out and spent about 30 minutes trying to remove the brake drum - finally after a lot of hammering the drum pulled off. Didn't bother putting it back on just refitted the wheel to the hub!
Using the trailer wench we loaded the car and set off for home - I followed in my car for the 60 miles journey only stopping for petrol and checking the straps. Interestedly the TR had it's photo taken twice on the way back by passing cars - keep an eye out for them.
As we approached the Godstone junction another 4x4 and trailer passed us with a nice dark blue AC Cobra - I was tempted to drive on and follow it home, but no!
We dropped the car off at the bottom of the driveway and the following day using a winch I pulled the car up and through the gates and back into a space in the garden I had recently cleared.
Lots of good parts to play with, sadly the radiator has a large circular dent in it which will show as I intend to remove the fan/viscous coupling and pulley assembly when refitting a Kenlowe kit. The rad looks like a newer replacement so if need to get my original repaired I could do this one.
The passengers' seat back is unmarked and if the red/black check matches mine it will be great replacement for my split driver seat, if not the black vinyl panel can be used to repair it.
6hrs
With my brother-in-law Steve, we tried pushing the TR out of the garage but one of rear wheels was seized. Using my car we pulled the car out and spent about 30 minutes trying to remove the brake drum - finally after a lot of hammering the drum pulled off. Didn't bother putting it back on just refitted the wheel to the hub!
Using the trailer wench we loaded the car and set off for home - I followed in my car for the 60 miles journey only stopping for petrol and checking the straps. Interestedly the TR had it's photo taken twice on the way back by passing cars - keep an eye out for them.
As we approached the Godstone junction another 4x4 and trailer passed us with a nice dark blue AC Cobra - I was tempted to drive on and follow it home, but no!
We dropped the car off at the bottom of the driveway and the following day using a winch I pulled the car up and through the gates and back into a space in the garden I had recently cleared.
Lots of good parts to play with, sadly the radiator has a large circular dent in it which will show as I intend to remove the fan/viscous coupling and pulley assembly when refitting a Kenlowe kit. The rad looks like a newer replacement so if need to get my original repaired I could do this one.
The passengers' seat back is unmarked and if the red/black check matches mine it will be great replacement for my split driver seat, if not the black vinyl panel can be used to repair it.
6hrs
Thursday, March 21, 2013
7 + 7 = Donor car found...
I've been looking for a donor car for a while now and finally found one - 1978 white auto with a black/red check interior (result!) which has been parked in a garage for the six years with a fuel leak problem.
It has a V5 and on Sorn and only £200 + pickup costs!
There has been lots of welding under the bonnet and all the usual rusty bits, but lots of good parts and trim.
It has a V5 and on Sorn and only £200 + pickup costs!
There has been lots of welding under the bonnet and all the usual rusty bits, but lots of good parts and trim.
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