Michael Ferguson wrote:
> Why is it that, when I replace a CV joint or install new brake pads or new
> shocks in a Jetta or a Taurus, I don't feel compelled to CLEAN and PAINT
> everything? The long overdue front end rebuild of my '59 TR3A is taking
WAY
> too long. Had it apart for two weeks now and just now finished taking the
> old grease, paint and rust off! Could've wiped off most of the sludge and
> put it back together in a weekend, but NO...I just HAD to scrub and clean
> and wire-brush everything down to bare metal so I can refinish it
properly!
>
> Is this a disease? Is there a known cure?
Michael Ferguson wrote:
> Is this a disease? Is there a known cure?
Randall Young and I started out a week ago to replace the aging engine and
non-OD transmission in my '73 TR6 with a spare, working '70 engine complete
with an A-Type OD. Simple enough project. Pull the old out as a pair, put
the new in as a pair. The rear cross member was a perfect fit, no trouble
there. However the '73 is dual exhaust, the '70 single. No, real trouble a
muffler shop welded up a "Y" pipe for me.
However, in the process, I "HAD" to clean the transmission up completely on
the inside. Replace two defective crash pads, treat some rust on the
drivers side floorboard, relocate the courtesy lamp switch from the dash
support to the switch plinth (nope! car's not going to be concurs now),
added a 12v power adapter to the dash support in place of the switch, fixed
a broken sun visor, repaired a marginal throttle linkage, replace a leaking
water pump, replace a leaking fuel line, fix the backup lights, wire in the
OD wiring (non-concurs here again, I found a shifter and knob from a
Spitfire MK VI), replace a missing knurled knob and retainer on the tach,
wire up a replacement switch for a defective, non-available blower motor
switch after spending and hour trying to fix the old one, replace a
defective heat control cable (only to have the new one break on first use,
won't tell you who I got it from, but it wasn't TRF), get the radiator
boiled and repainted, took a wire wheel to the dirty carburetor dashpot
covers (boy do they shine now), cross-drill and install a grade 8 bolt in
the clutch shaft so the taper pin which was perfect wouldn't break.
That's just what I remember. Randall and I have had a good many laughs over
this disease we call "shipwrights disease." So yes, this is a disease and
the only know cure is to get out to the garage and start over. You could
always sell the Triumph, but then you get another disease. It's called
pining or sellers remorse or I've got to get another one of those crazy
LBC's.
Dana
'73 TR6 CF9690U "O"
Temple City, CA
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