WHNJ701 4,164 #1 Posted August 21, 2019 I grew up with 2 types of cars in my childhood, mustangs and British sports cars. the old man has had this 66 tr4a for about 20 years. we decided to start advertising it and it sell off. it's barely been driven in the last 10 years. we had alot of intrest mainly from younger couples looking for a weekend car. unfortunately they know nothing about these type of cars and what's involved maintaining them. British sports cars are whole different education. so this week after some more thought we decided let's keep it for now and fix everything that it needs and at least drive it. this is a great car to drive on back roads. it's been awhile since I drove it. so as we move along I will keep this post updated and find some way to make it wheelhorse related. I know there's a few members on the other side of Atlantic. 4 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,772 #2 Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) 'Round here they had a car club exclusive to Brit imports. Never had an itch for them myself but I get the need to scratch. Trumpets & BSA bikes were more my cup of tea. Now a fondness for the ponies thars another story! What say ye Norm @Stormin. Edited August 21, 2019 by WHX24 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,975 #3 Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) Nice Tr4. We had a '75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 a few years back. Had a few BSA's and a couple of 650 Bonnies plus an assortment of around 40 other bikes. Edited August 21, 2019 by Stormin 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,133 #4 Posted August 21, 2019 I have a cousin in Kansas who is a member of a club for British sports cars. I've always liked those and mg's quite a lot. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midpack 804 #5 Posted August 21, 2019 I had a 73 TR6 for almost 30 years... they don't call Lucas "the prince of darkness" for nothing! mine had an occasional issue where all the lights would go out... then they would randomly come back. lol 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,554 #6 Posted August 21, 2019 Cool little car! I like pretty much any thing with an engine, specially if it's capable of carting my tail around. Lucas Electronic's (The Prince of Darkness) usually keeps my interest away from early European vehicles though. Gonna chime in to keep up to date with your project. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,147 #7 Posted August 21, 2019 Many year ago as a 2LT I had a friend who had a Triumph Spitfire. That was the first I learned about the Prince of Darkness. I had a Pontiac Catalina tank and carried a tow strap so i could go tow my friend home. I think we broke the distributor clamp having it in and out and adjusting it so many times. One day he called me and said he had sold the Spit and I should come over and see his new car....He bought a TR6.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,975 #8 Posted August 21, 2019 Lucas electrics were not as bad as they were made out to be. Certainly no worse than other makes at the time. Sure, auto electrics have improved but they have also got to complicated. In the pre '80's the average home mechanic did have a chance to sort things. But now? No chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,399 #9 Posted August 21, 2019 DMD Australia likely have those rare hard to find Triumph parts needed for your restoration. They specialize in British vehicles. Years ago when I first came across this article was fascinated, now Jay Leno's Garage with his 3D scanner and printer have my awe. Austin Healey Original Works Alloy Block https://healeyfactory.com.au/austin-healey-original-works-alloy-block/ A standard iron engine block sectioned to provide accurate details of the original construction. Note the oil galley running from the cam bearing on left across the block between the cylinders to the main oil galley on the right, then down to the main (crank) bearing. Oil from the pump is delivered via this bearing t the rest of the engine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,975 #10 Posted August 21, 2019 The Austin Healey 3000 is my dream car. Ever since my father opened the dining room door and rolled a Dinky Toy model one, across the floor toward me. Alas well out of my price range now. There's a company over in the UK, that also specialises in Triumphs. Rimmer Bros. That's where I got my Spitfire parts from. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,164 #11 Posted August 21, 2019 definitely looking forward to getting it back to a point where it can be driven to shows. it still runs and drives but needs attention. first items on the list are to rebuild front brake calipers and get the twin su carbs back in adjustment and check the timing. car runs really rich then replace the exhaust system. this car is amazingly solid with no major rust damage on the body, floors or frame, which was another factor to keep it. the interior will need the seats redone which I will do over the winter, and swap in a new dash pad. it's alot of small tasks, I am sure the list will grow. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,399 #12 Posted August 21, 2019 1 hour ago, jabelman said: definitely looking forward to getting it back to a point where it can be driven to shows. it still runs and drives but needs attention. first items on the list are to rebuild front brake calipers and get the twin su carbs back in adjustment and check the timing. car runs really rich then replace the exhaust system. this car is amazingly solid with no major rust damage on the body, floors or frame, which was another factor to keep it. the interior will need the seats redone which I will do over the winter, and swap in a new dash pad. it's alot of small tasks, I am sure the list will grow. Hey that looks like the engine I had in an old Vanguard that i had once owned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,133 #13 Posted August 21, 2019 2 hours ago, jabelman said: definitely looking forward to getting it back to a point where it can be driven to shows. it still runs and drives but needs attention. first items on the list are to rebuild front brake calipers and get the twin su carbs back in adjustment and check the timing. car runs really rich then replace the exhaust system. this car is amazingly solid with no major rust damage on the body, floors or frame, which was another factor to keep it. the interior will need the seats redone which I will do over the winter, and swap in a new dash pad. it's alot of small tasks, I am sure the list will grow. Please do share as you go... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,975 #14 Posted August 22, 2019 8 hours ago, bcgold said: Hey that looks like the engine I had in an old Vanguard that i had once owned. Triumph and Standard Vanguard used the same engines. The early Vanguard engines were used in Ferguson tractors as well. Love the twin S.U.s. Doddle to tune. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,164 #15 Posted September 15, 2019 well slowly we have been making progress. first thing we reset the timing, still running rich, cleaned up the su's and found the front choke was stuck. simple fix car running great now. next was the front brakes. pulled the right front 2 froze pistons rebuilt the caliper and right side done. pulled the left and same thing 2 froze pistons. this caliper someone messed with years ago looks like the wrong dust gasket was used and moisture ruined the pistons, ordered a set up tonight. should be here Wednesday. I am still amazed for a 1966 that probably has never seen road salt how easy everything has been coming apart. I ordered up the exhaust pipe that comes off the manifold too. the old man did get a chance to run it around the block a few times after we redid the carbs. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,133 #16 Posted September 15, 2019 9 hours ago, jabelman said: the old man did get a chance to run it around the block a few times Love that part.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,164 #17 Posted September 21, 2019 (edited) parts arrived was able to rebuild the other caliper and install it. bleed the brakes and off we went before dark. quick little 2 mile evening drive. nice to have working brakes again! cars running better each time we run it. next is going over the exhaust and change out the pipe off the header. should sound alot better. next trip is to local airport to fill it up with some av gas Edited September 21, 2019 by jabelman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,975 #18 Posted September 21, 2019 5 hours ago, jabelman said: next trip is to local airport to fill it up with some av gas You meaning aviation fuel? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midpack 804 #19 Posted September 21, 2019 4 hours ago, Stormin said: You meaning aviation fuel? Used to run that in my bike, love the smell! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,133 #20 Posted September 21, 2019 7 hours ago, Stormin said: You meaning aviation fuel? Yepp. Over here that's a way of getting ethanol free. Also obviously high octane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites