Darren Sharp

Oooops my Oil consumption update will have to wait until I have replaced the Auto box with six on the floor. Auto finally died thoroughly cooked by the RBRR.

Looking forward to it >> Penny jar is filling up.

Iv'e got a 120 mile Motorway Blat tomorrow so I will soon have a verdict !

Hi Guys I know this has been debated before but I would just like to add my two peneth worth . During the RBRR I kept a religious eye on my oil level and used over ten pints! Strangely I only used Oil on the Motorway sections and none at all on the less strenuous bits.  So none at all in Scotland or Wales despite the large hills and racy bits. It is clear that when the engine is working continuously hard, the spray from my rocker oil feed was being sucked straight from the Rocker box vent into the carbs and out the exhaust. ( This was also evident in the vacuum vent tubes and blue smoke that only exits during the over run on the Motorway I have today removed the damn thing and will report back after the next testing run. I should point out that this engine has just been rebuilt and has no valve or piston ring issues as far as I am aware. It did not overheat at all and never missed a beat. Food for thought

Thanks to all for a terrific weekend and it was so nice to do most of it without rain!! I was first at the Plough this year and was met by the Landlord panicking in the car park having just returned from his holiday . Being so used to holding the event He had forgotten to put it in the diary ! I was asked to wave my arms about until he could get some cones organised. Nigel and Tim looked a bit surprised and immediately took over marshalling duties but I asked if I could help out and ended up having a very enjoyable day seeing everyone in, bashing in stakes for banners etc etc. Thanks to Nigel & Bob for putting up with my dispraxic arm waving. ( I really should know my left from my right by now). Thanks to Peter Fern and David Wilson who made a great team and OlaF my Mk 2 2500 who behaved faultlessly apart from boiling his auto gearbox fluid in protest after 1600 miles. Thanks to the very kind man who lent me some ATF . I bought him some back but did not see him at the end of the event. Olaf will get a Manual O/D gearbox for the Ten Countries or an Auto box Oil cooler ! See my post on those damn rocker oil feeds for your own good if you have one!

I would like to see everyone get round safely and best of luck to any new guys and girls. Jason your'e definately getting grumpier, must be something to do with age! Darren .... Finally doing another CT event in his own wagon!

In a moment of sanity I found the car and decided that it could have been easily returned to the road and sold on with a small profit to fund some of my son's Uni fees. However I then got carried away and decided to do it all properly. I fell into the old restoration trap Time = much more than you estimated = Cash to the power of 3 squared . However if I get no takers I may well keep it. I am trying not to get attached as it will probably never be worth as much as it is right now but I just drove it home in the dark and it was very intoxicating with the glow from the dashlights, the growl from those Bell exhausts, the smell of autumn evening air....Ah RBRR is calling !!! Darren (look for me in a Tahiti Blue 2000 with a 2500 lump wearing a selection of hats)

These Pics represent a huge investment in time, Rimmer Bros et al and sooo much hard work plus lots of cash and some love. It also drives nice. It's tax free and has a new MOT. For those in the know they are Johnathons wheels from his 2010 RBRR Mk 4. Thanks to Nick Peskett of NE Classics. Horndon on the Hill, (Some welding and endless help with reconstruction) Norman Smith (Structural Welding) Simon the painter Looking for about Six Grand ( slightly less from CT members of course) but it has cost me a whole lot more. I will list the costs at some point for the budding restorers amongst you. (once I have stopped shaknigggg) It could have been done cheaper if I could weld and paint but the parts bill alone was staggering. That could have been cheaper too but you know what its like and I am a sucker for shiny bits Cheers All Darren

Here we go hope this works as well asthe grinder!!! Its also on E Bay ! Darren

Just finished fitting some ICE in the 2500 saloon. Found some retro look parcel shelf speakers on Flea bay. Nice new head unit too. I dont usually listen to the stereo in my Triumphs. But I think the constant boom of the exhaust might put me to sleep so now I can break it up with some Led Zepplin

Radders your Oil coooler is in my boot for tomorrow. Just got to check me bearings!!

Hi guys can anyone answer the following question about Solenoids? Heralds and early Spits have an underbonnet start button on their solenoids. All the wiring diagrams I can find show a seperate earth on this type of Solenoid. This earth is through the mounting plate. Later types of solenoid fitted from Mk IV onwards do not have the button and all the wiring diagrams do not show a seperate earth although they are affixed to the bulkhead in the same fashion. Sometime ago I had an earth drain on my Mk IV that was eventually cured by fitting a new solenoid. This was not before I had gone through various Dynamo's and starter motors, leads and even a Battery. Yesterday I attended a show where a Herald was stranded with no apparent power to the starter. I noticed that both the Starter Motor and the Generator had been replaced. I checked the ignition wire to the solenoid for continuity which was fine. I then operated the button starter and the car sprang into life. I assume this was due to the action of pushing the button agitated the fixing screws and made the earth and hence the circuit. I am confused as to why improving the earth to the solenoid mountings cures both types of issue I.e the power drain on my MK IV (which is not supposed to be earthed) and  the starting issues on the Herald / early Spit. The later is easy to understand if the seperate earth forms part of the solenoid switch. Thanks guys Darren

The 2000 is with Dale for 'The Final Torquedown' its been running well including completing a 700 mile road trip in appaling weather. 'never missed a beat'. Oh dear I appear to be talking in song titles apologies to Europe and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Looking good and all too familiar to me as I am doing up a Mk 3 that was in similar condition keep up the good work Darren

Perhaps Neil Naz could get in touch with jonnyk5614 who has just emigrated to NZ and bought himself a 2000 saloon to replace his Spitfire. A RNZRR would make a wonderful trip! Darren

Running in my new 2500 lump slowly does it! otherwise all is well with the Mk 2 saloon. TR6 has passed its MOT so is on unofficial back up duty. Spitfire Mk 3. Weldathon is finished and it is awaiting the return of its doors and boot from the media blasters. In the meantime I am assembling the new brakes. Darren

MY 1975 Mk 2 2000 is now back from Mr Barker and is being very carefully run in !!!! It has a 2500 lump now so I am itching to find out what it can do but behaving myself in the meantime. I have an Oil cooler to fit when it goes in for its 500 mile service. This is mostly for future plans but will be useful on the RBBR ! Having now had a heart transplant and new hips and Knees (UJ's, mounts, rear shocks, springs and driveshafts) My only worries are the front suspension and the Auto box but I think they will be OK. That only leaves the cosmetics and these can be disguised with stickers for this year! Spitty Mk 3 in Bits. TR6 awaiting new seat foams a seat belt and an MOT but otherwise good. Darren

Ooops On top of all my other Mods I have melted two pistons in my 2000 so now I will have to have a new engine to add to the list! Car is with Mr Barker for its heart transplant.