Tim Hunt

Good tip, I find Cif (why was Jif so re-named I wonder) excellent for gentle cleaning jobs on upholstery/fabics and have used on the hard top lining and other white interior trim of the TR. Tim

A while ago the speedo on my TR4A started to oscillate wildly at speeds up to 30mph, above which it became rock steady as before. I followed the flexible drive test/overhaul procedure in the excellent Smiths publication attached and completely solved the problem, I again had a perfectly steady needle at all speeds. You may need to replace the inner flexible drive or there may be an internal instrument fault but it is certainly worth trying the cable checks suggested herein, it will cost nothing and you may be pleasantly surprised as I was. Tim SMITHStheCareofInstruments.pdf

I have had very good experience of the standard type 123 Danny. I fitted one fourteen years ago, selected curve 7 as recommended for a TR engine in fairly standard tune, and found that the advance at various engine speeds exactly matched the predicted figures. On test the car pulled away with no pinking or hesitation if the throttle was floored at 30mph in top and pick up was clean throughout the rev range. I found low speed running to be smoother also. I have had not a moment's trouble with the 123 although of course I do carry the original Lucas distributor and leads assembly on board just in case. (A few years ago I lent it to a Dutch entrant on the Border Raiders and it did the whole event and the journey back to Holland without a problem). The 123 replaced a Lumenition Optronic system I had run for over 20 years but on which the power pack had failed. I knew that the original Lucas distributor was worn, with stretched balance weight springs since the advance could be variable. Of course the Lumenition system catered for distributor shaft wear as it dispensed with the conventional points but I was still left with the worn mechanical advance. The 123 cost £185 in 2007 which was comparable with the cost of a replacement Lumenition or a full distributor rebuild so for me the fully electronic 123 solution was a no brainer. The 123 distributor was originally recommended to me by Jon Ranwell, a C.T. member at the time, who had had very good results with one on his Spitfire Mk III. Tim

Yes Ben, he was the absolute ace Triumph tuner and an expert in maximising performance whilst still adhering to regulations. His power claims for the wet liner TR engine were disbelieved by Triumph over here until he sent engines over for test in Coventry which developed 155bhp on twin SUs while Triumph here were at 135bhp on Webers! RIP Kas. Tim

Good point Rob. I run with 50/50 ethylene glycol/distilled water year round, changing every two years. I never find the block drain tap to be clogged and when the system is empty I flush with a hose until the water comes out with not even the smallest particle of rust. I think my clean block is the reason I never have an overheating problem. Most of the time, except on the hottest days, my issue is getting the engine hot enough! I run year round with a 91 deg C thermostat and for 6-9 months of the year I have half of the rad blanked off!

Fantastic engineer this chap Nick, I've enjoyed several of his vids. I thought the V10 OTT plate was just for the airfield shoot but a quick check reveals he acquired it from the DVLA and re-registered the bike that was showing RX09 LVH on the IOM in 2012. Tim

Almost got it right! Ti,m

Thanks Craig, no panic. Tim

At this rate RichC I reckon in a couple of years time your son will be ready to teach an apprentice course!! Tim

It's probably me being a klutz but I cannot find the latest entry list, has it been migrated to the new site yet? Tim

Quite a comprehensive list RichC if all this to be accomplished and the car shaken down by 1st October for the 27th RBRR. However, be encouraged that some have overcome bigger challenges in 5 months or so before previous Runs. It's good to know you have a keen young assistant and even better to hear he may consider classic restoration as a career. There is a definite future need for such skills and some excellent apprenticeships available. Just a point on the o/d. I think your Herald has a column switch like the TR4A. If the circuit is similar be aware that if one of the leads to this switch shorts to earth then the inhibitor switches will be bypassed and o/d will be permanently engaged in any gear (INCLUDING REVERSE) whenever the ignition is on. Be sure the leads are well insulated where they are routed down the steering column. I think you will notice an improvement from the a solid rack mounts in reducing float and sharpening response. When I fitted such mounts to the TR I had to take a little off the mating faces to ensure they actually clamped the rack securely (without crushing it of course). You should check this point. Tim

Definitely 'affected' Ben in this context. Affected means 'had an influence on' or 'made a difference to' whereas effected means 'brought about' or 'caused to happen'. As an example 'The change of government effected by the recent General Election has affected many lives' Hope that helps. Tim

My 4A needs absolutely nothing apart from normal service items as usual, just increasingly regular use in line with the progressive and hopefully 'irreversible' lifting of travel restrictions. I am sure that the more often our cars are used the better they run and the more reliable they remain. Tim

I am probably fortunate in that the 4A speedo, having been calibrated by Speedograph Richfield over 30 years ago, remains steady and spot on at all legal speeds, no need for electrickery! As for the 10CR I attach a label as below prominently between speedo and tacho. TimKph Mph.docx

I would try www.woolies-trim.co.uk Ben. They seem to have the right profile for just about anything! Tim

Sounds like a good idea to me Mike. If a message to this effect were prominent then people posting images would know they needed to take care to get them right first time. Tim

Yes you did Mike, it was in the foreground but clearly visible just behind it is a nice looking 3A. Tim