Well the long awaited drive has been done. The gearing is very good and slipping into fifth gear makes the spit now very usable at motorway speeds. Can't wait for summer .
THE BAD
Either the clutch spigot bearing or clutch driven plate have just gone bang and only after 15 miles covered ! Bugger. I will pull the motor for the third time over the Christmas hols. I have ordered a new bearing from Frontline Spridget in the hope it's more robust than just drilling out the old triumph spigot bearing.
The new bearing has just arrived it slightly longer i think than the standard item. But it is essentially the same as what i fitted. I am still considering using the ford roller bearing, it is 2mm bigger than the triumph item and i will need to construct a jig so that i can ream the hole out in the crankshaft accurately. However i have found a very cheap source for the bearing. The suppier is RS and comes in at a quarter of the price of gearbox part suppliers and yes the quality is the same or even a little better.
The new bearing has just arrived it slightly longer i think than the standard item. But it is essentially the same as what i fitted. I am still considering using the ford roller bearing, it is 2mm bigger than the triumph item and i will need to construct a jig so that i can ream the hole out in the crankshaft accurately. However i have found a very cheap source for the bearing. The suppier is RS and comes in at a quarter of the price of gearbox part suppliers and yes the quality is the same or even a little better.
THE UGLY
The engine had to be pulled when it lost it's fluids nearly as quickly as i poured them into the gearbox. Three reasons
1. The welding around the nose casting was porous like i expected but did i seal it no !
2. The Drive shaft seal was knackered why i didn't replace it when i had i chance i don't know, i guess we all make mistakes.
3. A machining hole in the gearbox adapter let fluid pour out.
The build
The Caterham gearbox mount arrived and was fitted to a modded gearbox mount plate, not pretty, i will replace the mount soon for a flat plate that is properly painted.
The propshaft was welded, was easy in the end and there is no vibration even at 80MPH job done just remember if you do this to get the universal joints at 90 degrees from each other.
The speedo parts are here, it uses
A 1500 J type overdrive speedo cable.
A angle speedo drive gearbox from the same.
An adapter flange for the same but turned down to fit the ford gearbox.
All of these parts were picked up from Moss in Bristol.
The angle drive does not fit ford hole, the plan is to heat the pin from the angle drive and melt the plastic part in the ford gearbox. If the plastic won't melt then i will have to grind a broaching cutter to enlarge the hole.
Things to do.
Get the clutch fixed.
Refit.
Clean the car.
Refit the interior, i might even replace the cardboard tunnel cover with a GRP item, well see what Santa brings.
Drive it.
I have also been reading up on diff overhauls, mine is now very noisy and requires setting up. I don't however think the unit is worn as i inspected it prior to fitting. I did however lose the shim spacings for the diff as oil erased my careful pen marks. So i guessed when i put it back together.
That will be looked at next year, After that i will prep the car for it's MOT if i can i will get the Lamda sensor working and fit electronic ignition. Should make the emissions test a little less interesting than last year.
Then drive it, work out how to get the brakes to stop QUICKLY.
After that i think i will be on the lookout for project number three.
The critea will be
1 It must be road legal.
2 Would be better if it was a classic
3. Will be significantly re-engineered.
4. Will be raced competitively.
5. Must be quick
6. Will not be a Caterham or Westy, but a Lotus 7 would do.
Ideas so far are
MG Metro
BMW 2002
MGB- would use new shell.
Modern hatchback like fiesta
Frogeye sprite.
Kit car with hybusa engine.
1. The welding around the nose casting was porous like i expected but did i seal it no !
2. The Drive shaft seal was knackered why i didn't replace it when i had i chance i don't know, i guess we all make mistakes.
3. A machining hole in the gearbox adapter let fluid pour out.
The build
The Caterham gearbox mount arrived and was fitted to a modded gearbox mount plate, not pretty, i will replace the mount soon for a flat plate that is properly painted.
The propshaft was welded, was easy in the end and there is no vibration even at 80MPH job done just remember if you do this to get the universal joints at 90 degrees from each other.
The speedo parts are here, it uses
A 1500 J type overdrive speedo cable.
A angle speedo drive gearbox from the same.
An adapter flange for the same but turned down to fit the ford gearbox.
All of these parts were picked up from Moss in Bristol.
The angle drive does not fit ford hole, the plan is to heat the pin from the angle drive and melt the plastic part in the ford gearbox. If the plastic won't melt then i will have to grind a broaching cutter to enlarge the hole.
Things to do.
Get the clutch fixed.
Refit.
Clean the car.
Refit the interior, i might even replace the cardboard tunnel cover with a GRP item, well see what Santa brings.
Drive it.
I have also been reading up on diff overhauls, mine is now very noisy and requires setting up. I don't however think the unit is worn as i inspected it prior to fitting. I did however lose the shim spacings for the diff as oil erased my careful pen marks. So i guessed when i put it back together.
That will be looked at next year, After that i will prep the car for it's MOT if i can i will get the Lamda sensor working and fit electronic ignition. Should make the emissions test a little less interesting than last year.
Then drive it, work out how to get the brakes to stop QUICKLY.
After that i think i will be on the lookout for project number three.
The critea will be
1 It must be road legal.
2 Would be better if it was a classic
3. Will be significantly re-engineered.
4. Will be raced competitively.
5. Must be quick
6. Will not be a Caterham or Westy, but a Lotus 7 would do.
Ideas so far are
MG Metro
BMW 2002
MGB- would use new shell.
Modern hatchback like fiesta
Frogeye sprite.
Kit car with hybusa engine.
