Andys TR7 Blog

Urban Navigation Part 2

2011-12-24T14:58:00.001Z

Getting a bit lax at this blogging, heres the second part of our Urban trip on the canals.

We spend day having a look around the Black Country Living Museum, well worth the entrance fee. Various buildings and industry have been transported here from all over the Black Country to create a living museum, with many demonstrations of life in the late 1850's to 1940's.

We took a trip around the re-created drift mine, looked at the old pit head, saw chain and nails been forged and many other crafts being demonstrated. Fish and Chips in the old fish shop where fantastic. Every building had a volunteer in the authentic garb of the day explaining Black Country life.

Black Country Commercial Street

Typical housing of Black Country.

Re-created Pit Head

Garage from the 1940's

The following day we then returned towards Birmingham on the BCN "Old main line" following the land contours, crossing over our previous route.

Crossing the branch passed on the level last time,
now high over the branch to Netherton Tunnel and Dudley.

Link down 3 locks to "New main line"

The canal then spends a couple of miles going under the elevated
section of M5 - Not very picturesque!

Then crosses the "New main line" where the legs of M5 are in the water.

In and out under the M5 again where one of the old bridges now leads
to nowhere.

Another branch down to the "New main line" Spon Lane Locks.

Back along the Galton Valley at a higher level.

Then the final locks down to Smethwick Junction and the "New main line"
These where closed due to lock wall re-building, someone had forgotten
to check for stoppages, so we had to retrace our route back to Spon
Lane Locks.

At the bottom of Spon Lane Locks, we have to take a sharp left here back
towards Birmingham.

Back in the centre of Birmingham, we head left, under Broad Street then
out past Selly Oak and Bournville towards our boatyard.

Out the other side of Birmingham, have passed through the tunnel and
nearing journeys end at Alvechurch.

Was an interesting week, enjoyed the different aspects of an urban canal, but not having to untangle rags and wire from the prop!

I would like to do a ring around Birmingham at a later date using the Netherton Tunnel, Dudley, and Stourbridge canals.

Urban Navigation - Part 1

2011-11-22T20:22:00.000Z

Just spent time on the narrowboat, something a bit different this time, taking a tour of some of the 100 miles of Birmingham and the Black Country canals. More canals then Venice. I have always wanted to cruise this area as it is the birthplace of British Industry, in which the canals had a big part to play, bringing in raw materials and carrying finished products to market, they where the motorways of that era.
We cruised into Birmingham from our base at Alvehurch, near Redditch, this is surprisingly picturesque, a green corridor into the heart of Birmingham passing the Cadburys factory at Bournville, through Selly Oak and past Birmingham University. We moored overnight in the centre of Birmingham, on a loop of the main canal near the Sealife centre and National Indoor Arena. It was surprisingly quiet and secluded, overlooked by regeneration of wharehouses into homes and apartments.

Nearing central Birmingham, waiting for oncoming
boat to pass through Edgebaston Tunnel.

Entering central Birmingham near the Mailbox.

Moorings on Oozell Street Loop.

Looking down the Farmers Bridge flight of locks, this canal heading for Aston,
past the Villa football ground and then under spaghetti junction.

The next day we left Birmingham for the Black Country, heading up the "BCN new main line" towards Wolverhampton, there are many old branches and loops which used to serve foundries, railway interchange basins, and factories. We did not explore all these due to time.

Leaving central Birmingham.

Canal crossroads, there is a loop to the left and a loop to the right, these
where part of the original James Brindley contour following canal, now
called the BCN "old main line" The canal ahead, the BCN "new main line
was cut later by Thomas Telford to relieve congestion.

Telfords "new main line" straight ahead, James Brindleys "old main line"
to the right following land contours.

One of many "Toll" Islands, boats where checked here and tolls paid
based on cargo carried. Typical Telford canal, straight and
wide using the cut and cover method (cuttings and embankments)

This area, once surrounded by Foundries and mines has reverted
back to nature quite nicely. This is the Galton cutting at Smethwick
with a short tunnel ahead.

Telfords Cast Iron Galton Bridge.

At Oldbury the M5 crosses with the legs in the centre of the canal and
just visible behond the Aquaduct carriying the "old main line" accross
the new.

Bromford Junction, a connection from the "old main line"comes back into
the "new main line" via 3 locks downhill.

Branch off the "new main line" leading to Netherton Tunnel and linking to
Dudley, Stourbridge and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

Tipton locks, 3 locks climbing up to the Wolverhampton level.

Moored at the entrance to Dudley Tunnel just outside the Black Country
Museum.

Dudley tunnel entrance. This was always quite low but has subsided over
the years, boats, have to check to see if they fit through the curved
height gauge on the right. no chane of ours fitting through.

Part 2 to follow.

Strut Brace

2011-11-18T19:44:00.000Z

Arrived back today from a week on the narrowboat to find the parts for the Strut brace I had previously drawn have finally arrived.
Tried it out on the FHC first, only problem was I had made the holes for the turret top a bit tight at 8.5mm so had to open out to 9.5 as a couple of the studs up through the turret seem to be at a slight angle.
All fits ok now with plenty of clearance to bonnet and inlet manifold.
Then took it off and bolted to the DHC, dropped straight on with no adjustment needed on bar, so both cars turret position is identical even though the DHC has had new turret tops welded on.

Strut brace on FHC.

In its final position on DHC.

Took the DHC for a quick spin with the Strutbrace on, it makes a great difference to the feel of the front end, seems more precise in corners, visibily less scuttle shake, and seems firmer.

Winter Job

2011-11-09T21:18:00.001Z

The car has been sounding a bit tappety lately, so I took the rocker cover off at the weekend to check valve clearances, a bit difficult to assess on a cold Sunday morning with cheap crappy feeler gauges that I cannot read the values on, must find a decent set and add it to the list of winter jobs.

Checking Valve Clearances.

The TR7 has had a lot of use in the last couple of weeks, mainly work and back and the usual weekend shopping trips, this due to the modern needing some MOT work, which it eventually passed.

Repair Quotes

2011-10-24T20:44:00.000+01:00

Had to re-tax the TR7 convertible in order to obtain quotes for re-painting the damage when I scraped it at the end of September.

The quotes from the big car and commercial specialists where ridiculous, much as expected, however after speaking to the insurers it seems I can use whoever I like within reason. So off to some local sprayers who provided some very reasonable quotes, not just for the repair but also a full repaint.

Unfortunately on one of these trips I must confess to playing petrol roulette, and losing!

Damm low fuel warning light which normally indicates I am right on the limit has stopped working.

Had to be rescued with a can of fuel by Gill much to her disgust.

Nice place to run out of Petrol.

Outcome of all this is that the car will be re-sprayed early next year.

Gill has now decided to sell her TR7 drop head coupe now the season is over, had it up for sale for a few weeks now, had a couple of nibbles but no firm offers yet.

1981 TR7 DHC for sale.

Had another spot of an unusual classic at Lotus today, a Jaguar XK140 on German plates, very nice condition too, and apparantly finished the Modern Mille Miglia recently, phone pic not very good though.

Jaguar XK140 Coupe.

Crunch:-)

2011-09-30T21:42:00.001+01:00

A bad end to a busy week, have been busy moving some heavy machinery items from an old to new factory, using a well known heavy lifting company, at the end of the day one of the contractors crushed his arm minutes before they where due to leave site. Looked quite bad when he was taken to Norwich Hospital.
Then to top it, arriving home, I managed to scrape the TR7 on a concrete fire hydrant sign that is on the edge of my drive, despite having driven around succesfully it for 4 years. Scraped the paint on the rear quarter and door as well as denting the panel.
Was going to take it off the road after today as road tax runs out.

Does not look as bad in photos but wheelarch lip and door dented.

Rear wing damage, again dented round the wheelarch.

Ride out to Henham Steam Fair

2011-09-18T21:16:00.002+01:00

Took a ride out in the TR7 to Henham Steam Fair today, Gill hates steam events so went on my own, was a nice sunny day, perfect roof down weather, so gave it plenty of stick over some good Norfolk and Suffolk roads.
Henham is not far from Southwold on the Suffolk coast.
It is always an interesting show with lots to do, lots of Traction Engines, Trucks, vintage tractors, vintage motor bikes and cars to see. Showing a car here is by invitation only and even though we had enquired we did not get an invite so I had to pay public prices.

Liked this Mk1 saloon in grey and blue.

Showmans Engine busy generating power for fairground rides.

Vintage Dennis Ulster fire engine, and Bedford trucks.

This brought back memories, my first job in East Anglia 20 years ago was
for Marshalls of Cambridge building demountable military containers
similar to the one on the back of this Bedford Army Flatbed .

Fordson Tractors, during the 2nd World War hundreds of these where
imported into East Anglia from the US to speed up food production.

Steam Powered Galloper.

Threshing demonstration.

1938 Aston Martin sportscar.

Henham Park is only 25 miles from home, but ended up doing about 75 miles, I took a few detours on the way home through Sibton, Laxfield, Cratfield, finding some lovely lanes to cruise over, maybe an idea for a run next year.

Even found some hills in Suffolk.

Typical quiet Suffolk lane.

Norfolk Gala Day

2011-09-13T21:00:00.000+01:00

Last show of the year with a Club Triumph stand, this was the Norfolk Gala Day on Sunday 11th September. 11 cars on the CT stand, thanks for all coming along. Was a windy day, tested the event shelter thouroughly with high gusts of wind at times. As usual plenty of attractions to keep all amused for the day. Overall attendance seemed down at the showground this year, in fact at most shows this year we have noticed attendance down, a number of factors I think, firstly most shows now charge admission, even to show a car! Secondly, high petrol prices may be keeping some classics off the road and Thirdly the recession may be biting deeper than expected. We ourselves will have to have a re-think as keeping 2 moderns and 2 classics on the road plus a share in a narrow boat is is straining the bank account. We already missed out the Auto Eccosse due to cost of fuel earlier in the year and I may take my seven off the road this winter, first time for a while to save on road tax.
A few pics of Norfolk Gala Day.

Club Triumph cars.

Interesting Jowett Jupiter

The most Granadas I have seen in one place.

Team Lotus F1 Car.

Crayford Corsair.

Nice Mk 1 saloon, unmolested apart from Mk11 seats in Leather.

Early Morris Minis.

I won't be swapping a Seven for one of these!!

Raptor Trust display of Owls - Think this is a Tawny Owl.

Showmans Engine.

Interesting car sightings

2011-09-07T19:56:00.001+01:00

Working at Lotus I often get some interesting car sightings, usually race cars, both new and historic on the new FIA standard track or supercars in for evaluation, etc.
Yesterday there was a Lotus Carlton, seldom seen these days, then todays sighting was a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus rally car, reg PVC 999W, having a look at its history it was the ex Guy Fréquelin/Jean Todt 2nd placed car on the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally. Also driven in 81 by Henri Toivonen/Fred Gallagher.

Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

Stag Owners National Weekend

2011-08-27T21:28:00.001+01:00

Still playing catchup with the blog,3 weeks ago a bunch of Club Triumph members where invited to show cars in the Stag Owners National Weekend "Triumph Timeline" at the Norfolk Showground,
Norfolk area been on the doorstep supplied a lot of the Triumphs, Dave Aspinall took his early GT6 and 2500 PI, whilst Julie Aspinall showed her lovely Spitfire, Gill and I took both our DHC TR7 and FHC TR7, Andy Dann took along a Mark 1 PI Estate, Paul Girling showed his Herald convertible whilst Ed and Pauline Hubbard showed an early Vitese.
A group of us camped on Friday and Saturday night, primarily to celebrate Alan Hancocks 70th Birthday with a Barbie and a few glasses. We attended the Meet and Greet supper on the Friday night, a pleasant meal followed by a quiz which our group won, questions where on Norfolk so no surprise there. This was followed by a version of the horse racing game with Stags instead of horses, money been placed on different coloured Stags, no fortunes made here though. Was a good weekend with some friendly Triumph and Stag owners. Weather was a little unkind on the Saturday, stayed dry for the barbie though.
A few Pics.

Birthday Boy

Triumph Roadster

Selection of Spitfires and GT6

Other early Triumphs

A group of modified Triumphs

Club Triumph Stand

Triumph Timeline - The TR cars. There should have only
been 1 of each car, however the display in the arena was hi-jacked by
the TR Register in order to get all his members in the timeline,
hence you will see 4 x TR6, 2 x TR5, 2 x TR4 etc.

The earlier TR,s in the timeline.

Commentary with Graham Robson ex Triumph and BL

Correct line up of TR's.

Some of the 300+ Stags on display.

Timeline of other Triumphs, Herald, Vitesse, saloons, etc.

Collection of interesting Stags in the hall.

Wing Commander Ken Wallace and Little Nellie.

Helmingham Festival

2011-08-18T19:44:00.000+01:00

Getting behind with my blog again.
7th August was Helmingham Festival of Classics and Sports Cars. Loads more cars than last year on show despite a higher charge to show a car, both classic and modern sportscars where in abundance, though the normally fast drives up and down the Hall road are getting a little tame, there being a couple of dips in the road, causing front spoiler damage which slows the faster cars down.
Usual Norfolk Club Triumph crews attended, meeting at Stonham to convoy in to the show.
A few pics follow.

One of the few cars which managed any speed on the Hall Drive.

GT6,s from Suffolk.

Trio of Spitfires from the Netherlands on a quick tour of UK

Russels Estate, did not manage to find him on site.

E type and Healey 3000

Couple of Historic rally cars

Panhard and early TR

Another car I drool over, RS 2000 droop snoot

Helmingham Hall

More snug than a TR6 Ted! Lotus Eoropa.

Lancia Monte Carlo, fantastic condition, I turned a rust bucket one of
these down once.

Strut Brace

2011-08-06T19:28:00.000+01:00

Have been thinking about a Strut brace on the DHC for a while, I tried a strut brace a friend in Bury St Edmunds has developed for a V8 but this will not fit, it fouls on SU carbs, so today I experimented with a couple of bits of wood, some 2d patterns of the strut top mount and have come up with a concept.

Paper templates and wood to obtain measurements.

3d drawing of complete brace, have made this adjustable.

Close up rendering of mounting plate and tube end.

Now have to generate the 2d drawings for manufacture and get a sample made up to try it on the car before plating.

Pretty sure it will clear a standard air filter, but not sure if it will clear Sprint engined cars.

Easton Farm Park Show

2011-07-28T21:28:00.001+01:00

Last Sunday was Easton Farm Park classic car show in Suffolk,been a few years since we have attended here. We had the usual Norfolk crowd in attendance, 7 cars and a couple of interlopers in a Stag and Spitfire from Suffolk, we chose to meet in Framlingham, about 5 miles away rather than convoy from nearer home.
Started off as a grey windy day, but roof still came down for the drive there. Only about 20 miles for me, following my old route to work, so a familar quick blast but others had done lots more miles to get there. No bacon butties available here so not attending next year! Sun out by dinnertime, quite hot, so glass of Aspells Cider and a Hog roast went down well.

A few photos.

Norfolk Area Line up

A nice Mk11 2000 and a Tickford Capri.

A very good Mustang.

Lanchester, Roller, Stag, and Mk1 2000.

Selection of VW's, mostly lowered.

Liked the treatment of the rust on this one, looked as though sealed and laquered.

From the right, Lea Francis, Riley, Austin, and Wolseley Wasp.

Alans Stag with Weber conversion.

1952 Cadillac

Oldies sheltering from the sun.

TR Drivers Club National Weekend

2011-07-11T20:32:00.000+01:00

Gill and I attended the TR Drivers Club National weekend at Billing Aquadrome which celebrated 30 years of the TR Drivers Club, this was on the same weekend as the Grand Prix which did not help attendance.
Some really nice TR7's and 8's, I thought I had spent a fortune when restoring our FHC and DHC, but some of these guys mentioned crazy money. No rally cars this year which was a shame.
Only took the DHC as entrance fee at Billing is a bit steep and used approx £40 petrol so theoretically saved a bit.
Weather was changeable on Sunday, we had a shower when on the road run.
Thanks to Chris, Jim, Simon, and Phil who did all the organising and all those who helped.
Some pics.

Some of the Drop head coupes lined up, Persian Aqua Blue seems
popular, knew we should have taken Gills FHC.

A few early cars, fantastic TR2.

Genuine TR8's, the Blue A reg had a reputed 15k spent on it. There was also
another A reg and a D reg, these being some of the 18 auctioned
TR8 factory cars not registered till after production ceased.

Nice TR7 V8 conversion.

A good selection of the rarer Fixed head coupes along
with a couple of Grinnals.

TR Drivers Coke Car, owned by Chris Turner.

Lined up for the afternoon run.

Like this shot, got away from a junction quicker than the followers.

The obligatory pub stop.

Good views of Northamptonshire from the pub car park.

Winding through the lanes.

Not a bad day, 270 miles in total, caught with the hood down in a thunderstorm on way home, a little wet when we finally put the hood up!

Finally have a weekend without shows coming up to catch up on home stuff. Then the Club Barbecue at the Norfolk Area Monday night meeting.

Vintage Transport Day-North Norfolk Railway

2011-07-04T21:21:00.000+01:00

Just back from a weeks narrow boating holiday and then straight on to another car show. The North Norfolk Railway Vintage Transport Day on the 3rd July is an excellent event. 300 plus classic cars, unlimited travel on the preserved steam railway between Holt, Weybourne, and along the coast to Sheringham and also a Vintage Bus service between Holt Station and Holt town and between Holt station and Sheringham. All for £4 entry when showing a car.

Usual Club Stand, Gills FHC TR7 joined by another FHC in faded Persian Aqua.

We spent a little while looking round the cars, then had the usual Bacon butties for a few of us before we caught the packed train to Sheringham, drawn by the Great Eastern E13 and Quad Articulated set in lovely Teak finish.

E13 running round Quad Art set at Holt Station.

A quick stroll round Sheringham, avoiding the many Morris Dancers like the plague!! before a good fish and chip dinner in a restaurant. Then another stroll, this time along the sea front with ice creams and a brief visit to the arcade machines.

Sand and Sky at Sheringham.

We opted for the London Country AEC Regal bus on the way back, fully loaded it struggled up the hill out of Sheringham with a crunching of gears as the driver went all the way down the box and did not feel over safe on corners when seated on the top deck although I dont reckon it got above 30mph.

London Country AEC Regal bus at Holt.

Back at Holt some opted for the shade of the Gazebo whilst I looked round some exhibits and watched the next steam hauled service arrive drawn by BR 9F freight loco "Black Prince"

9F "Black Prince" running round train at Holt.

In between the steam hauled trains the diesel railbus ran a shuttle service to Weybourne to view the restoration sheds.

Railbus exchaning tablet at Holt.

An excellent day, good company, and ace weather. Another must for next year.

Norfolk Navigational Scatter

2011-06-22T21:22:00.000+01:00

19th of June saw only 8 cars enter the scatter event we had organised with a MSA Permit around South Norfolk. We had no cars from Stag Owners and the TR Reg this year and despite putting leaflets on lots of Triumphs and other cars at shows only attracted one other make, a Mk11 Jag. It was Fathers day which may not have helped and forecast was not good.

Cars at the Start

I think all enjoyed it this year, it was easier than previous years with locations close to each other and marking was tight. Gill and I enjoy researching and doing the recce's for these events and sometimes get lost ourselves! The Jag dropped out before the halfway point with a leaking top hose.

Having seen everyone off I arrived at the halfway point early to collect first half sheets and hand out second half sheets, this was co-incidentally also a control stop point for Chelmsford Motor Club East Anglia Classic, we had MSA Route Liaison officer approval for this and therefore I saw all their cars having a brief break at the time control at The Industrial Steam Museum at Forncett St Mary, the cars where surprisingly clean considering they where on a run with tests.

Parked up at the steam museum with East Anglia Classic entrants.

One of my dream cars RS 2000 Droopsnoot.

More classics including nice Alpha on the East Anglia Classic.

Our Scatter finished at Alburgh, near Bungay, winners being Julie and David Aspinall with Buster, Sue and Keith Stothard in second just one correct answer behind, then Andy and Wendy Dann, Alan and Christine Hancock, and Paul and Linda Dennis sharing 3rd two correct answers behind.

Well done to Mike Leigh for attempting it without a navigator and doing twice as many miles thanks to sat nav.

We managed to raise a small sum for East Anglia Air Ambulance so thanks to everyone who attended.

June Shows

2011-06-18T12:36:00.000+01:00

We attended a couple of shows in June, the first been Norwich Classic Vehicle Club Show, June 5th just outside Norwich, There where 4 CT members car there. Started of as a nice day but then became windy and cold, especially with shorts on!
There where a lot of cars on show, about 300 I would estimate, but little else to do other than wander round an autojumble and look at the cars. We only took the one TR7.
The voting for best in show at this event puzzles me, the eventual winners being a Mini converted to a van, ok, nice conversion, but not original and a late Mercedes Saloon and late Jag, all these when there where TR2 to 6's, Steam cars, many old Rileys, Rovers, Austins, early Jags including E types..

The next show was Euston Hall Rural Pastimes on 12th June, a very big and well organised show. We had 7 CT members cars there, including both our TR7's, 2 Stags, TR6, and 2 Heralds.
Plenty to do at this event, with lots of rural activities on show, crafts, foods, animals, etc. Weather was again fine to begin with but the wind got up and rain arrived late on. Whilst all around where taking down their gazebos before they collapsed, our new dome event shelter stood up against the wind.

CT Members cars.

Took a few pictures at both shows with the digital camera, but all came out purple so I think we need a new one, these camera phone pics are the best I can do.

Standard Triumph Day

2011-05-30T20:32:00.000+01:00

A very windy, but dry Sunday I took the 140 mile round trip to the CT organised Standard Triumph Marque Day at Duxford Imperial War Museum. We had 4 Norfolk cars there, My TR7 DHC, a Stag, a Spitfire and a TR6. Had a quick look round the 300 Triumphs there, most numerous been Stags and TR6, least numerous where small saloons and GT6. Hope the treasurer gets better soon after his accident on the stand. Did not see too many CT people about considering it was organised by us. With it been very windy we soon got inside, firstly in the American Air Museum, most notable planes for me where the B52, A10 Thunderbolt, Phantom, Huey, and SR71 Blackbird. Then back to the car for a spot of lunch before looking in the well laid out Land Warfare Hall, this is very good, simulating trenches and battle fields with tanks, gun emplacements, etc. There was a very good informitive film of the war from D day onwards which was showing in the theatre there, quite gory in places but serves to remind of the sacrifices made by many. I then watched the tank and armoured car driving before heading for home around 3pm.

Overall view of the 300 cars on display.

A very modified TR7 V8 Turbocharged car, reminiscent of

the ill fated Le Mans entry by Janspeed.

A medium sized tank captured from Iraq.

Fearsome looking tank on the driving range.

Russian Missile Launcher.

Couple of the Norfolk Cars.

Collection of ADU registered Spitfires.

Busy Few Weeks

2011-05-08T21:40:00.001+01:00

Has been a busy few weeks on the car and events front in Norfolk.

Over the long May Bank Holiday weekend we spent a bit of time driving around in the TR7 DHC looking for clues for our Treasure Hunt, prior to getting in form and info for an MSA Permit.
Then an enjoyable afternoon trialling the new "Event Shelter" to replace the club gazebo, followed by a barbie. Thanks Sue and Keith.
Gills FHC had its MOT this week, the fog lights took a bit of sorting out as they had stopped working, in the end it was the contacts in the switch that where stuck together so after a good clean they worked. MOT passed OK, but brakes seemed a little on the weak side. We clamped off the front flexi pipes and the rear brakes where OK on the brake rollers, then clamped the rear flexi and the fronts had reduced effort, so either suspected calipers or pressure reducing valve. Took calipers off and checked condition and pads, they where OK, so had to change the valve which cured the problem.
This weekend was Henham Wings and Wheels, a good show blessed with good weather. We had an "informal" convoy from Bungay to Henham then set up in the clubs area of the field. A good selection of 10 Club Triumph cars where on the stand, plus 4 from the Stag Owners. The new events shelter went up quickly after learning from our trial run.
There was a good selection of cars and bikes, I was number 401 so quite a lot there.
Flying activity was down on last year as there as quite a warm wind but there was a good display from Pitts Specials and a Mustang.

Busy Club Stand.

I liked this Mini caravan.

A rare Allard.

Not often you see a Vauxhall nowadays.

Spotted this nice original TR7 with a plaque on the dash to say it was presented as a prize by TR Register, with keys handed over by Tony Pond and Tony Mason, Roger Clarkes navigator, with photo evidence.

Out and About at Easter

2011-04-25T20:53:00.000+01:00

Have been busy with the TR7 over Easter. Put a fair few miles on it, firstly used it for work most of the week, then good Friday we recce'd for our annual treasure hunt, getting in 92 miles. Saturday drove to the lock up, firstly to address the spare prop shaft I replaced on the Gold TR7 after HCR, this had slight vibration and I thought might need turning by 90 degree increments to cure, but still slighty out of balance whichever way I turn it.
Then did some work on Gills car prior to MOT, fitted replacement starter as the solonoid was a little dodgy, checked all the usual MOT items, slight leak on brake pipe so fixed and re-bled, then took some photos for the Insurance agreed value cover.
Sunday was spent on a little polishing and cleaning of the Gold one, then to a fellow Norfolk area members house to try out the new dome type gazebo, followed by a very nice barb-b-q.
Easter Monday was the TR Register Wensum Group run, around 30 cars from TR Reg, Stag Owners, CT, and TSSC met at Norwich for a run in the sun to Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, a nice relaxed run of around 65 miles, had a coffee stop on the way at Schole Inn, near Diss, then a stop at the Queens Head in Dennington for a refreshing Aspells cider, then on by way of Framlingham and Wickham Market to Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, TR Reg had obtained free entry to the site and a good parking area away from other cars. Spent a couple of hours there, looked at the Anglo Saxon burial sites, whilst some walked to the Deben River.
Then had a great meal at The Wilford Bridge Inn near Sutton followed by a quick run home.
Let the good weather continue.

Ready for MOT

TR4's and 5, popular colour is red.

At the Schole Inn.

More Triumphs at Schole Inn.

Line up at Sutton Hoo.

HCR and Drive it Day

2011-04-20T20:32:00.000+01:00

HCR 2011

Mixed feelings on the HCR this year, we had a lovely relaxed run up to the Od Stone Trough, lovely sunny day, avoided the A1 until Newark, then came off at Wetherby and went through Blubberhouses and Skipton. No car problems on the way.

In the Car park at Old Stone Trough.

The first half went ok, great driving roads looking for the first 3 reservoirs, then a drag down motorways to Derbyshire, then more great roads through Derbyshire and Staffordshire, though we struggled to find the reservoir at Buxton, we had a sat nav we had borrowed but should have learnt how to use it before we set off!! We hit a large Hare in Derbyshire which smashed the nearside driving lamp.

Problems with the propshaft started coming down the M6 from Stafford and just got worse along the M54 into Wales restricting speed to 50ish in the hope it would not break.

We managed the 2 castles in Powys before turning for Telford hoping for a steady drive through Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire/Bucks/Beds then to Essex and Suffolk.

Not the best route, it was really slow going, with delays at Telford where Network Rail had shut crossings and the diversion signs where all over the place, at one point we returned to the same shut crossing.

We where then held up for a while whilst an abnormal load was taken across a bridge near Evesham.

In Oxfordshire we saw our only sighting of another Triumph since last seeing Martin Randle at a Castle in Powys, a red Stag, looking for a border sign like ourselves.

It was getting light by the time we made Buckinghamshire, and sun was up by Bedfordshire so we had lost loads of time and at 9 we still had 98 miles to go. Down the A14 the propshaft was vibrating like crazy so we again slowed down, Gill making the call to say we would not get there untill 11am. It was suspected by whoever took the call that most would be gone from the finish by then so we just diverted into Norfolk and home which was about 30 miles nearer, a decision we should not have taken as we later learnt there where other late finishers and we could have made it although we would have lost a few points!

My only critisism of the event is that the mandatory Powys visit was just a bit too far from the finish to allow recovery if anyone has any problems and was probably more suited to those with big 6 cylinder cruisers, but then I guess other smaller engined 4 cylinder cars finished. Will do the event again though and hope for no problems.

Drive it Day

I had organised a route through Norfolk for Drive It Day, 65 miles of nice country roads, some Tulip maps so no one would get lost, we had a promise of 10 cars from CT and maybe 5 from TR Reg, but only 5 cars turned up which was dissapointing, especially as a lot of time goes into organising this type of event. Those that made it enjoyed a nice sunny day, some spirited driving saw the route to Sandringham covered quite quickly so we adjourned to the Feathers at Dersingham for Lunch and a pint. We then returned to Sandringham, a large number of classics where seen on the day, Fakenham Car Club had about 20 cars outside Sandringham House, we spotted a large group of Jaguar owners having a posh picnic at Great Massingham, and various other smaller groups along the way.

Outside Sandringham House gates.

Sandringham House Grounds

Pre HCR prep

2011-04-01T20:38:00.000+01:00

Not much to do to the car prior to HCR, did a quick oil change today, and with an MOT due also changed trackrod ends, these had a little bit of wear, which I am sure would have failed.
Having the 4 post lift made these jobs an absolute doddle.
Looks like nice weather for the drive to Kelbrook, via York for dinner with family.

Part 3 of the Axle Dilemma

2011-03-01T21:15:00.005Z

On Friday I received a set of halfshafts with the bearings fitted from S and S Preperations in an attempt to cure the problem with excess endfloat on my axle. They had been pre-fitted to an axle at their premises at my request to ensure there was no problems with bearings and collars which are now a different supplier to original items. First look when I received them was that all bearings and collars look and measure identical as previously supplied items, but a closer look at halfshafts shows some difference in wheel hub and in the machined surface where bearing and collar sits so this may be the problem. Also they have been able to get the circlip into its groove.

I am sending my originals back to S and S for checking, I suspect there is a difference in the shoulder the bearing is pressed down onto. I watched the axle reconditioner press a new set of bearings and collars onto the half shafts, which used around 2 tons initially, rising to 4 tons when nearly down, before rising rapidly to around 10 tons which we took to mean the bearing was fully home on shoulder. However we could not fit circlip as retaining groove was hidden under collar and when half shafts re-fitted to car I still had massive endfloat.So not the fault of the axle reconditioner, apologies to them.

Original Halfshaft on left, newly supplied Halfshaft on right, note difference in wheel hub and different profile of machined surface.

Halfshaft being fitted - after fitting to my axle this has cured the end play problems,

at last it is driveable.

I also had my Minilite replicas back from the platers on Friday, I work with the co-owner of Aerocoat, at St Olaves, near Lowestoft so got very good mates rates for this.

New tyres where obtained from Anglian Triumph Services. Apparently 185/70 13's are now hard to come by and instead of the Kumo's I wanted Dave found me some Enduros, which seem like good value with a decent tread pattern.

The original alloy centre caps where behond repair, they are very badly dented, so I searched the net and found a set of four, plus Triumph stickers, and 16 wheel nuts at Specialist Car Products at a very good price.
I put a fair amount of miles in on the new wheels at the weekend and the ride is much smoother now, and does not seem to have comprised handling. They are also far better in the wet than the Avons which where hopeless. Hopefully removing the harshness which the Avons, combined with uprated suspension and hard bushes caused will help my back which is still not fully cured after my disc operation.

New tyres and wheels fitted, they dont quite fill the arches like the

MGF wheels did but I do like the look of them.

Electric Kenlowe Fan Thermostat

2011-02-15T20:13:00.000Z

As my Kenlowe fan controller with the horrible probe that sits in the radiator hose had gone haywire recently, I searched around and found a single speed, electronic controller by Kenlowe where the probe is fastened direct to the rad. Purchased over the net, this was fitted at the weekend. I already had the wiring in place via a relay, including a over ride switch and a light to tell me when operating, the new unit comes with a wired in relay so it was just a matter of removing the old relay and controller and re-wiring.

Old Kenlowe Thermostat controller. Wish the car still looked like this!

New unit with built in relay fitted, also has fuse fitted to fan feed.

Over ride switch and fan light just under radio on centre console.

New temperature probe on surface of rad, white staining and rust on rad is evidence of leaking top rad hose where the in-hose probe went. Once fitted engine was run up and temp set by a small adjuster on body of Electronic controller. That was Saturdays job.

Sundays job was to help fit a 4 post lift into a friends barn.

I picked the lift up from work for £25, a bargain, this was surplus as part of my job in clearing space for a new Lotus production line. It is a Laycock 4 post lift, a hydraulic ram operates wire ropes in each leg, thus lifting all 4 corners together. It came disassembled, so we spent a couple of hours working out how to put it together. It will be wired up this week, there is 3 phase in the barn so lucky there. Will be a usefull asset when finished. First job will be the donuts on the barn owners early Lotus Elan, part of the deal is I wont be charged for the space.

Another job this week was to drop in my KN Miniator wheels to the platers. The low profile Avons on my MGF wheels are past their best and much too solid and harsh, so will put some standard tyres on the smaller Miniators, hopefully giving my poor old back a better ride.

Miniator prior to plating.

Trust No One Part 2

2011-02-12T20:10:00.000Z

So half shafts are off the car, managed to grab this not very good photo of one before they where taken away. Clearly shows how the bearing and spacer are either not pressed on enough, or they have moved, bearings and oil seal should be tight against plate, I cant see how its moved as they need 2 tons of force to press on. Perhaps they had a first day apprentice on the job. No further progress as they have not received new bearings, so another week of the road.

Trust no one!!!

2011-02-09T20:24:00.000Z

To say I am p---d off is an understatement. My tales of woe go on! As has been recorded here on my blog I had my axle reconditioned before Christmas by a transmission expert, highly recommended by a few Norfolk people with classics, the re-conditioning included crown wheel and pinion, diff bearings, pinion bearing, and wheel bearings on the halfshafts.

When I re-fitted the complete axle to the car, it seemed OK, and although not totally quiet, the horrible whine had gone.

It has got noticeably noisier as the weeks have gone by, last Friday I noticed that on the straight, reasonably quiet, but on a long sweeping bend there tends to be a noise from either side, suggesting wheel bearing problem.

So further investigation was needed.

I jacked up the rear wheels, and noticed a good 1/4" play on the rear wheels, both sides, I could physically pull the wheel in and out by this much which explains the noise.

I took the wheel off, and pulled out the halfshafts to find the bearing retainer collars ULC2350 are fitted the wrong way round, they have a groove round them for the circlip ULC2362 which is not fitted to either halfshaft, the circlip should lock onto a groove on halfshaft to keep collar and bearing in place. This means that eventually the collar and bearing could work loose and move down the shaft, they have!! Either that or the collar was not pressed on far enough in the first place.

Picture showing bearing retainer collar wrong way round, no lip showing on collar, the groove on halfshaft for circlip obscured by retaining collar which has moved.

Diagram clearly showing Circlip ULC2362 and Retaining Collar ULC2350, along with Bearing and Oil Seal. Not totally clear, as I did it wrong in the past, but soon realized, however the experts had the parts as I supplied them wheel bearings, which where a complete kit and they should have seen the circlip when they took off old bearings.

This is how it should be, with lip in retaining collar and circlip ready to be driven down and to lock in position with groove on halfshaft.

Needless to say I have had a few arguments with a less than apologetic supplier. They had the cheek to say take the axle off and bring it in. Now I have them coming to house to remove the half shafts, take away and replace bearings, then return to re-fit! They wont be getting a coffee!

On top of this problem the Kenlowe Fan Thermostatic control unit has now gone bonkers, fan comes on at low temperature and stays on, or works intermittently, even with manual override switch. Fan is Ok when wired to battery. It is the type with the capillary tube into rad hose which I have never liked, I have never got a good seal with this on both my sevens so was going to change anyway. I may try the thermostatic controller with the sensor tube that straps to rad.

New Alternator

2011-01-30T20:23:00.002Z

Having had the alternator fail, and looking at the ridiculous prices from the top 3 TR suppliers I chose to purchase a much cheaper and similar unit meant for a Dolomite. £50 including postage as opposed to over £86 not including posting, and the same amp loading. This was promptly delivered, however I had to rotate the casing to suit the TR7 and also change the distance tube for bottom pivot, which is shorter on a Dolomite, and swap the longer tube out of my original alternator.

Casing on new alternator TR7 set up on left. Dolomite set up on right. Changing is simple to do, simply remove the plastic end cover, then remove the 3 long bolts, and carefully rotate aluminium casing, taking care not to seperate the Ali casings from the black part of alternator.

Pic shows casing rotated and larger distance tube shown on right for TR7 mounting, failure to swap the distance tube over will result in casing becoming distorted when bottom pivot bolts are tightened, thus internals will foul casing.

That was last weekends job, this weekends was to get Gills Blue FHC trailered to the barn out of the weather. Not a staight forward job as the battery was flat and would not charge up with battery charger, I will get it tested but sure its knackered, more money to be spent, after swapping batteries over from my 7, the next problem was the solonoid was stuck, a quick rocking in gear sorted this. With it started, I then found the clutch was stuck, quick start up in gear and all OK, then the rear brakes where badly stuck, I had to take a hide mallet to drums, then rock back and forth to free them, Finally I noticed the carpets where wet inside, seems as though water runs down door seals, collects in rear corner on top of seal, then spills into footwell, so had to pull out carpets and felt sound deadening to dry out, will investigate later. My mate then turned up with a less than standard car trailer and some planks as the proper trailer was hemmed in by a lorry with keys not handy, getting it on was a bit dodgy but we got it to the barn ok.

Finally got the dammed thing on the trailer.

Battery and Alternator

2011-01-14T20:20:00.000Z

So after the battery dying on me on the New Year run, I pinched the battery of the wifes Blue TR7 and took the car back to the barn to work on it on last Friday afternoon.
It got me there without problem and seemed to be charging OK.

The rest of the afternoon I chased about for a new battery, firstly having the battery checked, which was confirmed as U/S. Dont know if both my cars wiring is an oddity, but my positive terminal is to the left, which I was told is quite rare on modern batteries of the size I required, I also needed a flat top battery due to the Dis-car-nect device which isolates battery, otherwise I would have to modify cables, again difficult to find as most have an inbuilt handle.

After trying 3 tyre and battery places I eventually found a Unipart battery to fit, this was duly fitted on Sunday, alternator was checked and appeared to be charging OK. No time to have a run out on the Sunday as I had homework!! seized float valve on water tank in loft.

New battery fitted.

So come this Fridays early finish from work, I pick the car up from the barn, get a couple of miles down the road and the ignition warning light comes on and stays on. Pull over, turn off, start up, no warning light, off we go again only for ignition light to come on again when near home. At home, a quick check with the meter confirms not charging. So I took off the alternator, checked the brushes which to my untrained eye look OK, and gave it a good clean out, plenty of dust in there which was cleaned away. What I can see of the diodes looks ok, ie: no burn marks and all wiring contacts look OK. After re-fitting the unit the light is on straight away, and still not charging. Not a lot else I can do, so looks as though its gonna swallow more money. Will pinch the alternator of GIlls FHC for a week or so.

New Year Activity

2011-01-08T16:00:00.001Z

Having got the Gold DHC up and running before Christmas, I had to fit a new water hose to Gills Blue FHC. This was the rubber hose under the inlet manifold, a bugger to get at. This entailed removing the K and N Filters and backing plates, dissconnecting the throttle linkage, then removing the steel heater pipe at the union under manifold to release the rubber pipe. After re-fitting everything I ran engine up to temperature to check all was OK. Had to fix this at home as the car is now out of tax and mot, thus marooned in the back garden. Should be in the barn out of the rain and away from the cat who likes licking water off it, but with my luck I dare not risk the 12 mile trip to the lock up.

I need to get it under cover soon so will have to borrow a trailer.

Thirsty Cat.

New Year Run - SOC Frostbite 2011

On the 2nd of January Club Triumph where invited on the Stag Owners Club Frostbite Run, a run of about 50 miles on a cold, damp Sunday. 8 Club Triumph and around 12 Stags started out from Harford Tesco, taking in some wet and muddy roads, baulked by an unscheduled road block, in my neck of the woods I knew a detour that added a few miles to the run to halfway point for coffee and cake at a Garden Centre.

Club Triumph Cars at the start.

Stags at the start.

More Club Triumph cars at start.

More Stags.

At the Halfway Halt.

After the coffee stop the run carried on through the Tas Valley, yes we have valleys and hills in Norfolk, only smallish, before heading for the finish at the Dove Inn at Poringland. About 7 miles away from the finish, I noticed the heater fan slowing down and voltmeter showing way down, No warnings from the ignition light so I dashed to the finish point. After stopping in the car park I thought I had better try to start again, the battery was so flat I only got one click out of the starter relay, then nothing.

Home was only about 17 miles away, and I realised I had to get the car home quick whilst still in daylight, so got a jump start and caned it home, returning quickly in the modern so we could still join in the meal.

At the Finish.

I must remember on one of these runs to find somewhere photogenic for a shot of the cars together.

We enjoyed a deserved pint and a good value roast dinner and sweet, and a little bit of chit chat before heading home. thanks to Stag Owners Club for the invite.

Norfolk Area Events

We are now starting to get a few events and run details in for 2011, I will start a 2011 events page over on my website shortly.

Christmas Acitivity

2011-01-04T20:37:00.000Z

A busy time was had prior to Christmas, Firstly I finished the axle re-installation on the DHC, fitted the brakes, then after bleeding, took for a long test drive. Great to get back in the car after the prolonged cold spell, noticed a big improvement in drive train noise levels, further checks under the car also found a badly perished gearbox mounting, so a new one was ordered and fitted. Prop also has a bit of play, so that needs attention too. Having racked up the miles in the last 2 years as a near daily driver I am beginning to pay for all the hard work the car has done.

Perished Mounting and New Mounting.

After this Gill and I attended a rather flash party at my current employers, Lotus Cars, They pulled out all the stops, massive marquees erected, free champagne, and a lavish meal for around 1500 employees, dancing to a fantatastic group, more free drink, and free gifts of an exlusive model of the new Esprit, and handouts of promotional material, tee shirts, etc from the Paris Motor Show. The CEO unvieled the Lotus Renault F1 team colours, also on show was the line up of the 5 new proposed cars.

Lotus Renault F1 car.

Lotus Elite.

Lotus Elan.

Lotus Esprit.

Exiting times at Lotus, hope they get round to making them all, although I think they won't all be UK made.

Following this we had another lavish meal, The Club Triumph Norfolk Area Christmas meal, at Diss Golf Club, I think there was about 25 of us there, everyone enjoyed this, with silly balloons and other fun items to keep amusment levels high and an ongoing music quiz as the evening progressed.

Table set for revellers. Heres to another good year for the Club.

December Update

2010-12-13T20:10:00.000Z

Thought an update was due for December, I have had the master cylinder back for a few weeks for the blue DHC, but it was always too cold to work on it where it is immobilized in the garden.

We did not have much snow in Norfolk, but it turned into a solid block of ice overnight that took ages to thaw.
I would recommend Past Parts for any brake items, they did a good job and a quick turn round and having a look around the workshop they are capable of restoring brake parts for almost every classic.

Re honed and sealed cylinder.
Once there was a break in the weather this was fitted, the brakes where bled with my new Gunson easy bleeder, uses the air in the tyres to force fluid into system, another useful tool. After sorting a dead battery, the car was started only to find a water leak on the hose under carbs, probably frost damage despite fresh anti freeze so I have still not got the car to the barn for winter.

The DHC got its axle back last week with a new crown wheel and pinion fitted, again good service from a local transmission repair specialist, this was fitted to car last week, but I still have to fit brake shoes and brake springs on, it was just too cold in the barn, my hands where freezing. Hoping for a mild spell at the weekend to get this sorted.

Away from it all

2010-11-21T17:29:00.001Z

Gill, Toni the daughter, and I have just spent a week aboard our shared narrow boat getting away from it all, we took a leisurely one week trip from Gayton Junction on the Grand Union Main Line Canal to Norton Junction, then up the Watford Staircase flight and up the lonely and picturesque Leicester Section of the Grand Union Canal as far as Welford Junction. It was cold, to be expected in November, but we had some very nice sunny days on this secluded waterway which wends it way from Watford Junction towards Market Harborough, then Leicester, the only signs of modern hectic life being the M1 crossing at Watford Gap and the A14 crossing further up about 5 miles from M1/M6 junction. The canal only passes a few villages and is a haven for wildlife, particulary Kingfishers, I spotted lots that would fly in front of the boat, perch on a branch or reed, then when we where level would take off and repeat, too fast for my camera work though. In winter the canal is little used by other boats.

Cold and frosty morning at Buckby Locks.

In the wide locks at Buckby, no other boat to share with makes locking a little harder.

Gill steering between the 7 locks at Buckby.

The Watford Staircase Locks, 4 narrow locks one on top of each other.

In Lock 3 of the Narrow staircase locks.

Reflections on the Leicester section of Grand Union Canal.

More reflections on a sunny, crisp day.

Lovely winter colours.

The following couple of days where Foggy in the mornings, eventually burning off into sunny days, makes for some interesting steering.

Poor visibility needs a good lookout to spot other boats.

Just spotted the light on this oncoming boat in time to avoid a collision.

Fog starting to lift.

Clear skies on a winters day.

Original milepost from when the canal was

called the Grand Junction Canal Company, we turned

back a few miles further towards Leicester.

Overcast the next day, the canal loops around Cracks Hill

near Crick adding around 2 miles to the journey, sign of a

James Brindley built canal, he followed the contours of the

land rather than dig cuttings or build embankments.

Sunny the next day, on the home straight back to Gayton Marina.

We enjoyed a good relaxing week, with some nice weather, in the cold winter evenings we where nice and snug with the solid fuel stove going full blast, with no pubs or restaurant's within easy reach on this secluded stretch of canal we took turns to produce nice meals aboard and sank a few bottle of wine. No problems with the boat to deal with other than prop and rudder picking up fallen leaves, a regular blast in reverse clears these. Back to reality and work now!

TR7 wise the Master Cylinder of the Blue FHC is ready for collection from Past Parts Ltd, but not had a chance to pick it up, I also heard from the axle repairers that the crown wheel and pinion from the Gold DHC are quite worn and need replacing, luckily I have sourced a good 3:45 ratio crown wheel and pinion that is being sent to them.

Both TR's off the Road

2010-11-12T20:55:00.000Z

For the first time I can remember I have both TR7's off the road with mechanical woes. The Brake Master on the Blue FHC was finally sent away for re-honing and to have the seal matched that the TR specialists could not manage!!!!
I found a company called Past Parts Ltd, only 35 miles away in Bury St Edmunds who are classic brake specialists.
I have also taken the rear axle off the Gold DHC again, the 1:45 diff, which has had a slight whine on back off for a long time started to get more noisy on the way back from Le Mans, and the constant whine, getting worse has finally driven me to get it fixed by specialists. I dropped it in to a company in Norwich this week who suspect they will have to replace diff bearings and sort out backlash adjustment. Halfshaft bearings are ok being fairly recent replacements. I had put this job off until I felt sufficiently recovered from my back operation to safely do the job. Getting it off was only a 2 hour job, and did not strain my back, Suspect I will need help to put back together.

Axle out again.

TRGB/Robsport Open Day

2010-10-31T20:51:00.000Z

Took a 140 mile round trip in the DHC on Saturday to Somersham on the far side of Cambridge on a nice clear, but crisp day, TR6 specialist TRGB and TR7 Specialist Robsport where holding a joint open day and autojumble at TRGB premises. Quite a collection of cars had turned up, many early TR's and some TR7s and V8's.
The workshops where open, showing resto of a TR6 and others, there where new and secondhand parts for TR2-TR8 range available, plus a few items for Stag and Vitesse/Herald. They where breaking a Stag for parts, and there was a part restored Herald Estate on auction with sealed bids. They had thrown open the doors of all their various parts depostories allowing you to wander round and choose items at leisure, quite interesting looking at all the various parts.
Did not realy need much myself, in fact I only came away with an electronic flasher unit at a discount rate.
Had a brief chat with Tim Hunt who had driven up for the day in his TR.
Straight Six Engine or Gearbox Anyone?

Nice Track Prepared 2500 PI.

Early and Late TR's.

TR6 Resto.

Selection of TR6's for sale.

TR8.

Seat base

2010-10-16T20:30:00.000+01:00

Finally got hold of a secondhand seat base in tan check material for the DHC. So spent a easy, pleasant afternoon changing this over, firstly removed the seat from car, unclipped the damaged seat base, and replaced with the secondhand item, simply attaching using trim clips and a little adhesive in places. The boltser which is stitched and glued in to the new one is in good shape, and feels a little more comfortable, and the seat diaphram is firm and ok. Gave the frame slider mechanism a good clean up and greased the runners, before giving the base a good shampoo with some fabric cleaner. It seems to have come up ok and pretty much matches the seat back. Just got to wait for it to dry.

Damaged base and secondhand base

Seat Base Removed.

Finished Seat, ready for clean up.

The Blue FHC is still off the road waiting for master cylinder to be repaired, the kit I have from 2 Triumph suppliers have both got the wrong primary seal and they are unable to source the correct one, which is a poor show. I have sent it to Past Parts Ltd to match for me and put back together, will report on service from them later.

Incorrect Primary Seal.

Wont say much about the RBRR, exept we only made it to Edingburgh before rocker shaft failure put us out, as the next stint of driving from Edinburgh to JOG was supposed to be mine I never even got round to driving Andy Dann's PI Estate, instead I had to drive the Skoda Fabia courtesy car on the home!

Thanks to Dale for identifying the fault, and sorry to hear you did not make it too.

Andys PI Estate at The Plough.

Recovery at Edingburgh Airport.

2010 Mile of Triumphs

2010-09-26T16:47:00.000+01:00

Heavy, persistent rain forecast in East Anglia was not a good omen for the hastily re-arranged 2010 Mile of Triumphs at Fleggburgh, near Great Yarmouth this weekend. It tipped down on Saturday, we attended briefly, visiting CT friends in their hired mobile home for coffee, which was luxury compared to the campsite, with around 20 or so Triumphs camping one felt really sorry for them in their quagmire of a camp site. On the Saturday, there was a 95 mile run around Norfolk, which as it passed virtually by our front door we managed to do the route in reverse.

Sunday morning was even worse, it poured down all the way to Fleggburgh, standing water everywhere, with most of our CT members not attending, there where probably around 45 cars for the run to Yarmouth which for one Stag owner was eventful, being tail ended by a 4 x 4, making a mess of the chrome bumpers. Roundabouts where a bit slick as I found out with a large power slide, much to Gills disgust. We stuck with it for the run and the line up on the sea front, before some of us took shelter with coffee and bacon sarnies in a beach side cafe. The wind was up off the sea, and it was not too warm! so we spent a while in a few amusement arcades then left for home via the harbour road where we paused to watch a medium sized bulk carrier being towed out of the inner harbour to sea.

The event will take place next year, on the last weekend in September, and will revert back to original format of Show on Saturday, Mile of Triumphs on sea front Sunday, followed by rum around Norfolk, then back to Fleggburgh for a Funkana. Hopefully with decent weather. A few pics in between the rain.

Some of the Brave souls we turned out.

Head of the Queue for the Run to Yarmouth Sea Front.

Turned out nice again!

You can see the conditions which kept a large many people away.

Lined up along the Sea Front at Great Yarmouth.

Mor rain on its way.

Bulk Carrier towed out backwards from Inner Harbour.

Must have been a tense moment as the wind gets it and pushes front round to shore.

Tug gets control as pilot boat rushes to the scene.

Tow rope dropped and Bulk Carrier away under its own steam.

Next is the RBRR as 3rd driver with Andy Dann and Tony Cox, if he gets the car sorted.

Norfolk Gala

2010-09-11T21:09:00.000+01:00

With the show season coming to an end, Sunday 5th September was Norfolk Gala Day at the Royal Norfolk Showground. This is a quite large show, and CT Norfolk Area had a good turnout. We had a corner plot, with plenty of space to park the cars and erect the gazebo, along with the usual flag and banner. We where a little away from other classics, being near the motorbikes, I think when we applied for a club stand they thought we where a motor bike club? Will remind them next year who we realy are.
On the subject of shows I notice that on recent CT forum posts there appears to be a negative opinion of shows in general, and of those who attend shows, also of shows run by other clubs and the term polishers is often used, I dont think you could apply this to CT Norfolk Area, yes we may have approx 8 to 10 realy nice, shiny cars, as well as other more scruffy ones, one of each of mine included in both catergories, but dont forget, these are driven quite regulary to shows all through summer, covering high milage totals in the day, Norfolks a big county! They also attend the smaller driving events, scenic runs, etc. Better this than sitting in a shed all year and only being brought out for the one big driving event. The club has to cater for both young and old, and for those who want to do either driving or showing, or both or surely it would not survive. Infact come to think of it the forum and the fairly vocal advocates of driving events are not truly representive of the membership of CT, I would guess they represent less than 10% of the CT membership. Anyway gripe over, Note:-this is my own opinion and I wont be discussing it.

Anyway, on with the show, there is plenty to do at this show, not only loads of classic cars, but trucks, both new and old, in fact I discovered for a small charity fee you could drive a truck and trailer around a section of the grounds. There was also classic and modern buses, including a couple of low floor buses of my design from back in my Marshall Bus Division days of about 12 years ago. There was also military vehicles, various demos by the police, fire, and ambulance services, as well as a host of stalls, a craft show, a car boot, and auto jumble, along with a beer tent and variety of food. In the main ring a couple of Monster trucks did a spot of car crushing, a dare devil biker jumped a few cars, and jumped through a ring of fire, and elsewhere where dog displays, raptor displays, dancing, music, and martial arts.
This was my first time out in my 7 since my back op about 6 weeks ago, so not being fully fit I just slowly hobbled round looking at a few things leaving others to do the grand tour.

Usual CT Norfolk Line up.

And 3 more round the corner.

Bernard Matthews original Austin. Bootiful!

2 Magenta Triumphs caught my eye.

Also 2 MK1 Escort Mexicos.

And a customised Triumph Renown.

Classic Car Mart

2010-09-04T19:23:00.000+01:00

Gill got a couple of copys of Classic Car Mart tody from her photoshoot and twin test up against a Fiat X/19. Was a reasonable article, showed the TR7 FHC in quite good light, especially as a cheap, reliable runner, with all parts affordable, although IMO the author was a little biased towards mid engined classic sportscars and reckoned the X/19 had the edge in handling due to mid engine layout. All this from a 5 minute drive! I am hard pushed to think of any other mid engined sportscars from mid 70's to 81. The X/19 she was up against was the later (about 8 years younger) Bertone model.
Oh, and they inserted wrong picture of interior in TR7 column!
I made sure TR Drivers Club and Club Triumph got a website mention in article.
In next months Classic Car Mart is a Herald v Vittesse twin test.

Wednesday I got the all clear from the surgeon after my back operation to drive, so today, I drove the DHC for the first time in six weeks, its being a bit neglected in August, the passenger footwell had an inch of water in it, looks as though the door seal in the corners has flattened and is letting in water, also the N/S rear well in the boot was full of water, I had left a roll of bog roll in there since Le Mans, and it had gone soggy and blocked the drain hole.
Needed a good clean too for Norfolk Gala tommorow.

Classic Car Mart Photo Shoot

2010-08-15T14:05:00.000+01:00

Gill was recently contacted by Classic Car Mart to take part in a photo shoot and comparism report between a Triumph TR7 Fixed Head Coupe and a Fiat X19. The shoot took place at Helmingham Hall and Saxted Mill, involving some static shots and some driving along behind a car being photographed. The editor also took both cars for a spin. I think the article is due out in September so will be interesting to see what was written, bearing in mind the X19 was a good few years younger than the TR7.
Club Triumph was mentioned so hopefully will benefit from some publicity. Gill took a few photos of the shoot.

Helmingham Festival of Classics

2010-07-30T21:41:00.000+01:00

7 Cars from Club Triumph Norfolk Area attended the excellent Helmingham Festival of Classics and Sportscars on Sunday, meeting in Eye for a convoy of Triumphs over the 15 miles to Helmingham.

Weather was dull to start of with but brightened up and was quite hot in the afternoon
This is an interesting event, with prestige classics lined up in front of the House belonging to the Tollemache family. We the lowly classics where mixed in with about 200 others, a very varied selection of cars, both classics and sportscars. The more modern sportscars and larger clubs where in a seperate area, there was a large contingent from Pistonheads comprising a couple of Ultimas, Dodge Vipers, TVR's galore, Club Lotus with many Elises, couple of Exige, Esprits and Elans, the Porsche Club had a large selection and others including Mazda.

There was enough to keep the ladies entertained, which is becoming a pre-requisite of any shows we attend, there was a very good Samba group, falconry, dogs, plus crafts, most important a beer tent for the boys, and car related stalls, etc.

A highlight for me is the runs up the main driveway by classics and sportscars, held twice, "prestige" cars in the morning and "normal" classics in the afternoon. Sight and sound of the day was the Ultima grinding its way up the drive, sparks flying due to its low ground clearance.

A few pics.

AC Cobra blasting up the drive.

Stag owners out in force.

Club Triumph Cars.

Shaking and Moving!

Nice Aston Martin.

One of the very last Esprit of the Hethel production line.

Cobra, or is it a replica, all badging looked correct but maybe reg gives it away.

Stately 1930's Riley.

Ultima.

A good day was enjoyed at this popular show, food and drink greatly improved this year, with more outlets, bacon baguettes where reported OK with 6 rashers in each. We even remembered the Club Gazebo this time.

Classic Le Mans

2010-07-20T20:50:00.000+01:00

Club Triumph Norfolk Area took along 6 cars to Classic Le Mans over the weekend of 9th to 11th July. Most made their own way there, some by Ferry, some by Eurotunnel, and all made it back safely. I think the word of the weekend was "Scorchio" Camp site was ok, loads of Triumphs about.
I won't post too many pics here, if anyone wants to see more they can look at http://www.andys-tr7.co.uk/63761/97261.html

Here are some pics of some of the the Le Mans cars in the paddock.

Former Graham Hill/Pescarolo Matra Simca 660-01 from 1971.

Lancia/Porsche/Ferrari Racers from the 1980s Le Mans Races.

Capri 2600 RS from 1971 Race.
BMW M1 from 1979 race behind, returning to paddocks after their race.

As close as you can get at any race, engines starting prior to formation lap.
Gulf Porsche 908/3 from 1971 era.

Jigsaw Racings Le Mans Spitfire.
ADU 1B.

Ferrari 512 M from 1971 era in paddocks.

Just a short video of some of the cars going back to the paddock after a race session.

Vintage Transport Day - North Norfolk Railway

2010-07-14T22:20:00.000+01:00

The usual Club Triunph suspects attended the Vintage Transport Day at the North Norfolk Railway at Holt Station on Sunday 4th July. A hot day, Gill and I where in trouble for leaving the Gazebo at home, but with only a couple of days to go before our Le Mans trip, and a car just back from headgasket and jackshaft failure we had more to worry about. This was a new event for Club Triumph Norfolk, and we again picked a good, yet different event, not just sitting in a field looking at cars.
Most of our contingent left the cars parked up on view at Holt Station and where able to take advantage of free travel on the North Norfolk Railway, drawn by steam to Sheringham or Wybourne.

CT contingent lined up at Holt Station.

GER Engine and Quad Set after arrival at Sheringham.

We spent a couple of hours at Sheringham, looking around, a quick go on the penny pushers in the arcades, had some very nice fish and chips in a resturant, followed by the usual seafood we have when on the coast, mussells, prawns, and a crab to bring home, then watched the ships with an ice cream on the sea wall before heading back to the station to catch a train to Weybourne.

View of North Norfolk Coast from the train on a bright sunny day.

Stanier Class 5 at Weybourne.

Fourth form of motive power we used on the day, Diesel Railbus at Holt.

Couple of old trucks from Jack Richards Transport, a concern still going today.

Some members took the vintage bus service in to Holt for a look around, however we did not have the time. Was a good day out, brillinat weather, and worth attending, Managed to get around 80 miles on the car with no problems prior to Le Mans, easing some worries about the long journey ahead on a partly rebuilt engine.

The Jackshaft Failure, which looked as though it had been caused by a metallic buildup on the front bearing surface end of Jackshaft, thus jamming in the bore, caused this damage.

Closer inspection reveals that the Crankshaft timing chain sprocket teeth where knurled over, the tensioner had a big lump chewed out by the chain, camshaft timing chain sprocket had a bolt sheared, and the chain snapped, I presume it had all happened in this order, luckily was only on tickover at the time so no lasting damage was done. The head was removed again, valves and guides checked for damage, and camshaft removed to check free operation of valves. There was no evident damage to pistons. All was put together again with thicker gasket due to head skim.

Norfolk Area Treasure Hunt and Euston Rural Pastimes

2010-06-29T21:29:00.000+01:00

Sunday 27th was our annual Treasure Hunt which clashed with an insignificant sporting event, thus reducing the numbers attending. Speaking to owners of Triumphs at our last few events we expected to see around 30 Triumphs, but Englands pathetic display reduced the field. Those who did not turn up missed a glorious day, best weather of the year so far.

14 cars left Caistor Hall Hotel, on a circuitious tour of the Broadland area, searcing out clues around some lovely interesting villages.

Line up at Caistor Hall

Having organised the Hunt, and not being able to participate I stood at a crucial junction, on the correct route from Hickling to the Coast for nearly one and half hours in the boiling sun and saw only Dave and Vi, who I thought would win with their experience in Holland, HCR, etc, and the car below who where the only ones to come from the right direction.

This convoy of Stags took the long route round.

This Stag being the eventual winner.

David and Julie Aspinall with son Buster coming home in 2nd place.

The finish was at The Lighthouse Inn at Walcott on the North Norfolk Coast they allowed use of the Gardens for parking the cars and use of a marquee for some well deserved shade, and the game was also screened. Best sight for me was a 30ish, tattooed, England shirted bloke who came out crying when the 3rd goal went in, kicked a bin, and hurt his foot.

Ted and Christina, not last or lost for once!

Nice line up at the finish, with Stags prominent.

With entrance fees, contributions, and a raffle we raised £250 for East Anglia Air Ambulance, so thanks to all who attended.

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Euston Rural Pastimes.

A small group of Norfolk members went along to Euston Hall for the Rural pastimes event a few weeks ago, I must admit to not looking forward to sitting in a field of cars, but this show was massive, with masses to do for both the Ladies and the Gents. Plenty of stalls, crafts, 2 show rings which demonstrated country orientated stuff, along with steam power, tractors, cars. commercials, etc. So good we managed to lose the Ladies for hours!

Keith provides these photos.

Steam power.

Interesting Bristol

Think this is one of his dream cars?

Or this?

Alans Stag.

Will definately add this to next years events.

Norwich Classic vehicle Club Show

2010-06-09T22:10:00.000+01:00

At this time of the year the shows come thick and fast, on Sunday, 5th June, Gill and I took both cars along to the Norwich Classic Vehicle Club Classic Car show. Weather was poor, cloudy and dull in morning, a few showers, the odd minute of sun, then a thunderstorm on way home, forcing me to dive under a tree to put the hood up.

Quite a few Triumphs around, both from CT Norfolk area and Norwich Classic Vehicle Club.

I foolishly took along my DHC, even after having confirmed the head gasket is on its way out with a gas test, was only about 20 miles to the show and I had not used it for work during the week, so thought what the hell, did not have any overheating on temp gauge, but definately used some water, coming through Norwich on the way home I had the fan on overide just in case. It goes in to Anglian Triumph for Head gasket and skim next week.

A few pictures of show, Triumph biased.

Our 2 sevens on show.

More cars, Nissan Figaros crept in again. There was a Best in car award to 4 places, 3 places picked by entrants, and one by organisers, I was surprised that 2 Marinas won awards!, one in this picture.

Few more Triumphs.

Nice early Spitfire.

Car of the Show for me was this Stanley Steam Car, I admire the dedication to a) restore something like this, b) drive in modern traffic.

Out with the MG's

2010-05-26T21:06:00.000+01:00

After participating in the Broadland MGOC run for the last 4 years around Norfolk, we gave it a miss this year, opting instead to do the 2010 Boadicea Run with the Iceni MGOC, held in Suffolk. It was a scorching hot day, the run beginning at Rougham Airfield, near Bury St Edmunds. There was a choice of 4 routes to take, with Tulip maps provided for each, rally plaques for the cars, and refreshment vouchers included in the entry cost. We chose the route to Lavenham in the Gold DHC.

Waiting for our departure at 10-30, boiling hot at this hour.

There was approx 90 cars on the run, predominent where MG's, of the other there where 5 Triumphs, some modern machinery, and approx 15 other classic.

They must have been hot on the run in this!

Typical Suffolk Scenery.

We soon caught some of the more sedate MG's.

Lavenham, a pretty Suffolk market town.

A lot of rather nice houses in this town. Known locally as the Chelsea of Suffolk, with house prices to match!

Back at Rougham Airfield we headed for the shade with fellow Club Triumph members Alan and Christine.

View of the control area from the control tower.

Was a very good run, and well worth the entry fee, if there where to be any cylinder head or coolant problems on the dhc, today was the day with tempertures around 29C, it did kick in the Kenlowe in dead slow traffic or at long waits at junctions, but this is normal and the fan soon did its job. With Le Mans looming nearer I am going to get the head checked over on Friday with a gas test at Anglian Triumph just to put my mind at rest.

TR7 Troubles

2010-05-16T20:57:00.000+01:00

Its been a stressfull couple of weeks since the Strut Gaitor replacement, I had symptons of Head Gasket failure, ie: water being pushed out of header tank, I am keeping an eye on this as it worries me, I think it was an air lock, due to the front end being up on axle stands for a weekend whilst I changed gaitors and fitted needle rollers to improve slow speed manouvering.

I can see no trace of oil in the water or water in oil, and after I had flushed out, changed thermostat, changed a slightly collapsed hose, everything seems OK. The car also failed its MOT with "little or no effort from the RH rear brake" this was finally changed and the MOT passed on Thursday.

Today we completed the recce for the Norfolk Area Treasure Hunt, 125 miles home to home with no signs of overheating, there was plenty of stopping and starting, lots of sitting at idle, but temperature was normal, electric fan not needing to cut in often, this makes it about 250 miles with no further symptons, so touch wood everythings OK.

We located a good venue for the Treasure Hunt finish, a coastal pub, open all day, choice of light snacks to full meals, with a marquee we can use for free for marking, prize giving, etc, we can also park entrants safely within the grounds.

For a pretty, historic area like the Broads, it is surprising how few good clues can be found, where a car can stop safely or where you can park up and search for clues, thus having to resort to churches and village signs!

Out and about seeking clues in the Broads.

Henham Wings and Wheels

2010-05-10T21:31:00.000+01:00

Show season is now well under way, this weekend was Henham Wings and Wheels, at Henham Park, Suffolk. We took along the usual number of cars in a convoy from Bungay on an overcast morning, parking up and putting up the Gazebo and Windbreak.
Car wise attendance seemed to be down, it had chucked it down all Saturday and the forecast was not good, so this may have put some owners off.
My Gold TR7 was sidelined after failing its MOT on Thursday due to poor brake effort on the RH wheel, the cylinder was leaking again, goes to show that seal kits are not worth the bother, lasting less than a month and some 500 miles. I had a new slave cylinder by Friday but couldnt get to fit it, mainly because of the heavy rain, but I was also distracted by Leeds Uniteds efforts to give me a cardiac arrest! They got their promotion to the championship in the end.

Around midday on Sunday the weather brightened, so the flying was not disrupted, and it was quite pleasant, strolling around the cars and watching the flight displays.

2 well restored cars, Alfa Fulvia and Jag.

2 Nice Triumphs, Figaro does not look out of place amongst true classics.

Very clean Escort RS Mexico Mk11, similar to the one I used to own.

Usual CT Norfolk Entrants, Jims early GT6 and Teds TR6 always attracted a crowd.

The Breitling Wing Walkers doing their stuff, 2 very nice leather cladded girls when they came down and wandered about.

Towed Glider, with I think a Pitts special doing barrel rolls around it.

Some of the Aircraft which flew in.

The old bill took an interest in Gills FHC early on.

He came back for another look later, so she tackled him, he took out a notebook, starts writing, worried I wander over, turns out he had a TR7, and has a boot rack for sale, now ours, ideal for Classic Le Mans.

Nice vintage cars.

Jasons 2000 eloped again to the NCVC, we will have to bring him back into the fold.

NG TF kit car, based on MG running gear, talking to the owner, seems it was bought the same year as I bought mine. Dont know why he Q plated it, as mine could keep the original reg.

All in a pleasant day, good company, plenty to see and do.

Strut Gaiter Replacement

2010-05-02T10:42:00.000+01:00

I replaced the Front Strut Gaitors on the DHC on Saturday, not a job I was looking forward to. I did not want to wrestle with removing the bottom ball joints and the track rod ends, so I firstly removed the tie rod ends from the calipers and hub on both sides, unbolted the track arm from the subframe, removed the front anti roll bar, and unbolted the strut assembly from Turret, propping it up at an angle on axle stand and bricks without stretching the flexi brake too much.

Hub Assembly dropped from Turret.

Next I removed the spring pans, using a spring compressor to release the tension on spring, then removed the split gaitor, bump stop and spring.

Spring Pan Removed.

Whilst suspension was off the car I applied a fair amount of waxoil to the turret/wheelarch area, plus a fair bit over myself!!! Hate the stuff.

Waxoil on Turrets/Inner Wing.

Re-assembly was next, alwys harder than removal! I replaced the nylon bushes on the spring pan with needle roller bearings from S and S Preparations for better slow speed manouvering.

New Gaitor attached to Spring Pan, showing needle roller bearing in place of nylon bush on spring pan, the shocker sticks up through the hole locating on bearing inner face.

Spring, Gaitor/Spring pan and bumpstop where then placed in postion over the strut, then cone and upper mounting fitted and nyloc nut attached to hold in position before removing spring compressor. The strut was then re-assembled loosely to turret and track arm loosely fitted to sub frame.

Next the suspension was compressed by trolley jack to enable the bottom of strut gaitor to be eased over its location on top of strut tube, a tricky and fiddly job, then held in place by tie wrap.

I then repeated for the other side, before wrestling the front anti roll bar in place, I am never sure of the correct way to fit the anti roll bar easily, however I usually compress suspension on both sides so that track arm is at its max outward swing point, I place one end of anti roll bar loosely in one track arm, then with someone under car to guide the other end in, I place one foot firmly on the end, back against my fence, and push like hell, those in Norfolk CT will know of my back problem, so with much grumbling Gill had to do this bit whilst I guided the anti roll bar end in.

Next was to fasten Anti roll bar back to subrame, with anti dive kit blocks and U brackets which did not give any problems, then tightened up all fixings, and fitted track control arms back on.

Job Complete.

I was going to apply some paint to the struts and clean the wheels on Sunday morning but rain has stopped play for a while

Gills FHC came off SORN on Saturday, so we picked that up from the Barn, dumping her Citreon there for 6 months, on the drive back everything seemed OK, so we have now got two Triumphs at home.

Had a few hours of clear weather in the end today, so finished off by painting the front struts, a good clean up of the alloys, then a little spin to check out everything. The needle rollers in the spring pans really do help with slow speed manouvering, parking, etc. Much easier on the arms, by way of checking I also did the same manouveres on Gills FHC which is much harder to park with standard setup.

Drive it Day

2010-04-27T20:14:00.000+01:00

Gill and I organised a run for Drive It Day, the run was from Wymondham to Holkham Hall. 10 cars where at the start in cloudy weather, but as they set off the rain came down heavily which was a shame after the fantastic week of weather we had just had. The route took us out of Wymondham, on country roads to Dereham, then on to County School Railway Station for a quick stop. County School, at one time a naval acedemy. then a private school was served by this station until Dr Beeching cut rural branch lines. Now restored, it forms part of the Mid Norfolk Railway, but is not yet connected to their running tracks.
On from County School the run went through pretty North Norfolk villages heading for Holt, then on to the coast at Blakeney, before turning up the coast road to Wells next the Sea, past Morston and Stiffkey and on to Holkham Hall.
We had provided a route description and tulip diagrams, so no one got lost.

By Holkham, the rain had stopped and the sun came out, Gill had arranged parking in front of the Hall, allowing some good photos.
The group where able to sit and eat outside in the courtyard, before taking advantage of the reduced entry to Bygones Museum and the Hall.

We spotted other classics out and about for drive it day, a bunch of Rileys, 4 Reliants, a group of MG,s, including a broken down one, a few Ferraris, a lone E type, and at Holkham Hall some Morris Minors.
On the way home Gill and I saw some Healey 3000's and a couple of TR6's.

We had hoped that some Stag Owners and Wensum TR Reg cars would join us after we supported their events recently! We did have a lone TSSC Herald with us and we made them very welcome.

Getting the route maps.

Daves Mk 2500 PI.

Getting wet at County School.

More cars at County School.

Reliants at County School, including unusual Reliant Fox.

View from Holkham Hall.

Line up outside Holkham Hall.

Early Bentley owned by Earl of Leicester.

Some other older cars in the Bygones Museum.

Cracking Weekend

2010-04-18T20:25:00.000+01:00

Its being a cracking weekend here in Norfolk, Sunny all weekend and quite warm. Out and about on Saturday we spotted a Herald estate on French plates, we introduced ourselfs and found they where an english couple visiting relatives for a couple of weeks. They may turn up for the drive it day run next week.

French registered Herald Estate.

Also took a trip to the lock-up to check on Gills FHC, which is due back on the road in May, usual things, start up, check lights, check brakes not locked on, etc. Could not get in gear, so presumed a stuck clutch, which was easily cured by starting in gear. Quick spin found everything else ok.
As it is back on the road soon I finally had to confess to Gill about the damage to the wing caused when the lock up door had swung against the car in the wind. Needless to say I am not in her good books!!!

Oops!!!

Also took the time on Sunday morning to fit EBC Green stuff brake pads to my 7, only took about an hour. Braking did seem to be improved slightly. With an Mot due soon I noticed that both front shocker gaitors where split, not sure if that means a fail, will have to check with Mot station, whatever its a pig of a job, and means dropping complete front suspension strut. Might also be the right time to fit roller bearings to front strut tops in place of cones for improved low speed steering.

EBC Green stuff Pads ready to be fitted.

The rest of a hot Sunday was spent on a recce for the Norfolk Area Treasure Hunt around The Broads, great driving with the hood down. With only 2 crossings of the River Bure either end of the Broads, and clues on both sides of The Broads there will need to be some careful navigating!

Looking for clues.

Norfolk Inter Club Meeting

2010-04-13T21:51:00.000+01:00

Following on the inter club relations theme, the 4 main Triumph Clubs held a small show and shine event at the Bird in Hand, Wreningham, near Norwich on the 12th April.
With some 20 Triumphs attending on a cold, but sunny evening the event was quite well attended, however I think if held a month later we could benefit from more cars and lighter nights.
1st place in the peoples concours, voted for by drivers and passengers was a nice TR3, with 2nd place being taken by our own Ted Williams with his TR6.
Here are a few shots of the evening.

Early arrivals at Wreningham.

Stags in the Sunset.

Some early TR's and a Spitfire.

Judging the peoples concours.

Smart Stag and PI.

Teds 2nd place TR6.

The TR2 and winning TR3.

Norfolk Area Update

2010-04-05T20:13:00.000+01:00

Thought I had better do an update on the Norfolk Area events now the season has started.
Meetings are still well attended,with a few new members,although with the bad weather a few moderns have been seen in Caistor Hotel car park over Jan, Feb, and March, mine included, as I had a brake cylinder leak again.
21st March saw a good contingent of cars from Club Triumph and the Stag Owners Club complete the re-arranged New Years Run, now called the Spring Run!
We where on holiday on the narrow boat, but reports stated that all enjoyed the run.

Some of the runners at Caistor Hall.

Couple more entrants.

At the finish.

Thanks to Keith for the photos.

28th March was the first show of the season, This was Langley Daffodil Day at Langley School near Loddon.
A small show, but well attended with classic cars. We where sidelined with the brake cylinder leak, the TR7 was driveable,but low on silicon brake fluid,I cannot seem to find any silicon fluid to top up in my local motor stores, so had to order on line which did not arrive in time,so we took the modern.
Thankfully there are a large amount of indoor activities, including good food, at Langley where you can keep warm on such a windy and chilly day.

CT Norfolk cars at Langley.

Steam Traction at Langley.

Easter Bank Holiday Gill and I recced the drive it day run for Club Triumph Norfolk, picking a bad day to do it, shortly after leaving home we where met with an enormous storm, rain and hail so heavy the TRs wipers could not cope and we had to pull over for a while.

Storm approaching.

We had picked an interesting route from maps, and after the storm we converted this into Tulip Diagrams as we went along, hopefully making for some easy navigation for the entrants.

Interesting stop on the drive it day route, restored railway station.

Spotted another couple of Triumphs on route.

This year we have lost the big Triumph event of the year in Norfolk, ie The Mile of Triumphs, therefore the main Triumph Clubs are developing a policy of co-ordination eg:- trying to share runs and events, thus on Easter Bank Holiday, 5th of April, Club Triumph Norfolk, TSSC, and Stag Owners Club where invited to join the Wensum TR Register Breckland Run.

Starting at High Lodge in Thetford Forest this pleasant 62 mile run around the Breckland region of Norfolk looped around the army ranges at Santon Downham, where they train for Afganhistan, around the pretty Thetford Heath area and through the large areas covered by Thetford Forest, before a good meal at The Crown in Mundford. Weather was dull, but the rain held off. For the record there where 40 cars, many of which where Stags and TRs 2 to 6, plus the Club Triumph contingent.

Stag Owners and Club Triumphs at the start point.

Some early TRs.

Having a break at 40 mile point.

Club Triumph cars at the finish.

CT Spitfire at the finish.

Thankd to Wensum TR Register for a well organised run.

Idle TR7

2010-02-21T12:50:00.000Z

Not a lot to report on the TR7 front from Norfolk, Gills FHC is stored away in the barn as we normally do every winter. Mine is unused and unloved at home, with the combination of bad weather and the short hours at work last year I have had to SORN it for a few months to save some money.
Only work carried out has been the replacement of the BAL needles with some richer BCA needles I aquired from Burlem.
Suspecting wrong needles I had finally found my Triumphtune booklet after a long search, The recommendations for needles listed in the booklet are:

Standard Set up-----BDM needle
+ K+Ns ------------BDA needle
+ extractor manifold----------BAL needle
+ fast road cam-----BCA needle
so with my Stage 2 Cylinder Head Specification of:- Heavy Polish and port and Fast Road Camshaft, the BAL needles where not correct.

You can see the richer, slimmer needle in the middle of this shot. They are quite easy to replace, I also took the float chamber covers off and cleaned out some small particles in chambers, and checked needle valves.

I then tried to tune up as best as I could with a old colour tune kit I have had for a while, dont think its too far out, but I will need to take to an SU specialist when re-taxed in March for a proper tune up.
I have to say I have missed using the car, but with the weather we have had it is best I had it SORNed as temptation to use it in the snow would have been too great!! I would have ended up in a ditch.

Not the Norfolk Area New Years Run!!!!!!!!

2010-01-03T19:40:00.000Z

Today was the Norfolk Areas New Year Run, it had snowed a fair bit yesterday, and I had taken the seven out for a quick spin, very slippy on my wide Avon tyres, but at the end of the day it looked to be thawing. Woke up this morning to a further light covering of snow, underneath which was pure sheet ice.

Early morning snow and ice.

After cleaning the snow and ice of the car, warming it up, and getting ready to go out, along came more snow to ruin my efforts.

More snow.

So we set off via the petrol station which is only around 1/4 mile away, the car was all over the place, slightest touch on the throttle or brakes had it slipping around, real scary stuff in a rear wheel drive with wide low profiles, so after sliding out of the petrol station I wimped out and took it home and got the Mondeo out.

Good job as it happens, as the shortcut to the A140 via Pulham was impassable, even in a modern front wheel drive.

We took the A143 which looked like this, slippy as hell and no sign of any gritting, so glad I did not try in the seven, Gill was having kittens as we wheel spinned to Diss.

Slippy A143

Some silly sod had managed this.

After Diss the A140 was fairly clear, upon arrival at Caistor Hall we found only 2 Club Triumph members had made it in a Triumph, Andy Danns TR7 and Tonys Herald, we had 6 CT drivers in their Euroboxes, so I did not feel too bad at not having made it in Triumph. 4 Stags from the Stag Owners had made it, the editor of Triumph World was guest driving one of the Stags for an article, so a Club Triumph showing would have been good. Damm the weather.

Caistor Hall Hotel, Cars lined up for photos by editor of Triumph World.

Alan (steaming) had produced a rather good Tulip diagrams of the route, however he advised against doing the run, even in a modern, so the CT members drove to Wymondham for a meal at the Keys, whilst the Stags attempted the run, which to their credit they completed, I think they described it as "loads of smiles per mile" Their skinny tyres helped I am sure, well done.

We will discuss running the route again in better weather at the next meeting. Thanks to Alan for producing and reccing the route.

Happy New Year to all CT members and groups.

November Ramblings

2009-11-15T20:54:00.000Z

Just a few rambling notes about November activity. After having the Gold DHC on the road most of the year I have recently given it a rest in the lock up. It has done very well this year and has been mainly ultra reliable. It completed the HCR and another trip to Wales and a trip to Scotland and La Carrerra. Also drove to loads of near and far events plus a lot of daily drives to work.
Mileage since 10th Jan 2009 is 8326 with no major mechanical breakdowns - so I think it deserves a rest.

While most of Club Triumph seems to be getting excited about the RBRR. I have offered my services to Andy Dann as co-driver for the RBRR. We are more excited to have got in at Tetra Rouge for the Le Mans Classic 2010 after missing out 2 years ago - so can't wait for this.

Recently we have had a wheel bearing failure on Gills FHC. Annoyingly the replacement wheel bearing was caught up in the postal strike so had to wait 2 weeks for it thus keeping the car off the road.

Offending wheel dissassembled.

New bearings ready.

Inner bearings in.

Outer bearing in.

After replacing bearings and torqueing up, then re-fitting wheel all was ok. Must get round to a 4 pot brake upgrade for this car next year as it has all the other upgrades such as lowered and uprated suspension -electronic ignition - Kenlowe fan - sports manifold - KN filters and uprated needles and also a Rover SDI servo therefore just needs 4 pots to stop quicker.

Away from cars I recently spent 5 days on our boat with my father. Passing through Tesco's at Northampton for supplies on the way to the boat I found that this must be a Triumph hotspot as I spotted 2 Triumphs in the car park: a yellow Dolomite 1500 and a blue TR7 V8 which looked a bit of a beast.

Dolly.

TR7 beast.

Here are a few hopefully atmoshpheric Autumn like shots taken around Braunston on the Grand Union Canal. Braunston is a busy canal junction with canals heading for London - Birmingham and Rugby. Also with further branch canals a few miles away leading to Oxford and Leicester. There is a large boating community resident there.

Working boats.

Peacefull Mooring.

Braunston Manor and Church.

Converted windmill.

Canal Service Area!

Fungi.

Busy Junction.

Finally its good to see another TR7 in the Norfolk area as one of our Triumph Kleptomaniacs has just taken delivery of this Gold TR7.

Master Cylinder Reservoir

2009-10-18T20:13:00.000+01:00

When I fitted the uprated master cylinder and servo some time ago to the DHC, which is sourced from a Rover SDI, it had a rectangular reservoir which sits level when fitted on the SDI, but is inclined when fitted on the TR7 bulkhead, thus all the fluid is at the cap end and it is virtually empty at the other end. I did not have a serviceable reservoir from a TR7 at the time so stuck with the one supplied.

SDI Servo and Master showing fluid level at cap end and low at other end.

I found a correct TR7 reservoir recently for next to nothing on fleabay, so today gave it a good clean up.

TR7 Reservoir.

I then removed the SDI reservoir and fitted the TR7 one, this I managed without getting fluid everywhere, I simply removed the 2 screws, then with a shallow container under the cylinder and an old quilt cover to soak up any fluid, quickly pulled of the reservoir allowing fluid to run into the container, handy these plastic Chinese Takeaway containers.

Reservoir off.

TR7 Reservoir fitted.

I was not worried about getting fluid on the paintwork in the engine bay as I use silicon fluid, after bleeding the brakes I ran out of fluid to top the reservoir fully, unfortunately living in a small country town none of the local garages stock silicon fluid, however there was enough fluid for a quick spin around the lanes in lovely Autumn sun. As usual my planned 5 miles turned into 15 as I got carried away!

Topping up gear box oil

2009-10-11T20:23:00.000+01:00

I have had a bit of a gearbox oil leak for a while, this is in an innacessible area near the top of the box, and drips onto the prop and is sprayed around tunnel area, not too worried about this, not excessive, and it spreads under the car and forms an effective rust barrier.

Today I decided to check the level. With the 4:2:1 extractor manifold fitted access to the filler plug is difficult, with only a couple of inches swing on a spanner or socket. So, eventually with grazed knuckles I got the filler plug undone, there is no gearbox dipstick, so as I could not feel wet oil in the filler hole I presumed it needed some oil. Trying to fill from underneath is impossible without a pit or a ramp due to manifold and exhaust, so I ended up removing the gearstick/handbrake console, attaching a pipe to the oil bottle, feeding this down past the gaitor into the gearbox filler, and asking the missus to lie under the car and tell me when the oil flows out of the filler hole, thus indicating full.

Had to remove all this to top up the gearbox.

After putting it all back together I took it for a spin along some local roads.

I spotted a group of guys in a field, with a digger, TV cameras where there, I thought it might be the Time Team! also saw some old military vehicles too, so being nosey I stopped to find that they where unearthing a dump of 2nd World War US Air Force scrap from Metfield Aerodrome from where they used to fly Liberators to bomb Germany. This was all dumped in an old sand pit during the Yanks final days at the airfield.

Digging out aircraft scrap, note large manifold to left and bits of fuselage.

Aircraft Oxygen Tanks.

This is only 1 trench, they expect to dig a few more, a barrel from a Gatling Gun

can be seen on the left of the soil mound.

This was segragated from the rest of the scrap dug up, couple of round things could be bombs, and in view is a machine gun belt with a few live rounds still in the belt.

Talking to one of the guys, there has always been a rumour since the Yanks departed that at one of the Suffolk Airbases they dug a massive pit and dumped in complete Indian motor cycles, complete Willys Jeeps, complete aero engines, which they could not transport to the states, the local aircraft group hope to find this one day.

2009 Mile of Triumphs - Sunday

2009-09-27T21:10:00.001+01:00

Sunday was the Mile of triumphs convoy run from Fleggburgh to Great Yarmouth sea front, 198 Triumphs followed the route through Filby and Caister to the seafront at Yarmouth, the cars measuring out at around 3/4 mile nose to tail along the front, I think this was the best ever attendance.

Cars lining up for the convoy.

Nice blue saloon.

Some Norfolk Club Triumph cars in line.

Overall view of the convoy start.

More Norfolk members.
Triumphs at the seaside.
Line up along the sea front.

After the Mile convoy there was an option of a scenic run along the Norfolk coast, into the broads, then back to the showground for a Funkana. Norfolk area took the run, with an excellent tulip diagram route, stopping at Waxham Barns for coffee and snacks.

Blue sky at Waxham Barns.

Waxham Barns.