Johnatcastle Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Hi all, my name is John and I am currently attempting major surgery on my TR4. I bought the old girl in the USA around 1990 (along with a sad looking MGA) had them shipped back to the UK but they arrived approximately 1 year later due to them being 'lost' at sea (another story) She was a LHD but we converted her back in the 90's to a RHD. I think she was originally light blue (powder blue I think) but has had a red front end welded on prior to my owning her. Did some restoration on the pair of them at the time but not a 'nut & bolt' job. They sat in the yard for a few years (around 25....!) an have decided i's time for a new lease of life. The MGA was sold to help fund my rebuild of the TR4. I just liked it more, I have no idea why but I just did. She is currently stripped and being welded back together by J&C in egham with loads of new metal being inserted in her bowels. I have been given the envious task of refurbing all the bits and bobs that make up the rest. Chassis is in perfect condition and just needs a blast and a powder coating. Most panels are good but the floors and cills are shot to bits. I will put some pictures up of her in a bit (that's her in my profile picture). I will also be asking loads of questions too (sorry) I look forward to speaking to lots of you and hopefully seeing you at shows with her. I have my TR action subs sorted and just waiting for my first mag to arrive. Thanks in advance for any help and advice for which I will be entirely grateful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Harvey Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Jon, Welcome to the Forum and the TR Register. We shall all be delighted to help in any way we can. Give my regards to Her Majesty and fire away with any questions. Cheers, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SeanF Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Hi John, Welcome to the forum. Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graze Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Jon welcome from another TR4 owner Good to see another one being resurrected Look forward to following the progress Graze Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Welcome to the Forum. Lots of good advice on tap. Not setting out to criticise, honestly, but: Strange the way the bonnet bulges out to meet the front wings. That looks more like an original UK issued registration rather than an age-related one? Driven in the UK? (US models have clear front indicators) Sounds like you will be mating front and rear sections with new floors and sills - fairly typical and nothing wrong with that. Look forward to more photos. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bob-menhennett Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) John Welcome to the Forum. The key to success is a master plan i.e what do you want to end up with ? Is it to be a Concours job , race prepared , ordinary everyday driver ? How much time and money do you want to put into it ? A lot of your decisions re the "to do list " will stem from the use it will be put to. A wish list for upgrades , e.g. hazard lights, alternator , spotlights, more fuses, relays , electric fans , narrow fan belt, brake servo , etc will dictate what additional wiring will be required for a new wiring loom ( if your current one is past it's sell by date ). Good planning stops wasted expenditure and ensures you have the right bits amassed before re-assembly. Be assured that whatever the questions you have , someone on the Forum will be able to supply the answer or give you an opinion. You only have to ask. My car was a US basket case in 1995 and I spent 12 years doing a nut and bolt resto on it , bodywork, electrical , trimming ,mechanical etc. If you have not already done so , get in touch with Jeff Roberts the Group Leader of Windsor Forest TRs Group.Details on the website and in the club's magazine TR Action. Good luck with it. Bob Edited April 25, 2016 by bob-menhennett Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark1965TR4aBRG Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hello and welcome My car was also a USA car that came back to the uk in 1990 and in my ownership now for 6 years I've put it back on the road and converted to RHD. It's most definitely worth it in the end.. Good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pogo Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hi John Welcome - and good luck. Good decision on which car to keep (in my opinion)! Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hello to all again and thank you for responses and words of wisdom, I promise I shall appreciate and listen to all advice given. Alan, thanks for reply and for taking the time to look at the picture. Yes she had a problem with the bonnet, it had softened on the N/S near the bulkhead and had 'sunk' I have now got a replacement (from here on the forum's sale thread..yaaayy) so hopefully that will sort that out. The number plate was issued by the DVLA back in the 90's, we applied for an age related one and that's what they gave us. Yes she was on the road here in blighty with a full MOT. Drove her around 50 miles or so and then she was parked up. Please don't ask me why but we did have inside storage at the time but a few years later that was lost and she ended up outside ...Until few weeks ago The front is not as bad as I may have suggested it's pretty original as far as I can see apart from both inner wings and wheel arches which are a different colour. You can actually see where they have been welded to the original car. Not a bad job but will be tidied up where needed. New floors, a few panel repairs some paint and a few new bolts. Nothing major.. Bob, again thanks for your reply. You two obviously know exactly what to do..LOL Yes I am hoping to end up with a very nice daily driver although with three young(ish) kids I may struggle to persuade her majesty to let me out in it.. My wish list is pretty much as you said, new thin bets, alternator, electronic ignition, halogen headlamps, uprated exhaust, better brakes (maybe servo) and top of my wish list is ............. Wire wheels, I know not everyone is a fan but I just love the way they look. I hope it doesn't take 12 years though, not sure I have the patience required. Mark, thank you and I assume your picture is the car? If so I hope mine ends up as nice. Time will tell.. Roger, yes I thought so although having spoken to a few people they think I was mad selling the MGA but I just liked her more. Will get some more pictures up late when kids leave me alone... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) http://s818.photobucket.com/user/Johnatcastle/library/TR4 Testing Think this worked. This is the link to photo's of Emily prior to any surgery... Edited April 25, 2016 by Johnatcastle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hopefully you can just see the red bits where the new (old) front parts have been put on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saggy Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Well take heart - we've all seen much worse. If your bumpers are anything to go by, you have a TR4A front and a TR4 back. Mind you they are remarkably interchangeable - someone with real 'talent' and little taste grafted the rear of a 6 onto the front of a 4. What could one say?! Hmmm, I think it's as well that you sold the MGA before I go giving you any ideas. Like you I chose TR over MG. DO NOT set yourself a time scale otherwise it becomes pressure rather than pleasure. Also Bobs comment about getting a wiring loom made rather than a new one to original spec is very good advice. Good luck and we'll all be interested to hear how you are getting on and the occasional photo. Have a look a Roger Harvey's time and motion study over hundreds of pages - I would've lost the will to live were it not for his seemingly irrepressible fortitude, nay indeed positively effusing with enthusiasm whilst persevering in the face of adversity. Saggy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Harvey Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 "Roger Harvey" - now there's a name to conjure with ???? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SuzanneH Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 "Paul Hogarths" irrepressible enthusiasm in ALL things TR has waned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted September 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 (edited) New engine bay.. It's coming on. What a change from that photo above.... Edited September 7, 2016 by Johnatcastle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Topoff Posted September 7, 2016 Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Hi John I have been watching the restoration of your car first hand. J&C ( Joe and Chris ) built my TR6 in 2014 and I regularly pop in to see them and see what they are up to Your car is in safe hands and I know it will be a real stunner when finished, Chris tells me the standards he set when building my car are the norm for them now on TRs, Mine won the Master Class this year at the IWE. So we are expecting great things from you next year. I can't recommend them more highly for any aspect of restoration so if anyone out there is looking for a high quality restoration give them a call. I look forward to seeing it finished. Cheers Laurence. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted September 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2016 Hi Laurence, I know it's in safe hands and the guys are doing a 'proper' job. Not sure mine will be anywhere near a show winner as I am going to try and finish a lot myself (what with new budget restraints driven by brexit, the euro, the dollar and the shilling...LOL) It does put pressure on you knowing how hard they have worked on it though. I shall be doing my best to not let them down.. She's off to paint at the end of this week I hope so I better get my skates on with all the bits and bobs to go back on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Dont wish to upset you John but you are missing a few essential holes and captives to complete the left to right conversion for the speedo/rev counter cables and the pedal set. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Hi Stuart, thanks for looking at the picture, don't worry it will take a lot more than that to upset me...... The pedal set holes are there if you look closely. Like I said earlier she was converted some years ago and has been driven on uk roads prior to this restoration. Just painted up the pedal box and master cylinder bracket today funnily enough. Where do the holes for speedo/rev counter go are they mirrored from the opposite side? Ta. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 and some clarity about the routing of the brake lines.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted September 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Hi Geko, any help or info is gratefully received. P.S That is a lovely car you have. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi John, do you go to any of the local TR clubs? - London, Thames Valley, Windsor Forest. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi Stuart, thanks for looking at the picture, don't worry it will take a lot more than that to upset me...... The pedal set holes are there if you look closely. Like I said earlier she was converted some years ago and has been driven on uk roads prior to this restoration. Just painted up the pedal box and master cylinder bracket today funnily enough. Where do the holes for speedo/rev counter go are they mirrored from the opposite side? Ta. These pictures may help https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=triumph+tr4+engine+bay&biw=1280&bih=875&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv-9-hiILPAhVMIMAKHX-kCMMQsAQIIg Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnatcastle Posted September 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi Roger, I haven't managed to get to any meetings yet although the Windsor Forest club have been in touch. Just have so much on with work and the three children always needing running around to this club and that club. I am sure you all know what it's like. I do intend to get out and meet them all soon and I am sure they will be a great bunch and an invaluable source of info & help. Thanks for the link Stuart, I do have some pictures taken of the bay prior to restoration for reference too. Ta. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi Geko, any help or info is gratefully received. P.S That is a lovely car you have. My bad, I thought that the 4-way union was fitted on the LH side of the chassis but it's only for TR4A, for the TR4 this looks the correct fitting and routing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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