RogerH Posted August 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Well, that went well. Bonnet sorted for the time being. Tunnel on. Everything looked good so I took the plugs out, spun the engine over to get oil in the pipes. Then blast off. The Blue Racer breathed life once again. The engine sounds nice and smooth. There didn't appear to be as much smoke coning out the back as there was last year. Washed the dust off the body work. Pumped the tyres up. I phoned the garage to book her in at 8am tomorrow. Should be fun driving her there. Will it pass? It stands a chance. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SuzanneH Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 (edited) Has it got a seat in it yet and have you put the grill on? Edited August 20, 2014 by SuzanneH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Harvey Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Bon voyage and good luck mon ami. Then we are on to 'TR4 Rebuild' part 2. What shall we call the next phase? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 So did it pass? Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi Stuart, just got back from the MOT garage. It did not pass - but!! One split pin in a wishbone castle nut The two lock nuts for the track rod ends The killer was a leaking rear offside brake cylinder - this must have happened on the way there as there were no signs over the last four years. However the journey there revealed that the original seats are awful (I must get some TR4A seats). And the throttle return spring is way too light - the throttle was as touchy as hell. I should get this sorted today.tomorrow then back on Tuesday. All in all something of a result. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Oh well Roger close but no cigar. Get some MX5 sets you know it makes sense. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi Stuart, fortunately I don;t smoke and your MX5 seats may be the cheaper option. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi Stuart, fortunately I don;t smoke and your MX5 seats may be the cheaper option. Roger I do have a pair of 4a seats if you are desperate to go down that route, 1 is good, the other needs a section of vinyl replacing. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 (edited) Hi Stuart, I'll do my sums and see what pops up. Roger Edited August 21, 2014 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Well the car is now split pinned, track rod ends locked, brake cylinder sorted, and a nice spring on the throttle lever. What can possibly go wrong tomorrow. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Millward Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Well the car is now split pinned, track rod ends locked, brake cylinder sorted, and a nice spring on the throttle lever. What can possibly go wrong tomorrow. Roger Ooooh..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Harvey Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181501605334&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:3160 Lots of good parts here Roger if it ends up cheap enough. Seats and a Surrey top are worth the current bids. You'd have the VIN and plates (prob worth a grand as a private plate!) for another project because you know you want to.......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Now here is one for the memory cells. Does anybody remember my posts bemoaning the clouds of smoke coming out the back end. Well, I've been investigating bedding the rings in and things like that. Clearly the smoke if a problem from a highly technical fault. A fault so technical that I don;t understand it. It couldn't be anything as simple as toooooo much oil in the sump. That would really be stupid Mind you, I've done some howlers recently (I went to Harrogate) Out of curiosity I decided to look at the dip stick. As it happens the oil was actually over the max line, in fact well over. I'm wondering if the line on the dip stick has moved down (that would be highly technical - line drift due to plate tutonics in the metal structure). Driving to the MOT station tomorrow should be quite a revelation - smoke of no smoke. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi Roger ~ If you've got clouds of smoke coming out of your back end then you've probably overdone the sulphur tablets! Tom, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 not too much curry then Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted August 21, 2014 Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 (edited) Roger ~ I think you've got severe ring problems but don't use piston seal ~ use Vaseline ~ but stay clear of Fiery Jack!! Tom. Edited August 21, 2014 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Good news The Blue Racer is now road legal (bl**dy hell - look out). The new spring on the throttle had the effect of making the engine stall at the traffic lights - slight adjustment carried out. The gearbox sounds rather whirry, although it has no carpet keeping the noise down. I may take it out over the winter and get that sorted. The engine was missing (not that it was not there, simply missing the odd spark). Could be the dizzy (Look out MartinJ, another coming your way). The smoke from the exhaust has reduced so I think whoever put too much oil in it needs a damn good kicking. So I think the winter/spring check list will be - Sort the engine - sparks/oil/carbs Front offside wing*** Door windows/weather strips. Sort the gearbox. Install carpets and side paneling. In the warmer weather fit the convertible roof. Whilst standing by the car yesterday in the MOT queue I noticed a ripple in the paint on the front offside wing (top rear corner). This will need sorting. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Kirk Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 Well done Roger a marathon for you but it must be a good feeling to get the MOT certificate.You can get the tax disc now before they become NLA. Cheers Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Hi Folks, I've been very busy on the 4A lately so the Blue Racer has had to stand in the shade. It is now all tax'd and MOT'd. I theory I could drive it down the road - bloody madness. Anyway, on the way to the MOT garage I found that the original seats were not to my liking so I considered getting some of the later 4A seat which I like. I bought a pair that looked reasonable but on closer inspection at home found they need some serious work on them. So I have shopping list. Where are the best places to get the following and how were unobtanium parts sourced - The two long springs at the back The rubber buffers at the rear bottom Sponge kits Vinyl/leather covers Both frames are extensively rusty. The drivers frame had numerous cracks in it. All fixable and time to do it in. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 have you discarded this option ? London, 3 days to go Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Hi Stef, the MX5 seats are very popular but not to my liking. I like the 4A seats and these that I have will come up well once a little work is done on the them. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 You should have bought the pair that I offered you Roger. Much better condition and complete just needing a bit of one cover and a bit of foam replacing. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Hi Stuart, why do things the easy way. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bullitt Posted September 11, 2014 Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 having got my head round the stripping process and taken the first steps to (as they say) having a go at the project in hand ...i have taken apart the tr4..mothballed the body and sent the first set of parts to blasted and etch primed..all ok up to now.... put into the van another set of parts...i.e rear diff...front springs and associated shocker parts...leaf springs ..hubs discs etc.........to drop off when i picked up the chassis.........unfortunatley some bastard stole my van along with said parts, a portion of my tools and work test equpment......reason i,m posting this is hoping someone is offered these parts and to be aware but also to ask if the TR4 rear diff is the same as any other model...i.e herald ..vitesse as i am going to have to try and find an alternative rear end....anyone know of a solution to my little quandry........any help or thoughts appreciated........frank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted September 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2014 Oh Frank, I'm speechless. That really is very bad news. If you put a post in the wanted section or start a new thread on theTR forum asking for any help in replacing parts you may get some help. Make out a list of all the items you need and post that. Does the van insurance cover any of the TR items? Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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