dawn Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Hello everyone, I thought I would share the progress I am making with the '64 TR4 couple of questions as well ( of course ) going to try and upload some shots now Okay that seems to have worked My new 8 blade yellow plastic fan just arrived and it seems to me that I will have about a half inch clearance between it and the back of the radiator, I had read a bunch of stuff about having to buy a TR3 fan extension which is 5/8" shorter but that does not seem to be the case, it IS an aftermarket aluminium radiator, maybe that makes the difference, looks like its going to work fine! am I missing something ? anyone been down this road? I love this fan, the original one looks like it came off a Sopwith Camel. Next question - a judgement call to purists, My car is a TR4 , the front grille of the TR4A is a much better construction, I have both and there are two shots there for you to decide for me ( because I can't ) The car is a Surrey top model, I have the backlight but the aluminium top is like Lord Lucan to find. Moss make a fibreglass one but its made of fibreglass. I've just put power to the car last week in the form of my new AGM battery and I've actually got things to move! I had sent the wiper motor away to a place in Delaware where this guy actually makes a living from rewinding vintage car wiper motors , not only that he's put dual speed windings in there ( apologies to the purists ) I'm sure there are some of you that have fitted that whole wiper drive system but what a job, I bought new cuni tubing which I had to guess the length and curves of the three sections then flare the ends and work by braille to hook it all together under the dash, very satisfying moment when I had a wiper going back and forward after two days of swearing. I bought the new poly tunnel to replace the Victorian cardboard one I keep getting tempted by the Moss catalogue that the buggers send me with every nut and bolt I order to buy a new aluminium Gas tank but look at this nice old steel one , Its clean inside and out , it holds water ( good sign ) I think I'll keep it just have a nice in-line filter extra Anyway the labour of love continues , I'm in my second year with this project. Thank you all for your interest Dawn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dawn Posted March 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Uh oh doesn't look like my attachments came out , what did I do wrong there? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Hi Dawn, regarding your lack of photo's. Firstly make sure each photo is less than 100Kb - you only have a 4,9Mb limit. Click bottom right - more options replies Click bottom left - choose a file Select a photo - photo file name will appear Click bottom left - attach file Position cursor where you want the photo (usually under the text) and click Add file to the right of the screen. The GRP roof is good. You will need to paint and furnish it. Fit the grille 'you' like but the TR4 grille does grow on you. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dawn Posted March 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Thanks Roger I will re-size the shots and try again , stand by. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Nice car Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Looking good Dawn, I would stick with the TR4 grill, it looks better once the hood is on it. The fibre roof from Moss is OK and with a good bit of blocking off and proper priming and painting will mean you can hardly tell the difference to a steel/ally one. Whereabouts are you located, judging by the vegetation looks like Florida or Gulf area? Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 FWIW white TR4s had the valance behind the grille painted semi-gloss black. That really does change the appearance of the grille (for the better). AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Hi Dawn, Good Jaaaarrrrbbbb. Whilst you have the tank out and the backlight window loosely fitted perhaps now's the time to fit a rear of cockpit alloy firewall. It's a non standard part but increases the safety of the driver and passenger. The car as original has a fibreboard (that Victorian cardboard you were talking about, Triumph liked it ...a lot) rear of cockpit closing panel. If you have an accident being T boned from the side or hit up the rear, or even rolling the car (unlikely but possible) it's very possible the fuel tank gets damaged, allowing 10 gallons of petrol to flood the boot (trunk) and then into the driving cockpit via the ill fitting non sealed piece of Victorian cardboard. (if you're really unlucky it's also on fire !). Quite a few of the TR specialists in the UK (and also in the US I expect) can offer an alloy pre cut out alloy panel (normally in 3 pieces) which fits under the rear of cockpit cardboard trim and hidden from sight. It needs pop riveting to the rear frame and to the 2 little "ears" which goes over the wheelarches ( 1 large central piece and the 2 little ears making the set of 3) and the panels need a smear of non setting sealant under them to make them fluid proof. You can use non tumescent sealer (preferred) or even windscreen sealant, makes for a much safer drive. Of course you may decide to fit a roll over hoop inside the car also (they make them that fit with the rear backlight window), because I fear in the event of a roll over accident that rear backlight and the windscreen frame will not prevent the complete flattening of all the superstructure above the bonnet, doors and boot (trunk) line, which means driver and passenger heads will be crushed. Mick Richards Edited March 27, 2016 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Whilst you have the tank out and the backlight window loosely fitted perhaps now's the time to fit a rear of cockpit alloy firewall. It's a non standard part but increases the safety of the driver and passenger. Mick Richards Yes, definitely. Even better would be to weld in a steel panel, as this will increase the rigidity of the bodyshell far more than a pop riveted ally panel. AlanR Edited March 27, 2016 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dawn Posted March 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Thank you all, I will certainly paint that valence behind the grille black , I see just what you mean Alan thank you. I'm going with the correct TR4 grille. Aft fire wall replacement in metal is a must also, thank you Mick, I had not thought that far ahead but you're right now is the time to install it, I'm going to look at a mechanically fastened option though if I can. Plus anyone I put in the trunk won't be able to kick their way out through the back seat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Looking good Dawn, don't forget the earth lead from the wiper motor to the base, or the self park won't work. Cheers Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LGFromage Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 Nice car. Good choice with the grille too as if you had selected the 4A version it requires a different front bumper (that of course assumes that a front bumper is to be installed). Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 In my opinion, the TR4A grille looks better than the piece of squashed aluminium fitted to the TR4. But, you will need to find a different sidelamp/trafficator assembly. Gordon Birtwistle, who worked at Triumph and bought 4VC from the factory in 1964, solved this problem when he fitted the TR4A grille by fitting "Morris Minor" lamp assemblies. A small amount of fettling of the grille is required to mount the lamp assemblies. Photo attached. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 In my opinion, the TR4A grille looks better than the piece of squashed aluminium fitted to the TR4.Ian Cornish There are times when I have considered lying in wait at IWE, while you are doing one of your talks and changing 4 VC to a TR4 grille. Maybe we should just be thankful Gordon B didn't fit semaphore indicators! AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 Hi Dawn, Decades after I saw my first Victorian cardboard tunnel I figured out the reason behind the choice of material: sound deadening. The replacements all allow more racket into the interior. None of the options today have factored in noise reduction - now there's an opportunity! We'll be rich... The aluminum fan blades are disappearing on these - I did have one come apart on my '65 over 40 years ago but still prefer to see them on original cars. I once heard they incorporate a crankshaft balancing provision but I don't know the specifics... TR4s and their fabulous white metal dash, grey rayon carpet, gloss black steering wheel and uncluttered bodywork are most endearing in original form ( to me ). If you haven't seen Teri Ann Wakeman's website you're in for a treat. Keep up the good work! Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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