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TR6 Acquisition, the car I have admired since 1970-something


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Evening TR Register,

My name is Conrad, a Glaswegian Accountant [exciting combination ;-) ] based on the Wirral just across from beautiful North Wales and I'm pleased to report I'm now the proud owner of a '72 TR6 PI with overdrive.

It arrives on Tuesday and I know it has not had an oil change for 5 years (what sort of oil is recommended?), the water/anti-freeze also 5 years old (what water & a-freeze is recommended?) and the brake fluid is c7 years old....  Drivers door not quite aligned, front splitter not black (but body colour), running Lucas pumps.

Some simple jobs to kick off.  I can't wait to cruise out though.  Once I work out how to upload photos of the appropriate size, I'll fire some in.  All the best.

Edited by Conradski
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Welcome to the forum Conrad and I am sure you will enjoy your new car. 

Oil is a frequent question with a myriad of answers. The major requirement is for the oil to have a high 'Zinc' content (ZDDP) which most modern oils, made for cars with catalytic converters, do not have.  The safest thing to do is point you to previous discussions on the subject ( see links below).  Antifreeze needs to be a silicate- based type which are often coloured blue.  Modern OAT (organic acid technology) types - commonly red or pink -  are not suitable for the materials used in these old cooling systems.  

 

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Welcome to the world of TR6 ownership. I'm in my first year of the experience. Mine was also little used. Be ready to work through a few gremlins as you shake the car down and don't be too surprised if you have to use a recovery service. Enjoy yourself, it will be worth it.

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Welcome to the forum and to TR6 ownership Conrad!

the PI TR6 is a fantastic car, you’ve made a great choice.

as above there is a lot of debate on the ‘best’ oil, ZDDP levels are critical as is film strength.
After much research i settled on Valvoline VR1 20w50 and am very happy with it, but any non synthetic 20w50 with high zddp will be ok.

as for antifreeze you want the ethylene glycol based ‘bluecol’ or similar type, as above not the newer OAT types.

this is a great forum with lots of advice available, mostly useful !

steve

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Welcome Conrad,

Re brake fluid. Many owners have changed to silicone brake fluid that is not compatible with the original glycol-based fluids. Silicone I have used for 25 years is purple colour and is named Dot5. Beware Dot 5.1 is glycol based and the two must not be mixed.  To check what you have mix a sample with water; glycol will dissolve, silicone will not.

Peter

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Seems strange saying hello Conrad.  But there you go I've said it. !!!

Have fun with your TR6 Conrad.

Cheers, Conrad. 

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Hi Conrad

Juts to add to add to other my welcome to the TR6 world.

I just thought that I would flag up TR Bitz (Cheshire) a company specialising in parts, servicing, restoration, and sales of TRs.

I live in south London but a few year ago I bought a 6 from them and they were brilliant, from initial drive ('here's the keys, see you when you get back')

and throughout the purchase. I had chance to look at the work they were undertaking and they do seem to have high standards

Anyway, they can't be far from you and I thought that if you required parts/advice I am sure John and/or Carl would help.

Best Wishes

Ernest 

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Welcome and looking forward to seeing a picture (if taken on a phone, you may be able to resize a little to reduce the file size). 

I use Halfords classic oil. You may have to live with the door alignment, as so many things can contribute to it being out, but you maybe lucky. I agree with the comment that you may find other things fail when you start using it, but the repairs are part of the fun with a classic. 

Get prepared for the many comments you'll get from people, I got at least two positive comments today when out and about in the sunshine. 

Enjoy. 

Gareth

Edited by Mk2 Chopper
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Conrad

Welcome

I used Halfords Classic 25W50 in my 6PI

Very happy and easy to get hold of.

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/engine-oil/halfords-classic-oil-20w50-5l-537977.html

I did an oil and filter change annually, even though I was doing less than 2K/yr.

Why?  I enjoyed doing it and it did no harm

Castrol and comma amongst others, do classic oils

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  • Conradski changed the title to TR6 Acquisition, the car I have admired since 1970-something
  • deleted by accident
Edited by Conradski
meant to reply to someone
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On 4/23/2021 at 7:44 AM, Steves_TR6 said:

Welcome to the forum and to TR6 ownership Conrad!

the PI TR6 is a fantastic car, you’ve made a great choice.

as above there is a lot of debate on the ‘best’ oil, ZDDP levels are critical as is film strength.
After much research i settled on Valvoline VR1 20w50 and am very happy with it, but any non synthetic 20w50 with high zddp will be ok.

as for antifreeze you want the ethylene glycol based ‘bluecol’ or similar type, as above not the newer OAT types.

this is a great forum with lots of advice available, mostly useful !

steve

Thanks Steve, do you use (de?) ionised water, that I often see for sale in the motor factors? 

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On 4/23/2021 at 7:34 AM, Macleesh said:

Welcome to the world of TR6 ownership. I'm in my first year of the experience. Mine was also little used. Be ready to work through a few gremlins as you shake the car down and don't be too surprised if you have to use a recovery service. Enjoy yourself, it will be worth it.

Is there a preferred recovery service?  My current classic is from the 90s, a Volvo 850 T5-R and as with most big Swedes, is super-reliable.  Especially compared to its predecessor, an Alfa Romeo that was recovered regularly....and usually from a car show :-(

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On 4/23/2021 at 11:03 AM, Peter Cobbold said:

Welcome Conrad,

Re brake fluid. Many owners have changed to silicone brake fluid that is not compatible with the original glycol-based fluids. Silicone I have used for 25 years is purple colour and is named Dot5. Beware Dot 5.1 is glycol based and the two must not be mixed.  To check what you have mix a sample with water; glycol will dissolve, silicone will not.

Peter

Thanks, I was hoping to stick with dot 4.... though having had a few years without an older/proper car in my life, I now see that most dot 4s are badged as 'synthetic'.  Can they be used in a TR?

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On 4/23/2021 at 11:31 AM, openroad said:

Seems strange saying hello Conrad.  But there you go I've said it. !!!

Have fun with your TR6 Conrad.

Cheers, Conrad. 

This is so cool, I read your posts and emails and then think....'when did I write this? or I don't remember sending this?'  Cheers, Conrad:D

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On 4/24/2021 at 11:27 PM, John Morrison said:

Yes, Welcome Conrad, you've bought a great car,

Think about joining teh club, and getting along to your very active local group, lots of very friendly, helpful

like minded folk.

John.

Thanks John, is that the Red Rose (of the mighty House of Lancaster) group? 

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On 4/25/2021 at 12:59 PM, Paulfc said:

Hi Conrad,

I’ve had my ‘72 CP for just over 12 months and have enjoyed every minute of it. James Paddock at Chester is a major U.K. supplier of Triumph parts/spares in our area as I’m also Wirral based.

Enjoy the good times!
 

Paul

Thanks for the message Paul and the reference re James Paddock.  Look forward to seeing you on the local roads.  I stay in Heswall - where are you based?

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23 hours ago, wjgco said:

I did an oil and filter change annually, even though I was doing less than 2K/yr.

Why?  I enjoyed doing it and it did no harm

Castrol and comma amongst others, do classic oils

Thanks John, and everyone else for the tips re engine oils.  I completely agree with the annual change policy.  I'm no chemist or scientist but I know that water and moisture are all-pervading and will contaminate oils when left in engines unused/or in low use.  

Look forward to meeting in due course - Happy Motoring

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Hi Conrad

you should really use deionised water to mix up antifreeze..... but i don’t bother and havent had a problem.

synthetic dot4 would be fine, bleeding the tr6 brakes is made a lot easier with a gunsons eezibleed and a modified tr6 brake master cyl cap

i have one you can borrow if you like, makes a fluid change a breeze :-)

steve

Edited by Steves_TR6
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1 hour ago, Conradski said:

Thanks John, is that the Red Rose (of the mighty House of Lancaster) group? 

Just so, Conrad, details are up on teh Clubs homepage, but I have sent you a personal message (Click on the small envelope top Right.)

with the contact details. Club cover sall sorts, recovery insurance etc., just ask for anything you need.

John.

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On 4/26/2021 at 1:53 PM, Steves_TR6 said:

Hi Conrad

you should really use deionised water to mix up antifreeze..... but i don’t bother and havent had a problem.

synthetic dot4 would be fine, bleeding the tr6 brakes is made a lot easier with a gunsons eezibleed and a modified tr6 brake master cyl cap

i have one you can borrow if you like, makes a fluid change a breeze :-)

steve

Steve,

Are you able to advise me what the modified master cylinder cap is? 
 

Many thanks.

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