A Crypt Car moring drive

[kc_doyle]

Somewhere down there in the Islands, there has to be a Voodoo Master that can shake up some chicken bones, or somehow remove the hex. Don't ya think??

 

[NickMorgan]

Dale,
You just seem to be plain unlucky. Although Triumphs may not be considered reliable by modern standards, they are not all that bad. Club Triumph run the Round Britain Regularity Run, every second year. It is a 2000 mile drive in 48 hours and usually most of the cars manage with no problems.
There were hundreds of thousands of Triumphs used as every-day cars in the 60's, 70's and 80's and they were considered rather good cars in those days.
I don't want to tempt fate too much as I will be taking my car to Ireland next month on a rally, but I have competed in 8 1,000 mile rallies in TRs without any problems. TRs compete in many such events and they are thought of as being very rugged.
I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Triumphs certainly improve with driving. Many break downs are the result of a car sitting for a long time causing rubber seals to harden, fuel to go off or parts to seize up. You are driving Crypty as often as you can, and you have performed more maintenance than most of us.
I don't really know what to suggest. I would normally say don't be down-hearted, but with the number of problems you have had, I don't know how you have managed to keep up your interest in the car.
All I can say is good luck with getting the car on the road, and then go out and show it who is boss!
Nick

 

[John_Mc]

I have to agree with Nick. My car has been pretty darn reliable. Granted, it has had its problems and needed some work but always that has been work to make it run better, not to get it running "again". I think the design is pretty robust and simple. Once the bugs are worked out, periodic maintenance and expected wear and tear should be your only concerns. That said, I will soon have a post talking about "Pandora's Block" in which I will tell all the things found when I took my car in for a "tune up".

 

[tdskip]

It does sound like a fuel flow issue...

 

[DNK]

Dale ,did you try to fire up the electric pump then?

 

[jessebogan]

The reality is, before Dale got this car it was botched, and bodged all the way to the end. It has been screwed with by every owner it ever had (Like most LBCs in my opinion). Then Dale got crypty. So, he has had to undo many many years of lack of maintainence, poor quality work, deferred work, oh- my- god I can't believe that someone did that !! work. So Dale , not being an automotively inclined person, has had to correct all of these problems, one by one. After all this work, by Dale and others, there are bound to be some teething troubles to be overcome. As much as I would love to box up and send some years worth of "diagnostic abilities", I can't. Dale is learning, and from where I sit, he needs to trust his abilities more. Most breakdowns do not need to end in a tow, especially in an LBC. Get a remote starter switch, and learn how to hook it up in the driveway, so you know when you need it.Get a cheap spark tester and learn it too. Carry enough tools to be able to pop off a fuel line at the carbs safely, and all by yourself, you can test everything that the car needs to run. Carry a can of starter fluid or carb cleaner, that you can spray on the air cleaner. If the car starts then, it is likely fuel, not electrics. This is all basic car stuff, it will work on almost any car. You already know how to set points and the like, so barring a mechanical calamity, you should always be able to get home. I have no idea what the roads are like there, but maybe drive it on "b" roads for a while until the bugs get shaken out. I wish you lived near here, I would beat that car into submission in no time. It really will get better Dale, it is just a battle of wills right now. Remember, Crypty just has Crypty, You have all of us.

 

[toysrrus]

Hi Dale,

This is really getting old! I just can`t believe the aggravation your having! Personally, I would put the TR on ebay & let someone else enjoy the thrills of "Constant Wrenching". I don`t believe you`d have much luck selling it on this forum!! I`m not really sure how much luck you`d have on ebay cause of your location & the cost of delv?

I had a `57 Jag XK140 Rdstr. I had it professionally re-wired & tuned. I took her out for her maiden voyage & about 2mi. down the road, Dead in her tracks!

She started right up & while sitting, just died. She did that a few times and got a rollback to the same shop.

As it turned out; The "COIL" (A new one I may ad) was bad!! It simply was`nt generating enough voltage to keep the big 6 Cyl. twin overhead cam running.

Put a new coil in & ran effortlessly for the next couple of yrs.

Its something you or someone can easily check out.

"Then I would sell it"!!!!!!!!!!

Best Wishes,

Russ

 

[MDCanaday]

Its obviously the AM fog lamps that caused all the trouble,Lucus systems can get organ rejection!!
MD(mad dog)

 

[angelfj1]

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Personally, I would put the TR on ebay & let someone else enjoy the thrills of "Constant Wrenching"</span></span>

I know you are trying to be objective, but I know Dale, and I doubt he would ever part with this car. His problems at times have been exaggerated and I believe he realizes now (as he has gained confidence) that the issues are very basic. It may not appear so on the surface, but crypty is the best therapy that Dale could hope for.

 

[Silverghost]

Strength in numbers, let's gather up a BUNCH of us, charter a plane and gather up any parts we think we MIGHT need, fly on down there, wrestle that puppy to the ground and knock the gremlins right outta Mr. Crypty! Then we can have a big ol' party and everyone goes home happy! A little hung over maybe, but happy!

 

[DNK]

Strength in numbers, let's gather up a BUNCH of us, charter a plane and gather up any parts we think we MIGHT need, fly on down there, wrestle that puppy to the ground and knock the gremlins right outta Mr. Crypty! Then we can have a big ol' party and everyone goes home happy! A little hung over maybe, but happy!

I'm in!

 

[Brosky]

Just when would you all want to go down there?

 

[DNK]

Winter!

 

[GB1]

Sorry to hear Dale.

I am in, just keep Amos away from my cars :wink:

Pat

 

[Tinster]

Strength in numbers, let's gather up a BUNCH of us, charter a plane and gather up any parts we think we MIGHT need, fly on down there, wrestle that puppy to the ground and knock the gremlins right outta Mr. Crypty! Then we can have a big ol' party and everyone goes home happy! A little hung over maybe, but happy!

I'm in!

<span style="color: #000099">That would certainly be a tremendous hoot.

I'm with you Jesse of the reason the car is so unreliable.!

The car was buggered up to a fare-thee-well when
we purchased it from Pedro the crook. In reality, it was
a "parts car" with a new clear coat paint job.

I have spent almost three years now undoing crap, duct tape
repair shortcuts, replacing entire systems, replacing major components.
Sending components to the States for professional rebuilds. Two BCF
member mechanics flew here and worked on the car.

There is almost nothing left of DPO Pedro except the fuel tank and
the muffler and the thrust washers and rear wheel hubs.

Right now I'm running low on steam to attempt to diagnose this
latest breakdown. These constant breakdowns are depressing.
The Mrs is strongly hinting the next flatbed tow should go directly
to the auto Crusher.

I think I let the car sit dead until Tony's fuel tank arrives and
then I'll replace the entire fuel delivery system again. 4th or 5th?
I also intend to hacksaw DPO Pedro's muffler off the car.

d</span>

 

[jessebogan]

When I put a fresh restoration on the road, I try to drive it for a couple of hundred miles on secondary roads, as I work out the bugs,Sometimes there ARE stoppages, but it is so much safer on quiet country roads than sittin' on the side of the highway. Don't feel so bad Dale, I recently had to have my daily driver towed 125 miles due to a brand new genuine overpriced Audi part failing. I was in Delaware, and could not find a shop that would look at a 21 year old Audi. Since I called the tow guy my shop uses, I paid milage to and from.It cost a lot more than 125 I can assure you. And the dealer will not return my money, they will only give me another part. I already sourced another part, what on earth would I want another identical part that has already failed twice in less than 3K miles for??? I returned both failed parts to the actual manufacturer (SKF bearings) but I doubt I will ever see a buck out of it.

 

[startech47]

Dale,

Did I miss it? What are the details of the break down? It's only two weeks away from an assist.

Phil