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TR6 Day trips in TR6 - reliable or not?

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Slider748

Slider748

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I'm thinking I taking my TR6 on a 600 miles day trip but I'm a bit worried it might leave me standed. Ive had my TR6 for about 8 months. The car was restored but I'm not exactly sure what parts have been replaced. I've driven about 3000 miles and had two problems - a leaking oil pressure sender and a leaking slave cylinder. Fortunately, both problems were discovered at home. I don't feel I've owned or driven my car enough to fully become intimate with its quirks and problems, so my question is, what spare parts would you take on an extended drive. ie. thermostat, fuel pump, fuses?

Thanks.

Gene
 
Hi,

It's a bit hard to predict, especially when you have limited knowledge of a car's history, but TRs are really quite dependable. And, when something goes wrong it's usually an easy repair. I've re-adjusted a slipped distributor in the rain, in the dark, with only a Bic lighter for illumination, and got home okay.

Take along a repair manual, if you have one. It can come in really handy if you have a problem and take the car to a mechanic, but he doesn't know the specs of a TR6.

Check the spare for air, that the lug wrench fits the lug nuts and that the jack works! These sound silly, but I've "been there, done that"!

I also usually carry a small briefcase style toolbox with basic wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. Also spare fuses, replacment light bulbs, timing light, spare points, extra spark plugs and a spare fan belt. It also has a flashlight, a rag or two and a couple pairs of latex gloves. Some electrical and duct tape can be handy to have, too.

I wouldn't bother with a thermostat, unless you really feel you must. You can buy one almost anywhere that will do well enough to get you home. Maybe a fuel pump repair kit would be a good idea, take up less space than a complete pump.

After that, I'd only think in terms of anything I feel would be really essential and difficult to find in a parts store along the way. Only things that you and the car can't get along without temporarily.

For example, a manually shifted car can be push-started easily, if a starter fails. Just be sure to park at the top of a hill, rather than the bottom.

Or, most shops have alternators that can be fitted, if one fails on a trip.

Even most radiator hoses can be found, or flexible "universal" type can be temporarily fitted to get you home.

Besides that, I don't know if you have changed all the fluids, lubed everything and spent some time closely inspecting brake lines, pads and shoes. Also, look over fuel lines, and inspect for leaking oil at the diff, gearbox and sump. I generally change all the hoses and belts on a car when I first get it and don't know it's history.

Then, have a great trip!

Cheers!

Alan
 
Gene,
It's the crippling problems that you want to avoid, major repairs on the road are the one's I always fear. I say this but have never had to be towed or even pull over during a trip. That doesn't mean I'm not obsessive in my pre trip preperation.
I would not expect a clutch, trany, engine or differential to disintergrate suddenly, there are usually warning signs ( but of course sh@t happens).
I always carry a spare belt & the tools to change it. If this goes on the road it's easily replaced with a minimum of tools. In a pinch , overheating , a faulty thermastat can just be removed for the remainder of the trip. The rest is common sense , basic ignition parts, FLAT FIX--FLAT FIX, did I say FLAT FIX, good spare & working jack , good lug wrench. You can pack the entire garage but aside from the unforeseen "act of God" your no more vulberable than a new BMW to failure & I can say if a new electronicaly controled car fails there is no roadside repair, it's a phone call & tow truck.
As you accumulate seat time the string between your home & the car becomes longer & the aprehension lessons. We come to realize these are actually reliable cars that were meant to be driven daily & far.
Have fun,
Mitch
 
I have AAA+ which provides up to 100 miles of towing (don't know if CAA offers something similar) so for trips w/i 100 miles of home I just carry the tool & parts for easy roadside fixes.

On longer trips I carry more parts, the ones I'd need for 'motel parking lot tech sessions'. I've posted the (long) list before... if I ever do again it should probably be in the humor section based on responses.

As Alan noted, basic tools and a fan belt are given... I would also suggest most or all ignition parts as these are ones that (IMO) are most likely to let you down.

A distributor with plug wires attached, a coil and 6 plugs can be held in one hand (easier with 4 plugs) and there you have virtually the entire ignition system. These are useful spares to have anyway... but they aren't going to help you if they are home on the shelf.
 
All great advice from experienced owners. This will decrease my aprehension about taking the TR6 out. I have some experience from touring on motorcycles but since I have more storage space with the TR it should allow me more flexibility on what to bring. Good advice on a jack and lug wrench that works. I tried the original one for the first time the other day and ended up shearing the stud off. Who in the heck design that!
 
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