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TR6 TR-6 Travel Toolkit and Spare Parts

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FWTR6Girl

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Hi All,
My husband bought me my first British car for Christmas this year, an all original 1974 TR-6! I am taking her on my first road trip soon (I am driving her to the Texas Healey Roundup (he has a BJ-8) to show her off!) and am wondering what a typical list of spare parts I should carry for her. My husband has a whole box of parts for his Healey "just in case" but we do not know what typically breaks on TR-6's. He is already planning a complete set of ignition parts (points, plugs, condensor, rotor and cap) plus all his tools.

Can anyone recommend a list of parts I should have on hand that can be carried in the boot?
 
Welcome Karen, Hope you can handle a loose time . Here is a great selection for trunk stuff.

tools2.jpg
 
Actually I would use your trunk for the spares for the Healey. More apt to break down
 
WOT! If you carry that selection it's no wonder the hind legs of them TR6"s are breaking---Keoke :smile:
 
Karen, welcome to the forum. We really can be serious when we need to be, so don't think this is what you typically get here when you have a problem and need help.

Don, I know that can't be yours. And if so, where's the spare engine?

I carry a spare set of points, plugs, fan belt, fuel filter, dizzy cap and rotor and that's about it, along with some tools and thermostat gasket and tube of sealer. I quart oil, one pint brake fluid and a gallon of 50/50 anti-freeze and water mix. The rest is cleaning stuff for a show, but if no show, that's it. If theres no room for a cooler and chairs, why bother to go?

Come to think of it, I do have a bag with some hoses, fuel pump and other stuff that I take for longer weekend trips, but that is generally for a "fun" run with the club group, in the event someone else has a problem during 100 plus mile tours.
 
Welcome Karen- I know Texas is big, but I think your roundup is only about an hour or so down the road from you so I'd keep things light with a small kit for the rare breakdown - points/condenser/rotor/plugs/cap/fan belt if you want, etc. The hydraulic rebuild kits are light and small too and might help (clutch mc/slave/rear wheel cylinders). I do keep oil in case I need to top up the level in the engine, but I try to not keep other fluids if I think I can find a nearby town or gas station to replace.

Frankly though, for the distance you are going, I'd just check the air in the spare and let her fly!

Randy
 
Karen, welcome and I hope you continue to share experiences with your Triumph here. And, since you're asking this question I'll assume that you and your husband are not entirely knowledgeable about these cars (nor am I, but I know enough to be dangerous! :crazyeyes:).

Your spare parts list completely depends upon your car: is it restored? Have key mechanical and structural systems been inspected, repaired and/or updated? IF the car is "unrestored" (i.e., no work has been performed, no repairs/updates, period), we may rightly assume that it is most definitely <span style="text-decoration: underline">NOT</span> safe to drive. :yesnod: If this is the case, I'd be reluctant to drive it across town for the inspection!

Of particular note on TR6s is rust damage in the frame: these frames literally attract rust (especially in the rear trailing arms): extensive rust damage in some frame/suspension areas can render the car into a literal death trap.

If you haven't already done so please have the car <span style="text-decoration: underline">completely</span> inspected by a recognized, knowledgeable party. Most professional mechanics could do it, but it's advisable to have an LBC mechanic perform the inspection. This is purely for safety.

I wouldn't drive <span style="font-style: italic">any</span> unrestored, antique car until a thorough inspection is performed: suspension; electrics; braking; engine; drivetrain, and structural (frame) integrity. This is not expensive and takes a knowledgeable person about an hour or less. Trust me, it's worth <span style="font-style: italic">every penny</span>.

After the inspection, note problem areas as identified by the inspector, and react accordingly. You'll know precisely what "spare" parts to carry then! :cryin:

And in any case don't forget to carry your cell phone: after all, it IS an LBC. :yesnod:
 
Karen,

The above gentlemen have said all you need. Except, I would add duct tape.

Inspection is key for checking potential problems.

I wish you the best and hope you enjoy your trip and this forum.

Cheers,
 
Good point Steve. Actually, Moss sells (as I'm sure others may as well) an X-treme tape for emergency repairs that will stick to itself and withstands temperature and pressure issues. This can come in handy for emergency hose repairs.

Moss X-Treme Tape

But duct tape can come in handy for many other applications because it will stick to about anything.
 
AAA card and a cell phone is all ya really need! lol'

I carry extra oil, silicone brake fluid, a vice grip a few extra tools but usually the bare minimum.

oh yeah jumper cables too,
cuz ya never know if you need to jump someone!


just make sure yur good to go before you leave!
 
I carry way more spares than most folks and often need them... to repair others' cars.

So hard to predict what the next breakdown might be but one item I carry (and others have obtained after being saved by mine) is cheap electric fuel pump. If fitted with a couple of fuel lines and with the wires and pump direction clearly marked it can have a car with a fuel pump failure on its way again in 2 or 3 minutes.

I carry one set of spares and tools for when I am less than 200 miles from home (AAA will tow that far) and a more extension selection when outside the 200 mile circle. For the former I use some cloth bags (3) from Harbor Freight as they hold a lot but are easy to tuck into the boot. For the latter I use an aluminum suitcase (also from Harbor Freight).

Of course most of the tools and some of the parts for your hubby's BJ8 are applicable to the TR6 so if you're traveling together you can share some of the load.
 
Bill,

I tend to agree, but "knock on wood", I've been lucky as I check as much as possible before I leave the garage. But as George says, I want to be prepared to provide for others when we do a club event.
 
A little oil, a little brake fluid, a few wrenches, screwdriver, and a cell phone. Less is more. Welcome to the forum. We need another lady amongst us guys.
 
Thanks Guys!
The suggestions are pretty much a subset of what my husband carries for his Healey but we just wanted to be sure there were not some typical spares other than ignition parts, oil and tools we should carry for "Pheobe".

My car is mostly original with 54000 miles and virtually no rust (some very minor surface rust at the back of the frame under the boot) but none at the suspension attach points. My husband is going to address the surface rust soon and is getting the materials from a friend at work who has a TR-6 undergoing a "20 year frame off" restoration. Most of the suspension and brakes have been reworked and everything works great. The car was thouroughly inspected before we bought her and is in excellent mechanical shape with only minor cosmentic needs, primarily new carpet.
 
Don't forget that spare tranny.
Never know when that 4th gear syncro might bite the dust.
 
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