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TR4/4A TR4A Resurrection

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aerospike

aerospike

Freshman Member
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First of all I want to say thanks to you frequent posters and Triumph experts out there. I've been lurking around here for several months and the information I've picked up has been a huge help.
Unlike some of you, I didn't really start out looking for a LBC. A guy I work with had a 1965 TR4A sitting in his garage for about 20 years and he had to move. A different co-worker bought the car from him, got the engine running and then he had some health problems and had to sell it. Here's where I come in. I bought the car mostly just to help out my friend and I've been working on it for the last six months or so. Some of the stuff I've had to replace/repair:

radiator hoses
fan belt
battery cables
brake master/slave cyl.
clutch master/slave cyl.
coil
spark plug wires
generator
brakes
carbs (rebuild)
points
tires/tubes

I'm to the point now where I can drive it around town a bit, but I don't trust it enough to go too far yet. I still have numerous issues to work like a useless rear shock, carpet installation, and more rattles than I ever thought possible. I didn't really go looking for my car but I can truly say that I've enjoyed every minute of it.
 
Glad you're enjoying the car so much. If you have a local club that can be a great way to drive more but have some support along. I always encourage people to get on our drives and if someone is not 100% sure of the car we get them in the middle of the pack where we can keep an eye on them.
 
Hi,

Cool! Sounds like you have a good start on a "rolling restoration" and have wisely taken care of the most critical issues first.

IMHO, those Armstrong lever shocks are better than many people give them credit to be. Often it's just a matter of removing, draining and refilling with proper oil (motorcycle chock oil works and comes in different weights if you want to "tune" a little) to get one working again. Be careful when removing the drain/valving (large nut near the bottom). There are lots of small pieces and springs in there, in a specific order, and some caution removing them makes reassembly *much* easier (don't ask me how I know!).

You didn't mention what was wrong with the shock, but if it's just not working, I'd try a refill first to see if that solves the problem. If it's leaking a little at the shaft, that's usually not a big deal. I think they were actually designed to leak slightly there (seriously!) to keep dust out. A common problem is the links need replacing due to wear.

Another key thing you might want to check is the drive shaft nuts and bolts. If ever removed and replaced, the Nyloks can fail and let the shaft get awfully loose. It's pretty easy to check, but the forward flanges are more easily accessd by removing the gearbox cover, to do it right, which is easier when the carpet is all out. The rear axles on IRS need similar inspections.

A common rattle is the door window mechanisms. The tracks get loose over time, and the rubber at the top gives up. Replacing those might help alot. There are lots of other potential rattle spots, though! Any loose exahust parts or missing/broken exhaust hangers can make for some interesting noises!

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your car!

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 CT17602L
 
Welcome, Aerospike. Where in TN are you? If you're anywhere near Nashville, allow me to invite you to the Nashville British Car Club meeting this Thurs. evening at 6:30 at Rafferty's, in 100 Oaks Shopping Ctr. There will be a drive on Sat., Aug. 13 to Clarksville, to the Beachaven Winery for their Jazz on the Lawn series. Let me know if you're interested.

Mickey
 
Mickey: I sent you an e-mail.
Alan: I have a replacement shock that I'm going to put on this weekend. It seems to work ok.
One of the big rattles comes from the right front side. I suspect the rod that holds up the hood. Is there any support for this thing when the hood is down? As you suspected, another of the rattles (more like banging) comes from the exhaust system. Passenger side tailpipe is hitting the swing arm I think. I need to talk to a muffler shop on this one.
The general mis-trust comes mostly from the engine side. I hear more valve noise than I would like even though I adjusted the valves per the manual. The timing chain seems a bit noisy too. How much oil should be squirting out up on top with the valve cover off? Could I have some blockage there? Thanks again for the help.
 
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