Post-War Other Triumph Herald questions

[triherald]

Hi all, just a few questions about my newly acquired Herald...

A pretty good example, low mileage... but most of the rubber has deteriated over the years and has few more problems..

1) Brakes are almost not there... I adjusted all of the drum brakes and still nothing.. so I am quessing I will have to rebuild the entire brake system... Is this a good time upgrade the brakes..(original on car) larger bore wheel cylinders?? disc in front?? what do you think..

2) the drivers side door does not align properly... the lower rear corner sticks out about 2 inches or so.. the rest are fairly square.. how can that be?? it seems to me if one corner is out the other would be also... do you think it has been wrecked?>?? the doors where taken off for a paint job and supposely the door has been that way since.. how hard is it to realign these doors.... I know on some cars it is almost impossible.. how about the herald.

3) Reverse and 1st gear are real close together... most of the time at a stoplight, when I go for first I almost always get Reverse... Is this a normal thing for the hearld?? if not, linkage issues??

Thanks in advance for all the help

Jack /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif

 

[Andrew Mace]

1) Brakes almost not there...

Are all the wheel cylinders free and operating properly? Did you find all six adjusters (two each on front wheels)? What condition are the linings in?

Herald front drum brakes really are NOT a problem if in good condition, although they are more prone to fade after repeated use such as long downhill runs. That said, it's not at all difficult to use the disc brakes from a Spitfire as an easy upgrade. It's mostly bolt-in. I can describe exactly what's needed in greater detail if you want to contact me outside the forum.

2) door does not align properly...

This could be indication of potential rust and/or old crash damage problems, or of a car that was at one time completely disassembled and put back together but not terribly well. With the bolt-together body in several sections, there's much room for adjustment (and error)! But if truly only the doors came off for repainting, it shouldn't have caused that much of a new problem.

3) gears close together...

I'd say what you need is the rebushing kit for the shift linkage. Same as any Spitfire 63-74 or GT6 67-73, about $30, and will work wonders. At worst, you might also be missing the little threaded pin that provides a sort of lock-out for reverse. When all is well, the shift lever won't simply slide into reverse.

Now, if you haven't already, I'd love details of your car for my Database: commission, engine and body numbers, and paint and trim colors, and whatever else you'd care to share.