Triumph tools

[Rurlndum]

Today I learned that you need some tools if you are going to drive a '75 Spitfire.

1. Car trailer

2. Truck to pull trailer

3. Cell phone to call for truck and trailer

4. And a spare carburetor diaphragm.

 

[Silverghost]

Have you been looking in Dale's tool box??!! He needs to lock that thing!! :laugh:

 

[sabot]

true, true, true.

or the AAA phone number in yer wallet.
tom

 

[TR4nut]

Welcome to the forum! Hope it makes you feel better that other drivers thought your car looked really slick when they passed you on the side of the road!

Randy

 

[billspit]

AAA membership and a cell phone are your friends.

 

[DrEntropy]

One spare diaphragm in th' "on-board spares" kit.

...or switch it to REAL depression carbs: SU's.

 

[Geo Hahn]

AAA now offers a 'Premier' plan (at least in AZ, likely elsewhere) which will tow you up to 200 miles. That is of some comfort when away from home.

I'm so conservative that my tools/spares kit contains a Z/S diaphragm even when I'm driving the SU TR3.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I used to have yearly problems with the Stromberg diaphragms in my GT6+...happened almost like clockwork. Never disabled the car, but what usually happened would be that a small tear would develop that would cause crummy running. I discovered that a small piece of plastic electrical tape over the tear was a very effective <span style="font-style: italic">temporary</span> repair. I'm surprised that a problem with a carb. diaphragm resulted in a tow for you. :shocked:

 

[martx-5]

One spare diaphragm in th' "on-board spares" kit.

...or switch it to REAL depression carbs: SU's.

Amen...but that's <span style="font-weight: bold">constant depression </span>carbs Doc. I'm sure that's what you meant. :laugh:

 

[Rurlndum]

LOTS of tears. But the car just came out of 11 years of storage. Great advice on the electrical tape. Thanks.

 

[DrEntropy]

One spare diaphragm in th' "on-board spares" kit.

...or switch it to REAL depression carbs: SU's.

Amen...but that's <span style="font-weight: bold">constant depression </span>carbs Doc. I'm sure that's what you meant. :laugh:

Pickin' nits, Art.

 

[Tinster]

Today I learned that you need some tools if you are going to drive a '75 Spitfire.

[color:#990000]Rurlndum - Welcome aboard !!
The kind gentlemen who are recommending you
carry in your trunk almost nothing are mostly
expert mechanics with finely tuned engines
that almost never break down. They are a great
bunch of guys who are more than happy to share
their auto mechanic knowledge with everyone.

My TR6 would long ago have been towed off the steel
scrap yard without the help of the many great
Triumph expert folks here. I am one of the few know
nothing, non-mechanics and these guys walks me step by
step to overcome the many breakdowns over the
past 3 years..

But the bottom line is:

Unless you are an expert old Brisish car mechanic,
you need to carry many spare parts and a ton of tools
to repair your car when it breaks down. And as you've
experienced, these Triumph cars break down suddenly.

Flat bedding your broken down beast is no fun at all.
Ask me how I know. Here is a decent example of what
you should consider, until you car has been sorted out
by a professional. My spare parts Trunk Shop has spared
me many a flatbed ride home.

Keep us posted and post up a photo.

PS: If you are a new owner of the Triumph; set a drop dead
maximum $$ dollars you are willing to throw at this car.
Make a contract with yourself, if you hit that $$ mark and
the car is not operational you will sell it as is or part
it out. Take an oath you not keep throwing money at the car.
These cars are time consuming and will clean out your savings
in a heartbeat.

Tinster]

 

[kodanja]

Just remeber whatever your going to alot yourself to spend on the car, make sure you double it!

 

[vagt6]

Today I learned that you need some tools if you are going to drive a '75 Spitfire.

PS: If you are a new owner of the Triumph; set a drop dead
maximum $$ dollars you are willing to throw at this car.
Make a contract with yourself, if you hit that $$ mark and
the car is not operational you will sell it as is or part
it out. Take an oath you not keep throwing money at the car.
These cars are time consuming and will clean out your savings
in a heartbeat.

Tinster]


This is some of the best advice I could think to give a new/neophyte owner of an LBC. It's also advice that I've failed to follow myself with a car or two. But no more. I've learned the hard way!

You've GOT to know when to cut and run from some cars.

Good advice, Tinster!

 

[Rurlndum]

Thanks all for your help. Here is a photo of my '75 Spitfire with the $2.66 Walmart rear fender trim.

 

[TR4nut]

Woah, nice! Great color too.

The only future investment I think you need is for a good set of shades to wear the next time you are on the side of the road unexpectedly - the key is to act nonchalant.

Randy

 

[JamesWilson]

Very pretty. I had a '73 that looked virtually the same.

A great little car and loads of fun.

I had the odd problem with it from time to time, but I learned a lot from those experiences.

Just try and keep a proper mindset... though that may be a little hard to do at 1:30 am on a cold night in the rain stuck on the roadside miles from anywhere. Just say "THIS is a challenge... and smile!" It'll work out...

 

[NickMorgan]

Lovely looking Spitfire.
In my experience, no matter what spares you carry they are never the ones you need!

 

[2wrench]

Very nice looking car.