• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

When ordering parts?

T

Tinster

Guest
Guest
Offline
I've got a simple question about ordering parts.

How many spares do most folks order?

For instance- I ordered one spare fuel pump and
carried it in the trunk. I had to install it on
the side of the road and now I have no spare.

Even if the car were operational, I could not now
drive the car until a new spare fuel pump arrives.
Too risky at the cost of flat beds here.
So I should have ordered two spare fuel pumps to
begin with.

Same with the coil- I ordered a spare, had to use it,
the spare blew up and so now I carry 2 spare coils.

Same with the temp. sensor, blah, blah....

Same with the trailing arm bushings and coil spring rubber
pads. I installed new only to have to replace them within
about 200 miles. I know I should have ordered 2 spares.

I am about to order a spare water pump because I know DPO
Pedro's will blow up anytime now. Should I order two water
pumps for when my new one gives out?

I guess, I asking is- do most triumph owners automatically
order two spares of everything?

thanks,

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grouphug.gif
 
Tinster said:
I've got a simple question about ordering parts.

How many spares do most folks order?...

I guess, I asking is- do most triumph owners automatically
order two spares of everything?

Oh...I hope not!
My budget is much smaller than that.
 
The only spares I carry are a rotor and usually a fan belt.
I carry a roll of wrap for hose repair and that's about it. I haven't really been carrying tools lately.
I also carry a AAA card and a cellphone.
I have spare parts in my garage from old cars, many of which I won't part with. Original is far better than repro in many cases.
 
Doug-

You are fortunate to have AAA.
We pay cash and we pay what the market will
bare. The further from home, the much higher
the cost per 1/4 mile to tow.

I know a guy had to pay $150 for a 2 mile tow.

When you live in the more remote reaches of the
world and attempt to drive an unreliable vehicle,
you'd better carry tools and plenty of spare parts.

d
 
At that rate you would be better off buying a truck and trailer. Plus when you aren't doing anything else you can go tow others to help pay for Triumph parts! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
I carry basic tools, distributor cap w/wires and rotor, a spare points plate with points and condenser installed, a couple of jumper wires with alligator clips, bailing wire, duct tape, electrical tape, fuses, of course oil, water, & LMA, short section of fuel hose with clamps attached, hand cleaner packets and a couple of shop rags, and a towel to dry the seats. On long trips I thoroughly check things out before I leave and I carry more, but not much more.

But most important, a cellphone.

Guess I should carry a fan belt too.

But Dale, since you never make it past 26 miles, maybe just a nice pair of comfortable walking shoes will suffice /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif (kidding!)
 
Hey Peter,

Getting me home the 26 miles is the easy part.
I have a great pair of often used walking shoes.

It's that darned always broke-down car that is difficult
and quite $$ costly to get home unless I am able to
make repairs on the side of the road. Tools and spare
parts required.

So, should I purchase two water pumps or one?

BTW: When I was refinishing the trunk area, I noticed
those two rectangular platforms on either side. Is
it possible to open them up, box them in with sheet
metal to create more space for spare parts?

thanks,

d
 
The proofreader in me loves to look at eBay ads like this one. "The original rims have been refurbished and new 16 inch "redline" Michelin tires have been mounted on every tire, including on the trailer...." [Must've been some pretty intense refurbishment to ultimately allow 16" Michelins to fit was originally was a 15" rim! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/hammer.gif ]
 
Dale,
For most cars recommeded spares would be
1 fan belt
1 points and condensor
1 coil
1 fuel pump
1 each - Radiator hoses

With the history of the Crypt Car, recommended spares inventory would be limited only by the amount of space available in your garage, empty closets, attic and basement.

Actually the only thing I carry in the trunk is a fan belt, but I have not yet done much driving - still mostly tinkering

Hope you get it off the stands soon!
Glenn
 
When a water pump goes, it usually either starts leaking first, and can do this for quite a while or if the bearings go before the seal, it will make allot of noise, and make you quite aware that it is unhappy. I wouldn't bother dragging an extra one.
Yisarel
 
I keep a rotor in my trunk, belt taped to the front cross bar. That's it.

Get quality parts.... Why carry around stuff, when you should be driving.

If you haven't yet go on the Monster List and download Triumph parts houses, Or Teglerizer at the least.

I gave up on TRF parts after bad quality rotor, window regulator. And having my phone call about the regulator answered where they were questioning my competence and powers of observation(it came with bolt holes tapped Metric and no instructions or bolts included).

Moss is pretty good, I can't remember the last fault part I purchased from them, but it's been awhile since I've bought anything from them.

Ted at TSI Imports, Richard Good at GoodParts, BP Northwest, Rimmer Brothers and the folks in England who offer the good performance parts. Can't remember their name right now(first cuppa coffee) But I'm sure someone will fill in.

When my Lucas coil died, I put my Allison/Crane ignition in the distributor, backed it up with my MSD ignition and Allison coil. That ignition is on it's third 6. Only problem was it was burning out rotors and caps. Tried Bosch(don't waste your money, tried TRF rotors(maybe Lucas from them would have worked but the non Lucas is dumpster fodder). Got the Lucas cap and rotor from Rimmer Bros.

My suspension bushings (rubber from TRF) seemed to last ok until the poly update.
Fuel pump I rebuilt, All you need is a good rebuild kit. Buy a rebuildable one, not the sealed cap one. That way you won't need to carry a spare.

My TRF water pump purchase turned out to be a waste of my time and money(trying to get them to send the proper one for the car, then it died 8 months after purchase with less than 6K on the car. So I went to the speed people in England and got an aluminum high performance one. Only problem was getting them a purchase order in pounds. That pump has transferred to its 2nd 6.

Unfortunately you are learning the hard way, from a newbie point of view, so the lessons are painful(and often expensive). But you are an intelligent guy and the lessons learned will remain.

Buy quality. If burned by a parts house, call them to see what they can offer to recover failed parts, towing charge, etc. If they can't recompense you adequately, quit buying from them.

Oh, my hoses are from Moss, after the TRF's dry rotted, when I was going to put them on the current 6, the belt is a Gates, over the counter. The alternator is a conversion upgrade.
 
If you were to buy that car and trailer, don't go out on a rum bender. You'll get pulled over for speeding while trying to elude the guy who's been tailgating you.
 
Tinster
I only have a spare fan belt. I make doubly sure my breakdown membership (RACWA) is uptodate. I've used the flat bed tow trucks many times.
Since the failures vary, it's difficult to second guess what spares to carry.
I just keep the shed well stocked (with spares and a bar fridge).
Regards
Craig
 
Tinster said:
For instance- I ordered one spare fuel pump and carried it in the trunk. I had to install it on
the side of the road and now I have no spare.
Not really your question I know, but on the topic of carrying spares :
What I do for fuel pump is carry one of those little electric Facet 'clicker' pumps fitted with hose barbs, plus some spare fuel hose, tie wraps and clip leads. That way, if the original pump has a problem, I can temporarily install the Facet (much simpler than changing a mechanical pump on the side of the road), and continue to drive until the replacement mechanical pump arrives. The Facets are dead reliable (even used in aircraft, cheapest source I know is Aircraft Spruce) so I'm not worried about it quitting.

And the hose, tie wraps and clip leads are useful for countless other minor "roadside tech sessions". Even the Facet is useful for other things, like "borrowing" a few gallons from another car or emptying your tank into a buddy's car if your tank starts to leak.
 
I don't know Dale - yours is a unique situation, given the luck you've had. The above suggestions are all good, but in your case, I'd include a salt waterpump
 
TR3driver said:
...Even the Facet is useful for other things, like "borrowing" a few gallons from another car or emptying your tank into a buddy's car if your tank starts to leak.

Quite right. I use mine to bleed the air out of the VW Camper cooling system. The official method requires raising the front wheels 2 feet in the air -- not feasible in my garage -- the pump creates the same effect.
 
Hi Tinster;

My Boot contains; Spark Plugs, Points, Condensor, Dist Cap, Fan Belt, Hose Wrap, 1qt of Oil, Brake fluid, Hydraulic Jack, Flat Hd & Phillips Hd Screw drivers, Adjustable wrench, Vise Grips, Socket Set, 1 gal antifreeze (No Salt Water Additives Please) & a bunch of Cleaning Stuff & I still have plenty room left over for a Beer Cooler & Fold-away-chair for Car Shows: "DON`T CUT HOLES IN THE BOOT"; You`ll regret it later:

This may be a more Efficient and Less costlier way to get around: Buy a "TR Parts Car" and Tow it behind Your TR and You`ll have a Ton of Spares to use:

Good Luck;

Regards, Russ
 
Back
Top