Wow! This may have been the best Tinkers Day ever. Thanks to Hamer for once again sharing his shop, lift, tools, and knowledge and to Bill for picking such a nice day to remove a transmission from a TR4 in Hamer’s bone yard. The group, the laughter, and the tinkering made it seem like old times. (Slide show at bottom of page)
Andy arrived early and his gorgeous TR6 was sailing high on the lift when I got there. Andy, Hamer, Brandon, Russell, & Blitz were the early birds. I’m not sure what Andy was checking but he worked his way from front to rear on the Triumph while the rest offered our assistance – wanted or not! Don and his son arrived as did Bill, a brand new member in a 63 MGB. An old salt walked through the door. Raymond is truly missed and a welcome friend to any of our events. Andy soon finished, the TR6 was lowered safely to the ground, and backed out.
My attentions centered on the beauty behind the shop. Yes a Triumph TR4 which had been sitting here for years. Our daunting task of the day was to remove the transmission for Bill to put in his Triumph TR3. As several gathered round, two things became apparent. # 1, a family of possums had nested here for years and had the engine bay packed solid. # 2, we did not want to tackle this job where it sat. Hamer graciously invited us to bring the TR4 inside. So the clearing of leaves began. First behind the shop by hand. Thankfully, no critters – 4 legged or no legged – were found.
I saw Bill carrying an air tank. Seriously Dude? You expect these 4 flat, dry rotted tires to hold air? I helped Bill air them up and was the most surprised person of all – they all held air! The pushing began and with all hands helping, the TR4 made it quickly around front. There, Hamer & Blitz finished blowing out the nest and the job began. Again with all hands taking a part, the driveshaft was dropped, the upper bell housing bolts removed, and the slave linkage detached. Now to the lift where Blitz bravely crawled under this less than solid rust bucket. With the starter removed and the lower bolts removed, Bill’s smile went ear to ear when the tranny was set on the floor. The TR4 was pushed back to the bone yard for another time.
The shop needed a little cleaning. Was that dirt or rust piled under the lift? Hamer soon had the area spotless again. Malcolm had arrived by now as had Lee & Mary. I heard a familiar sound as Pam’s MGBGT arrived. As we put her B on the lift, in walked Doc Peden, another faithful Tinker day visitor. Pam recently had work done at a local shop and asked us to look over that and some needed repairs. Sounds like the exhaust doughnuts are shot or maybe a manifold gasket leak. Pam had an oil leak, turned out to be the block to oil switch hose and the repair shop had one made. Looked fine with well crimped ends. We discussed her oil cooler hoses which she had been told might need replacing. Then the GT was ready to roll again.
No Way Jose was chosen for lunch. A short quick ride had us seated and talking in no time. Well short and quick for some. Seems a couple took a scenic route, but soon arrived along with Bill’s lovely wife Barbara. After a good meal we drifted by Pierce Automotive where a VW swap meet was in progress. Some stopped and some passed on by.
A fantastic day with a good ending for all. One of the most ambitious projects for Tinkers Day in many years.
And yes, that was grease on Russell’s fingers!
DP