Work progresses on the Rover… Chip was in the process of putting it back to “right” when I departed the other day. He’ll button it back up and send it back out into the woods. A few pictures from the process.
Range Rover Head Case
Head gaskets and a rear main seal, comin’ right up. Looks formidable to me, especially when Chip pulls the motor out, but for the pros it’s no big deal. Nothin’ to see here, folks.
Datsun 510 – Fun Racecar
We’re cautiously optimistic that Chip will make a race in May. Chip changed the ride height and a bunch of other things with terms I didn’t comprehend. I heard the word “geometry”, which sounds right. I subscribe to the premise that a good lap time is all about the hypotenuse. If you have a 510 race car, Chip can work on it. Seriously, he can find x for you. It’s basic geometry.
Race Motor Build
We received a TR6 motor from a customer who wants a refresh on his race motor. The cam and lifters were worn, so we ordered in new parts and sent everything out for machining. It’s all back now and waiting for assembly. I’m not sure in what class this motor will run, but if you have questions on vintage racing, Chip and Dean both participate and can get you headed in the right direction if you have questions.
A cart full of parts to be assembled into a race motor.
TR6 block.
Stock TR6’s do not use cam bearings, but many run them in race motors.
Oversize (diameter) lifters.
Current Triumph TR6 HVDA Toyota 5-Speed Conversion
The transmission part of the process is just about finished. The owner wanted us to check out the wear status of the cylinder head, and the cam and lifters were pretty worn. The owner decided to install a GP2 cam, mill the head for a mild compression increase, and do a complete valve job (new valves, new exhaust seats, new valve guides, port the head). So, the head is out for machining. See what I mean below…
Toyota 5-speed installed in the Triumph TR6
Cylinder head out for machining.
Worn camshaft.
New Starter in a Triumph TR3
I suppose you could use the hand crank, but I’d rather spend the money for a starter. Seems this owner felt the same. This solid TR3 came in for a new starter. I didn’t see the old one, but the new one sure is purty. It works, also, which is actually more important if you don’t want to crank by hand.
Datsun 510 Restoration – Metal Work
Here is some more 510 information. Chip has taken the pictured car down to the bare metal and had some metal work done. At that time, Chip had the FutoFab 510 trunk drop installed. We had no complaints from our metal man about the part’s fit or finish. The part looked great out of the box. Below are some general pictures of the car in process, and some specific shots of the Futofab replacement trunk drop.
This is the old trunk drop.
This is the Futofab replacement. Much better.
TR6 Five Speed Conversion
The HVDA 5-speed conversion has proven a popular request here, so let’s take a look at progress on the latest swap. In addition to the transmission swap, the customer wanted us to pull the head and check the cam and lifters, which were pitted and worn. Peruse the pictures…
The current state of affairs.
The owner wanted to pull the head and check things out, which revealed pitted lifters and a worn cam.
Ratco linkage.
Mod to relocate the shifter. It’s included in the kit.
Old Triumph transmission removed.
Cruise Control on Triumph TR6
Who says you can’t have cruise control on your Triumph TR6? Chip mounted this cruise control on his TR6, also mounting the Ratco throttle linkage because it allows more precise throttle control than the stock linkage.
Green TR6 For Upgrades and 5-speed Conversion
This TR6 will receive an improved throttle linkage from Ratco (click for website) as well as one of the HVDA Five Speed Conversions (click for website) using the Toyota W58 5- speed. Stay tuned for updates.
