While prep and knowledge s a necessity as you're typically on your own out
there to get your LBC going again, don't forget the cell phone and an
Automobile Association membership for roadside assistance. Mine (Canadian)
comes with up to 100 miles free towing.
There is also a point where it makes sense to have your car picked up by an
auto transport company and delivered to your trusted shop/destination. You
continue your trip by rented car or public transportation. Been there!
Dealerships are useful for helping arrange this.
It's too bad there wasn't a comprehensive list of shops that work on LBCs.
It's amazing sometimes where competent LBC mechanics can be found!
Bruce Simms
-----Original Message-----
From: Vink, Graham [mailto:vinkg@fleishman.com]
Sent: November 19, 2002 8:56 AM
To: 6pack@autox.team.net; 'mbullard@hawaii.rr.com'
Subject: RE: First Cross Country Trip (in the dead of winter)
richard's suggestions were excellent. a few more:
--flashlight, ideally with emergency flasher.
--duct tape (for emergency repairs to water hoses)and a few spare hose
clamps of various sizes
--gallon jug of water
--highway flares (excellent for flagging down help if your LBC breaks down
at night in the middle 'o nowhere -- ask me how I know. Of course, I was in
an unreliable Healey, not a reliable Triumph)
--make sure your car has a working jack and lug wrench. cheapo replacements
(hydraulic bottle jack and generic lug wrenches) are available at any auto
parts store.
--make sure the spare is inflated.
--starter fluid
--windshield scraper for ice
Good luck. We expect daily e-mail updates!
Graham
-----Original Message-----
From: ROVER827@aol.com [mailto:ROVER827@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 8:59 AM
To: mbullard@hawaii.rr.com; 6pack@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: First Cross Country Trip (in the dead of winter)
Mark:
Here's what you need for any long trip in a TR6, bearing in mind you will
find nothing in an auto parts store except for oil, fuses, spark plugs,
lights and maybe a fan belt.
--extra set of points, and condenser
--extra distributor cap
--one 15-inch tube (in case you get a flat in the middle of nowhere) Your
car
has tube-type tires.
--one container of brake fluid (castrol LMA)
-- an assortment of the proper British fuses
-- electrical tape
Tools:
--one set of open end wrenches, non metric
--a good selection of screwdrivers
--needlenose and regular pliers, viuce grips
--a set of socket wrenches
--Haynes TR6 repair manual.
You can put all the parts in a plastic battery box. That's what I do.
Additionally, for extra protection you could buy rebuild kits for the clutch
master and slave cylinders.
If not, then take with you the numbers for The Roadster Factory, Victoria
Britsh and Moss, so that you could get any part you needed overnighted if
you
break down someplace.
When you say you are having the car checked out, that should also include
the
oil in the gearbox and differential, all other fluids, and the electrical
system.
For the first few tanks of gas, you should check the oil and coolant at
every
fillup so that you know how much the car is consuming. And it will consume
much more heavily than a modern car. You also should pay very close
attention
to the gauges. TR6s are not great on the highway unless they have overdrive.
After a few hours on the road, you are going to be mighty uncomfortable.
Richard Truett
1971 TR6
1980 TR7 Spider
1982 TR8
|