TVR Tasmin 200 FHC - The resurrection
Discussion
Thanks Mr.T it does indeed feel good to be able to drive it.
Today I've fitted a new ballast resistor (next to the radiator...?) and my heater fan now works!
Unfortunately the left window motor failed in the down position so that's the next project.
I also gave the strut brace a lick of tractor enamel and it looks good.
Today I've fitted a new ballast resistor (next to the radiator...?) and my heater fan now works!
Unfortunately the left window motor failed in the down position so that's the next project.
I also gave the strut brace a lick of tractor enamel and it looks good.
Nice photos and a lovely evening to take it out for a drive. 
I've just done a little job on my run about which went better than expected, so I'm getting closer to starting on my project. Be a long time before I'm posting pictures like yours though. Enjoy on behalf of some of us hoping to do that in the not too distant future.
I've just done a little job on my run about which went better than expected, so I'm getting closer to starting on my project. Be a long time before I'm posting pictures like yours though. Enjoy on behalf of some of us hoping to do that in the not too distant future.
DuncanM said:
Lovely stuff OP, I have a real appreciation for the Tasmin now, having recently read about it's conception, in this wonderful book.
I got that book for my Christmas when it came out. It's a good read and very detailed when it comes to developing the Tasmin.OW signed this photograph for me and left a message on the back. How good is that!
Tasmin200 said:
Astacus said:
This thread is making my ‘buy it now’ finger itchy. The only thing that’s holding me back is the fact I have another TVR in my only garage and my wife has access to sharp knives.
If your wife has a 'proper' car sell your daily driver and use a FHC.I had a poor result for my efforts last night in the garage.
As ever on classic cars there is a list of wee jobs to do, first on my list was to try to adjust the throttle pedal which is about an inch higher than the brake pedal. Not ideal, and very uncomfortable to drive. There wasn’t any adjustment on the cable, the linkage seems to have been bodged together from various cars causing the cable to pull the carb at an angle and fraying the cable. I could spend ages welding brackets and trying to find a replacement cable of unknown origin but I decided to buy an aftermarket kit.
Next on the list was a rattle from the front end. The tie bars are Cortina items and use foam ‘donut’ bushes. These have disintegrated and disappeared. I knew they needed to be replaced and I was going to do it over winter but this has increased the urgency. It’s a job I want to do anyway as the car’s crap to drive. It’s sitting too high, there’s no damping and these bushes are knackered. I’ve already got new dampers to fit and a set of used springs so I’ll get stuck into it. I’ve got a suspicion that V6 Cortina springs have been fitted when the engine change was carried out.
Last failure was my inability to repair the RH headlamp motor. I hate working on electrical stuff. I’ll look for a replacement.
Better get on with it.
As ever on classic cars there is a list of wee jobs to do, first on my list was to try to adjust the throttle pedal which is about an inch higher than the brake pedal. Not ideal, and very uncomfortable to drive. There wasn’t any adjustment on the cable, the linkage seems to have been bodged together from various cars causing the cable to pull the carb at an angle and fraying the cable. I could spend ages welding brackets and trying to find a replacement cable of unknown origin but I decided to buy an aftermarket kit.
Next on the list was a rattle from the front end. The tie bars are Cortina items and use foam ‘donut’ bushes. These have disintegrated and disappeared. I knew they needed to be replaced and I was going to do it over winter but this has increased the urgency. It’s a job I want to do anyway as the car’s crap to drive. It’s sitting too high, there’s no damping and these bushes are knackered. I’ve already got new dampers to fit and a set of used springs so I’ll get stuck into it. I’ve got a suspicion that V6 Cortina springs have been fitted when the engine change was carried out.
Last failure was my inability to repair the RH headlamp motor. I hate working on electrical stuff. I’ll look for a replacement.
Better get on with it.
As ever it's taking much longer to get stuff done than expected. I've completed the right hand side of the car. My garage is too wee to get right round the car.
Knackered bushes and rusty stuff:
Existing spring Vs 'new' spring. I think the old ones are off a cortina. It has a really high ride height.
Everything I needed to reuse was cleaned up with a wire brush on my grinder, given a coat of epoxy undercoat then a top coat or tractor paint.
New bushes and ball joints all round.
Then after the usual fight with the front springs it's all looking not too shabby. New Gaz dampers fitted perfectly. I need to turn the car around and repeat the process. Great...
Knackered bushes and rusty stuff:
Existing spring Vs 'new' spring. I think the old ones are off a cortina. It has a really high ride height.
Everything I needed to reuse was cleaned up with a wire brush on my grinder, given a coat of epoxy undercoat then a top coat or tractor paint.
New bushes and ball joints all round.
Then after the usual fight with the front springs it's all looking not too shabby. New Gaz dampers fitted perfectly. I need to turn the car around and repeat the process. Great...
mk1fan said:
Looking good.
I would have been tempted to have ditched the 2.8 and fitted a Duratech 2.4 inline 4 inkeeping with how it was thrown together in the factory. However;
a, it isn't my car.
b, I understand there's a cost (in money and time) in doing so.
Enjoy.
I've been through all forms of engine change ideas. I'm sticking with the V6 for the moment as I just want to get some use and enjoyment out of the car. It also sounds amazing albeit not very powerful.I would have been tempted to have ditched the 2.8 and fitted a Duratech 2.4 inline 4 inkeeping with how it was thrown together in the factory. However;
a, it isn't my car.
b, I understand there's a cost (in money and time) in doing so.
Enjoy.
If I did change the engine I'd be going back to the Pinto but with a modern take on it. It's fairly easy to get 250bhp with a turbo.
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