TVR Tasmin 200 FHC - The resurrection

TVR Tasmin 200 FHC - The resurrection

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Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Wednesday 17th May 2023
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shalmaneser said:
Looking good! Do these still give trouble with ruining diff seals due to heat build-up from the brake discs or is that a bit of an urban myth?l.
I think if you're braking heavily like on a track or the calipers are stuck you'd have bother but I've never had problems.

I got the fuel tank back in place with the new straps I made. New filler connector pipes etc.

Even the car is happy to be getting worked on again!
(Looks like one of those filthy 'barn finds')


Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Lots of little jobs struck off the list like new fuel lines, brake pipes, new thermostat, bonnet release cable etc.

I cleaned up the few rusty bits on the chassis and painted them and tonight the diff unit went in.

It's nearly there. Test drive soon!




Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Sunday 18th June 2023
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Well, it's D day chaps. First test drive done. It goes well and stops as good as old Granada brakes allow.

It was running a bit hot but hopefully the thermostat is just a bit lazy. Obviously still loads to do but at least I can take it for a cruise now. Happy days.




OldSkoolRS

6,770 posts

181 months

Sunday 18th June 2023
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That's a great milestone to have reached. Warm weather probably isn't helping either.

Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Monday 19th June 2023
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Cheers OldskoolRS, it feels amazing to get it going.

Test run number two ended with a 'fail to proceed'

It didn't take long to find the problem!



On the plus side the car was going very well for the first 10 miles and I nearly made it home. My wife also now knows how to tow a car. Handy!



Edited by Tasmin200 on Monday 19th June 15:46

Scoobydrew95

253 posts

21 months

Tuesday 20th June 2023
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Glad to see its sort of back on the road, congratulations. smile

FHCNICK

1,280 posts

233 months

Tuesday 20th June 2023
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I watched the short video you put on one of the wedge fb sites, great to see this early fhc running again thumbup

shalmaneser

5,947 posts

197 months

Tuesday 20th June 2023
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Tasmin200 said:
Cheers OldskoolRS, it feels amazing to get it going.

Test run number two ended with a 'fail to proceed'

It didn't take long to find the problem!



On the plus side the car was going very well for the first 10 miles and I nearly made it home. My wife also now knows how to tow a car. Handy!

Edited by Tasmin200 on Monday 19th June 15:46
Looks like you need some electronic ignition! None of those flimsy plastic spinny bits.

Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Tuesday 20th June 2023
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Ha, it's cheaper just to have a spare in the car! To be fair I've never seen a rotor arm fail like that before.

Once home I got it started and parked back in the garage by using this. It was running sweet!!


Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Thursday 29th June 2023
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I fitted some new old stock motorcraft parts, so hopefully they will do the job.





I've just had a test drive, only about 18 miles but it seems to be going ok and it sounds great! I've started a mental list of what's next. There are a few oil leaks, the cooling fan isn't any use, the suspension feels a bit rubbish but maybe they do feel a bit wobbly and bouncy? The interior is desperate for new carpets, roof lining and door cards, but first I must get the headlights working.

It's a game of trying to improve as I go and gain confidence in the car as at the moment I have none! It's horrible when ever stutter or noise makes you think it's about to conk out.


Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2023
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Woo hoo! An exciting parcel arrived today.

Hopefully these adjustable dampers should help it feel a little less terrifying at anything over 50mph.


Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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This weekend has been spent sorting out the cooling system. The car wasn't overheating unless sitting in traffic but even at normal temperatures the gauge was nearly off the scale.



A new Smith's specific sender unit made no difference so on advice on the tinternet I experimented with resistors. I found a 47ohm resistor seemed to make the gauge fairy accurate. According to my £10 laser thermometer the top of the radiator is 86°c when the gauge shows this.



I also fitted a new electric fan and a variable fan controller which is cutting in and out nicely with the gauge showing about 85°c

I'm calling that a win. I've got the wiring to tidy up.


Astacus

3,413 posts

236 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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I do love a wedge coupe, the shape is perfect wedge period. The only thing that lets it down for me is the interior. I always think these look like the interior was an after thought, they'd spent the budget on Olivers fees and now they had nothing left for the trim, so they covered a couple of boxes in vinyl a la Blue Peter.

I'd love to have a 3.5 litre coupe and get someone to redesign and re-trim the interior.


Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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Yeah it's not the most resolved bit of design inside. I'd love a V8 coupe but it would have to be a series one body for me but they never made that. Perhaps one day I'll make my perfect wedge.

Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Wednesday 30th August 2023
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As I had the bonnet off to do the radiator fan I decided to do a wee job that I only spotted recently. A previous owner had chopped out a chassis tube that runs between the suspension wishbones. Presumably they did this when the Pinto was removed to make way for the V6.

The earliest Tasmin chassis had a removable brace so I decided that was the way to go. It's all welded up (don't look too close....) and just needs a lick of paint before final fitting.










shalmaneser

5,947 posts

197 months

Thursday 31st August 2023
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Grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't... Having said that welds look perfectly serviceable to my eye. I'm sure completing the triangle will add back a good bit of chassis rigidity.

CousinDupree

782 posts

69 months

Thursday 31st August 2023
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shalmaneser said:
Grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't... Having said that welds look perfectly serviceable to my eye. I'm sure completing the triangle will add back a good bit of chassis rigidity.
Yup and those welds look fine to me.

Enjoyed the thread. I've got a soft spot for these now after reading this and the antipodean thread.

OldSkoolRS

6,770 posts

181 months

Thursday 31st August 2023
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Far be it for me to criticise that welding either. I'm sure it'll be strong enough. I spent more time grinding down and painting up my welding than I do on the actual welding part. Thankfully not much required on my project, but I'll be glad when it's done as it's something I hate doing.

The TVR is looking good. cool

Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,281 posts

189 months

Thursday 31st August 2023
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I think I've done enough work on it now to just drive it for a few miles. It's getting better to drive every time I take it out. I suppose everything is freeing up and settling in.

Never before has getting to Sainsbury's and back felt like such an achievement! (I live in the sticks, it's 20miles there and back)

Looks tiny eh?


Mr Tidy

22,776 posts

129 months

Thursday 31st August 2023
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You must be really pleased to have got to this stage - congratulations. thumbup