Pat's Tuscan V6 restoration thread

[Pat H]

heightswitch said:

Cage looks quite low to me in the pics?

The photos are deceptive. It is actually pretty close to the roof, particularly in the corners.

But I have given myself another 10mm to play with, on the basis that it is easier to weld an extra plate under the feet, rather than to chop some out.

There's probably another 5mm which can be gained or lost depending on the thickness of the rubber pad between the chassis and the tub.

Then there's the thickness of the headlining or the screen rubber.

Then there's the question of whether to have some padding around the roll bar.

To be honest, fitting a roll bar at all is probably an unnecessary complication.

Then again, this was me on Anglesey a few weeks ago, and I would like to think that the Tuscan will eventually get the same treatment.

Edited by Pat H on Tuesday 11th July 15:22

[Pat H]

I've got the original tinted toughened glass screen, but I'm obviously in no rush to use it.

I assume that a proper laminated screen is available from somewhere.

As far as powder coating is concerned, I really should have it done in black, but when I rebuilt a Seven, I had the chassis done in light grey, which really looks the business.

Like this...

Edited by Pat H on Tuesday 11th July 15:26

[Pat H]

Requirement for roll bar amply demonstrated by my inability to keep four wheels pointing in the same direction.

Oulton Park, 25th Jan

Time to retreat to the garage with my tail between my legs and make some progress with the Tuscan...

[Pat H]

Slow M said:

Pat H said:

Requirement for roll bar amply demonstrated by my inability to keep four wheels pointing in the same direction.

Oulton Park, 25th Jan

Time to retreat to the garage with my tail between my legs and make some progress with the Tuscan...

Not making a case against an ARB, but are you sure that spin didn't have more to do wth track/tyre temperatures?

Best,
B.

We are talking at cross purposes, Bernard.

I wasn't talking ARBs, rather that any car driven by me ought to have a roll over hoop fitted.

I was referring back to all the messing about that I'm doing to Keith's perfectly good roll over bar.

The spin was due to pilot error.

Cold semi slick tyres on a damp greasy track. I should have known better. The two chaps I was sharing the car with managed to get round without mowing the grass.

[Pat H]

Thank you, that is very interesting.

Will peruse in detail over the w/e.

P

[Pat H]

Hello chaps.

Just a quick update to let you know that I haven't given up on the Tuscan.

Unfortunately, my wife of nineteen years has decided to leave me, which is mildly irritating.

So the slight inconvenience of getting divorced and moving house stands in the way of much progress on the Tuscan front.

Normal service to be resumed before long, I hope.

[Pat H]

Hello, chaps.

As expected, pending divorce and house sale hampering much progress, but all that should be sorted by September.

Anyway, I took advantage of some nice weather to sit outside and strip the doors.

They are in a shocking state. Everything ferrous is rotten.

I had resigned myself to the fact that only the bare shells might be salvageable, but I'm not sure that they are.

Both have badly delaminated across the top. I expect that this is largely frost damage, coupled to ham fisted attempts to open the doors by pulling at the frames.

The good news is that I have a decent pair of window frames. One of the originals is good and a replacement for the other has been provided courtesy of Steve R.

I think I might have to find a decent pair of doors from somewhere. Suggestions on a postcard to the usual address.

Better news with regards to the door cards and the door furniture.

Removed the door cards without too much drama. They need recovering, but that's not the end of the world. The internal latches and window winders are in good condition and will clean up nicely.

The external door handles are, I think, Ford items. They are a bit pitted, but can probably be re-chromed if replacements are not obtainable.

Amazingly, I managed to remove the long chromed trim strips intact and undamaged.

Not much progress, I admit. But it is nice to get back into the garage and I am inspired by the encouragement and achievements of other classic TVR owners.

Edited by Pat H on Tuesday 11th July 15:38

[Pat H]

elephantstone said:

You managed to get anymore done on the car?

Regrettably not.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to my divorce, which will then give me the green light to make some progress.

The former matrimonial home is on the market, and when that sells, I will lose the large garage where the Tuscan is presently stored.

So the next job involves finding a small bachelor pad with a huge garage...

Hopefully it won't be too long before some proper progress can be made.

[Pat H]

rm89 said:

Sorry to resurrect, but I really enjoyed reading this. Have you managed to make any more progress Pat?

Hello...

Current personal circumstances make progress pretty difficult, as I am sure everyone knows.

Without going into too much detail, I am now divorced.

The former matrimonial home is still on the market, but hasn't sold yet. The Tuscan is being stored there. Until the house is sold and I can re-home the TVR, it is difficult to get much done.



I managed to spend a couple of afternoons over there last week. I decided to split the engine from the gearbox so that it will be easier to move when the time comes.

Removing the box was pretty straightforward, as you would expect. I also took the opportunity to take the cylinder heads off to investigate the state of the bores.

My hope is that the engine block can be saved.

Anyway, I knew that the engine had been exposed to the elements and water ingress through the carb was likely.

As I expected, two of the cylinders have suffered water damage, though to be honest it isn't as bad as it first looked. I suspect that I will get away with having the block re-bored. I will have a better idea when I get the pistons out and can have the bores examined by someone who knows what they're doing.

I have never taken an Essex V6 apart before now.

It is a pretty straightforward lump. It would be easy to work on if it wasn't soooooooo damned heavy.

I also whipped off the timing cover in anticipation of removing the sump.

Can't say that I am terribly impressed with the timing gear on the cam. Looks like it is made out of plastic. Apart from that, it all seems incredibly robust and simple.

Hopefully the next session will see the timing gear removed and the cam extracted. Then I will try to get the lump on an engine stand, turn it over and remove the sump. Then see if I can get the bottom end to rotate so that the corroded parts of the bores can be inspected properly.

Watch this space....

[Pat H]

Quick post to confirm current state of play.

Tuscan remains tucked up at back of friend's garage.

Just had an offer accepted on a house with nice big double garage.

So hopefully we will be able to see some progress in the not too distant future.

[Pat H]

SlimJim16v said:

Regarding the block, everyone knows you can go up to +60 on the bores and pistons, but if still not enough, I had one at +90 although I can't remember who made the pistons, or if they'd still be available.

Incidentally, I have seen reference to South African Essex V6s with a 3.5 litre displacement.

Presumably just a stroked 3.0?

What's the collective view on that lump?

[Pat H]

Well, I have to say that I am deeply unimpressed with Photobucket wanting £300 to allow third party hosting of images. Kind of ruins this sort of thread.

It's been pretty busy, what with one divorce, two house moves and a change of job. So no progress on the TVR front for ages, I'm afraid.

Anyway, I am back.

Chassis recovered from back of mate's garage and treated to some of that nice powder coating.

[Pat H]

Just made a start this weekend by bobbing on the wishbones.

All went together very nicely, though the rear lower arms were incredibly tight and needed a little shaving off the bushes and the sleeves to get them in.

Next job is either going to be brake pipes or front uprights.

Edited by Pat H on Tuesday 11th July 15:41

[Pat H]

GadgeS3C said:

Looking good.

Nice to see the XBR500 there too. Had a spoked one for quite a while, loved it. Scary I recognised it from the seat hump

Yep.

They are great bikes.

It is Caroline's pride and joy.

[Pat H]

As Andrew says, I have been pre occupied with bikes, getting re-married and all of the other things that get in the way.

Just finished doing the clutch, crankshaft oil seal and starter motor on the old R100.

Once I have done the fork seals and pushrod oil seals, then I promise that I will get my teeth into the TVR!

[Pat H]

Dollyman1850 said:

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

I have just discovered this thread. Pat - how is your TVR restoration going?

It is going very well

Yep.

The thick end of two years ago, I had a rare moment of lucidity. I finally admitted to myself that I had neither the time nor the necessary skills to get the job done.

I had a long chat with Neil and decided to part company with the project.

I am very pleased that he has taken on the mantle. This way we will all get to see the finished article that much sooner. He may even let me have a go in it...

The garage space is now occupied by a Guzzi Le Mans and a Laverda Jota. My taste for hairy chested evil handling vehicles with wonky build quality remains undiluted.