The Wedge Project
Discussion
Here is my new car (collected today) and something to keep me busy over the summer. It is a 1982 TVR Tasmin 280i 2+2, one of only 47 ever built. It blew its gearbox 4 years ago and has been standing ever since.
My first job after getting it home was to give it a good wash and scrub to get the moss and grime off it, and open it up to air out the soaking carpets.
The engine bay full of rats nests and looking pretty sorry
And after a quick clear out
Interior needs some work
Thankfully the chassis is all good
After filling it up with fresh petrol, checking the oil and spark and stealing the battery from the girlfriends car it started up and ticked over smoothly. The throttle linkage is a bit gummy but not a bad start for only having it home for 3 hours It is bloody noisy though!
Unfortunately then rain stopped play
The plan is to get it mechanically perfect with a new gearbox, clutch and brake overhaul, and also give it a thorough service and going over. It also needs the electrics sorting out as only about half of the switches do anything as it stands.
After that the damage on the front needs sorting and I hopefully plan on getting it resprayed in its standard Ford Midnight Blue. I will also strip and repair / refurbish the interior and get it back to its former glory.
My first job after getting it home was to give it a good wash and scrub to get the moss and grime off it, and open it up to air out the soaking carpets.
The engine bay full of rats nests and looking pretty sorry
And after a quick clear out
Interior needs some work
Thankfully the chassis is all good
After filling it up with fresh petrol, checking the oil and spark and stealing the battery from the girlfriends car it started up and ticked over smoothly. The throttle linkage is a bit gummy but not a bad start for only having it home for 3 hours It is bloody noisy though!
Unfortunately then rain stopped play
The plan is to get it mechanically perfect with a new gearbox, clutch and brake overhaul, and also give it a thorough service and going over. It also needs the electrics sorting out as only about half of the switches do anything as it stands.
After that the damage on the front needs sorting and I hopefully plan on getting it resprayed in its standard Ford Midnight Blue. I will also strip and repair / refurbish the interior and get it back to its former glory.
Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 21st March 16:10
Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 21st March 16:12
Almost got the gearbox out today. Just 2 more bolts between the gearbox and bellhousing (you have to split them as the chassis is too tight to get them out together). The last 2 bolts are totally inaccessible though so have started removing the box to try and get more room. Here is what it is like now, will carry on tomorrow.
Gearbox finally out today. I had to remove the clutch and exhausts to get enough clearance to get it out though. What a pig of a job!
Have just dropped it off at a local gearbox specialist so they are going to pull it apart and find out what's wrong with it and quote me for repair. I pulled the covers off before taking it there and it looks like new inside, so hopefully it would be an easy fix.
Have just dropped it off at a local gearbox specialist so they are going to pull it apart and find out what's wrong with it and quote me for repair. I pulled the covers off before taking it there and it looks like new inside, so hopefully it would be an easy fix.
More progress today
Modified a spanner to allow me to adjust the door aignment
I also removed the damaged front bumper
Allowing me to see the state of the bodywork damage
It will not be getting sorted out anytime soon as i need to get the mechanicals perfect first, but good to see what i am dealing with
Modified a spanner to allow me to adjust the door aignment
I also removed the damaged front bumper
Allowing me to see the state of the bodywork damage
It will not be getting sorted out anytime soon as i need to get the mechanicals perfect first, but good to see what i am dealing with
Top work that man! I've always liked the 2+2, and we never see any at work!
I also have a 2.8 engined TVR albeit it the 280S rather than a 280S. Currently in the process of stripping it down to refurb the chassis. Literally pulled the engine out before I left for home today.
Will watch with interest! Straight off....do the exhausts run ABOVE the gearbox?!
I also have a 2.8 engined TVR albeit it the 280S rather than a 280S. Currently in the process of stripping it down to refurb the chassis. Literally pulled the engine out before I left for home today.
Will watch with interest! Straight off....do the exhausts run ABOVE the gearbox?!
Thanks for the comments, i'm surprised how much of a positive reception the car is having!
Yep the exhausts are above the gearbox, good for ground clearance but i'm sure it will be bad for heat soak into the cabin
This car was apparently the third off the production line, and I cant see any mention of the high level exhausts in the Steve Heath book so I guess it was not a common routing and was changed quite early on.
Yep the exhausts are above the gearbox, good for ground clearance but i'm sure it will be bad for heat soak into the cabin
This car was apparently the third off the production line, and I cant see any mention of the high level exhausts in the Steve Heath book so I guess it was not a common routing and was changed quite early on.
Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 25th March 20:31
Just had a call from the gearbox place, and they have found some issues. Bitten the bullet though and getting them to rebuild it.
Not cheap especially when factoring in I will be putting in a new clutch too, but at least I know it will be good rather than guessing on a used box.
This car had better be good when I'm done!
Not cheap especially when factoring in I will be putting in a new clutch too, but at least I know it will be good rather than guessing on a used box.
This car had better be good when I'm done!
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