I'm know mechanic, but !!

[Blakeyspost]

Ok, at the risk of sounding a little less than butch, "I'm no car mechanic". Yes, I used to tinker on my Ford Capri and Dolomite but the thought of delving into my gorgeous new Griff with less than appropriate tools and knowledge, somewhat worries me. Having said that, everybody seems to be doing it and I'd like a piece of the action. Don't get me wrong, I know how things work, I'm just not sure how much expertise I should have before I embark on any projects. A decent set of tools and a manual to start with should help !! Any thoughts please would be appreciated.

Rgds JB

[jamienshelly]

If you are unsure then see if there is anyone local that will watch over you, im sure people will help if you ply them with tea, coffee, beer and cake.
As far as tools go, they are as cheap or as expensive as you want to make them. I would advise that you buy a reputable brand like Halfords advanced (and they are guaranteed) as they have a good stock, and generally you can get them in most towns, you will need imperial and metric kits.
The biggest thing that will help is this forum, there are so many of us on here that are willing to help, so dive in and just take your time and take photo's so you know where things go.
Good luck
Jamie

[GAjon]

To your advantage you are dealing with a low volume hand assembled car.
I'd rather work on a TVR over a mass produced car any day.

[Trickie Dickie]

Get along to a local TVR Car Club regional meeting as there will be members to help you there

North Yorks is a quite Region at the moment but if you want to come along
then there is the Yorkshire & Humberside Region meeting on the 1st Monday
every month at the Dyneley Arms near Leeds/Bradford airport

I know at least 2 Griff owners who regularly go who are both very competent mechanics
and both nice guys who will offer lots of help and advice

Alternatively come to one of my WY region meetings (3rd Sunday in the month) near M62 Leeds

Cheers
Trickie
West Yorks TVRCC Regional Organiser

[Blakeyspost]

That's great news guys. Thanks for the input. I'm actually near Knaresborough, so not to far from possible meets. New to the website but feel it's going to provide valuable information as time goes buy. 1st Monday of the month. Great I'll remember that Trickie Dickie

Thx

[Number 7]

A copy of Steve Heath's book on the Griff would be a good start. Depending on how keen you are, a copy of a Haynes manual covering the RV8 might be useful - I have the SD1 variation, but as this lump was used in a variety of motors, and did vary somewhat over the years (pre-serp vs. serp for instance) anothee version might be more appropriate. As for technical help, IME you're far more likely to get it on PH than anywhere else.

[Blakeyspost]

Thx, I've seen the book mentioned a few times. Its on my Xmas list. Mines a pre-serp V8 and agree, some form of Haynes manual could be a good idea. Will look into that also

[roseytvr]

www.rv8r.co.uk


This forum, Steve Heaths book and the above link will have just about everything covered. Good luck

[BuzzBillsberry]

Jeremy they're very easy cars to work on and you should have no probs. I live in Leeds (Knarebourgh side) if you need any help just give me a shout. I can pop over and im around at the weekends now the racing seasons finished.I have plenty of specialist tools as well as normal ones! To cover most things and I know the Rover V8's very well as I have a TVR 450 in my Westfield SEiGHT plus the gearbox are the same as well + I know plenty of contacts in the business the one good thing with all TVRs they are simple plug and play pieces of kit or barn door engineering!

HTH

Buzz

[Blakeyspost]

Thx for your offer of help Buzz. I actually live in Whixley, so may take you up on the offer at some point. Some new tools first me thinks. !! Metric or imperial I wonder??

[EGB]

Wing mirrors, exhaust gaskets, speedo sensors, outriggers, imobilizers are some of the worst jobees, but plenty of good advice on TVRCC Griff/Chim and PH forums for these. You get the occasional twit sometimes, for a laugh. Welcome, a nice looking Griff.

Edited by EGB on Sunday 20th October 15:08

[cavebloke]

I'm not far from you - in York. I've got my Griff completely dismantled at the minute. I go to the NY TVRCC meets sometimes which are on the A59 so convenient for you. If you ever want to pop by and have a look at how it all goes together give me a shout.

Simon

[Blakeyspost]

Hi Simon, that's a must. Will try and arrange something soon. Believe the NY club meets on the 1st Mon of each month. Am away a fair bit but will try and make it there also soon.

[VinceFox]

As said already. The one thing i do before any job now is research it into the ground.

[cavebloke]

Blakeyspost said:

Hi Simon, that's a must. Will try and arrange something soon. Believe the NY club meets on the 1st Mon of each month. Am away a fair bit but will try and make it there also soon.

PM me if you fancy popping by. There will be more to see in a couple of weeks when my chassis comes back from SDAUTOTEC but any time you like.

NY TVRCC meets are:
Sun 10th November
Sun 8th December

Meet from 12.30pm onwards.

The Red Lion Hotel
Boroughbridge Road
Upper Poppleton
York
YO26 6PR

[BuzzBillsberry]

Blakeyspost said:

Thx for your offer of help Buzz. I actually live in Whixley, so may take you up on the offer at some point. Some new tools first me thinks. !! Metric or imperial I wonder??

Yeah no probs just drop me a mail as and when. As for the metric or imperial.It would be worth posting a thread to find out what the majority of the nuts and bolts are on the car My Tamora is mainly metric.

For me all my quality tools are metric and the imperial ones are usually picked up from shows or Machine Mart they are usually pretty cheap ones for the odd jobs I use them for, if they break throw them away and by new ones.

My thinking was find out what’s the most used size on the cars your looking after and by quality for those as they get used the most and the fit on nuts and bolts is far better so reducing 'rounding' of bolts and nuts & less knuckle rash! and less brakeage I tend to buy Teng they seem as good as snap on for a 3rd of the price and there warranty is pretty good. So sizes for spanners and sockets (Long and short) 8mm,10mm,12mm,13mm,15mm,17mm are usually common on most cars that’s where I’d and did start, get a combi spanners to give you more options...obviously screwdrivers Phillips and flat head, a couple of different size mole grip.

If you go down the alloy route for trolley jacks keep away from the single spring ones(1 1/4ton cap) they are lethal as the control of lowering the vehicle is very poor and dangerous it comes down like Usain Bolt so no control. Costco in Leeds and I'm sure at other Costcos are doing the twin spring big piston and is much more sturdy than the ones mention and I think they are around £90 I've had mine around 8months and its a very good piece of kit.

If you need any thing like engine lift, engine stand, welder etc I have those as well.

Happy shopping!

Buzz

Oh yeah I for got metric and imperial allen keys Machine Marts will do the job

[Blakeyspost]

Thanks Buzz. I do have various tools around, but with a 21yr old kickin about my tool box looks like its hadda bomb burst. I fancy starting afresh and leaving him to the old stuff. I get to the States a fair bit and a lot of stuff is dollars4ounds so may look there first.

Thanks again. BTW the Tamora looks nice

Blakey