MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR6 - Need help getting dad's TR6 back on the road

I'm asking for a favor that would really mean a lot to me. I'm a 23-year-old student in pharmacy school at UNC-Chapel Hill about to graduate on May 1st. My dad had a TR6 since I was born and we had the best time riding in it, going to British Car Shows (British Car Day South at Tanglewood Campground in Asheboro, NC), and I even helped him by being his "little mechanic"...he loved to work on that car. In April of 1996, he passed away unexpectedly and his car has not been cranked since that day. I had just started college that year and I think my mom felt awkward seeing his car after that, so it has remained covered in the garage. He had always told me that he would give it to me when I graduated from college...and that day is almost here, but things aren't quite as we had planned.

I know very little about car mechanics, so getting his car back on the road after all this time is soemthing that I am going to need help with, and preferably from someone who knows and loves TR6s. If there's anyone out there (near me if possible) who would be willing to help me or give me advice on where to turn for help with this, I would truly appreciate any and all information that anyone might have. Also, if anyone knows about how much this will cost, please give me a ballpark estimate so that I can start preparing for that now. If you read this far, I thank you and hope that you might be able to help me. As you can see, this means more to me than you know. :)

Sincerely,

Elizabeth C. Ward, Pharm.D. Candidate
UNC-CH School of Pharmacy, 2000
Elizabeth Ward

I forgot to ad a very important fact...though I am in Durham, NC, the TR6 is at my mom's house in Lincolnton, NC (about 45min NW of Charlotte just off Hwy 321). Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from anyone who can provide any help :)

Elizabeth
Elizabeth Ward

If you still have some questions I will do my best to answer them.

Rolly
Roland Carrier

sorry hear how you acquired this car, but i may be able to help you out. since it has not been sitting to long, and garage kept there may not be to many problems... i would suggest cleaning all of your electrical contacts on the fuse panel-simple corrosion is the cause for most electrical problems.(lights, directionals, horn, etc.) if you have not already tried to start it, put in some fresh gas, make sure all other vital fluids are there (oil, coolant) clean the tips of the spark plugs, and contacts in the distributor cap, and try to jump start it.. i've see cars that have not run in 10 years start right up with these basic steps. as far as the cost of this project, thats a little hard to estimate, but bringing it to a mechanic who does not know triumphs can be quite costly.. but before you get to involved with the car, make sure that the frame is in good condition, as well as other structural parts...
eric

Contact me , I may be able to help you. My wife takes her horses to Uhware just north of Charlotte and I'm due to accompany her on the next trip in April/May. I don't ride so I'm going gold panning and would welcome the chance to start your Triumph.
Joe Justice

With all the response, I don't think you'll have any problem getting going.
Eric from N.Y. gave you some good advice. Let me add one or two things. Newer gas seems not to store as well as the stuff during the "good 'ol days." but if you do as Eric suggests and put in some fresh gas that will help. You can cheat a little too by using some starting fluid. *DON'T OVER-DO IT!*
When you get to the distributor, put a little laquer thinner on a piece of lint free paper and run it through the (closed) points. (Mine has points, anyway--I don't know off hand if Triumph ever went electronic on the TR-6). Have a fully charged battery.
Question: Was the car running before your dad passed away? (And my sympathy to you and your Mom). If the car wasn't running, you should take a quick look at the timing, the wires (and insure the plug wires are as they shoud be, firing order wise). Just a general check, that's all.
If that doesn't do it, the carbs may be gummed up. That's a little more involved, and should be handled by a competent mechanic. Preferably one who is experienced with TR's.
Hope this helps.
Dave Clark

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2000 and 21/04/2000

Triumph TR6 index