Jason's Blog

Interesting bundle on eBay Service Training Notes Lucas Petrol Injection Manual on eBay (end time 16-Nov-10 17:26:15 GMT) no financial interest on my part. I have most of this already in one form or another.

I received an email the other day asking if I could supply a few pictures for an article to appear on the Triumph 2000 register web site. I'm always happy to help and share what I've collected over the years. I don't actually covert the physical items like photos, I value the image, what it tells us about the history, so I don't actually that many physical photos. I do have lots of images that I collect from either scanning those photos or from other web sites. I also get sent a lot of images and spend far too long surfing and searching (although that's reduced lately due to work and travel commitments) Anyway, here's the article which is a good read. The Triumph 2000 Story – The Big Triumphs in ‘Works’ Competition: 1964-1976 | The Triumph 2000 2500 2.5 Register I can make a little known addition to the details of the Lloyd-Hirst, Englefield, Baker privately entered 2.5PI - although out of time the car and crew carried on until Brian Englefield was laid low with...

Thanks to Andy Martin's camera in the hands of I think Dave Pearson here are a few action shots of me making a mess of the test circuit. All I can say in my defence is that I was laughing too much to notice where the cones were and was completely unable to control the old girl around them anyway. Turns out I missed only one which I count as a superb victory! First is the calm before the storm, you get a 5,4,3,2,1 count down and then you're off! This was me trying to give it some welly to drift round a cone The result of the welly giving was to produce an impressive cloud of dust and missing the cone by a mile. OK so I was on the wrong side of the cone! So I finished with an impressive fishtail - OK perhaps I was the only one impressed All told it was over in the blink of an eye, but it was fun!

...because you alternate between thinking you've fixed and not! This is getting very silly indeed, I though maybe I had a dodgy alternator so I started checking that out today, Oh hang on, let's get back to the beginning The symptoms are that there is a persistent misfire, it's not on a specific cylinder but it's more like she's not fully firing all the time. It's through out the rev range and doesn't seem to respond to any fuel or ignition settings (choke in/out, advanced/retarded) you can't "drive through" it. Engine is fresh and has excellent (190psi) and equal compression. Cam timing and valve gaps are all spot on. Metering unit is timed correctly, all injectors are spraying a good cone pattern with no dribbles or bleed back. I have replace or rebuilt all of the ignition system at least twice. New coil, leads, cap, rotor arm, plugs, points, (tried electronic ignition too). The fuel system is OK, pressure seems pretty constant over 100 psi o...

What a weekend! I was well prepared (as I always feel I am, I'm usually wrong) and drove up to Canley Classics on Thursday afternoon to meet up with Dave. The intention being to have a final fettle and see if we could cure an annoying brake judder on Thursday then have a leisurely start to the journey midday Friday. Joe and Frank Welling were also starting from Canleys and Tims Bancroft and Hunt were going to meet us there to travel up to the Old Stone Trough on Friday. We were due to set off at about 1pm. That all left plenty of time for the inevitable "issues" that crop up. This event would the car's longest journey in my ownership, in fact it was 1500 miles door to door. I'd had an annoying misfire for weeks before and felt I;d cured it, the car went well on the 100 mile trip up to Dave's place, I didn't push it. Of course things started to go a little pear shaped when the misfire returned and the brake judder got annoyingly worse! We resolved to sort t...

Went out to the local group meeting - it's a TSSC meet (I was the area Organiser when I was a TSSC member) but we welcome everyone from any club, no questions asked. It's a half an hour drive for me as it's in Hook, the other side of Reading and down towards Basingstoke. Nice blat along some country roads and the PI ran very well indeed, no sign of the misfire and actually feels pleasant again. Two issues cropped up, the brake judder is not improved, if anything it's worse, despite correct hold down hardware now (thanks Ted) and despite everything working seemingly as it should. I can't figure it out, the brakes judder and it doesn't come through on the steering wheel so I'm guessing rear wheels. Yet when I apply the handbrake (whilst moving) there isn't a trace of judder. More head scratching I think. The second thing? I flashed my headlights and the fuse blew - it didn't mean the loss of headlights, just the loss of horn, interior light, cigarette ...

I know, I know, I must stop it with the Carry-on gutter mentality but I watched Carry on at your convenience recently (I'm not really sure why) and it's affected me! I like air horns, the louder the better. There's something fundamental about a car horn that's been lost over the years. I mean nowadays it's a polite little "peep" in a sort of camp "Yoo hoo!" way. Horns should be loud in a sort of "Oy! Get the *$%# out the way!" style, more of a warning device than anything else. So I had been looking out for a nice set of Fiamms or maybe some Maserati air horns but these things don't come up too often, when they do they are expensive. I've had a few bids in recently and been frustrated so I just bought some cheapo air horns off eBay and thought I'd fit them up whilst I keep looking for some nice period ones. So when Tim came over for an afternoon's car fettling he asked what jobs there were to do and, seeing as he could t...

Now then, this posting can be read in a serious voice or you can put a Frankie Howerd voice on and insert as much innuendo as you can handle - oooo missus! It's always been a concern of mine that with the Stag brakes (and some spacers to clear the brake drums) my rear wheel studs were not showing through the nuts. I was not hugely concerned because they are long tube nuts and as such there was a lot of thread to them but I always feel more comfortable seeing the stud in the nut. It's always been said that Ford studs would fit and after some consultation with the oracles on the Club Triumph Forum (thanks Andy Thompson et al) it turns out it's Ford RS2000 competition studs that are needed. A trawl around eBay and other sires revealed a huge difference in price for what is a fairly cheap component. In the end I got them from these guys Mtec Racing Services for a very modest £1.40 each. What you need are Ford Wheel Stud 7/16" UNF 55mm long (there are other lengths availab...

It's been a while since I did anything frivolous on the PI, mainly because it's been rather annoying in resisting all my attempts to get it running right. You see I made a little mental pact with myself - get it running right, move it towards it's potential. Then, and only then, can you start doing all the other jobs that you have stacked up for it! So it is with some relief that I think I have cracked it this weekend. I have spent two days on the car and been through it step by step. First a bit of history - it was running OK, then it developed a persistent misfire that you would not drive through. At this point everyone will be blaming the PI. I have installed an electronic fuel pressure gauge in the car so I can see when fuel pressure drops. Yes sometime it has occasionally dropped (I have had several pumps on it testing and developing) but the low fuel pressure misfire is very different to an ignition misfire. So I had swapped out plugs, leads, cap, rotor arm and coil f...

Ted Taylor's written a very nice epilogue to the WCR40 show where he name checks those who did so much to help out and make the event a success, read it here Epilogue to the event WCR40 There were so many that make the whole event work and I'm sure we've missed a few out but you know who you are and your time and effort was vital. I would like to say thanks to Ted himself who, through enthusiasm, hard work and perseverance got the job done - we did have a few doom and gloom merchants who told us we would fail and that we should have started 12 months ago etc, etc. It was Ted who didn't listen and just ploughed on. I have to admit, I for one was very worried about letting anyone down, with work and homelife to balance as well as a personal obsession it was always going to be tricky. In the end the cracks didn't show, no one saw the things that went wrong and we all had a good day. So thanks Ted and Team! Now, photos. Please, please, please do make them available to ...

WORLD CUP RALLY 40th anniversay souvenir programme on eBay (end time 30-May-10 11:54:37 BST) For those who couldn't make it to Gaydon last month, the souvenir programme is available for purchase from eBay (and also the 2000 Register club shop). Price is £5.00 including UK postage For overseas buyers please ask for a shipping quote, it will be at cost price. Paypal can be used to complete the purchase. The progamme is a decent read and keep item with a lot of colour and detail. Huge credit to Kevin who put it all together and produced it on time and within budget. This is our main money maker and whilst we don't seek to make big profits we do need to cover our costs. It would be great to get a few quid in the kitty to enable us to consider putting on another Classic Rally cars event sometime in the future. Once again, thanks to all who attended or helped in some way.

Just a short post to say a big "Thank you" to everyone who attended and supported yesterdays event. I was mainly chained to the auditorium running the slightly dodgy audio visuals (no one saw the join but basically I could not stop the films only pause them as we have no scene search, fast forward or rewind facility). Big thanks to Paul the Gaydon technician guy for getting us that far, in fact big thanks to all the Gaydon staff including John Bishop, fantastic venue and they could not have been more helpful to us. I didn't leave the site until 6pm on Saturday and was back again for 7am Sunday - I think I was one of the first cars to arrive so the car park was empty. When I was able to venture outside later I was overwhelmed by the numbers, so much so I admit to having a little emotional moment. You've no idea how much sleep I'd lost over this - would the cars come, would the people come, were there enough anoraks to go round? The inside event went so well we had ...

Well the PI passed the MOT and promptly let me down. Not strictly true, it didn't leave me stranded but it has decided that indicators are for other cars but not the PI. I have side repeaters and no indicators - all 4 have stopped. Investigations all seem to point to the flasher unit. Here's my set-up and history. About 1 year or more ago the original flasher unit was playing up, erratic operation. It would operate OK for 2 or 3 flashes and then become fast/slow erratic. I bought a modern flasher relay and I put that in, problem solved. I decided to have a play with LEDs and got an LED flasher unit and some festoons for the repeaters as they were quite dull with conventional lamps. I never did get round to putting LEDs in the indicators. So the car sits with LED repeaters, incandescent indicators and a modern flasher unit good for LEDs and incandescent lamps. So, back to the problem - The repeaters work, the dash warning light works and the flasher relay makes the required cli...

Following my broken brakes episode I went up to Gaydon in the modern but was amazed at how many Triumphs I saw. 2 Heralds, a Spitfire, a 2000, a Stag and TR7 - all at different points in the journey and all doing mundane things, like daily driving duties. It kind of inspired me. Not that I need much inspiration, I booked an MOT for Monday, just before the calliper let go! Anyway, that's all fixed, new calliper from Canleys fitted, I still can't understand why the last one failed twice but it's not worth the time and hassle to try and figure it out. It's now in the core bin for a recon. I was reminded of all the times I'd tried to use an Easibleed in my youth, connecting it up to the spare tyre and spraying brake fluid all over the place. Now older and wiser and having read the instructions I am always impressed with this gadget (and slightly ashamed that I was so bloody awful at using it in the early days!) I've now been called in for lunch and then I'm off ...

Calling all anoraks and officianados of Works Triumphs. Can you identify a part for me? In the boot of a world Cup car there are a number of modifications to the diff mounts, mainly to strengthen the area and enable quicker diff changes. Here's a view of WRX's boot, ignore the floor, it isn't the correct floor, the right one is awaiting installation . What you're looking at is the two holes above the diff mounts. Ordinary production cars have this all boxed in. Here's a close up below - what I'm trying to identify are the domes that are welded over the diff pins - they are substantial. But what are they from? Where did the parts come from? Any ideas?? Get in touch by email, chinn at ntlworld.com Thanks

Booked the PI in for an MOT for Monday, built a nice pump from all my new bits, put that one and fired her up. Lashed up an electronic fuel pressure gauge so I can see what's going on - only shows 102 psi but it's constant. OK, let's have a little road test. Drives like a milk float, brakes are crap too. Get home, front calliper seals have gone again! That's the second time in 18 months. So, I won't be going to the WCR40 meeting tomorrow in the PI but at least Canley's have a Stag calliper I can buy. I have a seal kit but frankly if it's gone again in 18 months then the calliper itself is suspect - looks lovely and clean but won't hold fluid. I'd rebuild it tonight but I have a wedding reception to go to and Mrs C would kill me if we were late. So, off to Gaydon for the final meeting tomorrow and perhaps fix the breaks on the PI on Sunday, MOT on Monday then at least have a chance of getting it running right for the WCR40 event next weekend! It'...

NOW Click above to buy your tickets, just over a week to go.

Yes, it's Rolls Royce - and it wasn't the only one on the Rally! http://events.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/events_2010_wcr40.html I was at Gaydon for the second organisers meeting yesterday, things are gathering momentum and it's looking like a pretty special day. The role call of cars is growing and it's really impressive that so many have been identified and tracked down but to see so many owners committing to bring them is great. Some will not be roadworthy, some won't be pretty, some will not even be on 4 wheels BUT they'll be there and in one place. Frankly I'm amazed and feeling privileged to be part of it all. Even the long lost and reclusive XJB302H is promised, yes Paddy Hopkirk's 2.5 PI that finished fourth will be there. Apparently the owner made contact at Race Retro and confirmed - so a big well done and thank you to him. We've got over 20 original competitors confirmed, with another 20+ mechanics and support crews also coming. Top that ...

Latest update on the fast approaching Gaydon event http://wcr40.org.uk/2010/03/15/latest-additions-to-wcr40-event/

One of the things I like about this old car malarkey is that on your travels you meet lots of interesting people along the way. One such chap is Gary Whitcombe who was a competitor on both the 1974 UDT Marathon and the 1977 London to Sydney Marathon. I met him at one of the WCR40 event meetings and it turns out he lives a stones throw from my parents house in Pershore, Worcestershire. Whilst chatting to him about films, Triumphs, deserts and life changing experiences he asked if I knew anyone who wanted a nice GT6. He then proceeded to describe an honest car that has been waxoiled and garaged but hardly driven recently. Thsee pics were taken in a hurry after a rainy day. Gary says the waxoil is every where and it's staying on if its what kept it pretty much rust free for 37 years! The sill trims are still on (these often get lost when sills are replaced) but 2 of the little clips need fitting back on the sill edge. Gary says that when he cleaned the drain holes in the sills liqui...

.... well Escorts anyway Whilst I was trawling around the interweb I stumbled across this little nugget one of the few (2) surviving ex-Works Escorts/ There was also a privately entered Escort 1300 that survives - I was actually looking for that to see what that sold for! Anyway, back to FTW 48H, car 14 - it's special for a few reasons, firstly it actually finished the event, out of 96 starters only 23 actually made it to Mexico to be classified as finishers. What surprises me is the price, £71,900 now I'm not saying I've got that sort of money spare but it does seem to represent good value for what seems to be a decent rally car. Of course I don't know my Escorts at all. The photo I liked the best is the one of FTW 48H leading one of the weirder World Cup entries, an Escort based Elba Motor Caravan - entry 16, a non-finisher. Update - I found it, Doug Harris privately entered World Cup Escort CMF730H is for sale. It's apparently going to be under the hammer at Ra...

Well today's WCR40 meeting at Gaydon was a good insight onto how the day will go. There was a great deal of enthusiasm as well as realism around the table and it was good to see that so much work has already been done to make the day go well. I've never been that close to how these sort of shows work and have always wondered how on earth all the disparate threads get pulled together. Tracing all the survivors is work enough and I was really pleased to hear how many of the known surviving cars will be there - pretty much all of them! Cars that haven't turned a wheel for years, are bent, awaiting restoration or just plain dormant are all coming and we're still looking! Mechanics, driver, co-drivers, marshalls, team managers are all represented too. Some well known names have confirmed. I'm actually quite excited to meet these guys. The details will unfold as the weeks progress but I thought it important to let people know that this is turning into one of those "n...

WCR40, Celebrating 40 Years of the Daily Mirror London-Mexico World Cup Rally The WCR40 web site is launched - click the link above to find updates and news on the event. I have my first WCR40 meeting tomorrow at Gaydon and will continue to blog my news here.

London to Mexico • World Cup Rally WCR40 40th Anniversary Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon 18th April 2010 Organised by The Triumph 2000/2500/2.5 Register Landcrab Owners’ Club International Austin Maxi Owners’ Club The London-Mexico World Cup Rally WCR40 commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Daily Mirror London-Mexico World Cup Rally. The longest and most ambitious event of its kind to date, the World Cup Rally left Wembley Stadium for the 16,000 mile, 6-week trip to Mexico City on 19th April 1970. Almost 100 cars, spanning a variety of works teams and private entries, would follow a challenging route of road sections and special stages from London to Lisbon then, after a sea passage to South America, rejoin battle in Rio de Janeiro for the journey to Mexico City. Reflecting the relentless pace of the Rally and the punishing terrain over which it was run, just 23 of the original starters would make it to the finishing line at Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium. The World Cup Rally remains on...

YouTube - Graham Robson interview - The Daily Mirror 1970 World Cup Rally 40 (Veloce) I'm grateful to the Club Triumph forum for pointing out this little snippet on the above. There are a couple of events I know of to mark the 40th anniversary of this geat event. The above is a commercial book launch of Graham Robsons WCR40 Retrospective work. Graham was a travelling controller on the event and has a wealth of knowledge about how it really was back then. I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished book. I made all my photos available to Graham to help illustarte the book so I'm hoping they were good enough. All I know at the moment about the book launch is that it's taking place at Alperton car showroom, near Wembley on Tuesday 20th April. I don't know whether it's an "open" event where anyone can turn up or whether it's ticketed - probably best you ask Veloce Publishing. The second event I know of is being organised by a goup of interested c...