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piston detective

To: 6Pack@autox.team.net
Subject: piston detective
From: clancy36@comcast.net
Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2004 02:08:21 +0000
  thanks for the responses on my pistons in this 73 six, this detective story 
is beginning to take shape. not to bore the list with a long triumph story, but 
it's interesting detective work (to me anyways).
i bought this six from the original owner from texas a retired fighter pilot, 
incredibly documented literally every receipt and more from the day he bought 
it.
  it was a failed restoration attempt by him, thousands worth of parts in 
boxes, a "rebuilt engine" with a receipt of 4,000.00 plus 2,100.00 additional 
work.
he stated it barely ran from the shop in texas adding to his painful decision 
to part with her.
  i was guessing improper cam timing gear replacement, (i did it myself on my 
70 many years ago)so i'm at the point were it's time to get the rebuilt engine 
painted to coincide with the chassis thats ready and the body which im about to 
paint.
  i knew to be sure i should take the engine apart and check out the "rebuilt"  
engine. i found red texas ants in the intake manifold and intake chambers in 
the head, ( i guess they didn't make the trip well to massachusetts last 
winter).
  new timing gears improperly timed (bingo),a chatter mark in #5 cylinder, oil 
ring was not installed properly,new standard bearings (crank and rods)which 
were scored from what looked like a dirty assembly.
  then the piston question the x20 which i thought indicated oversize, but as 
Bob Lang indicated each piston was punched with the letter A and as the manual 
states on the block each cylinder was stamped with a corresponding A, so they 
are original and so much for 4,000 dollar texas rebuild.
  the original owner told me he had no luck with the shop standing behind his 
rebuilt engine that wouldn't run, and the shop closed shortly after.
good news for texas triumph people.
so thats my triumph story!
thanks for the help!
p.s any recommendations for a good machinist in the boston capecod area.
cheers     
Dan Clancy
1970 TR6





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