Hi,
I've been listening for a while - enjoying all the useful tips etc.
I wonder if anyone can help? I've got two Triumphs - a 1969 2-litre 'Herald'
and a 1976 2.5S Estate. The 'Herald' has a non-overdrive gearbox and the 2.5S
has an overdrive gearbox. For some time both cars have suffered from loss of
oil from the gearboxes. I don't know where it all goes - there's often a very
small patch of oil under the 'Herald' when it's been standing for a while, but
no evidence from the 2.5S. It seems that after I've topped up both gearboxes
they have smooth gear changes. However this disappears soon after I've taken
them for a motorway drive and the oil level gets low again.
Also the 'Herald' is now jumping out of reverse every time I try and engage it
- bit of a pain if you want to go backwards! - and is beginning to jump out of
1st under hard acceleration. These symptoms started a few years ago soon after
I bought the gearbox as a recon unit and they have got progressively worse.
I want to avoid pulling the gearboxes if possible 'cos that will probably end
up as a bigger job than I imagined and an expensive rebuild. Anybody got any
simple ideas that may help?
A few years ago I hand-painted the 'Herald' - sounds horrible but I had no
money for an expensive respray. After some research I opted for stripping the
existing handpainted paint back to bare metal and used a special coachpaint
sold by Mason's in Derby (UK) that is used on transport vehicles. It's a very
tough enamel with a good shine and is really easy to clean. It massively
improved the appearance of the bodywork but the truth is I've got a bit fed-up
with the small evidences of brush-marks and I want to get it 'up to scratch'.
It doesn't appear to cut back but just goes dull, so I think my only options
are:
1) Spray a thinned topcoat over existing paint
2) Brush or Spray a varnish over existing topcoat
3) Back to bare metal and spray cellulose !
Has anyone any advice here? For example does anyone know if brushing varnish
conceals brush stroke evidence? Can varnish be cut back and keep a shine?? The
depth of colour is superb but I hate the brushmarks! Somebody told me that all
cars were handpainted once - I bet they didn't suffer from brushmarks!!
Apologies for a long message. Look forward to your replies,
Andy
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