-----Original Message-----
From: David Hill <David_J_Hill@email.msn.com>
To: Triumphs@autox.team.net <Triumphs@autox.team.net>
Date: 24 March 1998 19:01
Subject: Re Targa Tasmania & TR7 Reputation
>Re. Gumball Rally Movie. You were close Mike, it was Michael Sarrazin at
the
>wheel of the Cobra:-). If you watch the movie closely, you will see that
the
>Cobra's nose is seriously bashed in towards the end of the last reel. It
>miraculously fixes itself for the final scenes.
>
>Re. TR7 reputation. I had a '78 TR7 Coupe in the early 80s. The problems
>were:-
>
>1. The built quality. BL shifted production from Canley to Speke, where
they
>had no idea how to build cars.
>
>2. The gearing. The four-speed was drastically undergeared. I blew my
engine
>up, trying for 100mph.
>
>3. Oil pressure indication. This was very slow on the pressure gauge I
>fitted. When the engine blew, I still had oil pressure-for about 20
seconds.
>
>4. Brakes. These were poor anyway but after I had fitted a Dolomite Sprint
>16 valve engine, the best way to slow the car down was to lift the
headlamps
>as air brakes. Fade was a big problem and only mega-expensive Lockheed
>racing brakes were available at the time.
>
>5. Rot. My car was only four years old but needed (deep breath) sills,
>doors, all four wheelarches, a rear deck panel, floorpan edges, bootlid
edge
>and repairs to the rear suspension pick up points.
>
>6. Cylinder head. On the original engine, the head gasket liked to sound
off
>frequently. The TR7 engine has five(?) studs which are not at 90 degrees to
>the head. Leyland introduced beefed-up studs on later cars but you also
need
>to replace them every time the head's off and follow the torque pattern and
>figures meticulously.
>
>7. Heater pipes. These gave me a wet leg when they went rotten. I was able
>to replace them with copper but the manual might have read, ' To gain
access
>to the heater: Step One, remove car.'
>
>I wouldn't have another TR7 but they do have their good points, like being
>comfortable and reasonably roomy. Watch out for these points and the car
>will serve you well.
>
>Cheers, Dave Hill
>
>
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