Robert M. Lang wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I think one reason that folks think that these engines won't last very long
> is that the standard maintenance schedule calls for things like valve jobs
> and "de-coking" at intervals far lower than what the "equivalent" US built
> car called for.
>
> By way of example, doing a valve job on a Chevy V8 is probably unheard of
> before the car has 100k miles, and the preferred method of repair (at least
> when I was a kid) was to swap in a whole 'nuther unit from the junk yard
> (the breaker for our friends OTOSOTP). If you did a valve job, it was
> because you were looking for more power and you were probably doing various
> hop ups at the same time. Oh, and you just toss the old motor. Heck, I see
> complete engines (GM V8's, for instance) for sale for $50 - and they run!
> That's less money than what a complete set of gaskets for the TR6 costs!
>
> My experience has been that the internals of all the Triumphs that I've
> taken apart are just fine at 100k miles. Some of the cars that I've taken
> apart have been stressed more that usual, my TR6, for instance, with lots
> of Autocrosses and other like driving that some might consider "beating the
> car" showed very little wear indeed. In fact, Len Renkenburger, TR6 Guru,
> indicates that he had several TR6's with more than 150k mile on them before
> they needed the crank turned or other similar drastic work done on them.
> His method is to switch out the bearings every now and then and to make
> sure the journals are round. This is good advice no matter what you drive.
>
> On the other hand, folks in this hobby take a car that is possibly running
> okay completely apart and then rebuild everything - regardless of whether
> it actually needs rebuilding...
>
> Now, if you have a Spitfire 1500, that's a dufferent issue... ;-).
>
> Oh well.
>
> rml
> TR6's
> At least one being "rebuilt".
I think the big difference in mileage/rebuilds in the U.S. vs UK is the
roads, we have had for so many years the freeways, open highways etc.
etc. our cars rack up more easy miles than they do over there, but yes
some of us do a lot of unneeded work and dollars wasted.
|