Listers,
I need some advice, at least, my wife expects me to make some
pretense of rational thought before I enthusiastically blunder ahead.
I've trying to convince myself that I want to start restoring the car.
Here's my assessment of the TR4A.
I have found rust in the following places:
1) inside of driver's rocker panel ( about 2 sq in, no surprise)
2) bottom corner of bulkhead on driver's side (from some brake
fluid leak, I imagine; about 3 sq in)
3) bulkhead under and behind the battery (currently repaired with
fiberglass patch)
4) upper inside of left rear fender (where it joins with the body,
appears to be limited to the flange)
5) one small bubble on the panel behind the rear bumper, has
broken the paint
6) several bubbles on the very front of the hood, haven't broken
the paint, so may not be rust (hope springs eternal)
No rust on outside of rockers, in floor pans, or behind the front
wheels. The frame appears solid and straight.
The current paint is definitely a 20-footer. I have some nicks
and scratches, but the worst is the cracking covering most of
the trunk, part of the hood, and a few other places. The paint is
a respray about 3 years old, I didn't do it. Don't know what its
covering.
Mechanically, the transmission needs overhauled. Too many
whines, clatters, and rattles. Clutch works smoothly. I have a
long-standing dieseling problem which various tinkering and
chemical treatments have failed to address, so I guess I need
to pull the head. The engine would benefit from a valve job
(lots of clatter) but compression is even and high on all cylinders.
No end float that would indicate worn thrust washers.
Brakes and suspension are new; I did them last year and I
was very thorough. Differential and rear axles are fine.
The interior is C- or worse. Both door panels need replacing,
the dash needs a new cover, the "switch plinth" looks like it pissed
off Freddy Kruger. New carpet, though, and all guages and controls
currently work. Seats are from a TR4, are serviceable but should
be recovered.
All the chrome needs attention.
So that's the car.
I have half of a two car garage, most of the mechanics tools I would
need, but none of the body tools (no air compressor, air tools, welder,
etc.) I've never been detered by lack of tools, usually, I consider
them my reward for learning to do something else myself. I've never
done body or paint work before.
I found a body and paint class at the local military base that charges
$40 tuition, you provide your own supplies, and you get to use
their paint booth for 10 hours or something. However, I can't
leave the car at their shop for longer than the class meets.
And no, a rich uncle hasn't passed away. I'm willing to take my time
and do this job right, well, truth be told my budget will prevent any
haste.
I'm not really inclined to take the body off the frame unless there's
some real advantage to doing so.
So where do I start? Collect lots of boxes and margarine tubs and
take the car apart? Or sell the car to Brad Kahler :-)
Cliff Hansen
chansen@anr.net
1966 TR-4A CTC 64615L
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