Cliff
Not too long ago I was asking my self the same question. I am well into
a restoration of a TR250. I recommend that if you want to do it right,
figure on getting a decent air compressor, air tools (I love my cutting
wheel), and if you plan to do body work yourself, a welder, etc. etc.
etc......... tools. Books - get the Bentley manual. Also There are books
out there about restoration of classic cars, engine rebuilding, you name
it.
I take pictures of everything. Before I take the part off, and after.
Then I write down what I did, what bolt broke (everything is rusty),
what problems I had, and what I would do different next time. All parts
are bagged and labeled with masking tape on the bag. Every connection on
switches, components, harness connections, etc. are labeled on both
sides. (My wiring harness looks like a christmas tree without a spine.)
Every picture taken goes into an album in the order it was taken. (Soon
I'm going to have to know how to put all this stuff back on.)
The rest of this is from memory of the last couple of months so I'm sure
I'm leaving something out. But, FWIW...
I started dissassembly by removing boot and bonnet lids and any easily
dissassembled exterior components such as doors, grill, headlights,
radiator and front cross piece, rearview mirror (yes there was still one
in the car) and then started in the cockpit. Took the top and interior
trim off so that I could get to the metal underneath. Then the dash,
gauges, steering wheel and column. The windshield frame was a bear. but
patience and some serious mechanical persauasion helped. Then the
heater. After that it started to become a little more obvious that the
wiring harness had to come out next. Along with everything it attached
to. That included all the fenders because you can't get to some of the
connections without removing them. Once the harness was out, the engine
looked pretty lonely, so out came the engine and gear box. I had to take
the steering gear out to feel comfortable about not banging it up with
the engine. I'll rebuild the engine myself, but there's a guy in town
here who will do my tranny for me.
Next comes the hydraulics, and then its body work. That's about where
I'm at right now. Body tub sitting on the frame on jack stands. I'm
going to next weld in new floor pans, and rocker panels. (After I weld
in some stout bracing to keep the body rigid.) Once all the body work is
done, it comes off the frame and down to the paint shop. While its
there, I'll sand blast the frame, paint it myself, rebuild the
suspension, and start putting everything back in reverse order. Except,
I thing I'll put the engine on the frame before I lower the body on.
(Hope to be done in time for "Mad Dogs and Englishmen". The kids love to
help so I may not be, but at least I'll have a great excuse.)
Anyhow, there a lot of details behind these few sentances. Stay tuned to
the experience these folks have on the list. It has been invaluable to
me.
If there's anything I can do e-mail me and I'll try to help.
Remain stout of heart my friend. If you didn't want to get into this,
you'd probably have a different hobby. Good luck
Mark
CD 2807 L (deep in surgery)
CD 4834 L (wants to be next under the knife 'cause now there's an OD a
waitin in the wings)
CD 7412 L(organ donor)
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