In a message dated 12/7/98 8:35:58 PM EST, fergie@ntplx.net writes:
Hey Michael
Guess I'll chime in here...
Good, solid body/frame. Some surface rust on floor pans and minor bondo
in a few spots (lower wings). Otherwise, no rust anywhere! Fiberglas
front apron, but rest is all steel and he has a somewhat rough, but
restorable steel front apron as part of the deal. Definitely needs
paint. Some cracking and quite a bit of fading on bonnet and boot lid.
Needs stripped inside and out and resprayed. Looks good from a distance,
but...
My guess is there's more rot here than meets the eye, but if it's clean and
straight you're half way there. Probably would only find it with major
disassembly. Paint job is about $1000 minimum, and that with a lot of work by
you.
Compression is between 150-155 on all four cylinders. Says he has
receipts for engine rebuild, but I haven't seen 'em. Oil pressure very
good as well. Started easily and ran very well during my 45 minute
drive. (HINT: Either wear a jacket or put the hood and side screens on
when it's 40 degrees outside - a sweatshirt is NOT enough! Don't ask me
how I know this. 8^)
I know how you know this! It does occasionally get a bit nippy down here
too! Engine sounds good for a while. Any sign of oil leaks?
Some slop in the steering - maybe 1/2" steering wheel movement with no
wheel movement. At about 40MPH, there's noticeable shimmy / cowl shake.
Ok at lower or higher speeds. Pulls to the right when braking. One new
brake caliper.
Steering sounds tight - for a TR3! Front end shake could be tires, but both my
TR3's had a shimmy at about 55 mph. New tie rod ends fixed it. I'd probably
pull and rebuild both calipers unless you're confident of the condition.
Engine idles a bit high. Adjusted throttle linkage set screw down to
1000 or so, but after running awhile, RPMs back up to 12-1500. Some
black exhaust and black, powdery looking spark plugs. Deal includes a
Unisyn. Sounds like I'll need one!
Figure carb overhaul. Although it could be as simple as the throttle hanging
up on something. I have this T-shirt also.
Decent condition interior, but it's a light gray vinyl w/ gray carpet.
Really would rather black, but owner doesn't seem to care about
originality (or that I DO care). Top is brand new, but also gray. Side
screens are original in VG condition, but they've been colored gray.
Tonneau is good (and BLACK). By the way, the car is painted burgandy.
Doesn't sound nauseating. But up to you.
All instruments work. Owner says it has a new clutch - again no
receipts, but it did seem smooth.
I didn't notice it, but owner told me the non-overdrive TR4 transmission
sometimes slips out of second gear. Why?
This may be a problem in the remote shifter, but I suspect a tranny rebuild is
going to be necessary sometime. Have heard of a lack of interlock bearings in
the shifter will do this but don't know. Have also heard worn 2nd gear hub and
worn shifter forks will do this.
Car has not been driven much in the last several years.
Chrome wire wheels in good condition (slight surface rust in hub area),
new stainless exhaust, new wire harness (installed), no tools (jack,
crank, etc.). Original horns replaced by louder ones. Horn button under
dash - steering hub button doesn't work, but turn signals do.
Control heads are still about $150 I think. That and a Saturday. You may be
able to fix yours.. with parts from lister pals?
Bottom line...
What do you think the car is worth? And how much more do you think it
would cost to make it a nice, presentable, reasonably reliable (huh?)
car? I'd really appreciate your collective wisdom. Thank you!!
Probably about $5000 around here, about $500 in your neck of the woods!
Good Luck with your new toy
Ken Nuelle
58 TR3A
62 TR3B
64 TR4
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