Ian,
I've pulled the transmission and flywheel out of my '72 TR6 by myself
several times. The transmission is heavy and it's an awkward job. The
flywheel is also heavy. I read where someone suggested pulling it from
beneath -- I have always pulled it from above with a stack of wood scraps
directly beneath my work area, so I can sort of pull and let the wood catch
it after a short fall.
You should use 4 very sturdy jackstands, and you should have another
jackstand or sturdy support under the rear of the engine as you work. I use
a hydraulic jack to lift everything (I start at the back, because if you
jack the front first it's almost impossible to get the jack under the back)
and set it all down with the jack stands extended 10-14 inches. I use the
jack to support the engine while I unbolt and pull the transmission, but
once the transmission's out of the way I feel safer putting a fixed support
under the engine.
I shaved my flywheel when I rebuilt the engine 7 or 8 years ago, and I
haven't had any adverse effects. I don't remember how much I shaved, but I
remember thinking I was being conservative and probably didn't take 10
pounds off. I guess you have to feather the throttle a little more pulling
away from stops. I can't say it's done me any good either, though, but
that's largely because I haven't done a good job of tuning everything up
since the engine rebuild. With that experience in hindsight, I think that
your money is better spent in areas like the valve train, differential, and
carburetors if you're looking for a boost in performance. It's just my
opinion, but I think that having excellent timing in the distributor and
valves would give you a much bigger boost in driveability and acceleration
than a lighter flywheel. If you need to pull the transmission to do
clutchwork, or if you finally get around to rebuilding the engine, lighten
the flywheel then. But as a special project, I'd put
distributor/valve/carburetor R&R higher on my list.
R. Kevin Riggs
rkriggs@ugsolutions.com
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On
> Behalf Of Canada
> Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2000 3:13 PM
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net
> Subject: TR6--To shave or not?
>
>
> Greetings Listers--
>
> I'll be installing an OD tranny and clutch in my '76 next month and have
> been considering having the flywheel shaved while I'm in there. I've
> heard pros & cons about doing this from people I respect, but would
> appreciate additional wisdom. I'm not looking for race-winning
> performance with this somewhat tired engine, but would like to get a
> little more low-cost punch out of it if possible. (Aluminum's probably
> out of the question price-wise.) What's the verdict on safety? If I do
> have any metal removed, I would probably stay on the conservative side,
> but what's recommended and what can I expect in the way of performance?
> Finally, since I've loaned out my Bentley manual and have forgotten all
> that's involved in removing a flywheel (special tools or whatever), I may
> put the decision off until I have the engine rebuilt in a year or two.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ian
> CF57345
>
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