Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Renovating "Colonel Mustard"

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Renovating "Colonel Mustard"

    Hi All,
    Though I would start a thread to detail my renovation of my new Stag, "Colonel Mustard".

    Some background....
    In the past I have had a range of old cars including a 1500 spit, Lotus Elan +2S130, TR6 (which I still own), MG midget (which I also still own), Triumph 2500TC which I sold to buy a RV8 engined Stag (Colonel Mustard, because of the colour!).

    I have generally done all my own restoration work appart from Diff and gearbox rebuilds (too many parts) and resprays.
    Both the Spit and Elan (see picture) were restored to original spec, the spit required a body-off restoration.
    DSCN0216.JPG
    The Midget was bought as a £150 "ready for the crusher" project. 1000 hours of work and I ended up with a fairly heavily modified car running a modern 1.8 Rover K series on fuel injectio with a ford type 9 5 speed gearbox
    20180217_151032.jpg
    The TR6 was bought as a "just running" car and I completed a body off with a new chassis etc. Engine slightly modified to replace the Lucas PI with a Holley and supercharger
    20180930_165831.jpg
    Now all are finished or sold on I need a new project. I had experience of driving a Stag through Simon Long who posts here sometimes. Together we have taken his Stag to Classic LeMans a few times and done 1 1/2 RBRRs in it so I knew they are quite some vehicles. I was really impressed with the interior finish (much better than the TR and on a par with the Lotus), the ride and the grunt they have. I also now have the need to have a classic that my wife and I can use for adventures (the TR is too heavy and uncomfortable and the midget, which she likes a lot is too small for long distances where you need more than a toothbrush!). So after selling the Saloon (see below, incredibly original two owner car) which was bought and refreshed for my uncle to do the 2021 RBRR with his sons, I went hunting for a Stag.
    2020-06-28 12.41.36.jpg
    Now, I had the type of car I wanted in mind. I didn't want a trailer queen as I wanted something with some work that needed doing and that I would not mind using. I wasn't fussy about colour. I was interested in an RV8 car. I know this is controversial but I was interested in some mild modification (e.g. adding EFI and perhaps uping the power a little) and have always been interested in the venerable RV8. This is not to say that I might not revert to a TV8 down the line. I was also interested in the lower price for the RV8 versions as my pockets were not infinitly deep. I also wanted a lower rust car. I can weld and have done extensive bodywork, but it is not my favourite thing. Anyhow.. after rather less waiting than expected one came up on Fleabay in Sutton Coldfield (which happens to be only 40 mins from home.)
    stag first picture.jpg

    I had a good look around the car. It had only done about 3000 miles since the late 90s and seemed to have been garaged for most of that time with regular MOTs. The paint was OK and had clearly had a respray probably about the same time as the RV8 was fitted. Feeling around underneath the all felt good. Sills were clean (could be welded over crap sills so we will see!), floors were intact as was what I could see of the boot floor. The passengers side outrigger was a bit mashed from jacking but replaved one of these on the saloon so not too much work here. The engine started well and ran smooth up to temp. Ineterior was tired but reasonably original. Would need some new seat foams and the dash reconing but these are nice winter projects. Only things that were a concern was no oil pressure light.. I went for a drive and it ran very smoothly, the gearbox was good and OD worked well. The engine gave good power, but the diff whined like a torture cat..
    Anyhow I went away and had a good think and then made an offer which was accepted.
    I picked the car up and drove it home the next weekend. On the 40 minute drive (which included the M42) the car felt strong (if whiney). There was a bit of rear end twitch at the extremes of power application, but I thought as I was going to replace the diff I may as well also do the rear suspension..
    Overall I was happy with my purchase.. and now the real fun begins..
    Tim



    '72 Triumph TR6 Supercharged; '72 Triumph Spitfire 1300; '72 Triumph Stag

    #2
    Hi Tim,

    I was looking at RBF recently when it came up for sale looked like a nice piece of kit.

    If you get a Stag with a RV8 properly sorted (and I know I must wash my mouth out for saying it!) i've often fancied one but not yet bought one myself as I love that engine -so easy to work on and just the fact it is all alloy means you dont have the alloy/iron problems the Stag suffers from.

    Enjoy the new car!

    Cheers

    Mike
    Mike

    Comment


      #3
      Thanks Mike. RBF was a lovely car. Actually sounded better than the TR, rode super smooth and was a joy to drive. Its still in club triumph.
      Was interested in the rover V8 but didn't want a alter a car with a TV8 so was happy to find one already done.. slightly less controversial.
      cheers
      Tim
      '72 Triumph TR6 Supercharged; '72 Triumph Spitfire 1300; '72 Triumph Stag

      Comment


        #4
        So after getting "the Colonel" back I had a good look around the car. There were a couple of pressing issues that needed sorting before I could use the car. First I needed to find out why the temp gauge only ever got to 1/4 (I know perhaps I shouldn't complain, at least it wasnt boiling over). This was an easy fix, new sender and she sat at 1/2 idling happily with the Kenlow fan going on and off periodically.
        Second thing to sort was the lack of a working oil pressure light or guage. Light was kinda sorted by wiggling the wire at the sender. Kinda sorted because a light now came on with the ignition on and went off as soon as the engine started.. only issue was the light was the brake warning light... more work to do... There was also an aftermarket oil pressure gauge (with the cappilary disconnected).
        The adapter for the pressure take off on the engine also looked a bit "Heath Robinson"
        2021-10-31 13.23.11.jpg
        Not wanting to take any risks I replaced the whole setup with a new adapter and an oil pipe I had hanging around the garage. Started her up and after warming I had 20 psi at idle and 50psi when revved.. All looks good!
        '72 Triumph TR6 Supercharged; '72 Triumph Spitfire 1300; '72 Triumph Stag

        Comment


          #5
          Hi all,
          I have begun to renovate the rear suspension and axles. My first drive in the colonel identified a whining diff so I felt it was a good idea to replace. Upon removal it was clear the diff had lots of backlash and the diff extension bearing was shot so I picked up a recon of both.
          20211213_184144.jpg
          This included fitting a strengthened diff extension
          20211126_170218.jpg
          Two things I did notice when taking the rear support off the old diff were the lack of any lock tab plates and some significant rust between the two layers of the support.
          20211121_142107.jpg

          So I cut out the rusted section and replaced with new metal.
          20211218_151532.jpg
          Next job is to fit it.....
          Last edited by Tdafforn; 21 December 2021, 12:43.
          '72 Triumph TR6 Supercharged; '72 Triumph Spitfire 1300; '72 Triumph Stag

          Comment


            #6
            Good work Tim, the fitting is fun!
            Mike

            Comment


              #7
              Found a few rust holes in the boot so I cut out the rust. 20211221_142755.jpg
              One on the actually had to be enlarged some more.
              then welded in new patches

              20211222_143855.jpg

              20211222_143859.jpg
              '72 Triumph TR6 Supercharged; '72 Triumph Spitfire 1300; '72 Triumph Stag

              Comment


                #8
                So managed to refit the rear subframe with recon diff.
                20211228_142626.jpg
                This included replacing all the bushes with polyurethane items
                20211220_140024.jpg
                Now just need to fit the brake hydraulics and exhaust
                20211228_194656.jpg

                '72 Triumph TR6 Supercharged; '72 Triumph Spitfire 1300; '72 Triumph Stag

                Comment

                canli bahis siteleri bahis siteleri ecebet.net
                Chad fucks Amara Romanis ass on his top ?????????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ? ??????? fotos de hombres mostrando el pene
                güvenilir bahis siteleri
                Working...
                X