Mk1 PFL Estate

[Forkie]

Thinking on again - I would definately check that out first before removing the head- yes it is a bit of work but if, like mine, it is clogged, and with such a small bore would not take much, the flow is restricted...And you have had the rad out too.

[johnnydog]

I've replaced those on all my Triumphs - it is doable without removing the manifold, but carefully measure the old one against the stainless replacement as I had to trim a bit off before fitting. A bit of a pain if you get it in situ and then find it needs trimming down in length
For what it's worth, very early Mk2 2000's use the same pipe as late Mk1's. I had ordered a Mk2 pipe for my J reg 2000 (as you would) only to scratch my head for a while trying to work out why it was the wrong profile.....a Mk1 replacement was an exact fit. Not sure when the change over point was though...

[iani]

Thanks chaps, I have already fitted a SS heater return pipe as the original was badly corroded, I am picking up another cylinder head this evening and will have new valves/guides/springs fitted before I do the head gasket replacement, that will also allow me to look into water jacket.

[iani]

My cooling system hasn't been right since I bought the car. If I fill the rad to the top it will spit coolant out from the overflow bottle, it stops doing this when the coolant level is just above the core when it seems to be happy, I haven't driven any long distances like this however as I'm not happy with the low coolant level.

The engine seems to run ok, the oil pressure is good, once it is warm however I do get some strange ticking/clicking noises from the front somewhere, no idea of the source however. I'm suspecting the head gasket as the cause of the coolant issues, I have a newly built head ready to go on, the snow outside suggests that won't be happening this weekend. I am also going to swap out the timing chain & cogs. Next job will be to check the thrust washers, I have a some spares here and should be able to replace with new, will also check the state of the shells whilst down there. Long term I'm going to fit a 2.5 lump, I have the head and a set of PI kit here, have obtained a 3:45 diff too, roll on better weather.

[iani]

It was too cold to do the head swap today, I settled for fitting a sunstrip & a pair of foglights to the bumper, I also put a rubber cover on the towball.

[iani]

My wheel arches have been reprofiled, the TR6 rims now fit front & back just fine, awaiting washers then I can fit the centre caps.

[iani]

Wheeltrims fitted today, I think they look good.

[iani]

A busy day today, we fitted a new cylinder head to the Estate and also converted to a duplex timing chain. So far the coolant is all staying within the system, a big improvement over how it was running before, I hope it lasts

Ian

[iani]

Still amassing parts for the PI conversion:

Reconditioned throttle bodies with roller bearings & improved spindles bought from Martin Giles along with recon metering unit & a diaphragm PRV.
Semi-sports exhaust & 6-3-1 manifold ordered from Chris Witor, along with other small bits
NOS Mk1 PI Speedometer bought & dial changed to white to reflect PFL age of the car
PAS kit bought from Lloyd Reed
Used PAS X-Member cleaned & treated to a coat of paint, only covering up scratches really as was in good nick once cleaned.
Rocker shaft & bushed rocker kit received from Moss
Used rocker shaft bought, will strip & clean pedestals for use with new shaft
Short motor being built by James Godfrey-Dunne
3:45 diff sourced - will have it stripped & checked, Estate backplate has been powdercoated

The car currently drives well but I definitely miss the torque of my Mk2 PI, I'm looking forward to driving the upgraded Estate, hoping to have at least as good a driving experience with it.

Ian

[iani]

Nothing major to report:

Bluetooth receiver fitted inside centre console, On/Off know visible on passenger side of cubby box but completely invisible from drivers seat, speaker in each parcel shelf, sounds great.
NOS fusebox fitted to replace original, it was working fine but had 57 years of filth around the wiring, cleaned the wiring up and fitted to new fusebox, original one cleaned and put back on the shelf, will probably fit to N/S for additional wiring once PI kit installed.

I'm having trouble getting horn sorted with formula wheel, have sanded the hornpush case down but it's still too tight to fit, not quite sure what's going on, don't have this problem with the Formula wheel on my GT6. I also need a better boss section, mine has cracked apart.