Hopefully getting her sorted.....

[Forkie]

I have sent so many posts on so many different topics regarding the problems with my S Estate i was not sure where to add the latest update - so i thought i would start a new post !!!!! So as i type my car is on it's way by trailer for the 'Peter Jackson Treatment'. He has kindly offered to haul it away from here to go through the car, and try and find what the issues are with it. He seems intrigued himself with all the work/ parts/money/ time that has been lavished on it, what my issue actually is.....he admitted he enjoys a challenge. I wished him the best of luck
So if you are reading Peter, as i said this morning it is much appreciated

[Mike Stevens]

Good luck, please report back when it is all solved!

Cheerrs,
Mike.

[Forkie]

Hi Mike,
Thank you for the continued interest in me and my nemisis . I know you have always followed my highs and lows, well more lows i think. WELL ..... Peter has been ace with it , and has constantly kept me up to date, right from day 1, which i think without checking was a mere 12 days ago.....and it is boomeranging back to me on Tuesday, with a clean bill of health i believe I get the impression he will be sad to see it leave his workshop!!!
So, he was more than happy with all the work that has been done on it, it would seem it was a series of mere minor tweaking that altogether made the car as bad as it was, and therefore me for ever chasing tails.
The engine itself is sound, as is the gearbox - which should be after the expensive full rebuild - kickdown was also correct. The timing was set 2 degrees out- so that must of been like that since purchase. The tappets were out - his initial compression readings were giving the old ' engine rebuild vibe'. But after putting oil down bores, then checking and resetting again, brought compressions way back up. Carbs were out - which i figured - as once we had agreed he was having it, i thought ' leave it for the expert ' Fitted Denso plugs. Oil and filter to Valvoline ( i think) . And i think, embarrasingly, that was it so it would appear i just needed someone with the right knowledge on these cars - i clearly, or anyone else around me down here- do not have .....i think he has spent a lot of time on setting up the carbs just right, and the tappets - those two things i think are where i obviously lack the skill set, which i am annoyed at myself.
Anyhow - he road tested it last Thursday, and he reported it goes very very well, just as he remembered them when they were new., even with the horsepower sucking 35 in the middle ( his words) S0 - it is coming back on Tuesday - and i CANNOT wait.....i will post up how it is

[Forkie]

A picture Peter sent me on his test run, in sunny Kings Lynn on Thursday, after pasting the nearest hill in his flat living area

[Charles H]

Splendid news.

[Forkie]

Indeed !!!! Owned for albut 20 years, driven for 2 years. But never given up on it. Too good a car to do that. Cannot wait to start doing the tip runs in it again

[Forkie]

Seeing as the National is, this year, in my county,and i now should be able to drive uphill, i am chewing it over although i no longer do crowds, too late to book , and she is still far from being good looking,i am on the fence so to speak.

[johnnydog]

Regarding the National, as you live in Cornwall, it would be a shame if you couldn't or didn't take your Triumph to the National after all the time and effort you have put into it!
If you were possibly considering spending a couple of days there, being 'local', you could possibly travel each day to join any activities, or just come to the main show day on the Saturday for a small fee of £5 (charged by the site to use their facilities which is fair if not staying on the site). Just turn up on the day!
I have been to the majority of Nationals since I joined the Register, and the display of cars varies from the concours beauties, to everyday used examples, but as long as you are proud of your Triumph, irrespective of its condition, then it will be made welcome! In some respects the more usable examples are often the most interesting at our Nationals! Gone are the days when the well used everyday cars were 'put at the back' at any show - any big Triumph is welcome at our shows! As long as you are proud of it, then that is good enough!
As for the numbers attending, we usually have a decent turn out but not droves that may be off putting!
If you have any doubts, I'm sure the National co-ordinators will help you with any queries you have and will be very accommodating if at all possible!

[Forkie]

Thank you for the kind words. This evening did not go quite as planned......the car was being brought back down to me ( as formerly arranged) - but, as these ' planned things go' where vehicles are concerned , do not rely on plans!!!! So the transport down, well, broke down.....the alternator decided to throw the bearing away.....shredding the fanbelt, an hour or so from meeting point.....so recovery.....etc etc.The AA chap fell short of destination, i had to find them and jump in his cab and help guide them in....dont throw away your maps people - I could go on . But the irony of this evening was - the S ended up being part of the recovery proccess- as she has a towbar .... a very long story. But an interesting evening shall i say .
I will consider ' just turning up' , following your guidelines John, although it would appear i still have a bit more to do. And yes, i cannot deny i have spent a couple of hours on her here and there, she is still here, still causing me hair loss at a rate of knots. But yes i am proud of her. With all the warts she has .

[Forkie]

So a further small update. On the return evening, which did not go quite as planned as already stated, ' Christine' obviously was not best pleased with leaving Peter's hands, and returning into mine....she started playing up . Really. The weather i ought to add was miserable, to say the least. So i will give her the benefit of the doubt, being stuck on a trailer for hours in the rain and cold....and someone told me years ago that the unluckiest colour of car is Green.....
Fast forward 4 days later - so yesterday - got myself up, dusted down, did a few simple under bonnet checks - the weather was nice - bunddled my son into the passenger seat - off we go..... bit of a missy start ( my fault, pushed the choke in too early - nerves?)- the further we went, the better she got.....for the first time EVER, kickdown actually worked, going uphill....a terrifying experience for the pair of us !!!!! My lad turned to me and said ' is that what is supposed to happen Dad? I replied i assume so
So yesterday was an experience that the pair of us had never had. Raucous, noisy, but oh my god so good i then had to drive my modern Passat. Quieter. Faster. Smoother. But ohhh so Boring. NOW i think i realise what is addictive with the 2000 range. So glad i have stuck with it. And it now goes uphill.....thank you Peter ' The Magician' Jackson.