FHC resto nr. 24; An engine part

Managed to lay my hands on a rather vital, but also very rare part for the new engine for the FHC. As mentioned before the plan is to put a fairly standard tune Sprint engine in this car. But to get a good  coolant flow through the cylinder head you need a water transfer cover at the back of the head. On the Dolomite Sprint there was no transfer cover, just a blanking plate. But for the TR7 Sprint, that sadly never went in production, Leyland did design a proper water transfer cover. But as the TR7 Sprint was axed not to many of these special parts were manufactured. In the mid 90's, when restoring 't Kreng I managed to get one of these through Rimmer Brothers. But nowadays this part is made of unobtanium. So I decided that somewhere next year I would remove this coverfrom 't Kreng, measure it and model it in AutoCad and see if it would be possible to machine it from a lump of billet alloy. But no need for that anymore, as I managed to obtain this ...

As you can see an original TR7 Sprint water transfer cover. To say that I am rather pleased is an understatement.

FHC resto nr. 23; More filler

A quick update on the progress of the FHC's paint preparations. The outside is nearly finished with only the right hand front wing still in the epoxy primer  ...

And so far it hasn't been what you call easy going. A lot of filler is needed to get a smooth finish. Worst being the right hand rear wing, but that wasn't much of a surprise when you look at the pictures of how this area looked after paint and dent removal. But got it in rather decent shape ...

Hopefully can start on the interior and the doors/bonnet/bootlid somewhere next week. Plan still stands that the shell will be painted this year ...

I knew it would be something simple ...

It's been quite a while since my last update on the continuing search for the mysterious misfire on #3 cylinder in 't Kreng. Mainly caused by a 4 week holiday which involved three trips covering the Moesel Area in Germany, Süd Tirol and Great Britain for Club Triumphs RBRR 2014. But I did do some checks whenever time allowed. The most important check was using the strobe light to see if all plugs received a pulse from the dizzy. All were fine except #3. It did get a pulse so now and then, but rather randomly. As the car is running an electronic ignition system this was rather strange as these either work or don't. So the problem might as well be over-fuelling.

And last weekend I was able to work on the car for a full day, especially the carburettors. Really wanted to rule out the ignition first but as I didn't have all the parts needed to convert to points I decided to remove the carburettors and have a proper look inside ...

As you can see they were completely clean inside. At least the two inline filters are doing a proper job. Also no blockages, loose jets, sticky valves or worn butterfly spindles. Absolutely nothing to find that could explain the misfiring. Until I saw this ...

When removing the rear carburettor I found it to be slightly loose. Although squirting some start pilot along the flanges hadn't revealed anything wrong, there clearly was. Only explanation I can come up with is that the loads from throttle lever between front and rear carburettor, together with slightly worn rubber mounts enabled the rear carburettor to move a little and wear out the holes. Just to be safe I decided to swap the carburettors so the worn flange would get some rest. Also decide to tighten up the nuts a little more, so there is less movement for the carburettors. But the gut feeling I had, that the badly aligned carburettor wouldn't be the cause for the problem, was proved correct once the engine was fired up and was still misfiring on #3.

Left me with one final check, change the ignition back to points and hope that would give the solution. But before removing the distributor from the car I thought it a good idea to follow a friends advice and swap the rotor arm only.

Although a long shot, he has seen some pretty weird faults caused by a faulty rotor, even new ones. And as it was a pretty quick swap there was no harm in it. Needless to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I started the engine and it ran pretty smooth. Not yet as good as it used to, but markedly better. Still a bit lumpy, but the misfiring had disappeared completely. So I didn't waste much time and went for a little test drive. She behaved as if nothing had ever happened. Only when I returned home with the engine fully on temperature, it became clear the carburettors needed a proper  tune up. But after the work done over the past months that was easy, especially with the correct tools ...

But it did remind me of the fact that #1 cylinder is slightly down on compression. Giving a slightly lower reading on the gauge compared to the other three. So I will use the car for the final reconnaissance of our Nachtrit next Saturday, and see what effect that has on the compression of cylinder #1. 

Baerke 10 years old

It's exactly 10 years ago today that I bought my second new car, a little Landy. It was meant to be used as a daily driver and workhorse, and was christened  Baerke for no obvious reason. And except for a few new gearboxes early in its life (only three and all under warranty) it has been rather reliable so far. Being pretty good in moving lots of immovable Triumphs around (strangely enough mostly wedges). A few pictures of 10 years of action ...

Clearly an essential piece of kit when owning, driving and restoring Triumphs.

Escaping the Rush

With my 4 week holiday almost at an end it is time for a little write up on yet another walking holiday in Süd Tirol. Or a pictorial report of a rather relaxing two week's stay in this autonomous North Italian province.

Day 1 The outward journey

Our chosen route for the outward journey to the Passeier Tal again took us over one of the best passes in the area: The Timmelsjoch. And as the weather was very fine at the top we stopped for a few minutes to enjoy the fine views (16-09-2014).

The pass sign with the Jochköfele obscured by clouds in the background.

Clouds and the early evening sun crowning the top of the “Hochwart” mountain.

View into the Passeir TimmelsTal.

Day 2: Sankt Martin in Passeier - Christl

The traditional first walk to get into our stride for the mountains. A circular walk along the slopes of the Passeiertal, between Sankt Martin in Passeier and the tiny hamlet of Christl (17-09-2014).

The abandoned premises of the Krusterhof near the tiny hamlet of Weiher.

The lovely rural beer garden of the “Jausenstation”
or Guesthouse Christlhof in the small hamlet of Christl.

The farm’s rooster watching over the beer garden of the Guesthouse Christlhof.

A small field chapel in the woods overlooking

the village of Sankt Leonhard in Passeier.

Day 3: Sailer Tal - Wannser Tal

Another circular walk in to the Sailer Tal, over the Seeberg Alm,

through the Wannser Wald and into the Wannser Tal(18-09-2014).

Misty track into the woods towards the Seeberg Alm.

Clouds covering the flank of the Seespitze above the Wannser Alm Hütte.

View from the beer garden of the Wannser Alm Hütte.

The Wannser Alm hütte on the flank of the Seespitze.

Day 4: Haniger Schwaige

A lovely walk over a “paradisiacal alpine beauty spot”

(according to the walking guide) under the Vajolettürme (19-09-2014).

The Rosengartenwänden towering over the Völsegger-Schwaige.

A view from the Haniger-Schwaige over the Kesselspitz and the Kesselschneide,
with the Schlern Nature Parc in the background.

The Vajolettürme covered by clouds, seen from the Haniger Schwaige.

A tiny Maria shrine in a tree stump on the Völsegger-Schwaige.

Day 5: Seeber Tal

Walking through the Seeber Tal and my personal favourite walking area (20-09-2014).

The Seeber Alm Hütte deep in the Seeber Tal, with the Gurgeler Kamm towering over it.

The Seeber Alm with the Timmelsjoch and the Stubaier Alps in the back ground.

The Seeber See with the Gurgler Kamm (partially obscured by clouds) towering over it.

The Grinolspitze shrouded in clouds.

The Obere Glanegg Alm in the Seebertal, just of the Timmelsjoch Hochalpenstraße.

Ending a lovely day at Gasthaus Lamm in Sankt Martin.
Our chosen restaurant for most of our stay.

Looking into the bar area of Gasthaus Lamm in Sankt Martin.

Day 6: Sankt Martin - Schweinsteg

A leisurely Sunday walk along the lower reaches of the Passeiertal (21-09-2014).

The “Wallfahrtskirche Unserer Lieben Frau” in Mörre,

overlooking the Passeier Tal.

Enjoying the sun in the small village of Schweinsteg.

Footbridge over the river Passer near Eggerstein, Passeiertal.

A fine piece of thoroughbred Italian engineering.

Day 7: Above the Zufrittsee

A circular walk along the head of the Martelltal

and above the Zufrittsee (22-09-2014).

On the Marteller Höhenweg between the Lyfialm and the Enzianhütte.

View across the Martalltal from the Enzian Alm.

The Zufallhütte at the head of the Martelltal.

Silver Thistle (Carlina Acaulis) on the meadow “Paradies am Cevedale” above the Zufrittsee.

Paradies am Cevedale above the Zufrittsee.

Day 8: Glaiten – Stuls

Walking part of the Urweg Sankt Hippolyt on the lower slopes of the Jaufenkamm

between the small villages of Glaiten an d Stuls (23-09-2014).

The Urweg Sankt Hippolyt on the lower slopes of the Jaufenkamm.

A small field chapel near Stuls on the flank of the Sonnenberg.

The village of Stuls seen from the flank of the Sonnenberg.

Cottage on the outskirts of Stuls.

Viewpoint on the outskirts of Stuls.

Day 9: Into the Dolomites

This day we left the hiking boots at the hotel. Instead we did a tour with the car

over some of the finest passes of the Dolomites (24-09-2014).

A road side memorial cross near the top of the Sellajoch,
with the Langkofel in the background.

Near the top of the Sellajoch.

The Langkofel towering over the surrounding countryside.

Day 10: Saltaus – Sankt Martin in Passeier

With the bus from Sankt Martin to Sataus. From there with the cable car from to the Klammeben (@ 1980m ASL) And from there walking over the Hinteregger Alm, the Mahd Alm, the Riffelspitz and the Pfandler Alm back to Sankt Martin in Passeier (25-09-2014).

The Hirzer Hütte.

A panoramic view of the Passeiertal, seen from The Hirzer Hütte.

The Hinteregger Alm seen from the Gampenweide.

A small stream flowing over the Hinteregger Alm.

A late lunch at the Pfandler Alm Hütte.

Tiny duckpond near Pfeiftal.

Day 11: Dorf Tirol – Vellau

Another circular walk. This time along the southern slopes of the Mutspitz (26-09-2014).

Typical cottage in the tiny village of Sankt Peter, situated on the slopes above Algund.

The church of Sankt Peter in the tiny village with the same name.

The interior of the church of Sankt Peter.

Inside the church of Sankt Peter.

Schloß Tirol seen from the churchyard of Sankt Peter.

Apple harvest in Sankt Peter.

Schloß Tirol with the Große Ifinger and the Kleine Ifinger in the back ground.

Day 12: Ultental

Along the Ultener Höfeweg, in the secluded Ultental. (27-09-2014).

No longer functioning water mill in Sankt Nikolaus.

A typical shrine in the woods above Sankt Nikolaus.

Farmyard in Gasteig.

Nörderhof.

View across the Ultental from the Nörderhof.

Day 13: Sankt Martin – Sankt Leonhard

The final day of the holiday and a leisurely last walk to Sankt Leonhard for lunch. This way we would be back in our hotel with a few hours left to pack up everything for the journey home the following day (28-09-2014).

Petrol station in Sankt Martin with the car of choice for the local youths.

The Turmhaus in the centre of Sankt Martin in Passeier.

Graveyard beside the parish church of Sankt Martin in Passeier.

View across the Passeiertal from the woods above Flon.

Typical markings for the walking tracks, in the woods above Flon.

One of the many makeshift gates, on the slopes above Flon.
With the Jaufenpass in the background.

Typical old farm building in Flon.

Early morning sun shining on the flank of the Windegg.

Tea room in the Kohlstatt, Sankt Leonhard

Weathered window blinds, Happergweg on the outskirts of Sankt Leonhard.

Slightly modified and extremely quick Vespa Piaggio Ape 50 pick-up.
Happergweg on the outskirts of Sankt Leonhard.
(Yes I did see it in action a few times during our stay!).

Edited on the 16th of September 2024: It was 10 years ago that we set of for the autonomous Italian province of Süd Tirol again. Time to revise and edit this post in my blog!