Dick the anomally

Fri.29.09.06. Colin has been building the adjustable mechanism for the hand brake. He has cleverly welded two rectangular 15cms x 10cms mild steel sections to form the main cradle. By spanning the box a threaded bar enables the arm of the handbrake to travel both left and right until a comfortable operating position has been achieved which secured by two locking nuts. The ratchet is able to rise evenly notch-by-notch until the maximum height is reached. The unit has been centrally located being fixed firmly to the transmission tunnel by four bolts. It is a practical, efficient, direct conversion that ‘tidies’ the original clumsy design.

During late morning Dick arrived for a chat but was quickly co-opted into the team. Colin had not met Dick before being at first, impressed with his wealth of experience and knowledge, particularly his unconventional solutions to mechanical snags. The method proposed by Dick to remove the pistons from the reclaimed callipers certainly made Colin sit up. By attaching both calliper grease nipples to one calliper then tightening thus closing one, grease could be pumped into the cavity via the other resulting in the pistons being forced out. But if, as was the case, the grease gun was empty, then, as the canny Dick further suggested “Go in’t kitchen, nick the wife’s block of lard, and use that instead.” Great idea, but as Chris pointed out “I’ll have you know, there has never been lard in this house!” Dick kept Colin completely bemused for at least one hour with many more ‘useful tips around the garage’, but like others before him Colin had been well and truly ‘Dicked’ eventually retiring blindfolded to a darkened room to recite his mantra.

Jigsaw racing have faxed their quote for the upgraded engine rebuild but the prices are bordering on outrageous. The cleaning, polishing and grinding, the new valves, seats and cam followers for the head are £400.00. The twin one and a half inch SUs are £350.00. The four-branch manifold together with the stainless steel exhaust would be £450.00. The total upgrade raising the BHP to 85 would cost in excess of £1500.00. The Avo front shocks come in at £145.00 for the adjustable platforms whilst the rear shocks are £115.00, everything on the quote was foolishly expensive, indisputably offensive and extremely unappetising, so into the fuck off bin they go.

Max at Totally Triumph could still be a viable option. He speaks plainly but really knows his stuff. I have written a shopping list, which I shall take tomorrow when I also make a surprise visit to Nutty Steve, who coincidentally operates just down the road. It’s touch and go whether or not I shall retrieve my £50.00 but if nothing else I must take our rear halfshafts, which Steve has promised to split, after which I shall barter for an anti roll bar plus a set of “U” bolts clamps which secure the steering rack. I would guess at this stage that I am only likely to return with ‘kind’ and not ‘folding money’.