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New Member
Posted: 23 Dec 2009 01:24
by pleasants9
Hi there, My name is Leighton, I am 20 years old and have recently taken on a 1979 TR7 to restore. The interior is in rough shape, but luckily the leather convertible top is still in good shape. I dont believe it has the original engine, there is what looks like a buick V6 (3.7L ?)
Posted: 23 Dec 2009 01:45
by TriumphCMT
Hey there Leighton! I am also 20 years old and drive a 1979 TR7. There are very few of guys our age that drive a TR7. Glad to see i'm not the only one. You took on a great project which is very rewarding.
- Chris

Posted: 23 Dec 2009 02:15
by V8Wedgehead
Welcome aboard! I can say my first TR7 was in 1990 when I was 17 a Tara Green 1976 coupe with a sliding sunroof and an Astral Blue TR8 prototype in 1992 and from there its been wedges ever since! Someone did a possible Johns Cars V6 conversion. They can be fun and well a good step up over the stock 4 cylinder. Interior parts are pretty easy to find, thats why this forum is here and any advice too! There are a lot of V6 TR7s out there running around so you will have some good company! Enjoy the wedge and Im glad to see the young guys coming out of the wood work like I did over 20 years ago!
Michael
1980 TR8 FHCs; Rally Conversion #0020 & Stock #0058
If it is broken then fix it....if it is not then make it faster!"
Posted: 23 Dec 2009 04:39
by PeterTR7V8
Welcome aboard.
I feel 20 years old - after a good lunch.
Never say die. At least not while you're still breathing.
Posted: 23 Dec 2009 06:22
by Cobber
<font size="2"><font face="Comic Sans MS">I feel like a 20yr old..........
The trouble is not many 20yr olds feel like me! [:D]</font id="Comic Sans MS"></font id="size2">
80'Triumph TR7, , 73'Land Rover (Ford 351. V8),
'89 Ford Fairlane
85'Alfa 90, 69'Ford F250.
76' Ford F100
Posted: 23 Dec 2009 08:22
by Beans
Welcome indeed [:)]
Judging by the fact that there is a Buick V6 in the car I presume you're in the USofA?
<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, currently being restored)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)</font id="blue">
<b>
http://tr7beans.blogspot.com/</b></i></center>
Posted: 23 Dec 2009 17:28
by FI Spyder
Welcome to the forum. The upgrade to Buick V-6 makes good sense here in N/A as they are good fit, cheap, lots around, etc, etc. We even have a special forum section for your V-6 specific technical questions. Also glad to see younger people in the game. They are always welcomed.
I tell my wife I feel 20 when I'm in my TR7. She starts chortling, then bends over laughing and finally ends up rolling on the ground.[:D]
TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Posted: 23 Dec 2009 19:54
by john
ah i nearly remember when i looked twenty welcome Lieghton
[8 whole cylinders worth of punch to ram the world through the windshield and out the rear view mirror. Car & Driver]
1981 Grinnall TR7 v8
1981 Black FHC
1979 & 1980 Black Premium FHC(laid to rest) Sorry
John
Posted: 24 Dec 2009 00:53
by pleasants9
Thanks for all the welcomes! yes i am located in the US, south florida to be exact and I go to school at UF. I also have a 1982 Corvette that I inherited from my father and drive daily (thats also how I got the TR7). Well on a positive note today I got the engine running again on the wedge after it sat outside for two years. It's running real smooth, but I still want to replace the differential fluid and transmission oil before starting to drive it around. I just ordered a Haynes manual for the car to help me out with specs, does anyone else recommend any websites good for parts/aftermarket parts?
Posted: 24 Dec 2009 01:12
by Urchin
Welcome to the Forum, Leighton, and to the TR-7 world. I'm not as big a fan of the GM V-6 as others here, but I know that it has been a successful transplant for many wedge enthusiasts. It does make engine parts easy to find at any parts store.
The widest selection of TR-7 drivetrain, body, and interior parts is Victoria British. Moss Motors also has a smaller selection. Both offer catalogues devoted to the TR-7.
The Roadster Factory always claims it has TR-7 parts, but rarely advertises them very much. Their parts do seem to be of high quality, though, and they say they see a lot of them at their annual Summer Party.
You should also consider joining the Triumph Wedge Owners Association of America, which focuses strictly on wedges.
All of these places have active websites.
Enjoy your wedge, and if you need a fellow owner to come down from Maine in the dead of winter, do call!
Jeff
Jeffrey Aronson
P.O. Box 90
Vinalhaven, ME 04863
USA
'80 TR-7 Spider
'66 Land Rover Series II-A [2]
'66 Corvair Monza
www.landroverwriter.com
Posted: 24 Dec 2009 01:20
by FI Spyder
There is a search function on the upper right of this page that will give you much information as most things have been gone over.
Haynes manual are not very good for any car. Pictures don't show much detail and instructions leave a lot to be desired. More expensive is the OEM manual abvailable on eBay and Amazon. For free you can download the pdf file of it from jaclay's website. It has line drawings and insrtuctions needed.
Parts are available from mant vendors, Victoria British, British Parts Northwest, Moss USA, many more , again do a search above.
For parts not available from above you can go to Rimmers, Moss UK, S&S Prep., Robsport in UK. Sometimes it's cheaper to order from UK sometimes not. Not sure about Florida but here in British Columbia we have several Moss dealers that we can order parts at catalogue prices without paying shipping from UK. You may have something similar there, probably check with local British car club as they would know.
TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

Posted: 24 Dec 2009 04:37
by zekow1
Welcome pleasants9
YOu have done well deciding to take on this project.
Don't believe the bad info .most of it was writen buy people who just don't lke a challenge .
I also believe we are the only two in south florida.Aventura
I have a 1981 EFI tr7 I've had it for almost 2 years now and I am almost finished.
If there is any information or help you might need please don't hesitate to contact me .
I am not 20 but as most of us here I do feel I am .
Congrats and keep us informed .[8D]




Posted: 24 Dec 2009 07:06
by John Wood
I was 19 when I bought my first 7, that was in 1984 (PDA818R, brooklands green FHC). It cost me £680 per annum to insure it back then. Now i'm 44 I can insure 3 for £120. Thats the only bonus for getting old.
1975 FHC
KDU483N
Posted: 24 Dec 2009 18:34
by pleasants9
well an update, I got the car fully running today. I have replaced every fluid in the car except the rear differential, couldnt get that one figured out. The engine blew off purple smoke for a good 20 minutes from the marvel mystery oil I had earlier in the cylinders and lots of WD-40 on the carb and other engine areas, but no more smoke any more. Car shifts smoothly and the engine respnds well. still no luck with the tailights, turn signals, wiper blades, or speedometer. But now that the car is running im gonna take a break from it till next week and start tackling some of the electrical issues.
Posted: 24 Dec 2009 19:38
by saabfast
First thing I have to do every year when it comes out of winter hibernation is clean the fuses, always seems to need it to get the lights going despite being in a garage. Fusebox is in the back of the glovebox if you have not found it yet.
Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto
'81 TR7 DHC
