100 Times!

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Do you realize that we know about 100 time more about our cars than about 90% of the drivers out on the roads today know about their cars?

How many people (OK, normal people!) do you know that work on their cars? Change their own oil? Heck, how many even know how to change a tire?

100 years ago, you had to know your car just to go 10 miles. My dad used to keep bailing wire in his old model T when he was teenager so he could keep the thing together. Do you think that your next door neighbor would pull his dash apart just to change a light bulb?

I know that we all have to make changes to help the Earth to survive, but I would rather die driving my Triumph than live longer and drive a Ford. (or Chevy or whatever!)



jclay

[url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html"]My Triumph Site[/url], [url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Technical/Intro.html"]Technical Stuff[/url], [url="http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/53/wo/HJMTK8gsojtwKleP.1/0.2.1.2.26.31.97.0.35.0.1.1.1?user=jclaythompson&fpath=Triumph_Articles&templatefn=FileSharing4.html"]Download Page[/url]

[andyf]

Very true. The one thing that amazes me today is that if you see somebody with a puncture, it is rarely the driver changing the wheel, but usually a breakdown service.

Twenty years ago this would have been considered laughable.


1980 persian aqua DHC

[PeterTR7V8]

Yeah but while I'm rebuilding the TR7s motor my Ford day car has had a blown brake light for 6 months because I've no idea how to fix it.


Never say die. At least not while you're still breathing.

[windy one]

Yes. I find it to be all a labor of love. Those that enjoy driving, and thier car, try to do what they can in terms of handling repairs (peep's I know, anyway). Then you have those that dont even know how to fill up the gas tank w/fuel!! (ahem, my ex-girlfrnd. She knew one thing...get in-turn key-go)

For me its the love of automobiles(or basically all things mechanical). My father and grandfathers fault. Im just like they are, find the car/truck you want, learn how to do most all repairs and alterations. I thinks its more of a "I did it" than "look what I had someone do". That and if we are stuck somewhere on a deserted road, one way or another we get the vehicle home.

Not only that, and Im sure there are more who will say, every third or so person that is curious about my wedge thinks it is a new car. Or I hear people say "I didnt know Triumph was back in business".

Johnny

[Periwinkle]

I have to agree with you Johnny. I blame my dad for my interest in things mechanical. I might be one of the ladies here in the forum, but getting my hands greasy doesn't send me running to the nearest nail salon. Dad taught me well. In fact if I hadn't had to work today, I'd have been changing the brake pads on the Land Rover instead of the boyfriend. [:I]

Next week I have to go into the shop to deal with the TR7's rusty boot and see how bad it is.[:(]

Peri

[TR7Aaron]

You boyfriend has brake pads??? [:)]

Aaron

Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

[Hasbeen]

I wouldn't mind knowing a bit less about my cars.

It would mean that I had not had to do so much work, on the things
to get/keep them going.

A mate of mine had a big sign up on the wall of the shed where he
prepared his racing car. It simply read, "I'D RATHER BE DRIVING", &
these days, I agree with him.

Hasbeen

[FI Spyder]

Growing up on a farm it was standard practise to work on mechanical stuff not to mention we had a large selection of tools to make our own toys. The only store bought toys we had were one thing for Christmas and one for our birthday. (And we had to walk three miles to school in blizzards too.)[:o)]

I can appreciate working on my Triumph when I have to work on my Integra. Because one $1 retaining ring that rusted that in turn rusted and seized the pistons in the rear calipers necessitating replacement of caliper assemblies as no one stocks the pistons. Cost $400 less $100 for core charge of old calipers. That buys a lot of brake work parts for Spider.



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[Hasbeen]

Jclay, it sounds as if some of the global warming scam merchants
have been trying to make you feel guilty about driving an old car.
Don't be mate. Even if you believe in the CO2/global warming scam,
the old car thing is an even bigger con.

A couple of computer geeks did the math, on the pros, & cons of
changing to a new car, using a 60s Mini, compared to a new BMW Mini.
The figures they produced surprised even them.

1/ You would have to drive your old Mini for 78,000 miles to produce
the same amount of CO2 as is produced in the production of a new
Mini. They included things like the mining of the iron ore, but
believe they missed quite a few processes that would produce more
CO2.

2/ If you started today, with a new, & an old Mini, [in good
condition], you would have to drive each of them, 270,000 miles,
before the new one would have saved enough CO2 to cover the stuff
produced in it's building.

3/ If it's a high performance new Mini, it may produce more CO2 than
the old one, or at least mever save it's production emissions.

4/ When they finally die, the extra [near] half ton of material, in
the new Mini, will produce 30% more emissions as it rots, or is
recycled.

So mate, don't let them con you. You are doing your best for the
environment by driving the old thing, even if it's a Triumph.

Remember one more thing, you will produce a lot of emissions as you
rot down. Therefore it's your civic duty to live as long as
possible, so take care of your self mate.

Hasbeen

[zekow1]

Clay
I believe that we do what we do because our bodies and our minds need the punishment .
we can't live without it .
Yes we are different .
The rest of you with the global warming concerns .
I see it as when we changed frorm horses to cars .
The real lovers still have there horses and it has risen to a different level where only a few enjoy them.
. So when the other cars change to electric or more efficient or what ever is in store for us.
You and I and the rest the nuts that feel like us , will still be here. First they can't do what we do
and second They will never understand.
So
Have Fun
Be Safe
and keep thinking.

[nofinchance]

I agree with all the above.My big problem with modern cars is they are built to make home DIY impossible[:(!].It is more likely the mechanic will plug in a lap top than grab for a spanner as well[:p].Even simple jobs on some cars are not possible without the 'special service tool' that costs like £20000 and needed once.I got my love of mechanics from my dad who was an agricultural engineer.Now farmers are always poor[;)](never got any money but always in the latest range rover)[:0] and they want it repaired never buy a new one.I grew up with parts of tractors on the kitchen table and user manuals instead of comics.So even as a girl I like to get into the oil and the satisfaction of mending it yourself is fantastic.[8D]

[PeterTR7V8]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZWqU9X6PR4

Enough said.


Never say die. At least not while you're still breathing.

[nofinchance]

Excellent clip thats exactly it.Never buy a renault then! Mind you they will fall apart long before the bulbs go[:D].A motoring article I saw once suggested that a box to keep the bits in that fall off french cars would be a good accessory .[:D].It's a wonder they build any cars at all, the french strike more than BL workers did[:o)]

[Beans]

Ever tried replacing one of the front bulbs on an original unrestored 15 year old TR7? (at the side of the road of course) [:p]

<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
1981 TR7 DHC (now completely dismantled)
Also a 1980 TR7 DHC, 1980 TR7 DHC FI, 1981 TR7 FHC</font id="blue">
<font color="red">http://tr7beans.blogspot.com/</i></font id="red"></center>

[paul w]

I can strip and rebuild an engine,back axle etc.,BUT i still can't
get that f#ck1n9 clock to keep the right time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See ya',Paul.