Triumphrat

looseparts

I recently bought a '67 TR6C basket case and am excited to begin this adventure. I posed a few days ago my disappointment at discovering metal shavings in the drained oil and some of you congratulated me on my wonderful opportunity to get to know my bike on a very deep level. I have come to agree and after my 10 seconds of cussing, I began the work.

The engine is out. The shop manual I'm using says it can be removed with out stripping the rocker boxes, but I did not find this true for me.

<finally getting to my question - sorry>

While I've successfully rebuilt a few auto engines (coincidentally another 1967 Brit - an MGB) the books I'm looking at indicate I'll need some tools that I don't have. I have no press or any pullers, let alone specialized ones, etc.

I'm not opposed to buying the tools I need, but I sure don't want to get half way through and have to ship it off, or worse, get to the end, and have it not run.

I've talked to two folks about rebuilding it - one half way across the country, the other all the way across the country, and it's sounding like a $3,000 proposition. My wife (who you've met in previous posts) attempted to stifle her flinch, but gave me the green light anyways. I should point out I'm not restoring this bike. I want a bobber-hotrod (please don't hate me).

Two threads here: Me or someone else.

Someone else: Do any of you know of a competent rebuilder in the Northwest (Portland Salem Eugene)?

Me: What tools will I need beyond my sockets and wrenches that I already have, or things that I can't buy at the neighborhood Napa?

Thanks once again, Jon.

Caulky

I haven`t taken the engine out of mine.
I have bought some special tools...offhand, tappet block remover, valve guide tool, strobe...
The other stuff I managed to borrow...valve spring compressor, torque wrench and various others.
If you DIY, you will need to buy some tools. This is ongoing. Recently bought a set of UNF taps and dies, and some cycle thread taps.
The most handy cheap things I`ve found is: a bright LED pencil torch, a set of dentist-type picks, a small 1/4" ratchet, a set of cheap stiff artists brushes, modellers drill + accessories, vernier...

I would only say time is money, if you can do it, you aint paying someone else.

thekeyman

If you have the time and the space, its the chance of a lifetime. Compared to an MG rebuild it has to be easier. As already mentioned, order a copy of Hughie Hancocks dvd, he uses many tools that can be made yourself and others that are obtained for specalist and are actually quite cheap. Like cam pullers and drifts. Running through his dvd, thats about it, he uses old cams for drifts but the same size drift could be turned up. He even fits the rings by fingers! no ring clamps. l stripped down a Kawasaki overhead cam twin using a Haynes and its still running, mind you it did not have a sludge trap!!.

looseparts

Well, I've yet to hear anybody say "Send it to someone and let them rebuild it." so for starters, I'll take down the top and see what that looks like. I can make adjustments to my decision at that point, I suppose.

Thanks again.

Oh. Who shall I get to do the machine work should the cyl need re-bored, etc.?

Does anyone sell a rebuild parts kit? Gaskets, bearings, pistons, rings - as a complete package - or should I just open it up and see what I need on an individual basis?

I can't thank you all enough!

(not too late for someone to yell 'stop!')

pookybear

Tools are always worth the investment. And doing a
Triumph engine, is like any other interal combustion
engine, they are all pretty much the same. So you
have the skills to do the job. And finally if you do the
job you know how it was done. If someone else does
the job there will always be that question of any corners
cut?

Pookybear

tr6tom

Im not going to tell you to stop, My Triumph is also a Hardtail Chopper,and I love them.Nuff said on that. scrounge around the internet for parts, Ebay is a good source, Ive had good luck with "vintagemotorts" off ebay out of Chicago, also "steadfastcyles" is good and out your way. www.domiracer.com has about anything and good prices,they are out of Ohio. your dealing with a 1930s engine technologically so dont be afraid, just remember they used KISS back then (Keep It Simple Stupid!)personally id just download a parts list and tear down your powerplant and check EVERYTHING ,and note is order, the most valuable tool at this stage is a micrometer/caliper,so you can check clearances, you can bore these engines quite a ways as the barrels are iron.BUT bore NOTHING until you get the pistons and send them with the barrels to the machine shop, that way they will bore your barrel properly to fit those pistons. gap your rings properly, and your upper end should be perfect, CLEAN the sludge trap, and ALWAYS perform the "wet sump test" on the oil pump, as the balls get junk on them and dont seal. all this info is readily available from old Triumph manuals or online for free or close. be patient and thorough and it will be fine. ,one last thing, break the job into "modules" like upper end, bottom end, etc. that way you wont forget something.Good Luck!

stewdog68

if you have some skills with rebuilds/ most normal tools and some common sense rebuild your self. but I would send barrel and head off to get checked out and rebuilt by pro.

rebuilding these engines are easy and if you have any Q's just ask and someone here will steer you in the right direction

pookybear

Newbie, that is all I can say on that one. Never again with
vintagemotorts.

Pookybear

tr6tom

How come pookybear? bad service? or something else?

Kev_England

Can anyone recommended someone to send out for a top end rebuild. E.g. rebore/new pistions / valve job?

I.e. a shop familiar with vintage brit. bikes. For me Id prefer someone on the East Coast.

Cheers.