Triumph Sports Cars

Mike,
Thanks very much for the detailed explanation. Those who may be contemplating a project like this, and I, appreciate it!
Dennis

I weighed the TR7 engine assembly, and it was 471 without fluids and without the alternator (comparable parts to what was on the 302 when I weighed it). I'm gaining about 70lbs with the 302, which isn't too bad in my mind. A set of aluminum heads would even it up pretty well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2013 12:08PM by Addicted.

I'm continuing to make some progress on my project. I made a new engine wiring harness. I used all the correct colors from the Triumph wiring diagram, which Triumph didn't even do. Eliminated some things, and added some things. I still haven't decided whether I'm mounting my MSD 6AL in the engine bay or inside the car, but either way, I have wiring planned out.

I replaced the entire the brake system except for the Triumph brake pedal with new stuff. Hopefully it all works well together.

With that done, I was ready to put the engine and transmission in. It's all bolted up now and I'm quite happy with it.

I ended up with 3/4" spacers for the front cross member to achieve a little hood clearnace to the air intake and to the distributor.

This past weekend, I made the transmission mount and finished my steering linkage. I also finished the front strut upgrades.

Last night, I drug home another 8.8 rear end. This one is rust free, which is hard to find around here. I have a couple rusty ones, but I don't want to use them for this project.

sorry, pics gone from photobucket



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2019 08:46AM by Addicted.

Oh, I also ended up removing the new water pump I had installed. I decided I need the shorter ford racing pump.

Any tips on what size or type of radiator to buy? I've been looking at 26x19 from Summit or Speedway, which would be a very tight squeeze. I'd prefer to be 17"or 18" tall, but they are less common. My "frame" rails are 26 1/4, so I'm targetting something 25 to 26 wide.

I have one with a 26X19 and a couple with 26X16. The 26X16 works better, as the 19" hangs too low. $180 from Summit. What did you do for front hubs, strut tubes, etc. to get the 5 lug? On mine, I went with redrilled SD1 stuff to match the 8.8 in the back. Made finding wheels easy.

Todd, is that a Griffin radiator? That's what I'm seeing on Summit.

My front hubs are actually trailer hubs that I've done some machining on. Ford 5 x 4.5 pattern. The strut tubes are stock, except for changing out the spring seat. If my wheels fall off, I'll make something different.

Yes, just looked them up and they are $173. Go to summit and search radiators 26X16. You get 8 to choose from depending on where you want your inlets and outlets. I'm curious about the trailer hubs. Do they use the same stock tiny wheel bearings? I went with SD1 so I could get bigger spindles, bearings, and hubs, not to mention the 5 lugs. Had to weld the 5 on 5 shut and redrill to 5X4.5. The bigger hubs messed with the offset, but that was easy to work out. It also gave me a natural 1* of negative camber. Had to shorten the tubes. Went with Cherokee rotors and willwood calipers. Never ever going to do it that way again. I have come up with something much cleaner, easier, and lighter now. Check out Lorenze's TR8 in the build section. He was my guinea pig.

[forum.britishv8.org]

That should link you to the project journal I had going before I started this thread. It shows my hub setup.
The inner bearing and seal are identical. The outer bearing is bigger with a spacer to make up the difference, but the spindle is stock.

I've had quite a few TR7's and never seen any issues with the tiny outer bearings or spindles. Do people upgrade to larger bearings and spindles because it seems smart, or because they have actually had failures? Don't get me wrong, I spent a lot of time thinking about how to ditch the TR7 spindles, but I didn't have it on my "must do" list.

If there is info on 8.8 rear installation, I could use some good ideas for that too. I have a mustang 8.8 with the round ears cast into the center section. I'm hoping I can make those work in the TR7.

Following your built with great interest....That SBF looks awesome sitting in the engine bay....Amazing work, great pictures and write up...

Ken



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/2014 06:23PM by kscharf.

I finished installing a new oil pressure gauge tonight. I'm pretty pleased with the match to the original gauges.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2019 08:46AM by Addicted.

Looks very good Mike.

I'm getting down to the details on the engine installation. Feels pretty good to see things coming together and actually fitting!

I just received the radiator Todd recommended as well as the long bolts I needed to finish up the water pump and alternator installation.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2019 08:46AM by Addicted.

I'm now working on fitting my radiator. I decided I better go with a remote pressurized coolant tank, and I cut the radiator cap fitting off the top of my new radiator. I kept the vent port, and welded a cap on to the cut-off radiator cap port. I'm not the best aluminum welder as I don't do it every day, but it came out pretty well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2019 08:47AM by Addicted.

I'm inching closer on my project.
I've gotten these things done in the past month or so:
1) 8.8 rear end narrow / rebuild / install
2) Rear disk brakes & parking brake setup
3) Stainless exhaust
4) Radiator mounts
5) Fan & fan controller installation
6) Accessory belt drive
7) Cold air intake / air filter
8) Finish wire harness in engine bay

This should be about all that's left to give it an initial startup:
1) Finish radiator hose & top tank installation
2) Install driveshaft (ordered yesterday)
3) Finish front suspension assembly
4) Finish some wiring under the dash
5) Bleed brakes
6) Make an engine dipstick and put oil in everything
7) Get a charcoal canister for my tank vent

Heck, I ought to be able to get that all done this weekend. : )

This is a great thread/project! I hope you keep taking and posting lots of photos.

Before I tucked it into place, I got a shot of my upper radiator suppor support. The top of the fan is also mounted there.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2019 08:48AM by Addicted.

Santa left a package on my doorstep today.


It was made by PST, and it looks great. I just ordered it Monday.

Looks great Mike. Was wnondering whose brake master cylinder you were using?

Ed, it's for a 1994 Ford Ranger / Explorer. 1" bore size. I selected it after looking at many many options. It was inexpensive and easily replaced (as long as I remember what it is). I like the look of it compared to many of the other options I checked out.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/02/2014 03:41PM by Addicted.