Logbook
September 2011
September 14, 2011
A few weeks ago I ordered a new column turn signal switch and a new column headlamp switch. They both arrived and were not GT6 switches – I think they may have been for a TR6. I had a hell of a time trying to convince the supplier that they were not the correct switches for a GT6. They simply did not believe that I knew what I was talking about so I sent them both of the old switches. The new turn signal switch arrived today and it is the correct switch. I am assuming that they will send the new headlamp switch soon – they haven’t called me so I take that to mean that they are now on board with me.
I won’t mention the suppliers name as they have been very good so far and I guess I just touched a nerve on this order, no big deal.
I finally received the re-upholstered trim pieces today – 4 months late. I also got to take a look at the seats which are about 95% complete. All the pieces are done in a real nice black vinyl and the seats are very close to original only with red piping instead of black. Pictures are included with this update. My upholstery guy is very talented and I’ve actually grown to like him but I suspect he is dealing with issues that I can’t possibly understand. I will use him for the rest of the interior because he is very good and I think he needs the work BUT – I won’t be giving him any down payments - cash on delivery.
I re-installed the crash pad so now it is time to install the dash and finish up all the final electrical terminations. I’m hoping this goes well as I want to get the car over to a mechanic that I found that has a lot of experience with LBC’s. I’ve been making a list of things I’d like him to do – This is going to be big $$$$$.
September 16, 2011
Surprise today!! I got both seats delivered by my guy – what a nice job he did. The seats look original but with red piping on the backs and seat portions. He used very good vinyl and the stitching is excellent. I gave him the wheel arch pieces, the door liners and the visors. He said he could do some extra detailing such as pouches for the doors – maybe mix some black and red and include some piping. He is a good guy and I can afford to be very patient with these pieces as they won’t hold me up and winter will be here before long.
September 20, 2011
I received the headlamp column switch today and finished the installation for both the turn signals and head lights. Everything is working fine - high beams, low beams, parking lamps, turn signals, hazards. I’m just about ready to install the dash pieces!!!
September 22, 2011
Started to install the dash today. Everything is working so far just have to finish up wiring terminations for the gauges, oil lamp and brake lamp.
There is a short in the reverse lamp wiring. I’ve isolated it to the reverse lamps themselves. I suppose that I should have re-wired all the back end lamps and not tried to salvage the original terminations. I think this will be a good winter project and that I’ll pull the fuel tank and do the entire rear wiring completely over.
September 24, 2011
I found the short in the rear end wiring. Believe it or not, someone had connected the power feed to the reverse lamps to the daisy-chain factory ground!!! I re-did the wiring for the left hand turn signal and both reverse lamps. I installed a new ground bus bar over near the spare tire compartment and will re-do the rest of the rear lights wiring with new grounds. I don’t have to pull the fuel tank to do this – it’s actually quite easy and will result in 100% new wiring and terminations for the car using the Advanced Auto-Wire harness. Currently everything electrical is in working order. The outside lamps glow brightly!! It is a HUGE improvement over the original factory wiring.
I spoke with the owners of ACS racing in the next town over from me and to my surprise they have a lot of experience with British cars of this vintage so I’m going to send it in for a new custom exhaust, carb, set-up and dynatune, clutch, rear-seal and a bunch of minor mechanical things that I’ve discovered while re-wiring the car. With the mechanics and electrical complete (at least for a while) I will be able to concentrate on the interior over the winter.
September 28, 2011
I got the car over to ACS today and spent about an hour going over things with them. They seem very knowledgeable and really like the car. At least at first blush this seems to be a good match. I have a feeling that I am going to be real happy when I pick the car up. They said it should be ready in a couple of weeks depending on parts delivery. I gave them contact info for Rimmer Bros., Spitbits, Victoria British and the Roadster Factory. They also have some places they can use.
For now – enough of the LBC, I’m going fly fishing in the New Hampshire North Country for salmon and trout with my brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!