Project "Nugget" - 1980 Brooklands Green 1500HL Auto

[Cheesy]

How's that engine of mine?

Excellent!

Funnily enough I started Nugget last night for the first time in over a fortnight. I got bored with doing the paintwork, so I ran a new wire from fuse box to coil, to bypass the ballast for the 12v coil I have fitted for the electronic ignition. Of course I had to start her up to test things!

As soon as some fuel pumped through she fired straight up, the oil light went out immediately, and there were no untoward knocks, bangs or thumps.

The engine does sound a little "tapetty" though. I've adjusted the valve clearances, but I suppose there could be some wear on the rocker shaft. I haven't had a 4-cylinder Triumph before so I'm not sure how quiet they are supposed to be, and whether rocker wear is generally a problem.

Apart from that, all great!

[Jod Clark]

They do tap. Gentle tapping, like the tap tap tap of someone typing on a laptop keyboard is fine. Rattling is not!

Fear the quiet OHV engine but only worry about tapping if it starts to sound like a mid 90s Fiesta.

[matienzo]

Hi Mark,
If the top end doesn't sound a little busy I'd be worried! As Jod says you want light tapping as it indicates full valve motion. Silence most likely means valves not closed properly and you'll also end up with excessive rocker wear. If you get the time or inclination taking the rocker shaft off to inspect the rockers is a quick job. If the faces are worn to flat spots then you can get them re-faced or refurb the shaft completely. However, Jod will remember whether this job was done during the rebuild or not. It might be worth waiting until you hear Millies new top end to see if Nuggets is any different.

Glad you got the paint issues sorted out.

[Cheesy]

Thanks for the advice, Jod & Steve I'll see what she sounds like once she's back on the road properly and take it from there.

Lots more progress today! The body is flatted, sills have been coated with stone chip and we're all ready for top coat. The doors have been Barcoated & primed and are ready for flatting.

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The ripped section of headlining has been replaced and the whole headlining treated to two coats of B&Q Sandstone emulsion (just like Ken Roberts' article in Dolly Mixture!).

Top coat will be going on the body tomorrow, and the doors if we can get them flatted before the cider in the fridge shouts my name!

[Purplebargeken]

Just a quick question....... what is sandstone emulsion? I just used B & Q bog standard white vinyl silk emulsion. Glad the article inspired you to do it.

Great job on the car by the way.

Ken

[Cheesy]

Just a quick question....... what is sandstone emulsion? I just used B & Q bog standard white vinyl silk emulsion. Glad the article inspired you to do it.

Hi Ken! It's just the colour, Tracy quite fancied something other than white! It looks really good. There were one or two tears that needed patching, but now it's all painted it looks like new.

[Purplebargeken]

Cool. Be good to see a piccie of it though. Something different is something interesting.

[Cheesy]

We have paint! Nugget is once again green.

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[Howard81]

Wow, fantastic!! Can't wait to see her back together

[darrenspitty]

Dear Cheesy

I am the former owner of 'Nugget' and sold her to Howard (then named Molly the Dolly). I can add to her history for you including details of the 2006 Round Britain Reliability Run success where my son was the youngest ever,(non driving) participant aged 14 ( We finished 2nd to last with a blown head gasket and the two passengers had to bail out to climb over dartmoor!) and a slick 50 incident on the A12 which led to me putting a conrod through the block ! ( She managed to limp 2 miles to a car park and was driven onto the recovery truck!) I have some photos that I am more than happy to send if you let me have your E mail address. I would be glad to have my Club Triumph badge back as it seems unpopular with some of your correspondents! I will try to attach some photo's You can ring me on 07906 596 489 if you fancy a chat. Great to see her being properly restored .

Thanks

Darren

[Howard81]

Glad you found the thread Darren!

I have to point out you didn't sell her to me though. You sold her to Dean (who also reads this Forum), then Adam Sindrey had her for a few months. I owned NGU for approx two years 2009-2011, although she was off the road for the second year due to the welding that needed doing!

[JPB]

And now we know how the car had a 1300 engine fitted until Jod came to the rescue.
I do like a bit of history, though this car seems likely to be around well into the future as a result of the current operation.

[Cheesy]

I would be glad to have my Club Triumph badge back as it seems unpopular with some of your correspondents!

Oops, sorry Darren, I'm afraid it got binned. Thanks for the offer of more photos though, I will PM you my details. It's always nice to have a bit of history with a car.

Nugget is back on the road! The rear pillar vinyl covers from Martrim didn't arrive in time, so we just painted them satin black for now. There are a few bits we still need to improve, I imagine Nugget is going to be very much a "rolling restoration" from now on.

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Thanks to everyone for all their advice and encouragement, we are really pleased with how she's turned out. My wife has started using her to travel to work today!

[tinweevil]

She looks fantastic, lovely job.

[Purplebargeken]

VERY nice indeed. A credit to both of you.

Ken