Geoff,
Pictures look great! Here’s some carguy advice. If you leave the radio on and the battery dies, DON’T just charge the battery with one of those new fangled battery chargers. Get in the car and drive it about 60 miles at a moderate speed. Accomplishes the same thing and it’s a lot more fun!
Rich
 

Geoff,
Wow! That is terriffic! Don’t worry about the oil leaks, shifting and rough running issues. That just makes it more fun and enhances the Guy/Car “Bonding” experience. Just ask James, he’s about as Bonded to his car as is humanly possible!
Really glad she made it there. Enjoy!!!!!
Rich

James,
Nothing really to contribute. Just watching the progress with great anticipation. Can’t see how it could be the clutch area unless something broke inside the clutch housing and jammed the flywheel. Getting stuck in gear wouldn’t do it, because the starter is typically strong enough to move the car in gear (as I found out a while back when…[Read more]

Geoff,
Get yourself a map and a bunch of colored pins and mark the progress across the country as Stella makes her way to Phoenix. That’ll help keep your mind occupied
Rich

James,
This is killing us guy! It’s getting to be like a soap opera! We’re all hoping for the best, but dang, tear that thing apart already so we can all know the outcome!
I’m almost ready to jump on a plane to Memphis with my tool kit in tow.
Still hoping for a low cost finding for you!
Rich

Hey Mark,
Thanks! Way to burst my bubble! Just kidding. I though the guy was nuts when he had a starting bid of $9K. I couldn’t believe it when I saw one bid! If it was a real bid, he should have SOLD it! I was also suspicious. Probably exactly what you said.
Rich

All,
Wow, looks like I started something. Good Stuff! Who says nostalgia isn’t what it used to be
Rich

James,
Again, very nice and very professional job. You are becoming the Bob Villa of TD Replicas!
Rich

James,
Very cool! I also noticed the chrome trim on the Gas Tank Cover. Did you do that? I love it!
Rich

Geoff,
I’m with you although I hate to ask Frankie to a lot more work than he already does to maintain the site. So I guess if it wouldn’t be too much work, an update would be very nice. Perhaps a blind Vote via EMail as to who’s pictures should be added, so it’s democratic and no one gets too offended? Are we limited to the number of photos on…[Read more]

Hey James,
Know the easiest way to tell a Brit original from a Replica? The replica starts, has actual power and doesn’t leak oil  (except yours at the moment)
Rich

James,
Hmmmm, not good. Youn seem to be down to Crank and Pistons. Can’t turn in either direction? This is beyond me. I’ve not seen a Crank bearing sieze. Hopefully something in the clutch and not internal to the crankcase. Your approach is logical and methodical.
Good Luck!
Rich

Geoff,
Yeah, isn’t the hood mount wierd? When I first started working on it, I figured there was some logical reason for it. Not so. It is just a dumb feature to an otherwise very well put together car.
Also, regarding the delivery, all I can say is be patient (easy to say when your car is sitting in the driveway) . You’ll have lots of time for…[Read more]

Dan,
I noticed that your hood opens from the wrong side too (Just Kidding)!
I like the way mine opens so I have NO access to the oil fill cap or dip stick.  Don’t know what the builder of my car had in mind.
At least I have great access to the Battery, which requires constant attention and maintenance (sarcasm intentional) .
Rich
 
 

Hi Dan,
Nice Car! Looking at the before picture in your gallery you must have worn yourself out buffing that GelCoat! I followed Paul’s advice and bought the Meguiars 1 step for Marine and ATVs. It was still a lot of work, but the results are really good.
I do have a question and I hope you are not offended by this. Your car is a FiberFab like…[Read more]

All,
Good news, the clevis connection at the Trans. disintegrated. It was one that I had to fabricate on my own. Apparently the steel was not strong enough. This time I used heavy gage Stainless. Pain in the butt to do, but 3 hours in and she’s roadworthy again. Cost? $000!
Rich (On the Road Again!)

James,
Hang in there. These are anything but perfect vehicles.
I drove my TD Replica exclusively for the last 3 days. When my clutch went (See the latest on Rich’s Ride), I jumped back in my usual car (2004 Acura 3.5 RL). Darn near went through the windshield when I hit the power brakes! The (power) steering felt disconnected and I couldn’t…[Read more]

All,
Well things were just goin’ too good I guess. I went out to get a bottle of wine to go with dinner and never got there. The clutch cable let go at a stop sign about 4 miles from home. There I sat, forlorn, forgot my cell phone, ready to start walking and I remembered, Hey, you don’t need no stinkin’ clutch! Just start ‘er up in first and…[Read more]

James,
You are getting some sage advice here, but remember, free advice is worth every penny
I have to agree with Ringo that the all of a sudden it doesn’t turn seems like a starter, but you are there, on site, with vehicle. If it is still a mystery once you start to dig into it, just keep feeding us data and we’ll try to help based on our e…[Read more]

James,
Sorry to hear about that. I’d say taking the timing belt off first is a good idea. Let’s hope it is the top end. Most likely if it’s Cam, you have a siezed cam bearing. You could pull the cover off and loosen the bearings one at a time while attempting to turn the cam with a ratchet. This will likely tell you which bearing is bad. Had it…[Read more]