Triumph Herald 1200 Progress Reports.

Eventually I will consolidate these reports(in edited form) into the main text, but for you faithful readers checking on how to do this conversion these progress reports are for you! OK as requested the latest ones are at the top of the page!

1/3/04 (or thereabouts) sudden rush to the head and pulled the 5K engine out of the Redwitch as I had purchased another 5K with a recent rebuild history. I did drive this engine which had plenty of pull and a heavy duty racing gearbox behind it (this subsequently catches me out!) So with a bit of swapping of bits from one engine to another I replace said new engine with new clutch plate and heavy duty pressure plate etc. into the engine bay with that other gearbox on the back. Initially it had a noisy tappet but that settled, checked everything over and then tried to back out - what a shocker of a noise! The sort of noise one gets when the spigot shaft of a five speed Toyota revolves within a clutch plate that has a bigger center (sigh!) Anyway gearbox came out without too much hassle (exhaust came apart, gearbox slipped out - you beauty!) and old clutch plate went back in and all re assembled. Tools cleared out of the car and is that little shaft lying on the carpet a speedo drive perchance? (Sigh!) Anyway its all back together and performing very well with one small alteration that followed. The carb was a 4K carb with 5K barrels and other mods which as I said I had driven but out of curiosity I put the twin carbs back on - huge improvement contrary to what I have been told by Toyota owners. Anyhow she goes very well with the lightened flywheel ($20) and a mild cam. Time to go back into enjoyment mode.

26/10.03 Inertia reel belts fitted without a problem, exhaust system redone with a junction at the front, this is to avoid having to take the entire exhaust off to get at the driveshaft. One tiny problem was the earth to the guages voltage regulator became loose and I thought I was running high temperatures all of a sudden but no, this is because the guages are 10 volts and car is 12 volts (now there is something British for you!) So I have riveted the little begger in, no more vibration undoing the bolt. Apart from that going extremely well ond having great fun. I now have a lightened flywheel and another gearbox so one day I will install them. Gearbox actually has settled down. ALL GOOD!

25/7/03 Car has been rolling around the countryside very nicely however one teething problem was a very slow startup, all indications were it was a flat battery but it tested out fine, charging rate was great so I replaced starter to solenoid cable and earth cable but still no go so it was reluctantly remove the starter (which was not a big job in the end, as it did fit past the exhaust system although I had to take the gearbox cover off) That was the problem all right, Toyota starters get a dry bush in them and eventually can damage the commutator which mine did. $80 later I had a NEW starter and she goes well. Going to replace the seat belts as well as she only has diagonals at present and I don't want to slip under it!

21/6/03 What to say, boot is finished and looking pretty smart. Certification plate on her and she is warranted. Car goes well, I fixed a small leak at heater valve and put anti freeze in her. Connected CD player up, so have sounds. She got her front spring back and is now running level. Got a new wheel alingnment done and that is cool, handles well. Due for a club run soon and we will await teething problems, if any. Exhaust to be done sometime but no rush. I can quit writing now until I do things to the engine (cam, balance etc) Time to enjoy and also time to get into the coupe struggling with a name like Minty!

4/6/03 I guess the main deal is that the red Witch is certified! Straight through without any hassles. I cannot say I enjoyed the five consecutive crash stops from 100 ks per hour but she did, so that is fine! Cannot drive her on the road yet until I get the certification plate so in the meantime Ii have removed one of her front springs and dropped it into Chamberlain's Springs as she is slightly down on one side. Exhaust is also hopefully going to be re modified this week to gain more clearance. So all is good!

29/5/03 Went to exhaust man today as I want a sliding joint at the front so I can remove the gearbox without taking the whole system apart, however in the meantime it appears to have 'shifted' a bit. He got more clearance by the diff but needs more time with her. So I am going to run her through the certification process and then get the exhaust modified to run higher in the chassis and get the mounts changed. Exhaust man is happy to do this so that is good. Other than that she is pretty darn good. Problem is I need her street legal to carry out the finishing detail, catch 22.

25/5/03 Wheel alignment done but not totally happy with it but it will do pending it getting legal. The rear wheels were toeing out something like 6 degrees so I guess that is why she was keen to throw herself around corners! More docile now. Finished off some of the boot panels so that the fuel tank is fully enclosed. Gave her a cut with a buff and then a polish and she does look better for it. Booked in for an exhaust mod. Found that I could not get the manifold bolt in the middle undone so I am getting a flange fitted on the front pipe. This means that I can 'tip' the motor forward to get the gearbox out should that be necessary in the future. Also running a bit close to the diff. But quiet oh so quiet. She is quite fun to drive but nothing like the Vitesse. I will be interested to see what she does on the open road.

4/5/03 Very cold little day. Took the fuel tank apart and gave up on the original 'banjo' fuel fitting, with its twin copper washers and general wear and tear it is always a candidate for leaking, so replaced with more modern fitments and put it all back together, and that is that. Also replaced the throttle pedal return spring as it appeared to be slow on returning and then spent ages making and fitting a panel for above the rear seats and also making up boot linings. Speedo was overhauled and calibrated. Also got the temp gauge checked and voltage drop gismo fitted, it is also reliable. (who would design a 12 volt system to run 10 volt gauges!) Checked the timing and it appears to be 2 degrees retarded but I am going to leave it there as it has' run on' a couple of times. Could be high compression as it is a 3K head on a 5K. Need to check this after a tune up. Really want to do the wheel alignment as she is a bit twitchy with the present settings (appears to really corner extremely well) I have requested a time to get certified. Closer and closer.

27/4/03 Setting up the boot paneling, went for a drive in the 4WD to look at an engine (300ZX twin turbo) for the coupe and decided it was too much work and then much later found that I had left the major boot panel with carpet on the roof of the car. Found it leaning against a tree! Saved again. Rear seats bolted in and making a panel for above the seat to finish it off, once I get the shape and removable mounting done I will get it upholstered. She goes in for speedo calibration on Thursday but then I have to drain the fuel as it is seeping/weeping out of the banjo housing. Me thinks the copper washers need replacing. Got the interior light working and fixed other details. Hope to cut paintwork in about 2 weeks before the certification. Hell it must be getting there! Coupe rear suspension is in the final design stage (hats off to Andy Stanton!) Sussing out an alternative engine with regard to sound and performance. Joh Hills (V8 coupe) is uncharitably calling her the Starlet Scarlet Harlot. She has finer feelings Joh. Also took apart the Vitesse rocker gear and cleaned it out and reset the tappets. Just in case, one of the Triumph weak points, the rocker gear.

20/4/03 I have been working past 2 weekends. Also working on my house however the radiator overflow bottle is in behind the front valance. I used a bumper bracket off another chassis and inverted it and welded it onto the front crossbar and then the Toyota bracket for the bottle. Quite tidy. Even looks like it belongs there. Took the dashboard off to get at the wiring and speedo ready for calibration. Also need to do the wheel alignment and have sorted out some specs for that. Still finishing off the boot lining and the first lot of panels will got in for carpet fitting. I have cleaned up some Estate luggage strips and they will go on top of the carpet area. Still have to bolt the rear seat squab in so it cannot fall forwards. So it goes!

5/4/03 OK big break for the updates, two week course followed by a weekend working put a crimp in progress however she is back from the brake work and really stops very well although apparently I am supposed to do about 100 ks to bed in the lining properly which is not going to happen with an uncertified, unregistered car. Found that the clutch thrust bearing was noisy as was a gearbox bearing (probably in the layshaft as only 4th was relatively noise free) so I got another gearbox last weekend ($60, love these little Toyotas!)and replaced it today and the noise appears to have been rectified. She now, also has low profile (175x60x13) tyres all around and although quite low does appear to suit this look and it has brought my diff ratio down to where it should be. New thermostat is in and now speedo needs to be calibrated and also need a voltage stabilizer thingey so temp guage does not talk in tongues. Still have not rubbed the paintwork back. Plan to relocate radiator overflow bottle and finish lining the boot (fuel tank area) Now that I have missed the Summer the rush to finish her is not really there.

1/3/03 Family birthday and the car is still at the brake emporium getting a honed out master cylinder, cannot put pressure on or the price will go up! So no test drive and no tyre trials. T'would try ones patience but no point in rushing these things. Only have next weekend before I go on a 2 week course so bad timing and the Red Witch gets a break (or a brake) Did go and look at a likely motor for the coupe but much measuring needs to be done.

22/2/03 Triumph Club run this weekend but in brief. Rear brake drums have been skimmed and trued up, new slave cylinders ordered (13/60 model) and master brake cylinder machined out to three quarter inch and being re-kitted. I got an estate floor for the boot and then used it as a template to make new ply flooring up to cover the tank and have yet to do a final fit and tidy up. New rear brake shoes (semi competition) I am hoping these brakes are going to be just great.So maybe this weekend I will try out tyre combinations and do a little test drive. Speedo yet to be calibrated and thermostat to be fitted.

15/2/03 Car back from brake outfit, bled up but brake pedal too soft so back it goes to match master cylinder to displacement. After all the sodding around with the throttle cable it sticks at various times so out it came and a brand new item being made. I have driven the car after initial confusion when clutch did not engage (plate stuck to flywheel) but everything works now. I will get a new thermostat for her to rule out overheating and just cos it's a good (and cheap) thing to do! Anyway she drives well but quite highly geared ( I have a 3.9:1 diff but Starlets with this ratio run 12inch wheels) so may experiment with lower profile tyres (happen to have a set) Just finicky things now.

11/2/03 Days off after weekend! Fuel tank connected through a nice new filter, wheel nuts machined down (how about the English ones have a taper of about 30 degrees and the Jap ones are 60?) Anyway seat beautifully on the wheels. Rear view mirrors bolted in place and actually serve a purpose besides decoration so that is good. Boot lid was a true sod to fit and went on and off several times, I assume it has a twist in it which can stay in the interim. Put in 2 different fuel senders and then read the manual, 1200 run a 12 volt system and estates run 10 volts so I guess I burnt two units out? Will an extra 2 volts do that? Have fabricated a 12 volt sender up.
Ran the engine, it is very quiet and very smooth. Exhaust is quiet as a mouse, John at Safe R Exhausts did a great job, free breathing and quiet, comes out of engine at 49mm into muffler and exits muffler at 45mm (to keep exhaust velocity up) Have to fix the idle adjustment and check the temp guage which insisted the engine was hot when it was not. Have an overflow bottle for the radiator just behind the front valance in a 'spare' spot. Away getting brakes checked at present.Getting a lot closer.

7/2/03 Working this weekend but did get a little done. Exhaust fitted and a great job done, not something you want to do yourself with a few complicated bends to get way from the starter motor, chassis, brakes etc. Fuel tank fitted but now I have decided the the fuel line is a little close to the nice new exhaust (My brilliant exhaust man feels that it is no closer than most modern cars but why risk vapour locks?) so new outlet fabricated to well clear the exhaust and yet to be bolted in. Changing the wheel nuts over so I can get the new ones turned in a lath, decided to get a closer taper, turned out to re chrome the Marina ones would cost more than brand new nuts! Also bending in the lip on the rear guards to increase clearances, it is not really a problem as when the car bounces downwards (or has a load on board) the wheels go in at the top but again better safe than.... Booked in for brake check this week. Also fitting bullet rear view mirrors to the guards, I got them for the Vitesse but they did not look great but they should fit the era of where the Red Witch fits in (those glorious 60's) At the end of this she should look like a period warmed over Herald with Spitfire wheels, bullet mirrors, period sports steering wheel, white stripe etc but have the benefits of modern power and transmission.

1/2/03 Catch up time, fitted fuel tank and it leaked like a sieve! Did turn the key to see if the engine would do anything and it burst into raucous life. Very good feeling. Took fuel tank out and had it repaired. The estate fuel tank rusts around the protruding sleeve in the bottom so it has been soldered and then a thin copper sleeve tinned over it, never rust again I hope. Spitfire wheels fitted but the chrome wheel nuts have a taper which does not contact and center the wheel properly (well actually it does but not as positively as one would like) so have acquired English assembled Marina ones. I might get the others turned down in due course. Carpets fitted and seats bolted in. Also acquired a very nice "period" sports steering wheel which looks like a little 2.5 item. All cast alloy and obviously made for the Herald. Don't know its brand which could be a certification hassle, but a very professional strong item. Fitted the "A" frame with safety "chains" around the chassis (just in case) and towed her to my exhaust man. A frame was great after all the piddling around and will tow any Herald. Brakes next big item to test.

11/1/03 Happy New Year! Well time for the catch up. All fuel tank brackets fabricated and fitted. Front and rear valances panelbeaten, rubbed back and fitted. Rod Travis my painter turned up and after a huge effort we finished rubbing her down and prepping all panels and she is painted! Hell of a thing. At the same time I coloured portions of the interior trim to match the exterior and I believe it looks quite good (I am being reserved here its actually great!) Water in radiator and nothing leaks thus far. I am letting the paint harden and then the fun of assembling her begins. Getting close just assembly, brake and exhaust being the major items. Oh and little details like wooden door cappings which I think Nick Moore is going to make for me. When it starts to look like a car again I will put a pic on this page. I am going on holiday soon so that will be another lull but I have been given notice to quit my workshop which has been sold so it has to happen. "A" frame finally finished and ready for duty.

14/12/02 Fabricated last heater pipe and two hoses, found that one out of a 2.5 Triumph was the right shape and then the pipe is out of a Japanese car as it was rust free. Made up new fuel line for the estate tank and need one long pieceof angle iron as a fuel tank support along the front. Will use an original estate floor to cover it but modify it to suit. Got a "new" fillerpipe for the tank. Made up a fewmore retaining brackets for hoses and other ancillary items to stop them 'flapping" about. She is really close to being fired up once the tank is finally bolted in. Need the elusive car painter!

7/12/02 Back to the workshop with the MIG welder and welded in strengthening plates on the top side after welding up the cracks where the captive nuts were. (note Triumph was not concerned re movement and resultant cracking but to be fair it took 30 years!)Welded nuts onto other plates and riveted them to the top plates with the floor pan between. Painted to match. Did the last of the wiring loom tidy with brackets and ties to prevent further movement. Even fitted a new aerial to the front pillar for that light music requirement.Light switch replaced. Had painted up a 13/60fuel tank but now decided an estate tank will have some advantages. I appear to have lost the fillerpipe between tank and body, know I have it but where! It is either make one or just get another (getting another has a lot of appeal!) Undercoated the A frame and painted it. Not far off completion.Measured pulleys for a fan belt and dashed out and got one and it actually fitted first time. Still need to fabricate one long heater hose and attend other details.

23/11/02 Bit of a break, I went to work on the Red Witch and loaded the MIG welder up, unloaded and then found that the CO2 bottle was dry as it had stolen away like a thief in the night (sigh) Anyway the floor pan is all cleaned up and ready for the strengthening plates for the seat mounts. The alternator and all gauges are now wired up and everything works except the light switch is a bit dodgey so I have one to replace it and I want to renew a further two pieces of the wire loom which look suspect. A couple of fuses have been added into the loom as well. I need to make up an overflow bottle for the radiator and also an oil bottle for the diff breather (to allow it to drain back into the diff) So in spite of delays if gives me a chance to improve some items.

11/11/02 I have been away on a club car rally, well organized, and it was great fun, weather was kind and large number of miles were done in a very pleasant manner in pleasant company (20 Triumphs - range of models). The Vitesse blew away the miles with no effort, a steady oil pressure and was a pleasure to drive, This time we had a CD player connected to the radio so the miles were eaten up in comfort.
I have been experimenting with my MIG welder now that I finally have a CO2 bottle. Next plan is to weld strengthening into the floor pan for the new seat mountings. Center consul has gauges fitted and I will need to finish the wiring for them. I really need a couple of valances to finish things off prior to painting. Just detailing things at present and waiting ..............waiting..........waiti.............

19/10/02 OK I have been remiss with updates! I went on holiday to Australia and had a great time but did think about the Red Witch honest! OK since my return I have made up three lots of seat mounts and finally this weekend settled on a design and it will be quite heavy steel as I have got lazy. I did make up alloy brackets but they did flex a bit and I could see a sudden drop sometime when metal fatigue took over. I made up a center consul for instruments etc. over the transmission tunnel and it did not suit the car at all so that was out. At this point I have a center consul out of a 2.5. I have cut it in half and inverted it and now making up a new wooden insert. Also using the 2.5 'eyeball' dash vent and removed eyeball bit and it is the induction to the carb. Spent considerable time re routing started motor wires away from the exhaust and trying to run wires neatly all over the place. Ordered and finally got a new T junction for the oil gauge and it is in. Have to make up an oil line from the diff to a fabricated overflow bottle so that it does not vent onto the road. Overflow bottle for radiator to be fitted somewhere. I have fitted air horns to avoid the embarrassing 'poop' Herald noise. And a few other details which all take time. I have beaten the rear of the inner guards to give better clearances past air cleaner etc. I am hoping that fellow club member (and friend) Nick Moore will fabricate me some Vitesse door caps. I am sure there is a market for these replica items.

16/8/02 Bit of a marathon, rewired under the bonnet where necessary, oil warning to other side, electronic dizzy, alternator and a lot of other changes (good-bye old voltage regulator) couple of fuses to protect main wiring, electric radiator fan plus relay etc. it all performed well to boot! Five hours of work and no goofing off either. Going to relocate the starter motor to battery cable as it is too close to the exhaust, might get away with it but not worth sitting on the roadside with fried wiring to prove a point. Seat mounts made up but not looking that flash so might just re do that in a more eloquent manner. Made up a new brake line from booster to T joint so just one more line to make and the brakes are re plumbed. Gearbox cover re glassed and now fits very well, low profile. Also had a clean out and gave away 1 and a half chassis, coupe rear tub, 1360 bonnet, diff and a few other bits, clean up time! and ruthless this time. Valances should be ready soon for re mounting and then last rub down before the new paint goes on. Then some rapid progress should be made in the re assembly, still have to suss out exhaust.

31/8/02 OK Cut the gearbox cover in half and re glassed it but when I went to fit it, I found I had twisted it and it did not sit right. Cut the bloody thing up again and reglassed it, and it will be fine. Cut an old spare chassis to make up a jig for the coupe, and also cut seat mounts out of a spare tub. Still to shape them etc. I still have a brake line to fabricate to the booster. Fitted an alloy back plate to a spare Subaru diff so we can mock up the coupe rear end. Sort of flying at a tangent at present. Still have to complete the rear and front valances (rusty where the rubbers used to be)

24/8/02 Warmer day, spring is happening! Fabricated radiator shrouds out of alloy ( a nice detail if I do say so myself) Fitted clutch brackets with new weather proof gasket and clevis pivots and it looks better and works better to boot. Brake booster back in and now at the fabricate seat anchorage stage, I think I will cut some original ones out of a spare body and weld them into the floor plan to give it the original configuration.Have to go figure my wiring diagram as well, things are a bit different on the Toyota motor and of course the old regulator has gone and just a bunch of wires hanging out where it once was. Alternator will be good.
Have brackets for the A frame away being plasma cut at present. I was narrowing a Nissan disc brake back end for the coupe but now deciding whether there is a more elegant way of doing it. Will cut a old chassis up as a jig and go back to the planning board.

17/8/02 Cold day not conducive to work. Connected clutch arrangement which works but then tore it all out as I dislike the water sealing boot (original reversed) and also had the pivot bolted in which is bound to come apart one day so making up a clevis pin (which is what Triumph came up with in the first place!) Radiator fan brackets are just great and now need a little sheet metal for the shroud. Bolted in transmission tunnel adapter (to get gearbox out if necessary in the future) Cutting down gearbox cover to lower it substantially but keep Herald appearance. Bit of general messing around (choke cable outer fitted to original weird joiner) etc I still have to quietly figure the wiring loom. It's still just bits and pieces.

10/8/02 Radiator re cored, nuts to do a lot of work and then overheat! Speedo cable and new drive in, Gearbox bolted back down and driveshaft installed. I was not too happy with the two different diameters of hole in universal flange and diff flange so had the larger shoulder on 4 bolts turned down and now it is as snug as a.... etc.Now fitting an electric fan to the front of the nice new radiator. Bonnet back on and clearances are just great. Even looks like a car again. Back to planning an A frame for Heralds, I will need to move the Red Witch soon for brake checks, water blast chassis etc. Want to fishoilene under the chassis rails, esp. the outriggers So not too bad once I get the A frame..

31/7/02 Little extra in lieu of forthcoming weekend. Searched the wrecking yards and finally found a right angle gear driven speedo drive (out of some Toyota, perhaps a celica?)which almost fitted in. So motor and gearbox out, slight massage in chassis area and voila! Speedo drive and one Triumph cable in to instrument repairer now and a new speedo cable being made up.There are a few cable driven angled speedo drives still around but I have been told that some of them are quite unreliable and not able to be repaired. If you can find one, get one with a circlip in the front, they can be dismantled to repair apparently (I never found one) Motor and gearbox back in. I have established that this is working well and very easy to do. Radiator out now and being checked over.

27/7/02 Only a brief fling, painted the valances yet again and got them in and the radiator bolted up and it all fitted well, measured for front mounted electric fan and will sort those measurements. Bought new bolts for driveshaft and cut them down to fit (wanted 14mm unthreaded portion on the bolt but then they were too long) Choke cable finally fitted and OK. Got a toyota speedo cable and also a Cresida speedo conversion thingey (90 degree bend) but it was too tight against the chassis so getting a Toyota cable with small ferral and going to bend up to a Triumph speedo conversion. Should be fine.Brake booster bolted in and took some pics which I will get developed. Sunday took the Vitesse out on a club run. Next weekend is a bigger run (200 plus miles) so no work on 1200.

21/7/02 Really nice day, made up radiator lower bracket and radiator straight in, also top bracket folded up and also fitted. Radiator looks like it belongs. MkII choke cable also no good, cannot believe what a bitch this cable is. I have soldered a new one together, I need a long cable but with Herald choke knob and early fitment. Hope this is it! Last alternator bracket powdercoated and fits. New Brake booster brackets fit and look pretty OK, fits nicely over the clutch bracket.Just sitting in place pending measurements for clearances (clutch action etc) Painted valances and got a reaction so need to sand back and re-do (oh bother!) Still she is getting there, this is just the detailing which is important.

13/7/02 Cold wet drizzly weekend however did the pilgrimage, once you stop, you give up! Valance fitted like a glove so that was nice. I had a driveshaft made up which is quite short (under 900 mm all up) and it fitted straight in so that was great. Cut 160mm back in the transmission housing so that I can get the gearbox out in the future as required without removing the motor (gearbox tailshaft was under the housing) and made up a 'bolt in' section instead. Clutch bracket bolted in but it's a bit ugly, doubt it will remain for too long. Radiator mounts still being made and also making new brackets for brake booster. New choke cable did not fit the bill.

6/7/02 Well I did do a little work on the car last Saturday but it was freezing in the workshop. Designed alternator bracket, cut it from alloy and it is really good. Made up clutch bracket as I am going cable and it also worked out and is ready to powder coat. Brake booster bracket did not pass muster so back to the drawing board. Having some hassles with one engine valance getting clearances with carb and cleaner but hope this is now resolved (won't know until I go back to the workshop with said valance) Designing brackets for the radiator and electric fan at present. Also making up a longer choke cable. So it's rats and mice stuff at the moment.

22/6/02 Removed the Triumph left engine mount as it was going to interfere with the lower radiator hose. I am going to use the Starlet radiator as it will make future replacements easier to obtain, so my overhauled Herald one goes into storage. Repainted the big dent area under throttle linkage and engine mount area. Designed brackets for clutch cable and brake booster (in cardboard). Still not happy with the alternator position and tightening bracket. Another trip to my favorite car wrecker (Ace Auto) is indicated. Seats will be great and are from an RX7 (I am not sure about that however as I never saw the donor vehicle) Tessa goes on a club run tomorrow but I plan to design a Herald A frame in the morning.

15/6/02 Cold wet day, I raised the engine mount and checked carbs were level (don't want those float bowls jamming) checked clearances for the throttle linkage which does go above the firewall, got a little nervous with the thought that if something slipped you could conceivably end up with throttle jammed wide open, so carb off and a larger dimple created in the top of firewall (there goes the nice new paint!) Made up a throttle cable based on a Mitsubishi cable (I think - quite thick and a lot stronger than the Triumph item) the Toyota cable was a bit too short. It fitted in the original location - very smooth action. Replaced heater, brake master cylinder, wiper motor etc, a feeling that construction is under way!

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