We've Been Framed!

Here we are at the 3rd installment of this restoration series. For the most part it's a continuation of the dismantling process but this focused on the real guts of the car. The goal is to get the frame bare of all that is attached to it. From here is where we start to restore.

The first step was to remove the engine and transmission. My preference is to mark the various parts and dismantle a good portion of the engine while it's still on the frame. This way any stubborn pieces can still be muscled off while being supported by the frame. The block was taken all the way down to the engine mounts. From here my able bodied assistant pulled the driveshaft while I tended to the many bolts of the bell housing. With the bottom of the block supported, the driveshaft was removed followed by the transmission. Once pulled and out of the way. the engine mounts were removed and the block placed on a dolly. The next stop is Woodstock where it will be machined and renewed to Conventry standards.

The remaining parts to be removed is the suspension. My preference here is to pull the components off in their entirety. The result is one big pile of suspension. I will not start the process of cleaning, painting and replacing parts on the suspension until the frame is complete. This way as each suspension component is restored, it is bolted back on the frame.

The frame is pretty solid. Only a couple of bad rust spots are present that will require repair. This will be covered in more detail in the next installment. In the mean time the frame was taken to Strip-Rite in Union Grove Wisconsin where it will be totally cleaned and devoid of all rust, paint and oil. It should be ready in a couple of weeks. When it gets back to the Hampshire Triumph farm, the real fun starts and the dollars start leaving the checking account. All new suspension components have been ordered.

Project Totals

	   Current Phase      Totals to Date
Hours:		7.0		13.5
Costs: 		$0		$0

Still cheap so far huh? But this will change by next month in Part 3B!

By Joe "Stagmeister" Pawlak

Copyright © 2003 Illinois Sports Owners Association