I was lying under the car ready to bolt the oil pan back onto the crankcase using the newly arrived gasket, when I wondered if perhaps some sealant was also necessary. Before installing all 23 of the bolts and spring washers, I decided to consult The Complete Official Triumph TR6 and TR250, 1967 - 1976, Comprising the official driver's handbook and workshop manual, published by Robert Bentley, Inc., Cambridge, Mass, otherwise known simply as "The Bentley".

The cleaned and coated fuel tank is back in its place in the front of the trunk, a new fuel filter has been inserted in the line - the fuel system is buttoned up. Today I dropped the oil pan. It had several ounces of gasoline in it - hopefully the renewed carburetor float valves will deal with the problem of fuel leaking thru the carbs when the rear end of the car is elevated.

The TR6 restoration momentum had ground to a halt while life moved in other directions for a while. Good directions - finalizing plans for adding a third bedroom to the little house in Cool, entertaining a parade of contractor bid walks, preparing for and enjoying a family visit. But now things are picking up down in the workshop again.

I like to lay the greasy stuff out in order immediatly after dis-assembly for a portrait. Aids the memory when figuring out how it all goes back together. This stuff is the support for the accelerator linkage.

Moving on through the fuel system, I pulled the fuel pump last night, intending to replace it with a new one I had on hand. I unwrapped the new one, and although it was smaller it seemed made well, sufficient to its purpose, and certainly shinier.

The fluorescent shop light that I installed above the engine together with the fancy fluorescent "drop light" provide plenty of illumination to see by. But there is a certain spirit that emanates from my Dad's 60-year-old tungsten drop light that hopefully will help guide the next move.

One of the best trips in the Triumph was also the last long drive.

Bishop, CA, 1994

While waiting for the new wooden dashboard and wiring harness to arrive, restoration tasks move from the electrical system to the fuel system.

I do believe I'll get it all back together again, I do, I do

That blissful period of paging through catalogs and ordering stuff is over. Time to actually get to work. With the transmission still out of the car now is the time to get ready for the dashboard replacement. It is much easier to wiggle under all those wires without that hump in the floor. And all those wires! After the first looksee I simply crawled out and went to bed.