Re: Bah!
The problems were all from the methodology, and unfavorable comparisons to the first one written - the Mini. Paddy Hopkirk co-wrote that and *he* rewrote the book on how to work on Isigonis's little gem.
The process on car #2 onwards was:
Dismantle car into smallest sub components that make sense.
Re-assemble car, writing down what you did as the assembly instructions.
Write everything in reverse order and call that the disassembly instructions.
And finally:
Don't mention needing a mechanic's pit until the last possible moment.
This is how, for example, it is possible to write instructions for removing the prop-shaft of the TR6 as "Remove the transmission tunnel cover, undo the four bolts securing the front flange to the gearbox, undo the four bolts securing the rear flange to the differential and lower the prop-shaft to the floor."
A. Friend: "Have you lowered the prop-shaft to the floor?'
Me: "Nope. I have lowered the prop-shaft to the chassis cross-member and the twin exhaust pipes."
My choices then were remove the exhaust (BAD IDEA) or loosen the engine mounts, remove the transmission mount securing bolt, jack up the gearbox and swear the prop-shaft out of the car.
To rub it in, said prop shaft was only about 18" long. It was very dispiriting how it resisted removal.
That said, most jobs on the TR6 were super-easy if you had tools. I could swap out the axle UJs, all four of 'em, in a couple of hours. Up at 9, have tea, swap out UJs, clean up, in pub at lunchtime.
