TR-7 V-6 conversion driveable, unfinished project

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Amarillo, Texas, United States
  • Make: Triumph
  • Model: Other
  • SubModel: Roadster
  • Type: Convertible
  • Year: 1980
  • Color: Yellow
  • Engine size: 4.1 liter Buick
  • Number of cylinders: 6
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Black
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1980 Triumph Other Roadster Description

I began this project several years ago. I bought a TR-7 that needed a new engine and a lot of other work, so we decided on the Buick V-6 conversion. The "donor" car was a 1984 Buick LeSabre with the "big" 4.1 V-6 and the 2004R transmission. The engine was rebuilt/reconditioned with new valve job, rings, crankshaft & rod bearings, gaskets, etc. The transmission was serviced before installation in the TR-7. The car has the following NEW parts or components, B & M shifter, AOD kit/lockout switch, Aluminium fuel cell, Edelbrock performer carb ( to eliminate to GM computer controlled carb), custom headers from John's Cars, glass pack mufflers, aluminum radiator, transmission cooler, electric cooling fan, front brake rotors, pads and rebuilt calipers, speedometer, tach, oil, fuel, volt, water temp gauges, new British Leyland turn signal switch, radio and speakers, tires, wheel adapters (from the small 4 x 95mm pattern to a standard 4 x 100mm pattern) and ball joints and tie rod ends. There's no doubt other new parts, but that's the bulk of it. The rack and pinion was disassembled, cleaned, checked for wear, reassembled and adjusted. The original pop up headlights have been removed and replaced with driving/fog lights. I was going to make a Lexan covers to conceal the lights. The original screwed up wiring harness was removed and the car was rewired to eliminate the crummy wiring, The original seats were replaced with non Triumph seats and new carpet was cut to fit. The 15" wheels are from a Ford Escort. I have the convertible top frame, but it is not installed. The top was rotten, but we have the other associated parts and trim.
The bad, it has a small leak somewhere from the transmission or cooler lines. I don't where the leak is, but suspect the cooler lines. The shifter needs adjustment to the safety switch, starter works fine in neutral, but not every time in park. The GOOD is that this car starts right up every time, is fun to drive and is at a good point to make that "hot rod" or just reliable driver with the TR-7 style for someone to finish. My intent was always to make that car you could take out for a cruise or drive, but I've got too many projects not complete!!
I do have a video showing a walk around of the car that I wanted to "show" the "mean" sounding V-6, but all you hear is the Texas wind blowing in the background! There is a walk around of the car on Youtube at https://youtu.be/D_IVpbm_BLY. It shows the car and I was trying to capture the "sound" but too much wind!!