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Triumph TR6 - Date of manufacture

Today, after bead lasting one of my trailing arms, a date appeared, 4-7-71.. At first glance I thought ok, my car was manufactured on April 7th, 1971. But on second thought, maybe 4 July 1971. Anyone know the Brits's preference for date notation? Thanks.
db
Doug Baker

All,
Disregard. According to Wikepedia, it's Day/Month/Year, everywhere except the US and a few other places, so my TR6 was born on the 4th of July 1971; almost a '72!! Interestingly the notation was as if written in a weld.
db
Doug Baker

Don't know if I buy that Doug.
If it was created July of 71 don't think it would be installed soon enough to be on a 71 car
What was the date of build on your body
DON KELLY

The date is the casting date of the trailing arm and etched into the greensand used for the mold than then broken away. They would scribe it into the surface of the mold to provide a raised bit of numbering for traceability purposes. From what I've seen on these cars, there is typically a one to two month lag time between the trailing arm casting date and the build date of the car. As an example, I've got trailing arms with mid June 1970 casting dates for a car built in late July.

Interestingly enough, there was a Jaguar color Greensand. You got it, it was similar in color to a sand casting mold due to the binders used.
SteveP1

That's some "on time " stock ability. Didn't think they would turn over stuff so fast
DON KELLY

Don, Steve,
Here some really fast JIT support...the TA was cast 4 July 71; the car was built in Jun 71!! And for a zinger, my transmission number is really odd...D 21 E 71. When I queried folks in UK, not a clue!! My Commission number is 65991CC. Look at VTR and you'll find Jun 71 for it's birthday. NOW...maybe I have TA's that did not start their life with my car?!?! What'd ye think?
Oh yeah, Steve, your comment on etching the date in the sand makes sense cause the notation on the TA stands out as if casted, and clearly hand done. Would have to have done it backwards to come out readable w/o a mirror!!
db
Doug Baker

That's what I was thinking DOUG.
Non stock TA's
DON KELLY

Gotta look at the other TA to see if they match or are close. Won't get back to the shop 'til tomorrow or Friday. BTW, the frame is back from the powder coaters and looks great. I'll try to post up a photo.
db
Doug Baker

"Here some really fast JIT support...the TA was cast 4 July 71; the car was built in Jun 71!!"

They must have had it delivered by Tardis Express.
What may have happened was a trailing arm replacement along the way.

When I was doing the semi-serious autocross stuff with the TR-6 I bought a spare set of trailing arms that would be "pre-fitted" with new bushings so I could do a swap out quickly if needed. The dates on the spare pair are for a later car so they too would have had to be delivered by TardEx to be original fitment.
SteveP1

Nice- The doctor reference
DON KELLY

The frame after powder coating. Now to reassembly!!
db


Doug Baker

Doug- Any thoughts to some wax oil in the tubes?
DON KELLY

Don,
Yep, have given Waxol a lot of thought and will probably try to get some into all the nooks and crannies. I'd love to be able to x-ray the frame to discover all the internal hidden dividers. Sounds like a project for Rick Crawford!!??

Here's my cleaned frame and the "before" shot will follow.
db


Doug Baker

Frame, before. Oops file too large. Will have to compress, resubmit.
db
Doug Baker

And you did all the known strengtheners before you PC'd it?
DON KELLY

Don,
I first cut reinforcement gussets for the Diff front supports from the pattern you gave me years ago. Wrong!! Should have measured. They were too small all around. So, rather than continue to cut steel, I ordered the kit from TRF, but used only the side gussets since my kinda "U" shaped pieces were in place and solid except for a crack across the right one that welded up nicely. Had a heck of a time with the mig welder. Finally had to have a guy at the shop finish them. I ground them down to look better and viola, it was ready for the sand blaster. The front reinforcements had already been done, probably, from the looks of them, at the factory. Checked all other welds; reinforced a few and call it a winner!! Now to chase all the threads (again) even though the PC guy plugged all the holes and covered all the exposed threads and I'm ready to begin the reassembly process. I've misplaced two vital parts though...the upgraded stub axles in the front and the hub rebuild bearing for the front. I know I got them; still have the invoice from TRF. Gotta search all my storage places! I've got about 35 individual pieces to PC before I can reattach them to the frame to build up the suspension. Gonna take a while, I'm afraid.

NEWS: I've decided to go with the Toyota/Nissan transmission/Diff lash up IF I can find the parts in good condition. Been looking for several weeks off and on w/o success. Looking for a W58 Toyota transmission from a non turbo Supra, 93-98 and a R200 Differential, years immaterial. Richard Good's diff conversion and a package from AZ for the transmission that allows me to continue to use my clutch and pressure plate. Expensive now, but downstream will be worth it, I think.
db
Doug Baker

Frame looks sharp Doug.
Michael Petryschuk

the ones for my 69 had no dates at all jim rome ga
jw nolen

Update on the date. Despite Wikepedia's comment, apparently Day/Month/Year is not universally followed even in the UK. My other TA is marked 3/26/71- obviously 26 Mar 1971 so the other one must be 7 Apr 71; JIT for my assembly date of June 71!! Mystery solved.
db
Doug Baker

This thread was discussed between 19/11/2012 and 10/12/2012

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