Broke Down!

[Tinster]

I want to assemble a portable repair
shop to fit into the trunk of the Crypt Car.

I need to know what spare parts to order to keep
in my trunk for roadside repairs when the Crypt Car
breaks down.

So...............

What was the cause of everyone's last break down?
What specific part, hose, wire, etc gave out or failed?

thanks

Dale

 

[tomshobby]

Sounds like you are a little nervous to drive Cripty any further than you want to walk! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

I sometimes carry a small bag of tools and a couple of spare parts mostly for the dizzy. And I carry my AAA+ card in my wallet. That really works nice, although it was embarrassing when they delivered Shirley, myself, and our TR6 to our driveway with all the neighbors outside. Still better than walking though.

 

[DrEntropy]

Fan belt, assorted hose clamps, spare plug set, main hoses, points 'n condensor... minimal toolkit.

This is a subject I'd like to see in the pub, too. Get some views as to what folks feel they'd need to have as on-board spares. General "runnin' around th' yard" and for a long-distance journey.

 

[Guest]

The # for the Hagerty towing service.
And a *charged* mobile phone.

 

[DrEntropy]

Somehow I knew that would come up...
shoulda put in a disclaimer. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

Me O'l Fella always said: "If ya can't fix it with a screwdriver and a pair of Channel-locks, get a tow-truck."

Killjoy! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[Gwilhelm]

Fire extinguisher!!! first and foremost!
Don't want the Crypt car to burn up.... or you may save someone else's crypt car...

 

[Brosky]

Dale,

On any given day, no matter what spares you have, any mechanical device will fail and will fail in an area for which you do not have spares on board. i.e., Hubbell telescope, space station electronics, etc.

So with that being said, take a close look at everything that you've replaced or rebuilt and what time has shown can fail on any car.

1. Fan belt(s)
2. Points, condenser, cap, rotor and pre-gapped plugs. Coil if you're really paranoid.
3. Hoses if yours are REALLY old and dry rotted and if they are why haven't you repaired then before driving?
4. Thermostat, gasket and coolant mix 50/50 with water(they can stick at any time and for no reason)
5. Oil (quart)
6. Duct tape
7. Fuses
8. Bulbs (turn signal and brake)
9. Electrical Tape
Tools:
Straight and Phillips screwdrivers
Open/box wrenches and sockets to fit common bolt sizes
Pliers and channel locks
Pry bar (or BIG screwdriver) to pull back alternator for belt replacement
Feeler gauge for points
Hammer
Cell phone
Towing Insurance card

The parts and tools above should all fit into a nice small kit. Plastic freezer bags work well and keep moisture off parts in storage. If you can't fix it with those, call for a tow.

 

[kodanja]

Keep Dave in your trunk at all times!!!!

 

[jackag91]

Keep Dave in your trunk at all times!!!!

Ok, I laughed

 

[Brosky]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] Keep Dave in your trunk at all times!!!![/QUOTE]

With a valid credit card and TRF / Moss catalogs....

 

[BritBox]

Paul's list is right on. I have a small plastic toolbox on one side of my trunk, and one of those nice canvas satchels on the other side. They fit nicely in the little recesses on either side of the spare. The toolbox contains the usual wrenches, screwdrivers, etc., as well as spare hardware and the ever-so-popular baling wire and nylon zip-ties.

The little satchel is stuffed with distributor parts, spark plugs, carb rebuild kits (paranoid about the rubber diaphragms), a voltage regulator (external on a TR250), and even a spare fuel pump. Sounds like a lot, but I can still fit my timing light in there, too.

I also carry a vinyl-jacketed semi-hardcover Haynes manual that I picked up on eBay a while back, and also an Autobooks manual. Those have nice vinyl covers too.

The only time I was faced with The Long Walk Home happened last summer when my differential failed about 60 miles from home. No cell phone that day, but we made it into a small town and used the phone at the police station of all places. The dying sounds of a diff are nothing you want to hear again--the first time is more than enough. I have subsequently considered and then dismissed carrying a spare diff--too heavy, and it would roll around too much and chew up my aforementioned box and bag. You gotta draw the line somewhere.

It sounds like my trunk is stuffed with parts and tools, but the entire area above my spare tire cover is free and clear.

 

[Brosky]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]It sounds like my trunk is stuffed with parts and tools, but the entire area above my spare tire cover is free and clear. [/QUOTE]

That settles it!! Plenty of room left over for Dave and the credit card. Besides, he's always someone to have a beer with if Wendy doesn't ride along.

 

[tdskip]

Well, how far are you going away from home base?

 

[BritBox]

I can always find room for beer.

 

[NickMorgan]

At the risk of repeating what has already been said, I carry a small fire extinguisher behind the passenger seat and two small plastic tool boxes in the boot. One contains a selection of open-ended and ring spanners, a socket set, pliers, a screw driver with four different blades (Bought in the USA!), a brake adjustment tool, feeler blades, hub cap removal tool and most usefully a crochet hook (you wouldn't believe the number of jobs that can do!!). The other box contains plugs, points, condenser, fuses, a set of hoses, fan belt, bulbs and various nuts, bolts, screws, etc. I also carry the original jack and most importantly Duck Tape.
This has done me during many years of taking the car all over Scotland, Ireland and England on various rallies. The tools have come in very useful for running adjustments, but (not wanting to tempt fate) I have never needed any of the parts. However, I keep having to replenish them as other competitors often "borrow" bits from me!

 

[Tinster]

I am getting a good starter list here.

Item No. 1 on my list is two spare coils.
Crypty eats coils for breakfast.

Item No.2 on my list is my 9 mm to shoot
the Beast when it strands me.

I don't have a spare distributor yet, but will
probably order one.

d

 

[NickMorgan]

Tinster,
I feel I need to pull you up on two points.
Firstly, you had me thinking the Crypt had broken down.
And secondly, you seem to be inferring that you are going to break down.
You must be more positive. Having said that, if you carry spares you can guarantee that you will never need them.
Nick

 

[Brosky]

It's time to flush the N-E-G-A-T-I-V-E vibes again.

 

[Tomster]

Not to approve of guns but a c9mm hardly seems like enough to do the job
"sidwinder" ummmm!

 

[DrEntropy]

I can always find room for beer.

AMEN, Brother! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif