My 'new' 1967 Triumph Herald 1200

[Heathrow]

Bad luck with the engine going bang, still see this as an opportunity to rebuild to your own standard and really “know” what’s in the engine.
The good news is the Herald has excellent access under the bonnet, so easy to work with.

Your car is in lovely condition, so it’s got to be worth spending on a complete engine rebuild.

I am in a bit of a terminology mess here: What do you mean by "big end"? What broke? As the owner of a classic car that has not run a mile in over twelve months i feel with you very much...

Crankshaft has three main bearings and four "big end" bearings on a Herald. (I think)
“Big end” connects to the con-rod (connecting rod) at the top of which is the “little end” which hold the gudgen pin through the piston.
They "break" when the bearing wears out to such an extent that oil pressure is lost and therefore lubrication can no longer keep the moving surfaces cool.
(Hence the tractor sounds = bad!)

I’ve always thought the terminology for all the oily bits in the engine are a bit strange in UK english.

[Aston Martin]

"Hello puffin."

[Cobol74]

There are many more 13/60s than 1200s left. And consequently Haynes Manuals.

[HatePersonified]

Needs an LS1

[argatoga]

You can now be rest assured that it is a proper Triumph .

I would ditch the engine and see about replacing it with a Suzuki motor or a Toyota 4A.

Both will fit in my MG. Not sure about your car.

[Cowboy]

LOVELY car! any girl driving a car like that i'm in love with on the spot , brilliant !

sorry to hear about your big end.......no wait....that didn't sound right.....sure you'l get it spinning like a kitten again soon

[Wyvern]

The encouragement is much appreciated, as are the suggestions (unless they involve turning it into a yacht)

I've discovered there's a Triumph specialist about 10 miles from here, which is very handy, so hopefully I'll have it back on the road soon.

Dr_Grip, I hope your car gets running for you soon too!

And Cowboy, thanks for giving me a giggle - 'big end' always sounds a bit like innuendo to me, though people have been rude about my 'big end' for years

[Steve Levin]

Oh my...a woman that bought a Herald...

...will you marry me?

Steve

[Cowboy]

Oh my...a woman that bought a Herald...

...will you marry me?

Steve

hey! I saw her first!

*Wedges Steve in locker*

[Dr_Grip]

Oh my...a woman that bought a Herald...

...will you marry me?

Steve

hey! I saw her first!

*Wedges Steve in locker*

You two behave like Madonna and Angelina Jolie in an malawian orphanage!

[Wyvern]

Now boys... I know it's just my car you're after really...

Spoke to the garage this morning - the parts are extremely reasonable. I'll be able to get an idea about timescales and labour costs in the morning. Fingers crossed we'll soon be on the road. It's just infuriating that the weather was perfect yesterday for going topless...

[shad_68]

the weather was perfect yesterday for going topless...

Oh wait, I think you're still talking about the car... nervermind then!

[captain_70s]

What a nice car, I love Heralds. I wanted one as a 1st car until fairly recently when I figured I'd get a Triumph 1300fwd/Toledo instead. A bit more sensible for my long, all weather commute.

Parts are pretty easy to find for Heralds and cheap too, 1300 parts are more common as that engine was bigger but I like the little 1200, its a bit more economial anyway. Besides a Herald isn't about speed, its about 55mph down a country lane on a sunny day with the roof down.

Don't worry about it breaking down either, classic cars always do that to show a new owner who is boss. You have to make sure it knows you are in charge though!
Also odd it doesn't have mirrors, most have them by now, although they were a dealer option when new. You can get little ones that clip on the quaterlight so you don't have to drill holes anywhere too.

(I really have to mention that a girl with a Herald has always been a dream of mine. There is nothing more appealing than a nice girl who like classic motors as much as I do!)

[Wyvern]

What a nice car, I love Heralds. I wanted one as a 1st car until fairly recently when I figured I'd get a Triumph 1300fwd/Toledo instead. A bit more sensible for my long, all weather commute.

Good call! I know the Herald isn't the most practical choice, especially a convertible, but I think I will enjoy it. Always did like the Toledo though, used to see a lot of them (and the Dolomite that followed it) when I was a kid about a million years ago

Besides a Herald isn't about speed, its about 55mph down a country lane on a sunny day with the roof down.

THAT. In one sentence, why I bought my car

Also odd it doesn't have mirrors, most have them by now, although they were a dealer option when new. You can get little ones that clip on the quaterlight so you don't have to drill holes anywhere too.

I've seen those and I'm tempted, but surely you can't close the window if you're using them? Great in the summer with the top and the windows down, but now the weather's threatening to be horrible it might not work as well...

[Viper007Bond]

Sweet. "I" have a 1967 Triumph too!

(It's technically my dad's, but I'll be stealing it at some point. And yes, I know I don't have a license, but I am already able to drive it basically, so sush. )

[captain_70s]

I've seen those and I'm tempted, but surely you can't close the window if you're using them? Great in the summer with the top and the windows down, but now the weather's threatening to be horrible it might not work as well...

Hmm not sure, I don't think they are intrusive but I've not seen them up close...
I'd suggest joining the Club Triumph forum if you haven't already and ask there, they have a section for Heralds and will no doubt be able to help youu with pretty much anything.

[stevanford1]

Sweet. "I" have a 1967 Triumph too!

(It's technically my dad's, but I'll be stealing it at some point. And yes, I know I don't have a license, but I am already able to drive it basically, so sush. )

Your 25 with no license ?

[argatoga]

Sweet. "I" have a 1967 Triumph too!

(It's technically my dad's, but I'll be stealing it at some point. And yes, I know I don't have a license, but I am already able to drive it basically, so sush. )

What model?

[Wyvern]

Your 25 with no license ?

It happens...

For lots and lots of different reasons, I'm 36 and only on the verge of getting mine - test next month, eek - now. According to my instructor I've got a real flair for it, so I do wish I'd been able to do it when I was younger, before my reactions started slowing down. Ah, never mind.

What model?

What he said

[waydee]

Lovely looking Herald, shame about the motor but she'll be back up and running in no time.

Makes me wish I'd got an MGB when I had the chance, for all the trouble these little British cars bring it's the sort of trouble I think I want - easy to work on, cheap parts, men with epic facial hair to help you out etc.

One day