Triumph Repair: TR6 rolling restoration, oil pressure gauge, clutch fluid

Question
Hi Jim,
I'm a complete rookie who bought a '75 TR6 in pretty solid original condition. I've bought several repair manuals and am excited to start learning everything I can. The car runs and drives pretty well. It has been stored for about 10 years by someone who'd planned to restore it and then passed away.

My hope is to make it a rolling restoration but the manuals assume both ground-up restoration and a minimum working knowledge of what you're doing!

My question is, given the car has been off the road for a while, could you point me to the areas that need particular attention to get it 'rolling', so to speak - to make sure I'm not going to cause anything to seize up?

Answer
Hi George,
As a "Rolling Restoration" I take it you intend this to be a "Driver" not a "Trailer Queen Show Car" and you are restoring as you use the car?
Restoring as you use the car works ok, but you should do a few things up front since you know the car has been setting for 10 years.
First change all of the fluids out, Gas, Coolant, Engine oil, Transmission and Differential. Including the brake & clutch fluid. Be sure to ONLY use DOT 4 fluid (NEVER DOT 3)in the clutch and brake.
Purchase a manual (Bentley or Haynes)
Adjust the valve clearance
Adjust the ignition timing
New battery
Install new belts and check for noise or free play in the waterpump. Alternator too.
Check front brake pad thickness and adjust brakes if necessary, including hand brake.
Always change the oil filter when you change oil and at a max of 3000 mi.
Install a new set of spark plugs
Always spin the engine (- wire off the coil) until you see 25 to 35 PSI on the oil pressure gauge after changing oil and filter BEFORE YOU START THE ENGINE!!!!! (Good time to do it is with the plugs out.)
Be careful about "MayPop" dry rotted tires. Coolant hoses too.
Inspect & grease all "U" joints and look closely at the upper right front differential body mount.
Do only local driving at first, noting oil pressure, cooling temp. and derivability problems under different driving conditions.
I have always liked British cars but also know them pretty well. They are fun cars to drive and have. But keep in mind they are a hobby not a car and do require more maintenance then most other cars but the rewards are far higher. I tell everyone they are like an F-16 fighter. They out maneuver everything else. And they are like a cat, as they mark their territory when they sit.
A British car is also like a lover. Even if you get rid of it, you will always remember it fondly where all other cars memory will fade as time passes. If you keep it, it WILL become a family member.
Howard