Re: Purist / Fanaticism - Sense of Humor Check

[Glenn Merrell <gmerrel@domain.elided>]

Hi Bruce,
	An' it's a left to the jaw, a right to the bread basket...a left, a right, a
left...

	Now fanatic, I'll buy that one...jus' crazy 'bout them Stags, but we'll need to
explore this original engine maintenance cost issue later and in great detail. 
Remember, it was Ford, Chevy and Chrysler that got us yanks into the "just drive
it" habit, but they ain't a Triumph by a long stretch.   
	Now, I may agree that a Rover 3.5 Litre may have once saved the Stag, or at
least should have been the logical choice to begin with during development, but
there are clear performance and asthetic differences between the original Stag
V8 and ANY conversion that change the whole character of the car.  Sound,
smoothness, response, handling, are all car characteristics and driver
preferences. A properly maintained and tuned Stag V8 is an absolute dream, none
other like it anywhere, and a neglected one is your worst nightmare.  It is not
an issue of purist vs fanatic vs Stag Lover, arguably, a V6 just can not match
the smoothness of the Stag V8, nor can the Rover 3.5 (unless it has been
balanced and ported with tubular exhausts). I thought long and hard about a
conversion, but never found what I would agree would be a suitable replacement
engine for my tastes.  I even had an option on a 1 year old Ford 5.0 litre high
output fuel injected V8 with a 5 speed, complete with computer.  
	Point is, I have never come across another engine that has he same combination
of smoothness, torque range and sound that the Stag V8 has.  Sort of like the
difference between drinking Bud or Guinness, Ripple vs Beaujolais, they all get
you there, but like the quotation on my bathroom wall states "happiness is not a
station you arrive at, but rather a manner of traveling".
	Here come the 100,000 mile original engine Stags never been apart drive it thru
the desert and only changed the oil stories....better be careful around Dave
Berquist!  :-o

;-}

Regards,
Glenn  Merrell
Triumph Stag Register USA VP

"Keep Your Stag Cool, Install a NEW Composite Cowl Today"
See it at the site below:
http://pw1.netcom.com/~gmerrel/stagcowl001.html

REGISTER YOUR STAG on the STAG DATABASE (courtesy of Dave Sims):
http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/gcj72/index.shtml

Support your Local and National Triumph Clubs

Vintage Triumph Register membership inquiry's:
Andrew Mace, President
http://www.vtr.org/brochure/membership-form.html

Triumph Stag Club, USA membership inquiry's to:
Bruce Krobusek, President
Mike Coffey, Chairman
mailto:brucekro@domain.elided

Triumph Stag Registry UK membership inquiry's to:
Mike Wattam, Chairman
mailto:101714.1343@domain.elided

Koehler wrote:
> 
> Glenn Merrell wrote:
> 
> > Hello Bruce,
> >         So ever who said I was/is a purist?  I do VERY strongly maintain:
> > 1. that there is nothing wrong with the deign of the original Stag engine that
> > normal routine maintenance won't cure;
> 
> Perhaps nothing wrong with the DESIGN, indeed - but the implementation of the design is what
> killed the British car industry (and I am assuming you are EXCLUDING the Lucas electrics from the
> "engine" when you make that statement).
> 
> As for NORMAL maintenance, normal for what?  No comparison to a '72 Chev, Ford, etc. (yeah, I
> know, no comparison on the fun either - that's why I have owned one for so long).
> 
> > 2.  that the original Stag engine is no more costly to rebuild and maintain than
> > performing a complete engine/transmission conversion;
> 
> Rebuild - probably true.  Maintain - no way!  You're comparing Stag V8 maintenance to the
> (typical conversion) Buick V6 - the Buick/.Rover wins any day.
> 
> > 3.  That "period modifications" are quite acceptable, including various
> > performance modifications like tubular exhaust manifolds which require moving
> > the alternator to the A/C compressor location, fuel injection, poly bushes,
> > lowered suspension, louvered hood (bonnett),  SS exhaust, 15" alloy wheels with
> > low profile tires, hardened crankshaft, balanced and blueprinted engine,
> > polished and ported heads, reprofiled camshafts, chromed valve covers, uprated
> > radiator, MY OWN composite radiator cowl set (that is not a purist original
> > part)...etc, etc.
> >
> 
> Frankly, I couldn't agree more.  Life goes on since 1972!  Using today's technology to keep the
> cars on the road and more enjoyable is great.
> 
> >         A line might be drawn by the owner bulding their car for concours showing, vs
> > those of us who wish to have one of the classiest  and cleanist lines cars ever
> > produced that is an original period type car in great condition to drive for fun
> > and pleasure.  I appreciate a really clean professional conversion, and a full
> > original restoration even more, but really detest chop jobs.
> >
> > So, where's the beef? No flip-flop here...
> >
> 
> I told you it was a Sense of Humor check, Glenn - there is no beef!
> 
> I thoroughly enjoy your contributions to the Forum and have benefited greatly from them.  I rail
> at the purists - it's just a car, meant for us to enjoy, not a sared work of art.
> 
> Best wishes nad keep up the great contributions,
> 
> Bruce
> 
> > In my HUMBLE Opininon, yours for speculation...and still smiling ;-}
> >
> > Regards,
> > Glenn  Merrell
> > Triumph Stag Register USA VP
> >
> > "Keep Your Stag Cool, Install a NEW Composite Cowl Today"
> > See it at the site below:
> > http://pw1.netcom.com/~gmerrel/stagcowl001.html
> >
> > REGISTER YOUR STAG on the STAG DATABASE (courtesy of Dave Sims):
> > http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/gcj72/index.shtml
> >
> > Support your Local and National Triumph Clubs
> >
> > Vintage Triumph Register membership inquiry's:
> > Andrew Mace, President
> > http://www.vtr.org/brochure/membership-form.html
> >
> > Triumph Stag Club, USA membership inquiry's to:
> > Bruce Krobusek, President
> > Mike Coffey, Chairman
> > mailto:brucekro@domain.elided
> >
> > Triumph Stag Registry UK membership inquiry's to:
> > Mike Wattam, Chairman
> > mailto:101714.1343@domain.elided
> >
> > Koehler wrote:
> > >
> > > Re: Purist / Fanaticism  - Sense of Humor Check
> > >
> > > I don't often write in, but I had to take a jab at this one!
> > >
> > > How could one who takes such firm stands on keeping these cars original consider installing
> > > a non-stock air conditioning compressor?
> > >
> > > It's not even an essential and no longer available part!
> > >
> > > What's next?  Alternator?  Radiator? Transmission? E N G I N E ???
> > >
> > > (They're all out of view - no one will know !!!!)
> > >
> > > Where do we draw the line?
> > >
> > > Change the A/C compressor for better mileage? More power?  Hey - shove in a Jap car engine
> > > complete with A/C - why only benefit in hot weather?
> > >
> > > Go figure . . . . . . . . . .
> > >
> > > Best wishes,
> > >
> > > Bruce Koehler
> > > 72 Stag since 1986
> > > Santa Cruz
> > >
> > > > From: Glenn Merrell <gmerrel@domain.elided>
> > > > To: Nick Berlyn <nberlyn@domain.elided>
> > > > Date: Sunday, 25 October 1998 13:29
> > > > Hello Nick,
> > > > A question about the rotary A/C compressor modification.
> > > > Which one did you use, and how did you bracket it?
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > > Glenn  Merrell
> > > > Triumph Stag Register USA VP
> > > >