[Roadtrip]

A serviceable TA will NOT retract all the way. Retracting all the way into the brass base is one indication that the TA is shot.

The older versions (27mm extension, years 69-76, [T260 Calif]) are very scarce now, but the specs on them are 19mm at room temp and 27mm at 175F (+/-1mm).

The newer versions are 29mm and 31mm extension (+/-1mm) (at 175F, years 76 [T261] -81) with room temp extensions of about 23mm (+/-1mm). When testing, if the hot extension is correct, the cold extension will almost certainly be within spec.