TR3A Project

[Evans, Marv]

It could have been the choke. I just can't remember a picture of where/what the start button was. I really liked my TR3. It wasn't fast or particularly great in the suspension department, but I loved tooling around in it.

[Brian in VA]

I'll post a picture later, but on the lower right is the choke pull, and lower left is start. It looks just like the choke's pull knob but you push it in. So not really a "start button."

[Brian in VA]

Haven't updated in a long time, but then again wasn't doing much with it. I had tuned up the engine and replaced all the bits aside from the dist cap and wires (ordered the wrong kind), and it wouldn't run at all. Well, finally got around to replacing those and she's humming along now. Amazing. Also put a new exhaust on, as the old one was eaten through in a few places and 90% rust.

Now I'm stripping out the interior, old disgusting carpet is out, floors cleaned up, seats out. The gauges work except for the tach, and a different temp gauge is hooked up and lying on the floor (?) so I'll start by replacing the cable then see what happens. I think I've got a spare in a box that came with it, so maybe one works. Lots of small bits on order again (man, British car bits are cheap.)





Tunnel is off, was "held on" by 3 of 16 bolts.

Since I'm not going original (thinking TR3S inspired) I'm considering black ultrasuede for the interior panels and a small piece of engine turned aluminum for the center dash panel with the controls rather than the crackle black paint. I know its blasphemy.

[Brian in VA]

Pulled off the old tach cable, it was snapped internally so I put on the new one and the tach in the dash jumped around from 2-3k while at idle. I found the replacement in a box, popped it on, and it works perfectly. So nice to have all of these parts.

BTW, anyone know where to get the little metal fins that are used to replace bumpers, say like in the picture of the cobra below? Not sure what they are called so can't google it

[tchanson]

Originally Posted by Brian in VA

BTW, anyone know where to get the little metal fins that are used to replace bumpers, say like in the picture of the cobra below? Not sure what they are called so can't google it

Quick Lift Jack Bumpers

[herr_oberst]

Those are the quick-jack receivers. You might be thinking of nerf bars?

[KevinP73]

Easy to make. Just need an OEM bumper bracket and I'll make you a couple.

BTW, anyone know where to get the little metal fins that are used to replace bumpers, say like in the picture of the cobra below? Not sure what they are called so can't google it

[Brian in VA]

Great, thanks guys! Kevin I'll hunt around (or buy some new ones) and get in touch.

[zelrik911]

Love TR s I have a TR6 that is nearly back on the road.
Then I will start on the 911 SC motor's head studs

Does your car have those little seats in the back for your munchkins?

Back in the day, the TR3A's ancient design steering box was very hard /expensive to recondition ( for us shade tree mechanic kids ) I believe people now substitute the TR4/5/6 rack & pinion steering set up.

BTW I am looking for a new TR6 soft top ex USA - middle price range - anybody got any advice, good or bad?

Peter 78 SC & 73 TR6 Lucas PI 150bhp

[Kraftwerk]

A White TR 3 was the family's only car before I was born. My Dad used to rally it a bit and won a trophy, of sorts. He courted my Mom with the car then drove from the church to their honeymoon in it, traveling from Cape Cod from Albany. A few months later they zipped down to Alabama. It was a true family car. They only sold it because me, the 4th child, was born and they just needed more room. My two sisters and my brother used to cram behind the front seats in the car. All they had was a little shelf for the three of them to sit on. For many years my brother blamed me for the ditching of the Triumph. The replacement was not so bad, a 1965 Mustang. My Dad was the coolest.

[Brian in VA]

Yep, it's got a "back seat" alright, a tiny bench of plywood sitting directly against the fuel tank, with no belts. Makes the back of the 911 seem like the back of a Maybach.

Peter, not sure about the quality of the tops, but I'd look at Moss Motors (I favor them for most stuff since they're right down the road and I get shipments the next day) or Victoria British, or The Roadster Factory. Moss is in the UK too if that helps you.

Fixed some stuff I'd put back on wrong today (I'm off this week so I've got time to tinker) and also noticed that half the OD wiring harness is MIA. Also realized while looking at pics that my hood has been modified at some point with a little scoop over the carbs.

JT, I love the idea of people rallying the daily driver on the weekend. I wish there were more little events like rallies, hill climbs etc like the brits seem to have (rather than one or two races for high dollar cars only).

[Brian in VA]

Big day today - started her up, took her down to the gas station and filled her up, put air in the tires, and drove her around the entire neighborhood twice (its a big main loop). Temp came up, no stalling, shifts well, clutch works, brakes work. Amazing how fast that little engine seems thanks to the torque. It is still rattly as hell, and the driving position is strange, more like sitting on it.
Found a bunch of new little issues: wipers stopped working, fuel level sender must be bad b/c it worked on jack stands but not on the road, and there is an exhaust leak which is pretty loud at the first joint under the tranny tunnel.
Funny, all ratty and dented and crappy paint and gets more smiles by far than the 911. Guess I'm not getting lumped in with the 991 crowd

[VincentVega]

Great news, thanks for the update. I hope to get my mgb in a similar state in not too long.

[johnco]

i've got a complete 67 triumph spitfire I'm about to scrap. if you could use any of it ypou're more than welcome to it

[VincentVega]

My dad had one when he was in the army, I've love to get him another one someday.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Great news, thanks for the update. I hope to get my mgb in a similar state in not too long.

If you ever need an extra pair of hands working on the B, let me know.

[Brian in VA]

Turns out the wipers etc was due to me switching two fuses, so a welcome simple fix.

Pulled off the dash, replaced some broken gauges, etc. I pulled the door panels off, to expose the wood blocks and the rusty chain that you pull to open the door. Gotta love that. I stripped all the disgusting stuff hanging off the wiring harness, and now with all of that stuff off the interior doesn't smell like a dead rat anymore. I've got a new glove box too, since the old one was quite horrible smelling too.

[Laneco]

I much prefer the turned dash you have decided to use. Much more classy looking than the original. Not a hard thing to "change back" if a purist winds up with the car and in the meantime, you've got THIS too look at!

Nice!

angela

[Brian in VA]

Thanks Angela! Exactly my thoughts. Pretty freeing actually when you decide to step away from 100% correct and focus on interesting / fun. It's not like it's a million dollar Ferrari anyway.

[masraum]

I saw a beautiful little 1961 TR3 today that was out for a Sunday drive. Gorgeous little cars.