Clean is so nice. This is a real clean TR6 that the owner dropped off for carburetor adjustment. Chip is quite handy with the air and jets, so he’ll get it right and return it to the owner.
We get quite a few inquiries on carb work and yes, generally we can handle it. Call and ask specifically if you need some work done. Having your carbs and/or ignition sorted can do wonders for drivability.
A gentleman sent us this motor to rebuild from his TR3.
Dean has it apart and is checking it over to see what can be re-used. One thing that won’t be re-used are the pistons and rings, as they are toast. The top ring on every piston was broken in at least one place. An example is below.
Everything is apart now and the parts order will happen shortly.
So, after speaking to the 4A owner, we have removed the rear end and driveshaft as the first steps in replacing the rear portion of the frame for this car. It’s a good time to remind folks of the structural weakness that can lie beneath pretty paint and a great example of problems that come with age. Work in progress below…
Here, you can’t see the rear end and the driveshaft. They’ve been removed. Once the new metal goes in, I’ll try to capture it in photos and share.
Just a few more tidbits on the 4A for those interested.
Here’s a picture of the deteriorated fuel line. The black rubber line was just installed and is plugged. Below is another view:
The rear portion of the frame showed some weak points from rust. Take a look:
The suspension rubber has seen better days also. All of the hydraulics will be re-done as well. The driver’s side front suspension is below.
If you know what you’re looking for (or Chip points to it for you), you’ll see that the bushing is split and partly missing. We’ll tend to the fuel system first and get it running and then work on the hydraulics.
“Hey guys, why does my battery keep dying?” That’s what one customer wanted to know about his well maintained TR3. Here’s the car:
You’ve seen it recently. Prior to coming to our shop, another shop had installed a switch to activate the windshield washer fluid sprayer. Here’s what they put in:
As best we can tell, it’s a doorbell ringer that you would install beside your front door. A doorbell ringer that stays lit so you can see it when you’re trick or treating on a dark fall night. A lit doorbell ringer that draws from the battery whether the car is running or not. We think replacing this with a proper switch will remedy the battery drain problem. We re-appropriated a gen-yoo-wine nitrous switch to replace the doorbell button.
Here it is prior to installation. Now this TR3 should be able to slumber without losing all of its mojo.
Prepare for understatement: This is a clean TR3. The owner of this TR3 is a member of the Richmond Triumph Register and manages to drive this car regularly and keep it immaculate. He brought it over for us to change the fluids, which Dean can do with his eyes closed because he wrenches on TR3’s blindfolded for fun (friends, that is hyperbole).
Your standard spotlessTriumph TR3 engine compartment. Don’t forget to click on the pictures for a larger view.
This is what a TR3 looks like if you are behind it and it runs over a chassis lift.
Lemans filler cap. Dean informed me that years ago these were sealed at the beginning of the Lemans race and cars had to go a certain distance prior to refueling.
If you’re a real rally car driver, you have these timers, so I’ve heard. I’m not a real rally car driver.
Sometimes Sir Stirling Moss drops by to sign some cars for us. With that, this TR3 is ready for more miles.
If you’ve been following progress on the TR4, I wanted to report that the motor is done and ready to be installed.
We were glad to get this rocker arm assembly for the TR4 motor Dean is putting together, as the assembly was lost in shipping. It took a while for Chip to track them to an errant address, but he did it. Now, Dean can bolt them on the top end. We’ll keep you updated.
Dean has added some accessories to the TR4 engine rebuild we’re doing. He’s just waiting on rockers at this point. Once those are in place, the engine is complete.
If you’ve been keeping up with the incremental improvements to the TR6, the new cylinder head is on with everything else and it’s back under power. Now, we have to reschedule an appointment with the dyno to see the improvement.