TR2/3/3A New owner of a TR3A

[rlandrum]

I've just recently purchased a 1959 TR3A. I got a great deal on it as it's partially disassembled, but complete. The interior, front fenders, hood, and engine were removed in a brief attempt at a restoration. It languished for 3 years before it was sold to me.

My goal for the car is a simple reassembly. No real restoration, per se. I intend to inspect and possibly rebuild the carbs, re-install the engine, reattach the fenders, and see what I can save of the interior.

After looking on Amazon, I found several books related to restoration. I picked up "How to Restore a Triumph TR2-TR4" and the "Triumph TR3 Shop Manual".

Are there any other books I should consider before I begin my reassembly?

 

[tdskip]

Welcome!

I'd strongly suggest picking up several manuals since they all cover items differently. The single best source - other than this forum - might be the Bentley manual.

(https://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=ytw2)


Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[PeterK]

Roger Williams book are good - also see "How to Improve" in his series.

The shop manual and parts manual are also both important and are available online as download, sometimes on ebay on a CD with other stuff.

None of these books will tell you how to put yours back together. This takes getting to know your car, since they were handbuilt. But all are good reference.

This forum is your best resource. Welcome!

You'll also need a SU carburator manual - find online.

Here's the Owner's Manual to get you started:
https://www.dctra.org/files/owners_manual_-TR3.pdf

 

[kodanja]

Welcome to the forum!!!

Theres a great wealth of info here!

If these people cant anwser your questions nobody can!!!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Welcome!

Agreed on the Roger Williams book. Also, if you can find one, Bill Piggot's book, Original Triumph TR3 is a fantastic source for keeping your TR3 correct.

Post away, and don't forget to add pictures!

Mickey

 

[rlandrum]

I forgot to ask... What's a good source for parts, such as a carb rebuild kit, head gaskets, piston rings, cam and main bearings, etc?

I assume that ebay and this forum are the best choices for finding those pieces that are bound to be missing.

 

[kodanja]

The big 3

roadster factory

moss motors

victoria british!!

& many other smaller places to


I try to avoid ebay

 

[NickMorgan]

Hi, welcome to the Forum.
I can only second the advice already given by the others. I have two workshop manuals. A nice clean one in the house and an oily one in the garage. It always pays to read the manual first from the comfort of the house.
You have great taste in cars, by the way!!

 

[Silverghost]

And don't forget the obligatory pickup truck you need to haul your LBC places and to go get parts with.... Ok, ok....just kidding....enjoy your new acquisition! And welcome to the Forum!

 

[rlandrum]

LBC? Little British Car?

I already have a pickup for hauling my Jeep to the trails and my Camaro to the track, so I'm all set. I know all about picking up parts for those wallet smashers.

 

[Moseso]

Yes: LBC = Little British Car.

I'm in the middle of a complete tear-down of a '59 TR3. This forum has been a fine resource! Welcome

 

[John_Mc]

The big three as mentioned have always been good sources especially since they have catalogues you can thumb through (ie Christmas shop for yourself) and I have been happy so far with my eBay experiences. Another good source for me has been https://www.bpnorthwest.com Welcome to the forum!

 

[TR3driver]

I like (and mostly deal with) The Roadster Factory
https://www.the-roadster-factory.com/
but be warned that they don't really produce a TR3 catalog as such. If you ask for one, you'll get something like a "most popular parts" listing that lacks many, many items they carry (or can get). By far the best catalog for buying from TRF is the factory "Spare Parts Catalouge (commonly referred to as the SPC).

Gratuitous plug : The owner of TRF also owns a TR3, and (mostly) only sells parts he would use on his own car. Usually, those are the same parts you'd get elsewhere, but sometimes they are better (or at least different).

IMO (In My Opinion) eBay is great for finding bargains (sometimes); but many sellers are ignorant of what they are selling (I found this laying in the barn and my uncle's brother-in-law said it was for a TR3); or at best disingenous. You have to know exactly what you are looking for, and whether or not it fits your car. They aren't "all the same" ! (My favorite by far is the seller who assured me that his brake rotors would fit my TR2 /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif )

Along the same lines, be warned that most wiring diagrams aren't quite right for your car. This one might be close, but the gauges are shown in the wrong locations.

Oh yeah, and Welcome to the Forum ! Misery loves company /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[startech47]

Welcome to the forum. If you need to view a TR3 come on over to Chantilly and you can take a look. I have a 58. Don't forget our own Tony Barnhill for parts. Our local supplier is Motor Head in Falls Church, VA. They have a website.

 

[NutmegCT]

Ditto on all the good suggestions and sources above. There are lots of interesting adventures ahead; share all the "learning experiences" with us! And pictures - we appreciate pictures!

And welcome to BCF - from a fellow 1959 TR3A owner!

Tom

 

[Brooklands]

Welcome to the greatest asylum for LBC folk. You will find you will gets lost of useful advice. They have even gotten a mechanical idiot (nearly flunked woodshop in 8th grade) through a few procedures so far. So ask away and have fun...

 

[Mkutz]

Let me know if I can help, I have a 60 that I will receiving back from the body/paint shop in the next couple of weeks. Went with Pearl White if interested. Did a complete frame off, with the frame looking pretty new and everything replaced. I live in Silver Spring, MD, and can help if needed.

Thanks!

 

[davidk]

Welcome to the forum! It is a great source of information.

 

[prb51]

Welcome. I've a TR3 and the greatest resource for info/ideas is this great site.

Also try The Little British Car Co. parts.
https://www.lbcarco.com/

I've found Triumph parts to be extremely reasonable compared to many other marques so it's not to bad a deal (but don't ask my wife's opinion on that).

If you are looking for a special/unique part ask here as there are specialist suppliers that you can find thru the guys/gals on this web.

Good luck with the car and take some shots as you take it down/up.

 

[Tinkerman]

Welcome to the forum, a great place to get the answers from those that "have been there and done that" info.
I have purchased and sold many parts on ebay and find it to be a good source, HOWEVER do your research before you bid, that is to say know what the going price is on similar parts from the big three. Also understand that NOS (new old stock) parts will in general be better to replace your worn parts with.
Good luck, welcome to the forum. Picked a fine car!
Tinkerman