TR2/3/3A TR3 generator color?

[Ken_McGuire]

OK, all you originality freaks. I've got my generator out of my 1961 TR3A, and I am getting it rebuilt. While it is out, I want to get it painted the correct, original color. Does anyone know where I can find the right color? Is it just black? Should the body be green? I'm hearing different things from different folks, and I want to make it right.

Ken

 

[Andrew Mace]

Typically, they're black (not really gloss, though), with silver or "natural" ends. When I had my original generator rebuilt some years ago, the shop just went ahead and did that; I didn't even have to ask! But then that shop has been around forever, so.... :wink:

 

[Ken_McGuire]

Thank you Andrew! I actually just found the TR originality guide from the TRA. And you are exactly right - matte black body with unpainted aluminum ends. That's what I'll have done. You got a good shop there...

Ken

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha Ken,

This is from the TRA (Triumph Register of America) Judging Standards & Restoration Guidelines 2004:

Generator. Two housing variations were supplied by Lucas. One is a simple cylinder; the other housing is
stepped roughly in the middle with the step up the thickness of the housing. Housing is painted matte black; end
covers should be unpainted. No decals. In addition early generators had a band on the brush end of the housing
that could be removed to allow access to the brushes; these were probably used up to TS9843. The stepped housing
was probably introduced at TR60001. TR3As and TR3Bs should not have the banded style generators or "fanless"
generators; otherwise any of the variations are acceptable on all models.
T R A
UH-11
Electrical connections. The generator electrical connections change to spade connections at TS60001. On early
models, the armature (large) lead should be covered with a black rubber insulator; later models (from TS60001)
with a clear vinyl boot (discolors to orange shade with age). The field (small) lead connection on the spade makes a
right angle; should not be straight; the lug connection should come straight out.

 

[Don Elliott]

The generators on my black 1958 TR3A (TS 27489 LO) were always flat black from new. But sometime about 1962 or '63, I had to have it replaced and the new one (also sprayed flat black) had Lucar or spade push-on connectors. Over all these years it has been black and in 1990, I had it sprayed glossy black. For over 20 years, I never lost any points for it being glossy but some vicious TRA judges with eagle eyes have docked me part of a point for the push-on connectons.