• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

TR2/3/3A Synchro in a non synchro?

HighAltitudeTR3

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
Is it possible to just add/swap a synchro 1st gear to my tr? I know you can swap out the whole gear box, I have a buddy who’s done that, but what about the just the gear?
 

CJD

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
No. The case has to be designed for it, along with the input shaft, countershaft, reverse gear, and 1st gear.
 

CJD

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Any tranny from the TR4 on will have the synchro installed. You could swap your OD onto the new box, but that would take a 4 synchro OD mainshaft...which is pretty hard to find. Best to just keep your eye out for an OD 4 synchro box.
 
OP
HighAltitudeTR3

HighAltitudeTR3

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
I’ll keep an eye out. Definitely don’t want to get rid of my overdrive, might be my favorite thing about driving it.
 

TR3driver

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
Just learn to drive the 3-synchro! If you really have to squeal the tires from a rolling stop, you can learn to double-clutch into 1st. But I found it a lot simpler to just either stop or take off in 2nd gear. (I learned to drive in a car without synchro on 1st, so it just seems 'normal' to me.)

A stock TR3 engine in good tune should be able to pull smoothly from about 4 mph in 2nd gear; and you can slip the clutch to cover the range from 0 to 4.
 
OP
HighAltitudeTR3

HighAltitudeTR3

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
That’s what I’ll probably stick to... i was just swapping through the moss catalog and saw the 1st gear synchro listed in the non synchro photo and thought it was an “easy swap”.

I do have to work on my double clutching...
 

CJD

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
I bet Randall learned his clutching on old 8N ford tractors with no synchros at all. Double clutching those envolves hands and feet!
 

titanic

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
I think 1st gear synchro is over rated. There is a distinctive sound of the 3 synchro boxes that is part of the TR3 experience. Very distinctive when a tooth is missing on 1st gear.
Berry
 

TomMull

Darth Vader
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Agree with Berry and others. The PO put a TR4 overdrive transmission in my TR3. I love the OD but I don't think I've ever put the thing into 1st when rolling. It's a non issue, IMO. Tom
 

mrv8q

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
I think half the time I take off from a start, I’m in second gear. I would kill for an overdrive gearbox, though!
 

TR3driver

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
I bet Randall learned his clutching on old 8N ford tractors with no synchros at all. Double clutching those envolves hands and feet!
Nope, never tried to double-clutch a tractor; and my grandfather used Deere tractors instead of Ford's (illegal) copy of Harry Ferguson's tractor.

But what I did learn was how to start out in a taller gear, with a heavy load and not much power on tap. 28 hp will actually move 10 tons of hay in road gear; if you know how. I looked up the specs just for fun; top gear on that tractor was 10 mph at 1250 rpm engine speed. Not all that different than 2nd gear on a TR3 (10 mph at 1170 rpm).

Should've taken a picture of it: My grandfather bought that Deere model 50 the year I was born, and my cousin still uses it to farm with! I was out there a few months ago, and he was hauling corn with it (not 10 tons worth, though, and probably not in 6th gear). It's been repainted a few times, repaired when necessary of course, but never "restored".
 

TomMull

Darth Vader
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Apologize for hijacking your post but couldn't resist. Here's my 1950 something John Deere 420 track loader. I made my 900 foot driveway, among other things with it. 2 cylinders, 2 liters, no water pump and heavy. I bought it when I built my house a bit over 25 years ago. In low gear and full throttle (1800 rpm) it's forward progress was extremely slow but almost unstoppable. I had it for 25 years before I sold it in a weak moment (for domestic tranquility) 5 years ago in favor of a newer Kubota that looks a bit more presentable but is toy in comparison.
tractor.jpg
 

Got_All_4

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
I'm with Randal about learning to drive the 1st gear non synchro tranny. I recently installed a TR6 overdrive tranny in my TR3. I was looking for a non synchro tranny for 3 to 4 years before I settled for a fully synchronized Tr6 transmission. Everyone thought I was crazy wanting a non synchro tranny but after driving the car for 30+ years you become one with the car. While coming to a stop and as I was creeping forward with the clutch in I'd drop into 2nd and slowly bring it into first feeling for those teeth to mesh and there is nothing like that. I actually miss the feeling now. If I have to sit there for a while I'd put it into neutral with the clutch out and when the light turns green I drop back into 2nd and forward into 1st. Worked every time. Where were you when I was looking for a TR3 overdrive.
 

titanic

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Funny thing about the 3 synchro boxes. They used large diameter full complement loose needles in the countershaft gear and never had (AFIK) problems. The caged bearings used in the TR6 transmissions are known for their self destruction. Maybe the increased torque of the 6cyl engines is a factor.
Berry
 

Got_All_4

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
I see there are new counter shaft gears available for TR6 that accepts 2 rear bearings on he counter shaft so it would carry twice the load. Spread the load out and less wear. I'm thinking the original gears can be bored to accept two bearings?
 

titanic

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
I saw those in the Moss catalog at $400+. The bore on the original gears are quite hard, maybe from work hardening. I managed to machine one on my lathe using carbide tooling and the slowest speed, but a shop with an internal grinder would be a better choice. I think hard acceleration in the lower gears causes most of the problems with the rear countershaft bearing.
Berry
I see there are new counter shaft gears available for TR6 that accepts 2 rear bearings on he counter shaft so it would carry twice the load. Spread the load out and less wear. I'm thinking the original gears can be bored to accept two bearings?
 

TR3driver

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
IIRC, Bob Schaller suggested replacing them with solid bushings. He claimed they lasted much longer, and could carry greater loads.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
A TR4/4A TR4 Tranny -did it come non synchro?? Triumph 15
dklawson 3-Synchro Gearbox Part - "The Pill, 22G89" Spridgets 2
J TR2/3/3A TR3A 3-Synchro Gearbox Rebuild Triumph 26
R TR2/3/3A Transmission synchro detent balls and springs Triumph 10
5 3 rail, 4 synchro gearbox assembly question Triumph 9
J Synchro ring inspection. Austin Healey 5
19_again brass or steel synchro rings MG 7
Jayrz 3 Synchro Gearbox Wanted MG 19
Jayrz Rebuild a 3 Synchro Trans MG 5
71tr Synchro Cups Triumph 1
Bruce Bowker MGB MGB synchro 1st gear MG 5
jaybird 3 synchro od...when do I stop? MG 16
J Transmission... Replace synchro, or whole new tranny MG 6
S TR2/3/3A turn a tr3 non-full syncro transmission into a full syncro Triumph 3
J TR2/3/3A 58 TR3A Coil weak? 9KΩ on the secondary with a 1968 HA12 45208A non-ballasted coil. Triumph 4
J TR2/3/3A 58 TR3A Coil weak? 9KΩ on the secondary with a 1968 HA12 45208A non-ballasted coil. Triumph 1
JAV For Sale non adjustable steering box Austin Healey Classifieds 3
Fanch00 Non-Overdrive Benefits? Austin Healey 10
Celtic 77 MGB Non working tach. MG 4
Darrell_Walker TR4/4A Speedo Drive removal (non-OD) Triumph 8
Got_All_4 TR6 Non Adjustable Stromberg Pistons Triumph 8
AUSMHLY Transmission Bearing, Sealed vs. Non-Sealed Austin Healey 6
J TR2/3/3A Adjustable vs non Adjustable wheel Triumph 0
K TR2/3/3A Non Adjustable TR3 Steering Wheel Triumph 7
AUSMHLY SU Damper Cap Vented vs Non-Vented Austin Healey 25
B Resistor type vs non-resistor type spark plugs for 100-6 Austin Healey 17
G Wanted Non Overdrive gearbox wanted Austin Healey Classifieds 0
BoyRacer Steering Wheel Location with non-adjusable column Austin Healey 6
BoyRacer Wanted Steering Wheel Hub Adaptor for non adjustable column Austin Healey Classifieds 1
C Non-Adjustable steering column questions Austin Healey 14
RAC68 Non-Healey Cruising Rear Possible? Austin Healey 37
mailbox For Sale 76 TR 7 project car [non running] Triumph Classifieds 0
2 TR2/3/3A Non OD speedometer cable routing diagram/pictures. Triumph 7
RAC68 Clutch Still Slipping after replacing 30W-Non-Det. for Red Line Austin Healey 52
HighAltitudeTR3 TR2/3/3A What is non magnetic metal and gets stuck in Pressure Relief Valve? Triumph 48
maxwedge5281 Trafficators, Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable Austin Healey 14
Jim_Gruber Non LBC but saw my first Civic Type R Yesterday Spridgets 24
Zitch TR4/4A OD Addition to a Non Over-Drive Transmission - my attempt Triumph 11
Rut Interesting non Spridget Spridgets 3
NutmegCT The non-garage garage Restoration & Tools 22
Marla TR4/4A Ballast or Non... Triumph 6
R TR2/3/3A Non Triumph cooling question Triumph 8
B Posting non you tube video? FORUM Navigation Questions 3
Jim_Gruber Saw my first NSX in the flesh - non lbc Spridgets 2
Jim_Gruber Saw my first NSX in the flesh - non lbc Spridgets 0
C TR6 Non-start diagnosis Triumph 9
GTP1960 TR2/3/3A Resistor plugs vs. non-resistor plugs? Triumph 6
nevets interesting piece in the NYT about collector car non-restoration Austin Healey 5
vette Detergent/Non-detergent Austin Healey 19
AUSMHLY Best 7" non sealed headlamp Austin Healey 19

Similar threads

Top