Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR-2]

Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR-2]

As I'm taking my car apart, I know that it has the optional heater installed with all the associated plumbing, etc. What is puzzling me are the other gadgets in this car that all have heater hose connections. One of them is a blower motor assisted heater, complete witha small core, that was hooked up to the defroster outlets. It has an intake under the bonnet, and the heater assembly hangs down above the passenger footwell. Attached is a picture, can anyone tell me where this was installed? It looks like some sort of kit that was made for the car, but it doesn't show anything about it in the service manual.

I also have another gadget that has 2 heater hose connections and mounts above the transmission tunnel. It has a lever actuated valve that sends water to the other heater, or you can shut it off. It also has some sort of thermocouple tube that mounts under the drivers side footwell area, so it's some sort of thermostatic contol. The picture of this is attached also. It was made in Columbus, OH, so I'm sure it wasn't a factory installed option! It also looks like someone cut out the firewall (messy job) to install this item. Any help on there two gadgets wouyld be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

Here is the picture of the mounting for that piece under the bonnet.....

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

Here is a picture of the thermocouple controlled piece....

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

Never seen anything like that. It might have been a dealer-installed accessory, or more likely something an owner had installed to improve upon the less than stellar standard heater system.

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

I'm thinking it's time to hit some public and/or college libraries near you and see if any still have old 1950s issues of Road and Track, Motor Trend, etc. or magazines such as Popular Mechanics or Mechanix Illustrated. Ads in any of those might yield some clues as to the origin of some of these bits.

Meanwhile, I'd personally want to do all I could to preserve these during your restoration! This car seems to have a fascinating history beyond whatever bits were attached in Coventry during initial assembly!

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

I will definitely have to do some research on this, thats for sure. I'd like to at least know if these were something added on by the dealer, or something that was offered as an accessory for the car later in its life..thanks for the advice...

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

There is mention of a Defroster (windscreen) part # 59844 and a heater kit Part # 551877 in Bill Piggots Triumph by Name Triumph by Nature book on page 172. There is also a picture of the 1955 Triumph accessories catalog that shows the strange looking defroster. Also on page 175 item (11.)Mentions that the defrosters was available from the factory and were manufactured by Lucus and maybe Desmo. It also gives a description of said unit.

There were a lot of items that were available that we just don't see any more, side spats, ah the fitted suitcase. There also was a sunvisor that was fitted to a hardtop, numerous bumperetts. Is this the same car that had the mirror radio if so looks like a special car.

I would try and keep any if not all of the accessories that came with the car and to restore those items as well.

Good Luck

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

Hi Mark,

Think of yoursefl as an automotive archeologist!

I don't have a TR2 or TR3 spare parts catalog to reference, but one of the rarer listed items in the TR4 spares catalog is a "demister". Perhaps that's what you have. Or, perhaps that's part of the assembly you've got. I believe it was an add on to help deforst, defog the rear windows. There were aftermarket brands offered, as well.

Or, as others said, it could be an aftermarket supplementary heater. It would be interesting to see what JC Whitney was offering in those days (Did they even exist yet? I don't really know.)

A lot of our cars had bits and pieces added by the dealers once they arrived in the US. Have you ordered a Heritage certificate for your car, to see how it was equipped when it left the factory? The one I got confirmed my car shipped with a heater, tool kit, spare and a tonneau.

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 CT17602L

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

Thaks for the information guys. If the car came with that defroster accessory, I'll definitely keep it! I'll have to get a copy of that book. Does anyone know where I can also get a copy of the Original Triumph TR2/3/3B by Bill Piggott? I have a copy of the same book for the 4/4A/5/6 and it was invaluable in getting my 6 back to original shape. I've looked several places on the web and nobody seems to have a copy available.....

Thanks,

Re: Factory /Dealer Installed/PO Heater Stuff [TR

Hi again Mark,

I suggest looking on Amazon for books. Seem to be about the best prices. You'll find both new and used books there.

Automotive books on eBay seem to be overpriced.

Roger Williams' "How to Restore..." books are really good, too.

Cheers!

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif.
'62 TR4 CT17602L