I did it again

Newbie here. My name is Rick Rone. I just purchased a 61 TR3A. Comm. number TS76775L. 29600 original miles. I owned one back in high school and always told myself that if I ran across the right one I would do it again. Really just wanted to introduce myself and ask for suggestions as to making her a little more dependable.

Hi There Rick & Merry X`mas.

I guess you`ve been a really good Boy since Santa delv. a TR3 to yourself. She sure sounds like a nice car.

Introduce yourself and your TR to the folks on the "Triumph" forum and ask any questions that may come to mind.

We "All" surely would love to see a pic of your car.

Best Wishes,

Russ

Merry Christmas, and welcome to the forum Rick. Great christmas gift to yourself. As for helping you with your TR3 I'm not much of a help, having never owned one that ran. I'm restoring a 56 TR3 right now. You will get plenty of help here though. Let me be the first to ask for some pictures of the new toy.

Your going to have fun with the TR3 Rick. I'm a new guy to this also, with a car that's fairly close to your serial #. Three times the miles though.
John
Carbondale, IL

Hiya Rick! Welcome to th' forum!

This place is an outstanding source for info and support.

...you're a stones' throw from me, BTW. Closed up our resto shop down where you are a few years ago.


again: Welcome!

That's great. Congratulations, Merry Christmas, and Welcome.

Others here have deeper TR3 expertise, but here are just some thoughts:

a) buy the official Workshop Manual

b) stock up on some good tools, including feeler gauges, wrenches, and brake tools

c) replace the brakes with new if necessary, and bleed the system thoroughly with new wheel cylinders where needed

d) be certain your fuel lines are clean and clear, and that the tank is in good shape. A rusty, dirty tank or bad lines can fool you into thinking you have more serious problems which you actually don't have

e) keep it dry and in a garage if possible

f) address the main cosmetics so you'll always have pride of ownership

g) put good wheels and tires on the car

h) keep it stock, though conversion to rack and pinion steering, and a carb upgrade would be good. Maybe other little things

i) keep the floor free of rust, and use good insulation, sound "deadener" and carpet

j) be sure your generator is in good shape and look for hot wires to avoid problems

k) if the engine, compression and valves are in good shape, just keep the points and timing on target, and the fuel mixture right, and there shouldn't be any dependability issues

Good luck. And have fun.

Welcome Rick and Merry Christmas.
Lots of ways to make her more dependable with upgrades but many drive the original set up with no problems whatsoever. So, whatever you like.
Please post some pics, not often we get to see such a low mileage car, is it in original condition or restored?
You will get some great info from the gents/ladies on this site.

Welcome Rick - you found the right place!

newguy said:

I just purchased a 61 TR3A. Comm. number TS76775L....Really just wanted to introduce myself and ask for suggestions as to making her a little more dependable.

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Welcome to the Forum and welcome BACK to Triumph ownership. My short answer: maintain it, and DRIVE it! Slightly longer answer: whatever needs to be rebuilt or replaced, use the best parts you can find: OEM if possible or reputable aftermarket otherwise. Get a manual; between that and us here (and local club members, etc., etc.) 99% of your questions will be answered.

Get it in the best possible condition, and then use it regularly. Don't even think about modifications until it's as good as it can be, and then see where you stand. All things considered, they really are pretty dependable once you get back into that 1960s mode with a car that requires a bit more regular maintenance (lubrication, brake adjustment, occasional ignition and valve adjustments, etc.) than a 2009 car does!

Way to go Rick! Bring back those school day dreams!
I followed the same path...having had a TR3 in college...and
was lucky enough to find TS74XXX in 2000. A 4 year restoration and thus began some great TR rides.
For me...keeping that engine cool has been a challenge. Built the engine stock in hopes that would help. Now have a electric fan helping move the air. We get 100 degrees+ often in the summer...so keeping it running cool is important.
The other suggestion...enjoy the time it will take to get your
TR on the road...its all part of a very fun journey!
Gil

Andrew Mace said:

Get it in the best possible condition, and then use it regularly. Don't even think about modifications until it's as good as it can be, and then see where you stand. All things considered, they really are pretty dependable once you get back into that 1960s mode with a car that requires a bit more regular maintenance (lubrication, brake adjustment, occasional ignition and valve adjustments, etc.) than a 2009 car does!

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Don't forget that "lubrication" includes a lot of odd little things that are easily forgotten, like a drop of oil under the ignition rotor (to lube the advance mechanism), on the rear generator bearing and the clutch and brake pedal pivots.

Get a copy of the factory owner's manual (titled "Practical Hints for the Maintenance of the Triumph T.R.3"), preferably at least a 6th edition, and follow what it says.

There are many "improvements" available, and lots of people love them. But all too often, they replaced a worn out part with a new one ... of course it worked better!

Congratulations and welcome to the Forum.

A general inspection of the wiring harness and connections. Clean the connections and coat with dialectric grease or something comparable.

If the car has been sitting for an extended period of time, make sure grease is getting into the fittings. Old grease can dry out, plugging the fitting or passage ways and possibly causing failure of the part. Something you don't want in your front suspension, or anywhere while out on a cruise.

Get it looking good and drive it. then drive it some more.

there is nothing like the looks you get driving a TR3 down the road.

keep things as original as you can until they wear out. when they wear out, look into modern replacements, like petronix ignition, or a toyota 5 speed.

A MUST HAVE is increased airflow thru the radiator. as was stated before, here in northern cal it gets over 100 in the summer, and even florida is quite a bit hotter than the UK. the crank hole eliminates 20% of your cooling capacity, so get an electric fan to force air thru your radiator.

and drive it.

Thanks to all for the help. Especially the tip on the advance in the distributor.

I'll disagree that an electric fan is a "must have". An improvement certainly, but by no means indispensable. TS13471L is still wearing only it's factory fan, and while it does run hotter when outside temps are high; all it takes is keeping an eye on the gauge and appropriate measures to keep it from boiling over.

I even drove Dad's TR3A, with only the original mechanical fan, to Cape Canaveral (to watch the Apollo-Soyuz launch, as well as visiting a friend in Cocoa Beach), and I don't recall even having to shut the engine down while sitting at a traffic light. Even as a teenager, the car could take the heat better than I could! (Being neither a mad dog nor an Englishman, I quickly learned to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day :laugh: )

That said, way too many TRs have subtle problems that manifest as overheating. Before my trip to FL, Dad's TR would overheat persistently. I eventually discovered it's carb jets were worn, which counter-intuitively resulted in overly lean mixture at cruise. My TR3A had a somewhat similar problem, that turned out to be corrosion and/or lack of contact between the radiator tubes and fins.

Which reminds me, I need to backflush TS13571L again, as it started running hotter on the way home from TRfest than it did on the way up there. It seems to have crud breaking loose from the inside of the engine block ("put away wet" some 30 years ago) and blocking the top of the radiator. The radiator was rodded before I put it in ... sure hope I don't have to pull it again.

TR3driver said:

Cape Canaveral (to watch the Apollo-Soyuz launch,...)

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I was there, too.

Welcome to the site and congratualations on your new acquisition. I bought a TR3 while in college and sold it about 23 years ago. Regretted it the day I sold it. Hope to get another some day.

My bestest friend from grad school lives in Bradenton and works for UoF at the research station. A great guy. I knew him while I had the TR3. Don't be surprised if a late 50ish guy with a ponytail comes up to you one day and says, "a friend on mine had one of these in college". I haven't seen him in many years, but we still exchange Christmas cards.