Mechanic in the SF Bay Area

I've run out of time and patience trying to track down certain problems with my TR3A. I've had this car for over 30 years and it's never run quite right.

So I'm going to break down and enlist the help of a specialist. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic who specializes in vintage British cars in the San Francisco Bay Area?

I am not sure how close these folks are to you....but I can tell you they will be able to get your 3A running as should be. After taking my 3A to a half dozen mechanics I finally took the car to them...half hour later all was fixed. David Nock is a 2nd generation with this operation. Check the following link on the web British Car Sepcialists...Stockton Ca. Good Luck, Gil NoCal
https://www.britishcarspecialists.com/

I'm sure the one Gil recommended is excellent, though I have no personal experience. I have used two shops locally. The first one, www.emilesscperformance.com/, is in Santa Cruz. Emile, the owner, owns and races a TR6 and a TR4. He did good work on my engine, but was a little pricey for me at the time and it was hard for me to drive over to Santa Cruz and leave a car and get a ride back. So I have since used Dan at British European in Campbell. Dan used to work on my Dad's E-type back in the 70's and has done nice work on my TR6. Neither of those may be very local for you, but if you are ready to trailer your car there and drop it off, they might be options. I seem to recall there is a guy in a shop in the Belmont area who races a GT6. I'll see if I can find any information on him. I seem to recall he had a German or Eastern European name. Maybe someone else here remembers who I'm talking about. Good luck!

Ah, here it is:
Chris Kantarjiev
The Dimebank Garage
Palo Alto, CA
Phone: 650-326-6350

I just found him on VTR.org. He's the TR4 consultant.
Email: cak@dimebank.com

If you could give me a idea of what is wrong, or what is needed. there are a few of us here in the east bay that would love to get our hands on your TR3. I think we could get the TR back on the road for you. And a lot cheaper than a shop. Belmont is only about 60 miles from here.

Dead...I really like the offer from Dan! If I was looking for the help would be shooting him a PM pronto! Gil NoCal

Hey Dan.

It's hard to pinpoint the problem, as it always appears to be a new one. Originally, the car was a basket case. After I "completed" a ground-up restoration back in the early 80's, it overheated very quickly. However, the overheating was only when in traffic. When I got it out on the open road, it ran fine.

I finally addressed the overheating issue last year (yes, big procrastinator here) by putting in a new radiator and an electric fan. However, the car would inexplicably die on me after driving it 30 or 40 miles. Not from overheating, but from something else.

The battery seemed to be getting drained by the fan, so I did the ol' negative ground and alternator conversions. However, the car still dies on me after the same number of miles.

Now I'm thinking the carbs are adjusted too rich. I had to rebuild the carbs last year because they had been sitting too long without use. I've adjusted the carbs, but dread the test drive. I'm sick of calling AAA every time I take the car out. And I no longer have the time and interest to endlessly tinker with this car. Besides I have another project car, an Alfa Romeo Giulietta spider, that I'd like to get running again. So I'd like to be able to drive the TR and dedicate my tinker time to the Alfa.

Dan, I would certainly appreciate any help I can get. I often spend weekends in Livermore, but I have no faith that my TR would make it that far. Any chance of getting you to come out to Belmont?

Have yo tried 'old English' garage? Lot's of experience there and they are right near you in Burlingame.

I've looked up Collins Classics, but am not aware of Old English.

Do you have any direct experience with them?

Old English are not equipped to do the OBD-I diagnostics on my Jaguars but they have been honest and friendly with advice and other dealings.

Heck, I'm pretty sure my TR-3A isn't equipped with an OBD 'puter.

I have an OBD 2 scanner, which was relatively cheap. Are OBD 1 scanners harder to obtain?

P.M. me with your info and we can get a time for us to come out and check on your TR3!