TR2/3/3A Would you sell your TR3 heater?

Lukens · Feb 21, 2013

I pulled my heater to get better access to the panel that I'm rewiring. I'm probably going to leave it out, which means it gets lost in a box for who knows how long.
Two questions:
1) How much do you think a working heater adds to resale value?
2) How much is a complete heater assembly including core, fan, ducts, switch, et al, worth if sold alone?

And 3), will I be shunned by the LCB community for even entertaining such blasphemy. :frown-new:

TR4A_IRS · Feb 21, 2013

I don't know if a working heater adds to resale value, but a missing heater would surely reduce the price, in my mind.

Lukens · Feb 21, 2013

TR4A_IRS said:
I don't know if a working heater adds to resale value, but a missing heater would surely reduce the price, in my mind.

Well let's see, you're in Seattle and I'm in Sarasota... hmmmm.

However, I had my first TR3 in Ohio and I well remember how useless that heater was.

Member 10617 · Feb 21, 2013

Inasmuch as the heater was optional in these cars, I don't see that it should make much difference when it comes to resale value, unless, of course, you are selling it to someone where it gets cold.

Without the heater, do you simply shut off the water tap on the engine, or do you have to plug the hose connections? I don't know how these cars are set up without the heaters. (Not highly important.... just curious.)

TR3driver · Feb 21, 2013

Lukens said:
Well let's see, you're in Seattle and I'm in Sarasota... hmmmm.
However, I had my first TR3 in Ohio and I well remember how useless that heater was.

Ditto (except I was in IN).

Besides, the heater was optional to begin with. Do a neat job of removing it (plug the engine fittings, install blanking plates on the firewall) and any buyer probably won't even notice it's missing. And then you could blank off the demister vents (which the factory didn't do), so rain doesn't get in with the tonneau cover on.

PKPoole · Feb 21, 2013

It's not a heater, it's a supplement heat rejector for the radiator.

TR3driver · Feb 21, 2013

LexTR3 said:
without the heater, do you simply shot off the water tap on the engine, or do you have to pug the hose connections? I don't know how these cares are set up wothout the heaters. (Not highly important.... just curious.)

The factory left plugs in the cylinder head and water pump housing, no hose fittings to plug. The holes in the firewall were covered with blanking plates.

Of course you wouldn't have to do all that if you were temporarily removing it; but you would have to at least plug the water return to the pump housing (or water will pour out 'backwards'). And the valve seems to usually weep a bit, so you'd probably want to plug that as well.

Member 10617 · Feb 21, 2013

(Not completely relevant to this thread, but I thought I'd mention

I have found that in a pinch, if something goes wrong with the heater and you need to take it off line, you can run a hose from the connector on one side of the firewall, across the trany cover, to the connector on the other side of the firewall and just let the hot water circulate. Or, as I once had to do, run the hose from one side of the engine to the other within the engine compartment (a bit safer to driver and passenger) that way. This is a temporary fix should you suddenly spring a leak in the hose connections on the heater. Just keep the required length of heater hose in your trunk with other spare parts.

Geo Hahn · Feb 21, 2013

For the curious -- here is how the factory deleted the heater on my TR4.

Plug on the head...

Plug on the H2O pump...

One of 2 blanking plates (hard to see)...

Pretty common deletion/omission on cars shipped to the 'tropics'. BTW, we got a couple inches of snow yesterday here in the tropics (Tucson).

sail · Feb 21, 2013

It was 15 this morning and I wouldn't trade my warm toes and heater for nothin. See your point however, simplify, less possible leaks, less stuff.

Member 10617 · Feb 21, 2013

BTW, for what it may be worth, when opening or closing the heater control valve (the valve with a knob that looks like the handle for a water faucet for a garden hose -- you have to love these old engines!), loosen the nut first just a little, then open or close the valve, and then tighten the nut. You'll get less weeping by doing this.

TR3TR6 · Feb 21, 2013

I've used my heater a short time ago, the defrost wasn't all that great but it puts out the heat in the foot area. We've had over 11 inches of snow last night and it's still snowing. If I was looking for a TR3 to purchase, I would check to see if it had a heater in it. I wouldn't be driving it in the snow, but I have driven it on cold days.

Lukens · Feb 21, 2013

TR3TR6 said:
I've used my heater a short time ago, the defrost wasn't all that great but it puts out the heat in the foot area. We've had over 11 inches of snow last night and it's still snowing. If I was looking for a TR3 to purchase, I would check to see if it had a heater in it. I wouldn't be driving it in the snow, but I have driven it on cold days.

Which leads to my second question: what's the whole deal worth to someone who wants it?
Let me qualify that... wants it really really bad.:highly_amused:

TR4A_IRS · Feb 21, 2013

Lukens said:
Well let's see, you're in Seattle and I'm in Sarasota... hmmmm.

Certainly changes one's perspective, doesn't it?

Gordon_Dedrick · Feb 21, 2013

Like EVERYTHING else........the REAL worth of anything is what one person is willing to give another for it. Based on years of looking at E-bay listings and Moss Catalogs I can tell you that GOOD heater cores are the tough item to find, the rest of the fittings are available. i have seen cores sell for anywhere from $50. (beat) to over $300. The whole set up with demisters, hoses, block valve, etc. would be a good deal to someone who wants one for about $350 or so I think as Moss is now offering a core for $400. Just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. My "3" was originially fitted wth a heater and when I bought it it was missing so I spennt a looooong time on E-bay collecting pieces. It all adds up.

mallard · Feb 21, 2013

When I redid my heater for my car I had an extra and rebuilt it to. Kind of an over the top restoration but it sold for $450.00 on Ebay. I think I had about $60.00 into it.

Lukens · Feb 21, 2013

Maybe I'll be like the sellers on "Pawn Stars".
Get an appraisal for "X" dollars, then ask "2X" for it. :highly_amused:

Gliderman8 · Feb 21, 2013

Setup a little table with an bright color umbrella and a "4-Sale Sign" on University. In about twenty minutes it will be gone!

karls59tr · Feb 22, 2013

I'm running a Triumph Spitfire heater in my TR3. It's an easy swap and throws great heat on cool Fall days.

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TR2/3/3A Would you sell your TR3 heater?

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