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TR2/3/3A TR3 Heater

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CJD said:
The first look at my TR3 heater brought the Camaro lesson back to mind. Smiths tried to heat the air and then blow it downward.
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Which, oddly enough, is exactly what your Camaro did too. The big difference between the heaters is that the Camaro had a high capacity centrifugal blower for the heater, not the wimpy little fan in the Smiths unit. Plus a flow-through heater core design that didn't tend to trap any sediment in the system like the Smiths does. The fresh air intake certainly didn't hurt either, since much like the radiator, it gave the fan some help at higher speeds.
 
sp53 said:
Here in the winter we are wet and cold.
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Really? So it stays below freezing for weeks at a time? Doesn't sound like the Seattle I remember.
 
I lived in the Pacific Northwest for 15 years. I worked outdoors on the Southern Pacific for a few years. In the cold wet winters one could always "dress for the occasion" and stay warm and dry. I have lived most of my life in the Midwest. You can't stay "warm and dry" in a TR3 when its 20 degrees below zero and you have to get from Chicago to Champaign in the middle of the night to get back to school. My girlfriend, me, and another friend made that trip in my 1960 TR3 with a hardtop (God, I wish I still had that car!) going 100 MPH most of the way because we thought we were going to freeze to death. I don't think it ever gets that cold in England so there is some method behind the madness, but the TR3 stock heater, IMO, is worthless. But, in a side note, I'm really pleased that my 57 heater works at all, and although I may never need it, I'm still very pleased it works.
 
Has anyone actually tried the modification suggested in 'More B.S. about TRs' -- that is using a Spitfire heater in the TR2/3?
 
Things didn't improve much. My TR6 heater is virtually worthless as well although the fan blows pretty loudly not much heat comes out. My solution is not to drive in the wintertime.
 
Exactly the reason I installed seat heaters in my 3A when I did the upholstery. Big coat, hat, gloves, heat blower going full farce and seat heaters on high. That and a hot cup of coffee and I'm warm. At least until I start to drive and the wind rushes in everywhere!
 
"At least until I start to drive and the wind rushes in everywhere!."

I think that's the real issue - not necessarily the heater itself. But the cars weren't designed originally for use in North America as wintertime daily drivers! And of course, the heater was an option.

Lots of threads here on insulating the cabin from engine/exhaust heat. Maybe it should be removable ...


 
The correct answer is to install the Revington aftermarket heater mentioned earlier. I did. At -22C it is hot enough to roast your right leg and warms the cabin to a [FONT=&quot]sensible [/FONT]temperature. Still the drafts from the door/sidescreen interface will chill your left kidney. A good leather bomber jacket, toque (the ultimate in Canadian high fashion) and warm driving gloves are a good start. If you are still freezing, it's time to go back home - there are hot toddies there. You don't belong outdoors and you are likely not doing the car any favors. Salty slush in every nook and cranny.
This reminds me of a Jeep CJ5 I had. You could get away with a sandal on your right foot but snow boot and and full down parka complete the ensemble!
Only 3 months to go .....
Steve
 
I think it is a matter of age, plus being spoiled by exposure to modern heaters&AC. I have lived in Oregon most of my life and got my first TR3 at the age of 18. Winter temps in the teens were no big deal as was a trip to Phoenix in Aug.
Fast foward 50+years, I now have a TR6, which is a luxury car in comparison to the TR3. The TR6 is driven almost year round, but only if it is not too hot or not too cold. And not too far.
Berry
 
I met Bob years ago in Palm Springs. His booklet has some great ideas but the
Spit heater isn't one of them. I installed it per his instructions. It worked GREAT but
it completely blocked access to the TR3 instrument panel back wiring, as well as
access to the tach on a LHD car. Also, a few mods were necessary to get he hoses
pointing in the right direction. All in all..Not worth the trouble.
I think someone has posted a copy of "More BS about TRs" but I can't find it.
I have a hard copy if you really need it, but I'm not a computer nerd .
Frank
 
One of my favorite options on my TR2 is heater-delete. Frees up space under the dash, simpler engine bay, and one less thing to hassle with. Of course, tropical weather has its own drawbacks, hence the tropical fan and re-cored radiator. I corresponded with Bob Schaller on several matters, including his cooling advice involving the Moline radiator core replacement. It has worked really well. Bob was a great guy. He even loaned me specialty tools to do some tricky repairs!

Dan
 
NutmegCT said:
"At least until I start to drive and the wind rushes in everywhere!."
But the cars weren't designed originally for use in North America as wintertime daily drivers!


Click to expand...
Jeez, I wish somebody told me that before I bought mine.
Tom
 
Drove to a club event in the TR3 here in Charlotte today and since it was 34 degrees when I pulled the car out of the garage I decided it might be prudent to open the heater valve. The top was down (as usual) and I did not put the tonneau on as it was too cold to stretch and snap it. Suffice it to say that my right knee was almost warm, but the rest of my body left much to be desired. My car was commisioned with a heater originally and it was missing when i bought it, so in an effort to keep it as "original" as possible I found all the parts over a couple of years to compleetre it when i "freshened"it 6 yeas ago. The ride home was glorious as it warmed up to the mid 50's. :fat: My right knee was REALLY warm.
Gordon
 
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