TR2/3/3A A few TR3 questions

[hermanmaire]

Trying to get my Tr3 finished up and I could use a few answers.

First question, from looking at other TR3's my distributor cap does not seem to be in the correct position in relation to the vacuum advance unit . My plug wires seem to be going in the direction of the radiator. I hope the pictures works

 

[hermanmaire]

Second question,

I am trying to bolt the starter solenoid and other bits but the holes where they bolt are so huge it does not make sense.

 

[TR3driver]

That's the wrong distributor cap, from a Morgan or something like that. Won't hurt anything, but if you want it to look original, you'll need to buy a proper cap.

There is a special clip that goes into the holes, and then special screws that go through the clip. The clip is FC2805, the screws vary by location (length) but the control box takes YJ2552

 

[Don Elliott]

Herman - See mine. This is how it should look. Like Randall says, the cap should have the name "LUCAS" moulded into the top to be original - but the one you have should work. It looks to me as if you need to pull out the distributer shaft ans re-set it 90 degrees anti-clockwise to get the distributor oriented correctly. But maybe the sprocket on the front of your engine is out by 45 degrees or . . . .???

 

[hermanmaire]

Thank you Randall and Don.

I purchased the distributor cap at NAPA so that probably explains why its not fitting correctly. I am going to buy the correct unit just so theres no question marks when I am trying to trouble shoot while starting it.

So theres clips that go in those large holes ..... thats a relief, I though some maniac drilled these giant holes all over. I looked through the complete MOSS catalogue and TRF online catalogue and I cant find anything .

The closest thing I found was with MOSS in the Body Fittings section either " Grommet "
or " PLUG, Blanking" .

I am going to give them a call today. I'll report back with what I find

Thanks again

 

[TR3driver]

Herman, the nuts are available from TRF under that part number (which can be found in the TR3 SPC), I bought some for my car. The screws are NLA, AFAIK, but I think you could substitute some #10 sheet metal screws with a pan head and the appropriate length.

 

[TR3driver]

It looks to me as if you need to pull out the distributer shaft ans re-set it 90 degrees anti-clockwise to get the distributor oriented correctly. But maybe the sprocket on the front of your engine is out by 45 degrees or . . . .???

Don, none of those things will change the orientation of the cap relative to the distributor body/vacuum advance. The cap has a tang that engages into the distributor body, plus the notches for the retaining clips and the point lead are in the wrong location. It's just the wrong cap (correct for some other application that uses the same distributor body). If the drive were wrong as you suggest, then the whole body would have to be turned to compensate (or the wires moved around in the cap).

Guess I was mistaken, it's not from a Morgan, but a MGA. Here's a shot of the MGA part

compared to a (reproduction) TR3 part:

Notice how the tang & notch for the clip are turned 90 degrees relative to the wire holes.

 

[Geo Hahn]

You will probably have to try eBay or such if you want the original style cap with LUCAS on top, though the repros sold will serve the function fine (though I think the connectors are now aluminum rather than brass).

I, too, wondered about those holes -- good to know where to get the clips as I have just need using small bolts and big washers.

 

[hermanmaire]

thanks again,

The distributor cab is clearly my problem, its not even close to the correct TR3 cab in your picture.
I'll try the part # for the clips you provided on TRF website again , I usually order from Moss and I am surprised they dont carry these parts.