TR2/3/3A Another TR3 comes back to life!

[jsneddon]

After cleaning out the fuel tank and lines I finally got my TR3 running. Found that the same sludge growing in the lines had cemented the floats to the bottom of the bowl and froze the jets in place. But amazingly a few blasts of carb cleaner un-stuck everything and it actually fired right up.

A quick check of the brakes revealed that they still will stop the car and since the kids climbed in the car as soon as they heard the motor running we took it for a nice slow spin around the block.

Dang it feels good to actually drive this car after 14 years of towing it around!

Had a heck of a time getting it to go back up the driveway. It's amazing how well a TR3 will run using only one carb! Turns out that the rear dashpot is stuck down.... guess I should have checked that before I pulled away from the house. But with a great deal of clutch-slipping and emergency brake handling I manged to get it back up the hill to the garage.

So...

I've mapped out my to-do list, joined the local Triumph club, and I'm officially a triumph DRIVER again!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sammyb]

Right on!!! Congrats.

It's actually REALLY EASY to take those SUs apart and clean them up. A combination of carb cleaner, WD40 and a fine scotchbrite pad will put most SUs back into operating shape.

You also might want to change those points. I'd assume that after 14 years, they're pretty corroded.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha Jim,

Congratulations. Good luck on completing the other things on your list, but starting the engine and driving the car is always a cause for a great feeling of accomplishment.

I shared your experience this weekend, starting my TR3A and driving for the first time in over a year. It was a great feeling.

Safety Fast,
Dave

 

[Geo Hahn]

I drove my TR3 today for the first time since, well, yesterday. These cars are so durable and forgiving -- now that you've had that great first ride you will surely be inspired to get it properly on the road!

 

[jsneddon]

Inspired indeed!

I'm so crazy inspired that I keep looking at TR7 convertables for my daily commute.

And I should know better. My dad had a TR7 that sat in our back yard for years.... (no offense to you wedge-owners out there - your mileage may vary)

I'd rather have a TR6 for a daily driver but budget-wise the TR7's look pretty darn good. Cheap Spitfires are out there but the thought of churning that little engine on the freeway at 70mph just makes me shudder.

But then again a convertable TR7 means it still has to pass smog in CA.... grrrrr.

Oh well. The boring Dodge Neon will probably last a couple more years. I've got plenty to do with the TR3 to get my british car fix.

 

[AltaKnight]

All this talk about driving the convertibles in Jan/Feb is making me feel ill!
I'm still months away from the glorious wind in the hair, noise in the driveway and oil smell up the nose feeling here in Canada.
My TR6 is just a large lump in the snow yet!
Enjoy your driving, I'm not jealous, ha.

 

[Guest]

I had to mow my lawn Sunday. Grass was too tall. Sorry.

Bill