TR2/3/3A Block coolant passages plugged - pull the head?

[sp53]

Hey Dave just curious about your car. It looks like a stock 1957 and I was wondering if one of your seats tilts or not because 57 and 58 seem to be the seat change period from a fixed seat to a passenger tilting seat.
steve

 

[TR3driver]

If I read the passage correctly, Piggott says that the folding passenger seat was introduced with the rear 'occasional' seat, at the start of TR3 production in Oct 55. He says the folding seat was "even on some cars where this [occasional] seat was not fitted".

Then I believe the folding seat became standard at TS22014 (introduction of "TR3A", Sept 57), when the rear seat area was redesigned to make the rear seat a dealer option (vertical pad fitted on all cars).

 

[sp53]

Thanks Randall I always forget about that book and I have a copy. It looks like Dave’s TS# is real close to the cutoff date.

 

[Daves1957TR-3]

Thanks all. OK, I will let the valves go for the time being. I really want to take it out and DRIVE it before the weather turns here.

I do have the folding driver seat. But not the pillion seat for the rear (borrowed from motorcycle terminology, don't know if it's correct?). But heck, this thing has stuff that's not original, like the 4A fully sync'd trans, so who knows?

I did manage to retorque the head today before the rain arrived, so hopefully I will get the final carb adjusts in on Thurs and then take it out for a spin!

Thanks for all the advice, I couldn't get this done without you guys!

Cheers, Dave

 

[TR3driver]

I do have the folding driver seat.

Driver or passenger? AFAIK only the passenger seat ever folded, not the driver's seat.

 

[Daves1957TR-3]

You are correct, passenger.

Cheers, Dave

 

[Daves1957TR-3]

Well it starts! It runs! Actually runs pretty well. I got the carbs pretty well sync'd and adjusted, and the real good news is...no more overheating. It was idling for about 45 mins on a pretty warm day while I worked the carbs and never went above 185. So I took it out for a quick run and all good. Still a bit of throttle sticking down to idle but better than before. In 2 weeks it goes to Union Bridge for seatbelts and probably rear spring replacement (I think at least the right rear has broken leaves). So I am feeling pretty good right now!

Pics:

After cleaning


New head gasket in place


Head in place



Bolted and torqued



Manifold in place


SUs on and ready to go!


It was all worth it!


We had a lotta rain this summer which really delayed things

Cheers, Dave