TR2/3/3A chassis ground on a tr3

[sp53]

Hi tr3 people does anybody know the proper hook up for the chassis ground on a tr3. I have looked through the books and could not find it. In the past, I would just run a cable off the valve cover bolt, but now I am curious about the original factor hook up. Could it be just a bare ground wire from the mount bolt to the frame, like many others cars?

Regards George

 

[Mickey Richaud]

George -

Mine is a ground strap from the front engine plate to a bolt on the motor mount - driver's side. I believe that's per original (But I've been wrong before!) Anyway, it works for me and LOOKS original!

Mickey

 

[Geo Hahn]

Mickey's is correct. The Moss catalog shows it (part 29) as NLA for the 3, but there isn't much to it that couldn't be found at your local auto parts/hardware store.

https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29175

Looking at the one on the 4 I can't recall how it differs from the 3.

 

[donbmw]

My 59 TR3 is the same on the front engine plate.

Don

 

[MDCanaday]

Never overlook the importance of this "strap" if it comes loose you will fry the temp gage tube (which will let out a lot of smoke)
MD(mad dog)

 

[Geo Hahn]

... or heat the choke cable to red hot or send a spark arcing from the metal line connecting the carbs to the right inner fender. It's going to find a ground somewhere whether you give it one or not.

 

[sp53]

Thanks Mickey and Geo. I was wondering if you could possible describe the size and shape of the strap. Is the strap flat or round and what is the width or gauge and what is the approximate length.

Regards George

 

[Mickey Richaud]

George -

I'm not near my car, but the strap is a flat braided piece, about an inch wide. Basically what you want is something like a battery cable that will make a good connection and withstand as much amperage as possible to avoid catastrophes like the above-mentioned. Be sure you've got enough slack to compensate for engine movement.

Mickey

 

[Geo Hahn]

Alas, it's the TR4's turn in the garage so that is the only reference I can offer. Here is what the ground strap likes on it. Braided but more round than flat. To get you oriented, that diagonal thing upper left is the dipstick, the strap goes from a bolt on the timing chain cover to a bolt on the engine mount. As luck would have it TR3s & 4s look very different in this particular area.

Looks to be about a foot long. Moss lists a strap for the TR4 but says the TR3 version is NLA. Would have expected them to be very similar but length could be different.

 

[sp53]

Thanks Geo I appreciate the time. I started trying to put this tr3 back the way it was new. The little stuff is just difficult to see, get, or find where some of the connections actually went. Some of the books are good, but are not a hundred percent.
Thanks George