TR2/3/3A Down draft tube blow by

[bnw]

Well, I'm going to finish this 8 year project after taking a 3 year "vacation" . My business has gone belly up, my income is zero, my social security will never cover it all, and I've got nothing but time on my hands. I started the 57 small mouth with OD (TS19909LO) today after 3 years since the last time I started it. It's a complete rebuild with new cam, refurbished cylinder head, 89 mm pistons and liners ( Weisco pistons, LA Sleeve liners)reground crank, and new chain and gears. When I first started it years ago, I ran it at 3000 RPM variable 1500 to 3000 for about 20 minutes to break the new cam in properly. That was 5 years ago. I ran it again once each year for a couple of years, and then walked away until today. It started right up, and ran beautifully! God, I love Triumphs!!. I thought I was 16 years old again working on my first TR3. I had a problem with the frame mounted fuel shut-off leaking but I'll deal with that later. I have some, (not crop duster or 2 stroke ) smoke from the down draft tube. I know the engine is new, and the rings haven't have time to break in, and three years dormant is not good but I'm concerned. Can I expect this to go away, get worse, or stay the same? I don't remember what's "normal". I went underneath the car to check for leaks, coolant, gas or oil and I actually impressed myself with the quality of work I did years ago on the body and mechanicals. I'm hoping this will be it and I will finally finish this.

 

[TR3driver]

Some smoke is normal. In the short term, I would expect it to go down somewhat as the rings seat better and you get some of the contaminants (eg water) cooked out of the oil. Longer term, it will probably go back up again.

Sorry about your business. Seems like there is a moderate demand for experienced people to repair old TRs, though; might be some extra income in that. When my 56 got wrecked last August, I asked two people in my area that are in somewhat similar circumstances (retired from their "day" jobs) and both were too busy with other TR work to help me out.

 

[croz]

I have the same problem with oily fumes issuing from that dufus down draft tube. The engine is a complete rebuild with about 3000 km on it. Most of the underside of the car, from that tube back, is coated with oil now. My beautiful new paint and glorious SS exhaust! The same thing is happening to a few other TR3s in my area.
I have seen a fix for this. There is a fitting that goes in the hole on the block, from there to a tube connected to a remote oil catch tank. The tank is only about a liter in size and rarely needs draining.
Has anyone else seen this setup - other than racing?

 

[FordFiesta]

There was a time (before rebuilding my engine and somewhat-controlling the blowby) when I seriously considered fabricating a Corvette or Morgan-style side exhaust on the left side of my TR3 to hook up only to the road draft tube to vent the fumes. I guess that it could also be done as a second exhaust tip at the rear of the car on the other side from the main exhaust...for that "V-8 retrofit" look..

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I seriously considered fabricating a Corvette or Morgan-style side exhaust on the left side of my TR3 to hook up only to the road draft tube to vent the fumes. I guess that it could also be done as a second exhaust tip at the rear of the car on the other side from the main exhause...for that "V-8 retrofit" look..

You would want to approach that mod with caution as I do not think you want to create a lot of suction on the road draft tube. I seem to recall an incident where this was inadvertently done with dire results.

 

[sp53]

I have not had one smoke before, but open crank case ventilationas my auto shop teacher called it the 60’s is kinda messy. I trust you have theproper valve cover with an open breather on it because sometime on the tr4 theyput that metal cap that closes off the top end and has a PCV valve.