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TR2/3/3A Heater Delete

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CJD

CJD

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Yesterday I was driving the TR2 to go see Knucklebuster’s new project. After a few miles I pulled away from a light and thought to myself...”Self, I recognize that smell”...hmmmm...and as anti-freeze finally came to my mind I felt hot dripping on my feet. Heater core blew out. Bummer. First time she’s broken down since finishing the restoration 3 years ago. But she made it home on her own...albeit giving me a wet foot.

So today I spent an hour doing a heater delete. I’ll try to find a good core (easier said than done), but in the mean time I’ll be heater free. I mean really, I have used it more trying to cool the engine as an auxiliary radiator in stop and go traffic than I have used it to actually warm the car!?!

Does anyone know if any vendor is finally repoing the core, or is used still the only option?
 
Well. I see from the large number of responses that used is still “the” option! That’s OK, like I said, I never use it anyway. I’ll live like Dan and pretend I live in Hawaii for a while...just no ocean...or mountains...or cool volcanoes....and ice storms...and tornados...and

...you know, I reckon I have a lot of pretending to do
 
Thanks John! Heater delete does have its advantages in terms of simplicity and circulation. And it’s been a while since the last ice storm over here!
Dan
 
Hello John

I replaced my leaky core with a new core from Clayton but I got it direct from the UK.

https://www.holden.co.uk/p/heater_element_without_motor_plate Check out their site.

I had to shorten the motor shaft and space the heater down about 2" but even sticking your head under the dash you can not tell it is not the original one.

David
Heater installed 2.jpg
New heater core close up.jpg
I have a lot more photos of the mod to the heater. It works well.
 
I installed a Spitfire heater in our car.
Bolts right up.... no mods necessary.
Got the tip from Bob Shaller from AZ in his booklet More BS on Triumphs.
Kept the original.... could easily be put back if some day #1 son so chooses.

Gil. NoCal
 
Would closing the heater water valve in the engine bay stop the leaking?
 
Closing the heater only stops the flow not the back pressure from the other hose.
 
Excellent. Good to see there are options. I’ll check them out and make a decision by ice storm season. Thanks guys! I’ll update when I decide.
 
Thanks JP, but I’ve grown tired of working with the old used cores. Honestly, I think I have been through 5 of them, and the current blowout was the best of the 5. You will likely need both of yours to get one good one by the time you clean and test them. I really appreciate the offer, though!
 
What I gathered during my heater journey was some of these cores were tinned steel. Also that the would deteriorate if stored for years.
The heater I had installed seemed fine for a short time but when I added the antifreeze mix and got the engine up to temperature I developed a pin hole leak.
The thought of all that hot water right by my knees prompted me to go the new core route.

David
 
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