• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Randall is correct. This has been a nightmare!

bnw

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Actually, it hasn't been that bad, it's just taking too long. 7 years ago I bought someone's abandoned project. My dream car, the ticket back to my youth, only better. A 1957 small mouth with overdrive, TS19909LO. There were thousands of new parts, including a big bore kit, rack and pinion conversion, voltage regulators, wiring harness, fender mount kits, factory radio, etc, etc, etc. Also, all the sheet metal from VB bought sometime in the 1970's. That's right, new wings, bonnet, boot deck, front apron. A blessing, or a curse? I'm at the sheet metal fitting stage. NOTHING lines up properly without some major modification. The rear wings aren't to bad, but the front wings have to line up with the doors so the gaps are right. NIGHTMARE! I'm not too far off with the left front, but the right front is giving me fits. HOWEVER, the problem today is the hand crank mount and the front apron. The apron is only pre drilled for the grill, nothing else. I'm not sure how the starter crank guide mounts to the apron. There is no way, at this time that the guide is even close to the radiator slot for the hand crank, I'm way too high. Can anyone tell me how
the guide mounts to the apron? BTW,I scrapped th e rack and pinion for a standard steering box so I could start the car with the hand crank. Just like I used to 45 years ago!
 

TexasKnucklehead

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
Here is a picture of my hand crank guide installed -without the apron. Note the long threaded rods to the frame (and they are sort of bent at the ends). There is one bolt not installed at this point, that also goes through the apron. To get the proper height/alignment through the radiator hole, you can add shims under the motor mounts.

Good luck. I know where you are at with your project, because I'm almost there too.

Jer
 

Attachments

  • 28460.jpg
    28460.jpg
    121 KB · Views: 497
OP
B

bnw

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Ah, but come to think of it, the crank bolt and the radiator line up. So, shim the radiator mounts as well?
 

AEW

Jedi Hopeful
Country flag
Offline
don't forget the TR3 apron has a center stamped sheet metal tab that sets the forward location of the bottom edge under the mouth. Randall will probably have a picture.
 

Andrew Mace

Moderator
Staff member
Country flag
Offline
Over the years, some aftermarket sheet metal has been better than others. On the whole, though, about the only aftermarket sheet metal that might ever have fit easily without "fettling" might have been the Tasker Metal Products 3A front aprons that used to be available through places such as


(wait for it!)


J.C. Whitney!

When new, these cars were not far away from being "coach built" with body panels more or less hand-jigged together, with all those panels having been stamped from what we'd now consider almost primitive panel dies. Furthermore, the original dies were never intended to last under the volume of cars that were ultimately produced; that's as likely as any other reason for the TS60001 and future body redesign (new tooling needed)! Heck, even NOS panels might or might not fit an original body without some minor working. Nothing like modern Civics and Corollas precision stamped, precision/computer aligned, robot-welded, etc.!
 
OP
B

bnw

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
(wait for it!)


J.C. Whitney!

That doesn't surprise me in the least! Growing up in Chicago, I bought literally everything
for my TR3s from Warshawsky and Sons which was the retail outlet for J C Whitney located at 1900 South State Street. Voltage regulators, tail light lenses, tune up stuff, and at least twice, the piston / liner kits for under $75.00 as I recall!

I have a 1969 Warshawsky catalog in front of me right now. Check this out! All TR3 stuff: Steel front fenders $44.95, 3A grill $11.95, 3A apron $99.95, complete used engine TR2 $140.00, TR3 $$150.00, 87mm liner set, 69.95, crankshaft with rod and main bearings $52.50 with $7.50 core. WOW!
 

TR3driver

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
Sorry gents, I've never used a crank and don't have the crank support installed (nor the hole in the radiator, nor the dog the crank engages, etc).

The support casting sits down through a rectangular hole in the "shelf" behind the grille opening. There is a single bolt that holds the casting to the sheet metal, then the two funny-shaped adjustable rods that run down to tabs on the frame. I was hoping to get a photo of the hole last night, but had to work late and it didn't happen. Probably won't happen today either. But here's a blowup from the SPC, with the holes circled.
 

Attachments

  • 28466.jpg
    28466.jpg
    72.2 KB · Views: 309
OP
B

bnw

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Look like I'll have to cut that hole as there is nothing pre drilled except the four holes for the grill. I'll hold off and wait to see if someone can shoot me a picture or template. Thanks everyone.
 

TR3driver

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
FWIW I also have fond memories of Warshawsky's. My first engine rebuild was done with parts from them, including a reground crankshaft. And the best running TR3 engine I've ever built was done with a set of 87mm liners that they sold to me for half price after someone else had returned them because the "grading" letters didn't match. I just couldn't see any point in worrying about .0002" extra clearance, and sure enough, that engine ran great! (It also had a tubular exhaust header from JCW, and a "3/4 race" cam from Bap-Geon.)

The store front had a wooden floor, that was literally worn down from all the people that had walked on it! You could see and feel that the floor was lower in the middle of the aisles and especially in front of the parts counter.

Here is one of their less-popular accessories:
 

Attachments

  • 28467.jpg
    28467.jpg
    53.5 KB · Views: 306

TexasKnucklehead

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
I don't know why that would not be popular.

Here's a few pictures of the square and round holes in the small mouth. If you need a template, I suppose I could trace something on some paper and send it to you?
 

Attachments

  • 28471.jpg
    28471.jpg
    49.2 KB · Views: 281
  • 28472.jpg
    28472.jpg
    52.7 KB · Views: 282
OP
B

bnw

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Thanks for the offer. I'm going to pull my apron off to see how different mine is. Great pictures. Thanks!
 

Mickey Richaud

Moderator
Staff member
Gold
Country flag
Offline
bnw said:
Thanks for the offer. I'm going to pull my apron off to see how different mine is. Great pictures. Thanks!

You know, somehow this post, coupled with the turn signal flasher, just ain't right... :devilgrin:
 

AEW

Jedi Hopeful
Country flag
Offline
If it is any help, here is a photo of the bottom brace, or rather "stay", that is referenced in the TR3 parts book for the early cars. So if mine is an original, it is 7 5/8" long and 1 1/2" wide with 7" on center for the bolt holes. I think if the apron is aligned properly the holes for the crank will maybe also line up.
 

Attachments

  • 28477.jpg
    28477.jpg
    91.1 KB · Views: 203
OP
B

bnw

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
That's a great shot! Thanks. I've got that stay but had no idea where it went. The square hole should be easy to cut in. I don't have the semi funnel, but that should be easy to fabricate as well.
 

mallard

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
I don't know if I have that stay for my 56 TR3, I'll have to look around. I'm glad this topic came up. Would the stay be painted body color?
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
O TR2/3/3A TR3 Misfire +[ Randall you're correct again] Triumph 10
K TR2/3/3A head gasket repair wire Randall Triumph 1
K TR2/3/3A A quote from Randall on Brake & MC Pedal Stops on later TR3's Girling system Triumph 2
PeterK General TR Sad news about Randall Triumph 48
glemon General TR Randall Young "Tr3driver" Update, Wish Him Well Triumph 65
T TR2/3/3A Randall Young? Triumph 10
Graham H TR2/3/3A Randall's Trick Triumph 10
K TR2/3/3A Randall...Re: tire pressures Triumph 10
T TR4/4A Composite vs cooper head gasket with Randall's "trick" Triumph 6
K TR2/3/3A Randall....Ammeter Shunt when there are spade connectors? Triumph 2
B Off Topic Question for Randall Triumph 1
Lukens TR2/3/3A Randall, let's try this Triumph 4
T Spitfire Randall - anyone you would recommend for getting a driveshaft shorted in SoCal Triumph 4
K TR2/3/3A Randall....another trunnion spindle issue? Triumph 5
K TR2/3/3A Randall.....4:35 Diff in a TR3? Triumph 4
K Paging Randall re: Judson Supercharger Vanes Triumph 5
glemon Turn Signal Question Up-date Success Thanks Randall Triumph 23
T Randall - how was the Yosmite drive? Triumph 4
T TR2/3/3A Randall - how is your TR3 coming along? Triumph 3
Jim_Gruber Correct Transmission Oil for Datsun 210 5-speed Spridgets 1
Y TR2/3/3A I cannot get my TR3 in correct timing. Triumph 7
G D would anybody be able to tell the correct way to static time a essex v6 I have tried and failed cheers garth TVR 14
V MGB Stock Alloy Wheels from Other Cars That Fit 4 114.3 and 14" with correct offset? MG 10
W Correct Tie Rod Ends Spridgets 0
Healey Nut Cross Rod Correct Length Austin Healey 14
S TR2/3/3A problems getting the engine to run correct Triumph 21
B Which is the correct door knob for a 59 bugeye? Spridgets 3
S TR2/3/3A Correct Starter Triumph 4
steveg TR6 Spec needed for correct ride height Triumph 28
P TR6 TR6 fuel pump question - glass bowl pump correct? Triumph 8
Paulus TR6 Bumper Bars - what is the correct terminology Triumph 3
red57 What is correct wire harness outer wrap Austin Healey 17
dklawson GT6 GT6 Mk1 Oil Filter - Correct Part Numbers Triumph 2
S TR2/3/3A correct spire nut Triumph 4
J TR2/3/3A TR3A Throttle shaft bushing retainer plates, Correct color? Triumph 2
K Correct side screen nut for early 58 BN4 Austin Healey 14
drooartz The correct tool does make it easier [fill steering rack] Spridgets 4
I Correct orientation of the fan blades. Austin Healey 13
G Wanted Triumph TR4 [63] Period correct radio Triumph Classifieds 2
K Correct key head shape. Austin Healey 1
Gliderman8 TR6 Correct LED flasher relay Triumph 6
K TR2/3/3A Correct oil level for differential? Triumph 5
Jim_Gruber What is the correct Radiator Cap for a 948 with a Downflow Radiator Spridgets 4
BN6_2197 Correct run of the Choke Cable of BN6 Austin Healey 7
jfarris TR2/3/3A Which speedo is correct for a 1956 TR3? Triumph 8
L GT6 correct finish Triumph 5
Jim_Gruber What is the correct tool for removing brake lines from a BE Master Cylinder Spridgets 10
B MGA Correct wheel paint? MG 2
Gerald_Gordon TR4/4A Inconspicuous or period-correct backup light for TR4 Triumph 8
simon1966 Correct Jack for a 54 100? Austin Healey 5

Similar threads

Top