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TR2/3/3A Rebuild

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davjac889

Jedi Hopeful
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Well I've started to dismantle my TR3 motor. I'm following a Haynes manual
and began with removing the radiator which is nearly 60 years old.
I couldn't get that thing out until I beat the metal fan back (I'm going to replace
it with a plastic one), had to remove the pulley and water pump, beat the radiator
neck off and I still couldn't get it out!
Finally it slipped out of the bottom but I got to tell ya', I learned so many things
of what not to do when I put the new one in.
I'll lay the new one in first before I replace the water pump/pulley and fan.
Whew!
 
davjac889 said:
Well I've started to dismantle my TR3 motor. I'm following a Haynes manual... beat the radiator
neck off and I still couldn't get it out!
Click to expand...

Didn't the Haynes manual procedure begin with the front apron being removed.

You got it out (sort of) but if you are putting in a new radiator I don't think you'll want your assembly to merely be 'the reverse of the above'

Removing the apron isn't as daunting as it may at first appear.

Once that big piece of sheet metal is out of the way the rest is straight-forward unbolting & lift-away.

ApronOff.jpg
 
You're supposed to remove the front apron to get the radiator out. I'm sure the manual must have mentioned this when removing the engine, or at least direct you to radiator removal which would have said to remove the front apron.
 
The Haynes manual is about half as thick as the factory manual. They do this by using references to other procedures rather that repeating them as needed in each section where they are required.

The engine removal procedure (8.15) directs you to Chapter 2, Section 6 paragraphs 3-11 to remove radiator. In that section steps 6.6 & 6.7 address removal of the apron (which they call the cowling). Considering the importance of this step and the drama involved in removing a large body panel they seem to mention it almost casually -- but it is there.

It's a useful manual but requires careful reading due to this oblique method of describing and (in this case) brevity, unfamiliar terms and lack of illustration.
 
davjac889 said:
Hey that looks pretty good. I just rechecked my manual
and it does not call for removing the fairing.
Click to expand...

That's strange. Mine does.

untitled.JPG
 
My Haynes does too. Chapter 1/Engine, Step 15 on engine removal. "TR2, 3 and 3A models - Remove the radiator as detailed in Chapter 2, Section 6, paragraphs 3 to 11 inclusive." When you go there you'll see what Randall posted.

EDIT: Whoops and Sorry, others beat me while I was looking.
 
Last edited:
I never liked the Haynes anyway...they cover so many years with so thin of a manual. I'm sure they have their place (like maybe left on the shelf at the parts store), but I just haven't found it. Dave, I'd really recommend downloading the service manual (for free!) to make sure you rebuild that motor right.

My PO brazed my radiator in. Guess he/she had something against bolts!?!
 
Cowling. I'll be ****ed, you're right.
Well its out and my intention was to replace it anyhow.
But you know what? If I install the new radiator first
and then the new water pump and fan, I've plenty
of room.
Does that make sense?
 
davjac889 said:
Cowling. I'll be ****ed, you're right.
Well its out and my intention was to replace it anyhow.
But you know what? If I install the new radiator first
and then the new water pump and fan, I've plenty
of room.
Does that make sense?
Click to expand...
Worth a try, I guess. But remember the part where you beat the fan off, and the radiator neck? It's tough to reverse that process; especially if you find that the plastic fan doesn't fit quite right and you have to take it apart again.
 
I guess if I had needed to have kept the radiator or fan I'd have
screwed myself but my car is old and tired and as I go along and
finances allow, I'm intention is to replace everything that I can.

P.S. Having torn the neck from the radiator, I was able to see inside
and saw quite a bit of blockage. The radiator was going, sort
of like stabbing an oil filter to remove it. I really don't like the idea
of spending $500 for a new one though.
 
Even new ones aren't much thicker than an oil filter. I had mine recored for under $400.

But my point was that you had to do all those things to get it out with the front apron in place. If it wouldn't come out without damage, it's not likely to go back in without damage either.

I have managed to remove the fan without damage with the apron & radiator still in place; but it was not an easy task. So the last few times, I've just whipped the apron off; and overall I think that is easier. It also gives you a chance to tend to the steering box, which is impossible to R&R with the apron in place if you have the earlier solid column. (The later split column can be removed without doing the apron, but again it's a lot of hassle and probably easier to just R&R the apron.)

BTW, a 7/16" GearWrench will help the apron R&R immensely. Another tip is to be sure all of the bolts between the apron and body are started, before you tighten any of them. Lots of anti-seize on the threads (I like the copper-based variety) and if you can, use the original pointed bolts. I actually ground some points on replacement bolts (and chased the threads afterwards), as it makes the bolts much easier to get started into the captive nuts. If they were hard to remove, be sure to chase the threads before reinstalling.

PS, it's also a lot easier to add a coolant recovery bottle with the apron off

 
I've had the same Haynes manual for 30 years. It's pretty tattered, but if you read it, it still works. It's helped me through two TR4's and Three TR3's. I don't have to refer to it as much as the first time but keep it handy, always. When you get ready to replace the radiator and/or fan without removing the apron/cowling/nose, let me know so I can rush out and buy some stock in Band-aid Brand. While your in there you might as well do the waterpump, it will be alot easier. A extra few minutes spent doing the research can save alot of time on the task. And, jump on here and ask questions. There is somebody on here that has done everything at least once. It will be easier, cheaper, and alot more fun going at it armed with a correct plan. You won't want to take a hammer to your new $500 radiator or fan.
 
Hey folks,

I removed the cowling. Wow! What a difference! All the room!
I really don't wanna' take a chance with a $500 radiator plus
it'll give me a chance to clean and paint a nearly 60 year old
area.
Thanks to ya'll.
 
Well done!

Now you can think about what else it might be prudent to take care while you're this far into it.

Two possibilities to consider might be the front seal and the timing chain tensioner. Also a good time to examine the motor mounts.
 
Actually I'll be removing the engine to replace the valves and pistons so I'll
be replacing things as I go along including the motor mounts.
I got hooked up with a machine shop who'll do the valves and pistons.
I'm pretty excited about the project, never having done it before so I'm
learning quite a bit.
I really appreciate this site.
Thanks again.
 
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