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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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Let's say someone has long been infatuated with LBCs, has some experience with MGBs, and will soon have his first TR3A to care for ...

For general maintenance info, what books on the TR3A do folks recommend?

For general background on the Triumph line, what books do you recommend?

Not really looking for glossy coffee table books. More like grease- and coffee-stained sources of wisdom, techniques, advice, and encouragement (other than the folks here, of course).

Thanks all.
Tom
 
The Complete
Official Triumph
TR2 & TR3
1953-1961

Comprising the Official
driver's instruction book
service instruction manual

Robert Bentley, Inc.
872 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Mass 02139


And if still available,


Workshop Manual for the Triumph TR2, TR3, and TR3A 1952-1962
Triumph TR2, TR3, TR3A, 1952-62 Autobook
Kenneth Ball
Autopress LTD
Golden Lane
Brighton BN1 2QJ England


The original TR3 factory service book is also available to view somewhere on-line and if you can get a hold of one of those well that would be great. A Haynes Manual is available but most using them have a lot of unanswered questions.
 
Aloha Tom,

I would suggest a workshop manual, either the factory manual, or the one by Bentley or Haynes. I also find that the big parts suppliers catalogs with exploded views are very helpful for me.

"How to Restore Triumph TR2, 3 & 3A by Roger Williams covers most of the known problem areas of older side curtain Triumphs. Another reference type book is "TR2, 3 & 3A in Detail" by Bill Piggott and is good for determining what things looked like when they left the factory.
 
So.........tell us about the car!
 
All of them.

The Bentley manuals are factory service manuals, and very detailed, but usually make assumptions about using the specialized factory service tools.

The Haynes manuals are generally easy to read, and fill in some anecdotal information, but usually make assumptions that your only tools are an adjustable wrench, a straight-tip screwdriver, and a big rock.

The AutoBooks manuals are kind of like a condensed combination of the two, and the snazzy vinyl cover holds up to grease, sweat, and blood. Great one for the trunk.

The InterEurope manuals are scarce, but I like them too. They show up on eBay from time to time.

The Piggott books are great for background info, not service. They're very well done.

It's great to have as many manuals as possible because you can distill a kind of composite of what you need to know--any time you are away from a computer and can't log on to the British Car Forum!
 
Yes to all the above. You can't have too many manuals... apart from maintenance and repair they just make interesting reading.

Other books on the Standard Motors company such as Cook's Triumphs in America, MacCartney's In the Shadow of My Father, Piggot's Triumph by Name Triumph by Nature and the Brroklands reprint of comtemporary road-tests are all fascinating reading for one interested in the history of these cars.
 
Geo Hahn said:
Yes to all the above. You can't have too many manuals... apart from maintenance and repair they just make interesting reading.

Other books on the Standard Motors company such as Cook's Triumphs in America, MacCartney's In the Shadow of My Father, Piggot's Triumph by Name Triumph by Nature and the Brroklands reprint of comtemporary road-tests are all fascinating reading for one interested in the history of these cars.
Click to expand...

Im glad Im not the only one that likes to sit by the fire with a Shop Manual.
 
Test ...one, two
 
...and in the bath room, bed room, barn work bench, in the car, one in the office... did I forget any? I've got another one coming in the mail this week.
..oh yeah, in the downstairs bathroom, too....
 
Just came home and there was another Haynes manual in the mail box, destined for the barn tonite. Got it cheap on eBay, (9.00 with shipping). Would like to get another Bentley cheap for the barn now.
 
Something I haven't seen mentioned in this thread : The driver's handbook that matches your vintage of TR3A. Later versions were titled "Practical hints for the maintenance of the Triumph T.R.3". At least 6 different editions, and each is slightly different (particularly the wiring diagrams).

I think the 5th edition would be about right for TeeYah, but not sure about that. 4th edition doesn't show the rheostat for the dash lights, but I believe TeeYah should have it. Unfortunately, I haven't found a 5th ed to add to my collection.

If anyone has a 5th edition of "Practical hints", I would be interested buying a decent photocopy of it (or the manual itself if the price is right).
 
Joe, wish we still had the woodstove in the living room to sit by... I miss the wood heat. Might put another one in for next winter. (watch the fuel and gas prices go up....) We heated with wood for eighteen years until 2001.
 
Randall - thanks for the headsup. All I've got is that "Practical Hints ..." booklet.

If you find the correct 5th edition handbook you're looking for, I'd appreciate a copy of it too.

Tom
 
NutmegCT said:
All I've got is that "Practical Hints ..." booklet.
Click to expand...
What edition ?

Just for clarity, that IS the handbook for the TR3A. The title was changed sometime during the TR3 run(3rd edition I think), but the factory part number was the same (501528).
 
Sixth edition, third printing. PN 501528. It *does* state that turning the panel light dial slowly dims the panel lights (p.9).

How does the sixth edition differ from more appropriate (?) fifth edition?

Tom
 
I'm not sure of all the differences (never seen a 5th edition). But for example, it should show you the dipstick for the gearbox (which your car should have), instead of the plug on the side (which your car didn't have).

I also just noticed something ... TRF shows the 2nd edition of 501528 as being the "Instruction Book" (not "Drivers Handbook" as I stated before); but I have a copy of "Practical Hints" that is 2nd edition, third printing. Apparently, they didn't even bump the edition number when they changed the title !
 
Aloha Tom,

I got a really poor 5th Edition on EBay (At least I can read "FIFTH EDI" on what's left of the front page) and the schematic shows a rheostat for panel lights. My car (TS44864LO in storage) has a push-pull for panel lights. Bill Piggott's book says the panel rheostat could be either type from TS43000-60000, so who knows. This 5th ED also lists the starter as a 25550, which is the post-TS50000 unit.

It seems the 4th ED would be correct for my car, and maybe yours. I can't find a date on mine, but maybe it was on a page that got torn out!

Jeff
Hickam AFB, HI
 
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