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TR4/4A Testing out my TR4 engine

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SCguy

SCguy

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As many of you know I bought my TR4 partially restored. The frame, engine, transmission, rear end, all rebuilt. Well, as I begin to order parts it would seem wise to me, to as early as possible test out the engine and transmission. I guess my question is at what point can the car be started and driven. Not street legally, but for testing. Can the engine just be cranked over with no wiring harness/electrical system and the car driven with just brakes and steering. This may seem like an odd question, but before I sink a ton of money (more money) I'd just like to know that everything that was rebuilt by the PO is OK.
 
Alan, where are you when Larry needs you?!

Larry, there should be a long, careful explanation from Alan soon to give you the ifs, ands or buts, seeing as how he has built one of these cars. But, do you have a harness in the car at all? If not, it would be quite a chore to make up a "temporary" harness. You just have to sit and think "what does the engine need to run, safely" and go from there. My buddy up the road installed his TR4 engine on a custom engine stand to run it before installing it in his frame-off resto so it can be done. You just gotta monitor the vital signs of the engine, such as oil pressure, temp, and even volts.


Bill
 
I drove my TR3 to the body shop after the wiring harness (and many other things) had been removed. I had driven around the yard and driveway just sitting on a Franks Root Beer case, but for the drive across town I put the drivers seat & safety belt back in.

Just hot wire from the battery (hot side) to the coil. Just for luck I included a cutoff in the form of a toggle switch routed thru the firewall.

franks.JPG


Looking at that pic reminds me you will want to hook up the oil pressure gauge -- handy to verify pressure and to keep oil from squirting everywhere. I also had to have the temp gauge installed as it is mechanical on a TR3... not necessary to run a '4 but again helpful info since you're trying to assess the engine.
 
fyi,
for the age of those cars, you didn't even need the seat belt (at least in vancouver canada-if it didn't come with them originally, then it isn't required).
battery and wire is all you need,not even the generator or starter to drive it. power to coil, jump start, and your off.
rob
 
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