TR 3 cylinder Head

[fad64b]

I am very familiar with the head crack problem with MGB heads. What I would like to know, is the Triumph cylinder head as susceptible to cracking. Should I be leery of purchasing a used TR3 cylinder head untested as I would be of a MGB head ????????

 

[DougF]

I would have it checked before purchase.

 

[prb51]

Frank,
In my reading etc. I've not heard of any specific issues with the TR3 head but I'd also rec a check first cracks and thickness (how much/often has it been surfaced) just to be safe. They actually seem to be as robust as the rest of the motor and don't have probs with valve recession as some other Brit iron does.
My 56 3 is TS14502L what's your # ?

 

[angelfj1]

I have NEVER heard of a general problem with 4 cyl TR heads cracking. BUT, have you checked through all of the old "TR Technicalities"?

 

[DougF]

I made my previous statement only because a friend of mine had several TR3 heads on the shelf and when it came to needing one, had trouble finding a good one due to cracks. I have no idea how these cracked, but it seemed odd to have so many that were bad.

 

[Adrio]

I had in the course of my two TR restorations, three heads available to me. Of those three, there was one that was cracked. So, my small sample has a 33% failure rate.

 

[TRTEL]

A common crack to show up is the one right in the middle between the water passage holes, but it has no apparent effect. Others between the combustion chamber and water jacket are very rare even on shaved head(at least up to .100"). Through the years have seen more (2 to be exact) on 4's but don't know if it's related to the redesigned/relieved combustion chamber or not. Personally I'd be more concerned about how much might have been shaved off through the years.

Tom Lains
TS8651 & 58107

 

[Adrio]

the crack on my head was a small one in the little metal that exists between intake and exhaust valve openings.