TR2/3/3A TR3 A Water Pump Housing Pipe

[Tinkerman]

Getting last minute stuff done before I put the body on the frame and have been working on the water pump housing pipe. Bought a new one from one of the big three and as you can see from the picture that the mounting tab is standing proud of the block by about 1/2 inch. Its also too long but thats another story.

So what is the best way to handle the 1/2 inch stand off? Bend it, shims? This is an item that sits out there in front of god and everyone, so I want it to look right. Any ideas are greatly appreciated as always.

Thanks, Tinkerman

 

[martx-5]

The tab also looks too long. Drill a new hole and cut off the excess. My tab (which is an original pipe) measures about 3 1/2" from the top of the pipe to the center of the hole. As far as standing away from the block, just bend it in, or maybe your tube doesn't have the bend in towards the head right as it leaves the pump housing. The tube should actually be inside the area of the head where the spark plugs are.

Edit: It also looks like the tab is too far forward. It should come straight down to the hole. The pipe makes it's bend at the back just aft of the #4 spark plug. If it's more forward then that, maybe you have the pipe stuffed too far in the pump.

 

[TR4]

Was the tube put on backwards? Should the tab be on the back side of the tube?
If oriented correctly, can the tab be bent around the tube and then run straight down to the mounting hole? Maybe that would take up the extra length?

 

[Geo Hahn]

Mine bends in (it too is on the wing side of the tube). It is painted plack which may or may not be correct. Here's a hard-to-see pic:

 

[Don Elliott]

They should be painted black.

 

[bgbassplyr]

I have 2 TR4 engines. 1 is a '62 (CT 5586), and a 65 TR4A. '62 has a copper pipe with some remanents of black paint, bends back toward the head, no tab. '65 has a steel tube painted black, also bends toward the head, no tab.

Both have tabs which attach to the exhaust studs. Both appear to be original (well, maybe not the copper one), but it is very close, and the fastener to the water pump certainly is.

Does the lack of tabs indicate that both were replaced? IME,this is not a part that normally wears or breaks. Or did not all engines come with the tab.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Jim

 

[TR4nut]

Jim-

TR4 pipes did not have the tab, because they wrapped around the back of the engine and tied into the manifold - the TR3 pipe goes towards the driver so is stabilized by the tab.

Randy

 

[bgbassplyr]

Right, I forgot that. Never mind.

Jim