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TR2/3/3A TR3 AL Rad & elec fan??????

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GBRandy

GBRandy

Jedi Knight
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I found a TR3 I might try and get. I saw this car last fall and it runs. Not well, but it runs. It is rust free on the frame save for some surface rust. The body is OK, but very little bondo, just scraches & dents.

It does however have an aluminum radiator and electric fan.....what the heck?

It looks like they chopped off the shaft that held the original fan and installed the electrical one. Poorly I might add.

The Rad looks nearly new and says "Griffin" on it. It doesn't look like it was an inexpensive part.

Hers is a really crappy cell phone image..... Comments?
TR3ALRad.jpg
 
Griffin is a good radiator. Not too happy with them running plastic tabs through the radiator to mount the fan. Possible damage down the road. I would be more concerned about the rest of the car. Keep checking it out. Hidden rust is your enemy. Be very careful and thorough when you inspect, and let that reflect the price you may pay.
 
The fan hub extension is bolted in place with the long starter bolt that attaches to the crank and the thru bolts at the lower pulley. It can be souced on ebay and returned to stock if you like.
Many, though, like the Griffin rad ($500) and the electric fan as a realistic upgrade.
 
That fan setup might not look right, but for cooling purposes, it might be a great upgrade compared to the original. I kept the original fan on mine, but also added a manual pusher pan on the outside of the radiator. I very rarely have to use it, but it comes in handy in stop and go traffic. I agree with TR6bill, don't worry about the fan. Check for hidden rust and I'd suggest check play in the front end and steering. Good luck
 
Randy,

Totally agree with what the others say. I have a Wizard aluminum rad with a Spal pusher fan mounted to mine ready to install. It would not put me off from buying the car. If you wanted to, you could always go back to stock.

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd
 
TR6BILL said:
Griffin is a good radiator. Not too happy with them running plastic tabs through the radiator to mount the fan. Possible damage down the road. I would be more concerned about the rest of the car. Keep checking it out. Hidden rust is your enemy. Be very careful and thorough when you inspect, and let that reflect the price you may pay.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone. How would you price this thing? It runs, it seems very rust free and solid. Rockers are clean, straight and no body putty. Floor boards are solid as is the trunk & spare tire compartment. In general I ma pretty happy with it.

The interior is all there, but an older restoration.

How would you guys price it?
 
If indeed you have a relatively rust-free early TR (meaning the body is good and the frame is solid), it depends on what you plan to do with it. Rust repairs are very expensive and difficult (unless you are a body man). A buddy of mine just bought an early TR2 with the engine, frame and suspension already done. The body was a mess (IMHO). Lots of welding to do. The entire car will need and is getting a concours restoration. My friend has the tools and expertise to pull this off without farming the work out. He paid 10 grand for it. I say that a really solid TR3 is worth between 6 and 10 thousand dollars. That is , needing a lot of work but without needing a massive rebuild. A concours TR3 is worth between 25 and 35 thou. Remember, engine/drivetrain work is predictable and relatively cheap. Body and frame work is a killer.
 
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