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TR2/3/3A TR3 Over heating

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Thanks for the thread with the photos. I realized this evening that as mentioned I do not need to remove the apron to add the radiator air shroud. the fan is going on as soon as it arrives. I had to move the radiator forward a bit to get the stock fan bolts out. Once the new fan is on, the radiator goes back in place and then the shroud can be fitted. I will post again with an update at that point.
Thanks again to all
 
Randall, is there a measurement for the correct spacing between the slats of the grille? I think mine has an original grille, but I'm not sure, so I'd like to measure it to verify it is correct. Thanks!
Regards,
Bob
 
TuffTR250 said:
Randall, is there a measurement for the correct spacing between the slats of the grille? I think mine has an original grille, but I'm not sure, so I'd like to measure it to verify it is correct. Thanks!
Regards,
Bob
Click to expand...
Hmm, I thought I had a better reference, but this is all I can find at the moment. Originally posted by TeriAnn Wakeman (a long time TR3 owner and self-mechanic but not, I think, on this forum) to the Team.Net Triumphs mail list.

The biggest single cause of cooling problems I have found so far in a
TR3A is the available replacment grill.

They seem to use the same amount of metal in the replacment grill but do
not fold the 'V's as deeply. Result less area for air to flow through
and more edge interference with the flow.

The aftermarket grill has holes 7.2 cm by 1.3 cm for a 9.36 cm^2 opening

The factory grill has holes 7.7 cm by 1.6 cm for a 12.32 cm^2 opening,
providing 24% more area for air to flow to the radiator.

Does this make a difference? With the aftermarket TR3A grill, my car ran
at 185 degrees (measuerd with an infra red meter). It almost never got
cooler and often overheated on minor hills or even idling in traffic on a
hot day (Other details, coolent recovery bottle in place, proper
functional rad. cap, summer bellows thermostat, air deflectors in place,
13 row oil cooler, clean cooling system)

With the grill change and no other modifications the normal running
temperature dropped 40 degrees to 145 degrees. Charging a steep windy
road keeping the revs mostly in the mid 4000's on a hot summer day, the
temperature doesn't reach 185 degrees. With the old grill I would be at
the side of the road with the bonnet up, cooling down the engine well
within 15 minutes of starting.

TeriAnn Near Santa Cruz, California
Click to expand...

PS, here's the same info with photos, on TeriAnn's web site
https://www.tr3a.info/FAQ_grill.html
 
TuffTR250 said:
...is there a measurement for the correct spacing between the slats of the grille? I think mine has an original grille, but I'm not sure, so I'd like to measure it to verify it is correct...
Click to expand...

Bob - Here is mine when it had the repro grille (top) and later (below) after I installed an original grille. The difference in thickness of the slats is most noticeable around the crank hole and to the right of the sidelamp. In the latter case the size and shape of the hole changes quite a bit.

grilles_zpsbvyhtua7.jpg
 
Just my two cents, but I read about widening the grille gaps and went out and did it on my TR. Not a scientific test at all, but I never again saw the temp gauge move to its maximum, even when idling after a run. Mine was a replacement grille, not the original.

Tom
 
Geo, thanks for the pictures. That sure makes it clear how an original grille differs from an after market grille.
Regards,
Bob
 
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