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TR2/3/3A TR3 Pre-Buy Tomorrow - what to look for

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Would be nice to see larger and clearer pictures. The engine has a TR4 valve cover on it. Not sure if that means the engine is a TR4 or if just the valve cover was changed.

Scott
 
If you are looking for originally, then that ship will have sailed.
But many, if not most TR3 engines that have been rebuilt, have had the big bore pistons and liners installed. Other than engine numbers, intake maniflod other than early TR4's, carbs other than SU's, double down pipe exhaust manifolds, heater piping, and valve cover, the engines are pretty much the same visually. I don't know what originality is worth these days. If you just want a daily driver, this is a nice upgrade, especially the full snycro transmission.
 
While I am interested in preserving the history and originality of the cars, I am more concerned about having something I can drive and show off. I only make it to about 2 shows a year the way it is.

While a TR4 drive train is better than. say. a Ford Pinto one, I was curious if it was a major hit on the value come resale time.
 
I don't think so, like they said previously, it's all in what you want. I know some people prefer this since it is a nice upgrade for a daily driver. Maybe a little better performance too. It all depends on your target audience when you decide to sell. There are plenty of extra engines around and transmissions that you can have rebuilt and put in later if that is what you are after. I have 2 TR3's and 4 engine blocks.
 
Frankly I think the TR4 engine does little to reduce the value. And if you really wanted to you could 'convert' it to a TR3 equivalent and very few people would be the wiser. Different valve cover, add a side draft tube and you are 90% there.
 
I think you may get a split of opinion on it if you asked enough people. Matching numbers was certainly important to me. So much so that I ordered and checked the BM heritage cert before finalizing my deal. personal taste i guess.
 
TR4nut said:
Frankly I think the TR4 engine does little to reduce the value. And if you really wanted to you could 'convert' it to a TR3 equivalent and very few people would be the wiser. Different valve cover, add a side draft tube and you are 90% there.
Click to expand...

I agree and if it's an early TR4 engine it will already have the sidedraft tube. I think for value it would be the visual items versus the actual serial number and size of the liners since you could always upgrade the original TR3 engine with larger liners.

Scott
 
My TR4, CT5589, had the same engine as the 3B's: road draft tube, SU,s on a log mainifold, big vent on the valve cover, and so on. The 66 4A engine i bought has SU's on the later intake manifold, split exhaust manifold, sealded block for smog/pvc valve, etc.
So, if you have an early 4 engine in the 3 with all items listed for my early 4 above, no one will be able to tell the difference with checking the block number.

The engine vs chassis numbers were, at best, only close to each other, never 'matching'.
If the car is nice, I would'nt worry about the switch.
 
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