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TR2/3/3A TR3A Finally started

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R

RonR

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Well, after sitting in my garage for nearly 3 years and the previous owner’s garage for 2 years, I finally started the TR3 today. I just finished rebuilding the brakes and brake hydraulic system; the clutch hydraulic system; pinion seal; the starter; the generator; replacing all the cooling and heater system hoses; replacing points, condenser, plugs, spark plug wires, and distributer cap; and a few other things.

After clearing the fuel system of bad gas, it started right up. The oil pressure was 50 psi. The bad news is that there appears to be a very loud knock emitting from the engine. It may be in the upper engine which might suggest worn gudgeon pin bushings. Regardless, the trip to VTR convention in Colorado is most likely off. My inclination is, once the weather cools off, to pull the head and pan, replace the rod bearings, rings, gudgeon pin bushings, have a valve job done, and replace the timing chain.

Thanks to everyone who provided responses to all my questions during the past few weeks. I am sure there will be more to come.
Ron
 
Or something fallen down the intake laying on top of a piston.....
 
A whole lot cheaper and faster than a full teardown.
I've had specific cars in the shop, I instructed my mechanics to tear it down a certain way and look for one particular issue.
If he pulls the head first, and finds a washer in there, that might be all he needs. Never know.
 
I had promised my wife, that we would go to Breckenridge ten years ago, the last time VTR was there. Rod bearing went out just weeks before. So, we towed it there and back. It ran enough with number three plug out to barely make it up the hill for the panoramic photo, but we were there and had a great time.
 
Gee, Ron, you've got a whole two weeks. That should be plenty of time to change a piston.

The engine that produced this
BrokenTR3piston.jpg


was back on the road in two days.
 
Folks,
As an update, the rod bearings and the rest of the engine were fine. The noise was generated by a flywheel ring gear bolt hitting an indentation in the sheet metal flywheel cover. Sadly, this was not discovered until the oil pan and piston rod end caps were removed to inspect the bearings.

The car was driven for the first time today and has a new noise when the clutch is depressed. It does not sound like a throw-out bearing as the sound is more repetitive than constant. Further investigation is needed before I decide to remove the interior of the car and the transmission.

Ron
 
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