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TR2/3/3A TR3A vent Linkage

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CJD

CJD

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Yep...stuck...again! Can anyone please explain how the vent installs. Mine had no spring when I got the car, and I suspect there may have been some other parts gone astray too...


Thanks,

John
 
I assume you mean the cowl vent. It has been years since I installed my, but I do not remember any spring. As I remember it is just lever action.

I do not think ashtrays were standard on sidescreen TRs.
 
a·stray (-str)
adv.
1. Away from the correct path or direction. See Synonyms at amiss.
2. Away from the right or good, as in thought or behavior; straying to or into wrong or evil ways.

This might help with the vent lid:
https://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh260/TR3driver/TR3%20Vent%20installation/

The last step is not shown, because I couldn't locate the original link pin. The original looks kind of like a steel rivet, but has a small snap ring to hold it in place. But I've been using just a 1/4" bolt & nyloc nut.
 
Installing the vent lid requires ultimate patience, small hands, ultra long fingers and the smallest spanner in the garage.

You have to instal it with the vent open - judging so it closes correctly when the dash knob is pushed in.

The spring is a clever u shaped wire affair that holds the vent up or down.

Repro vent seals may need a slice shaved off, or the lid won't close down flush with the scuttle.

Check that the water catch tray under the vent has a drain hose fitted.

The underdash ashtray was an accesssory, but sometime during TR3A production it became a standard fitment.

Viv.
 
TR3driver said:
a·stray (-str)
adv.
1. Away from the correct path or direction. See Synonyms at amiss.
2. Away from the right or good, as in thought or behavior; straying to or into wrong or evil ways.
Click to expand...

I see that now. I guess I will have to practice reading. :wall:
 
Aaah sooo!!

Very simple yet deceptively complicated! Thanks for all the great pics, links and info. And Rich...glad to hear the ashtray was optional too...as a non-smoker that's one less item I have to clean up!

Thanks all,

John
 
Hi John many of the little parts are available and I would like to add the little round piece with the small bolt that the pull wire goes through has to be able to roll a little/flex or the linkage will bind up. It is hard to work with also. Your best is to let the stuff float around some so you have some wiggle room in those tight quarters. The two front screws you might want to just get started then pull them in later. Again, be careful of the little rod holder link because too much paint will not let it flex. I did not paint that little part on mine.
steve
 
OK...thanks to you guys I found all the little parts, got them cleaned up and put back where they belong. Just one thing:

What's the trick on the back 2 screws?

I have a lot of tools I've collected over the years, but I don't have anything that will tighten those two screws. The problem is, they are tucked up under the vent so far you cannot put a screw driver on them straight - and the vent will not open more than about 30 degrees. I can get them almost tight, but not tight enough that the spring doesn't shove the vent backwards into the new scuttle paint.

Best I can tell, the design is just flawed. Am I missing something?

John
 
With the linkage disconnected, my vent lid will open almost straight up, enough to get an ordinary screwdriver onto the screws. I put them just snug first, then closed the lid to check alignment, then tightened them firmly; all before connecting the linkage or spring to the lid.
 
Thanks Randall,

So, it sounds like I may be missing a spacer between the hinge and the scuttle. I used 3 thin washers under the hinge at each screw, just to raise the vent enough to open at all. It is now sitting about 1/16" above the level of the scuttle in the closed position. I don't see how it could ever open vertically, unless I used about 3/8" of spacers under the hinge.

I wonder if my hinge is bent?

John
 
Well...I zoomed way in on your photobucket pics. Our hinges are definitely different. My hing is a flat, straight piece of metal. Yours has a distinct 90 degree bend in it, right next to the screws.

I'm going to have to study mine to see what's going on, and how it needs to be bent to solve the issue.

Thanks again Randall....!
 
Hi John I think the back hinge is flat and sits on top of the rubber gasket. I do it the way Randal suggested. Leave the other leakage undone for now and open the back hinge up and put those screws down through the hinge and rubber with the hinge flat and the vent vertical.
 
I see that now...but my hinge plate was smashed flat, so the vent will not open more than 30 degrees. That makes it impossible to get to the rear screws. and the vent was positioned rearward into the scuttle. So it would not open at all without scraping the scuttle. I spent a couple hours bending my hinge plate to match Randall's in the pics. Of course that screwed up the new paint. Now I have to repaint the vent...and touch up the scuttle...


...the story of my life!! The ten minute job turned into several days!! If I had noticed the messed up hinge plate last month it would have been an 11 minute job...


Oh well, that's the fun of this hobby, right???
 
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