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TR2/3/3A What's the deal on the fuel stop tap on the TR3?

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jdubois

jdubois

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When I went to shut the fuel line off with the tap so I could disconnect the pump, like the WSM tells me to, I noticed my car doesn't have one. I went to the parts book, and it's a bit confusing. It indicates the tap is included through all commission numbers, but the version of the hose needed to hook the tap up to the pump is no longer used after Comm. No. 15497. This, of course, doesn't make any sense. I <span style="font-style: italic">think</span> it's telling me that from 15497 they stopped using the tap. But that's not exactly what the parts book says.

tap.jpg
 
I bought my 1958 TR3A brand new in May 1958 (TS 27489 LO) and it came with a "petrol stop-cock" and it's still there.
 

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I believe what the parts book is telling you is that the type of fuel line used to connect the tap to the fuel pump changed at comm. #15497. According to the Moss catalog, early cars had a single hose assembly from tap to the pump. At comm # 15497 a short hose from the tap connect to a short solid fuel line from the pump. The fuel tap was discontinued sometime later in production, probably around comm # 60000. Many fuel taps have been removed by owners, probably because the cork seal deteriorated and it began to leak. If you compare your car to Don's photo you can see the fuel tap mounting bracket that is welded to the frame rail. Even if it was cut off by a PO, you can probably see traces of it.
 
The listing in the SPC reflects a change in the line from the tap to the pump. Early cars had a flexible line with braided cover and crimped fittings to mate with the pump & tap; while later ones were as Don shows, with a section of plain 'rubber' line and two short sections of plain hard line.

What the SPC doesn't show is that the tap was deleted entirely even later. I'm not sure of the exact change point, but I'd guess it was TS60000. The mounting tab on the frame was deleted too.

It's definitely a nice thing to have, but you can get by with just pinching the soft line closed. A pair of Vise Grips will do, or there are purpose-made tools that are kinder to the line. Some folks source a ball valve to insert permanently.
 
Ok, thanks guys. My car is after TS60000, so that's likely why I have no tap (nor any trace of the bracket for it).
 
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