next »

[Brooklands]

This is the block that is in my TR3B. Can anyone give me info as to which model it would have come from and the approximate year? I would like to make it look like it belongs in my 3B which should have had engine TCF141E, but it was gone before I acquired the car. My engine runs strong, but I would like to be able to show it looking mainly authentic. Could I move the manifold and carbs from a late 3A engine? If so, what else might I need to correct.

[Bob Muzio]

Dave, at a quick glance I'd say in addition to the correct carbs you'll also need a different intake manifold if you want to look original. You have a long neck intake manifold which would be great if you were going with SU HS6s as they have a short neck to the manifold. The correct SUs have a longer neck. I believe the oil cap on the TR3 is at the front of the valve cover not the rear and I wonder about the oil breather system shown here. I'll try to look up the engine number for you and any info that can help you when I get home tonight.
Bob Muzio

[spamiam]

Dave,

It looks as if they dropped in the entire TR4 engine into your car, complete with the correct carbs, manifold and valve cover.

Unless originality is at a premium, then you could keep it the way it is!

In my opinion, HS6 carbs are easier to maintain than the Strombergs you have, but if they are working well, then these are good too!

-Tony

[Brooklands]

Tony,
Thanks, I think that the current plan is to keep the newer engine as long as it is running as well as it has been. I did have an offer of a 3B motor that has been stored for years, but for now I will stay with what I have. I don't want to have the car off of the road for long, at least not until late fall when it gets too cold here in PA.

[kleykamp]

Dave, Just ran across you question re: changing to original carbs. I'm into the same situation, having a TR3A with a late TR4 engine. So far the biggest obstacle appears to be the crankcase breather. TR3 uses open system with breather pipe below the fuel pump. The opening has a plug in it on the TR4 and requires the closed breather system like you have now. Changing it requires removing the plug...difficult if not impossible, with the engine in the car..and then replacing with the draft tube. I've just about decided to go with the TR4 closed breather set up vs. all the work to get the plug out. Maybe if I ever have to pull the engine, I'll try again. You may have already uncovered all this info.

[charley fitch]

Just for the record.  The TR3B TCF series did originally come with a TR4 engine and therefore the valve cover breather cap is at the rear of the valve cover not the front as on a TR3 engine.  As you know the valve cover did not have  a breather tube but rather it had a brass bolt in the center top of the cover.  And of course the breather cap was just that  and not a sealed cap.
Charley

[metalbender]

like this 64