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[68bostang]

My son and I recently purchased a 1959 TR3. The body is solid and 6 years ago was ready for paint. The engine was rebuilt and the frame was painted 6 years ago. All of the parts that came with the car are in boxes. Some are new while others have been freshened up. We probably have 90% of the parts. This is our first British car. We have alot of experiece with older Mustangs but are rookies when it comes to the TR3. Our plan is to put the car together to see what doesn't work or is missing. We will then take it back apart and have the car painted. So far we have the engine and transmission mounted but are having a difficult time with the distributor side of the engine. The manuals and parts catalogs we have really don't show how the tach, engine temp cable, coolant lines, oil pressure line, vaccum lines or wire harness are routed. We also have no idea how the heater core is mounted. Any tips or pictures would be appreciated.

[Gils TR]

Dean
Welcome to the TR3 bug.

When we restored my car it was the first time either of us had done
anything like this.  Sounds like you are ahead of us with your Mustang
experience.
Something that was a huge help to us during restoration was the book
"original Triumph  TR 2/3/3A" By Bill Piggott.  I would imagine this
is available from Roadster or Moss.  Very good print and quality photos
that were very helpful.
I understand you can download from the web very good info from the TRA
web site.

And...lots of very good help available here of this forum...as well as
the British Car Forum.  Tap into those who have gone before you!

Good luck,
Gil
Ukiah, Ca.
1960 TR3A

[charley fitch]

In addition to the items that Gil listed I also use the TRIUMPH TR3 SPARE PARTS CATALOGUE.  This gives a very good exploded diagrams of all of the major components of the car.  If you want to forgo the expense of that item you can use a copy of the Moss TR3 catalogue.  This one is free and also gives very good exploded diagrams.  In addition the TRIUMPH TR3 WORKSHOP MANUAL gives good information on specifications and pictures.  These are likely both available from The Roadster Factory and Moss Motors.  But the bottom line for much of the alignment of items on the side of the engine, I had to look at numerous cars at car shows.  Then I had to go back and determine which ones were correct and which ones were wrong.  I would be happy to help you more with this alignment if the sources mentioned here do not adequately cover it for you.  And I am suspect that they will not cover all of the bases.
As to the heater mounting.  There are mounting pieces that are used and these are not shown in the Moss catalogue.  One piece bolts to the top of the heater and then to the firewall at the top of the battery box.  Then the heater sits on two dash support bars that run from the dash to the bottom of the battery box. You can  contact me if you want me to try to get some pictures for you.  My son has the car now so I will need for him to get them.
Charley Fitch  

[Lou Metelko]

Highly recommend that you download a copy of Triumph Register of America's (TRA) Concours and Restoration Guidelines.  Go to their web site  www.triumphregister.com   click on the  News & Events   scroll down to the bottom of the page.  The "Original TR2/3/3A" by Bill Piggott has been out of print for a few years and copies on Ebay are going for really silly money, so forget that.

What ever you do don't assume that all cars had the flat black painted under hood!!!!

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
54 TR2LD

[god92b]

The Haynes Workshop manual for TR2,3,3a,4,and 4a available at The Roadster Factory and Moss, I believe. It is great for exploded parts diagrams, repair procedures etc.
I have just sorted out my dash panel and have rebuilt a heaterso it is ready to mount in my 59 TR3A.Feel free to contact me with specific questions if you need help!! 
Gordon Dedrick
Ded32746@aol.com or 704-947-0363
Cheers and good luck!

[68bostang]

Thanks to everyone that responded to my post. I already have the workshop manual and a haynes manual. Both are very helpful but at times lacks some of the critical detail. I also have a few catalogs with the exploded views that have been great. One book that I was considering was 'How to Restore Triumph TR2/3/3A by Roger Williams. It is on Amazon for $33. Has anyone ever used this book? I wish the weather here in Ohio allowed for some fall car shows, unfortunitaly it is too late in the year for them. Every year in late June Mid Ohio Race Course in Mansfield Ohio has Vintage Races going on. On Sunday they have a car show that features alot of British Cars. It is a great weekend for any car enthusist.  Thanks Again for your suggestions. I am sure you will seeing more post from me thru out the winter.  I do have a question concering my vehicle number it is TS40122 L. I have been told it is a 1959 but some books show it as a 1958.
Dean
Ohio
59 TR3

[Gils TR]

Dean
The "Original Triumph" book shows that your car
was manufactured in December or January of 1958.
So...I am sure it was sold as a 1959.
Some day you might like to get a build certificate.
Pretty easy to do on line...takes a few weeks to
deliver.  These used to be available @ TRA also.
The build certificate will tell you when and where
the car was made...where it shipped from and to...
what color the exterior and interior were...and
all the options it came with.  Interesting info.
The "How to restore a TR3" book is useful...although
we found the "Original Triumph" very helpful too.
Gil

[god92b]

Dean
I would definitely recommend the Roger Williams book. It has great detail and lots of good tips for a "ground up" restoration. It also shows some amazing metal work.
As far as the dist side of your engine compartment goes look in the moss catalog at the grommets page. In my catalog it's on page 69. You can trace what wire goes where from the list below the diagram. 
Gordon

[Lou Metelko]

Dean:
You did not say what part of Ohio but there are several Triumph clubs in Ohio.  Go to www.triumphregister.com and click on Local Centers.  Also while at that web site go to the News & Events page.  Scroll to the bottom of that page and print out the restoration guide at "Download the TR2/3 TRA Judging..."

Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana

[6TTR3A]

Will these photos be of any help?
FRank

[6TTR3A]

Or maybe these?