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[Brooklands]

My TR3B had an engine swap before I purchased it.  I do not know the circumstances, so maybe it was a good thing, and maybe not, but the replacement motor was a later one, CT39539E, and it has incorrect Zeniths among other things. This is the way the current engine appears: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9512205@N06/694540064/
I have an opportunity to acquire a 3A motor to swap out the carbs. What else would I need to change to make the motor visually a 3B without losing a strong running engine that is already in the car?

[Brooklands]

Does anyone have a source for a photo or photos of an original TCF series engine for a TR3B? All help is appreciated by this mechanical doofus.

[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. I have a TR4 and saw your post on the TR4 area also.
Bob Muzio

[Brooklands]

Bob,
Thanks. I know that it was basically a TR4 engine and transmission going into a TR3 body that made the TR3B. But I know that my later engine is not authentic for even the early 1962 TR4 which should match the 3B as I understand it...
But then what do I know.

[Bob Muzio]

Dave, it looks like a late TR4 engine based on the Strombergs, intake manifold, and crankcase breather. The TR3s and earliy TR4s didn't have the breather system. Check the exhaust manifold, is it a four into one or a four into two design? If it's the latter then you have a TR4A engine (or at least the exhaust/intake componemts of that engine).
Bill Piggott's book, Original TR2/3/3A, which also includes 3B info has excellent pictures and descriptions of the 3s and hih TR4/4A/5//6 for that series.
Hope this helps,
Bob

[charley fitch]

The TR3B covers two different and yet mostly similar engines.  The cars with the serial numbers starting with TSF had a TR3 engine.   This had the oil breather cap in the front.  The cars with the TCF had the TR4 engine and the oil breather cap was in the rear.  There was also a brass bolt in the center of the  TR4/TCF rocker shaft cover.  Internally of course the TR3 had 83 mm pistons while the TR4 had 86 mm pistons.  As this is internal you likely care less.  I have what is likely a stock TR3B with the TCF serial number.  Don't know how much more help I can be.

Charley Fitch

[Brooklands]

Bill Piggott's book, Original TR2/3/3A, which also includes 3B info has excellent pictures and descriptions of the 3s and hih TR4/4A/5//6 for that series.
Hope this helps,
Bob

Bob,
It sure did help. I did not know about this book, and looked at ABE books and Amazon, and found the copies all at $150 to $250 or more with shipping. Then I picked one up on eBay for $35 shipped in excellent condition. Thanks for the aid in learning more.