Last Post

I like closure, so I am making one last post on this blog to complete the documentation on the TR3A project.

I have completed several projects over the last two years.  These include new brake master cylinder (old one would ingest some air after about 250 miles), new exhaust system, and added electric fan for better summer time cooling at idle.

I have bought a new project, and I promised my wife I would sell a car by May 2014.  I put an ad on Craigslist on 12/30 for the TR3A and sold it on 1/2/14.  It was picked up 1/4/14 and went to Dennis Wilson Motorsports, a classic car dealer.  Here's a picture of the car being picked up by Dennis's contract driver Keith:

So I am now back top three old British cars, my quota.

If you are interested, here's the link to the blog on the 1952 MGTD that has essentially taken the place of the TR3A:

http://52mgtd.blogspot.com/

So long TR3A, you were a fun car!

More on Oil Sligner

Here's a picture comparing the old vs the new oil slinger (new slinger arrived today):

The old one on the right is so "wallered out" that the original slot for the woodruff key is gone.  That slinger was not slinging much oil, probably spinning sometimes and not others.  The old timing chain tensioner had a fair amount of wear on it, and the chaim was stretched quite a bit, compared in both cases to their new replacement parts, indications of lack of lubrication.  But I am really puzzled then by the sequence of events here.  The engine appears very clean on the inside and has very good compression.  Was the engine rebuilt and then not driven hardly any miles after the rebuild?  And the rebuild included not installing the harmonic balancer correctly, ie leaving the oil slinger free to spin?  Sure wish I could find a relative to Calloway Carmichael, the last owner when it was running and who died in 2003, to ask them some questions!

Knocking Noise Identified

Car show is over so this week I started the dismantling to get to the timing chain.  Got the timing cover off this evening and found......a broken timing chain tensioner!  These two pictures show it, the tensioner is a leaf spring with a double thickness which applies a sideways force to the chain, the leaf away from the chain broke off and was making the noise.  That's why you see the two halves wide apart in these photos:

I had already bought a new tensioner and timing chain plus a few other parts.  Turns out the oil slinger was damaged somehow, see picture below, so I'm replacing it too:

I plan to do some more detailing in the front engine compartment, esp removing overspray from paint job, before re-assembly so it will be a couple of weeks before I get it all put back together.  But sure does feel good to find the root cause!

Looks Great - Wish I Could Drive It

Well, the good news is the car is finished cosmetically.  I put the snaps on the tonneau cover today and decided to take some more pictures in the front yard, check them out:

The issue that remains is a knocking noise from the engine.  I had hoped this was a lifter that would "heal itself" as the old oil worked it's way out of the engine from it's 32 years of sitting.  But it's actually gotten a little worse.  I posted a video of the engine running on the British Car Forum and asked for advice and got some good ideas.  I also used a stethoscope to help diagnose the source.  Bottom line is I am now convinced it's the timing chain tensioner.  And it appears it will require removal of the front clip (sheet metal between front fenders) and radiator to get to it.

I plan to do this job after the local British Car Show September 17th.  I also plan to trailer the car to the show and drive it minimally until the timing chain tensioner is replaced.

Then I'll be able to fully enjoy the car.

Interior almost done, putting miles on it now

The carpet kit is installed, looks pretty darn good.  Seats installed except upper portion of rear seat is not attached, need some input from the guy that made my interior on how to attach that.  Here's some interior shots:

I like the way the wheels turned out, I power washed them and then painted them with aluminum colored Rustoleum paint.  Much cheaper than new wheels.

Overall the car looks good and drives well.  Drove it tonite about 15 miles in 95 degree heat, didn't run hot until I let it idle at the end for a while, seems normal.  Did overflow just a little but I probably had too much coolant in it.  I also should replace the coolant again, the fluid that came out looked kinda brown.

Still having lots of noise from the lifters, after 50 miles since bringing it back to life I would have thought that might have gone away by now.  I plan to check valve clearances again, just to make sure something hasn't changed since the motor is running again now.

On the Road and Legal!

Got plates, insurance, and new tires this last week so I can now drive the car legally.  I painted the wire wheels with aluminum color rustoleum, don't look too bad and MUCH cheaper than new wheels.  The exterior is basically done (still need to get the passenger side door handle from MI and install it).  Interior needs couple more panels and carpet kit installed.  I've put over 20 miles on it now, lifters still noisy, still hoping that clears up.  Ticking noise from engine appears to be from water pump, some indication of leakage too, that's a used water pump that a friend in Huntingburg gave me.  Guess I need to buy a new one.  Took some pictures after my run this morning when in front yard, check them out:

Had a friend from Belgium come over this morning, another car guy who has owned a TR3 in the past.  He was my first passenger, plus he's the first person I've let drive the car (besides me, of course).  Engine runs strong.

Oh, also had an issue with poor tracking of the front end, turns out the front wheels were toed out about 1/2 inch!  Belgium friend helped me adjust toe in, tracks much better now.

Dashboard is Done

The wrinkle paint turned out real well, neat to see the paint change texture when you apply a hair dryer to it.  The middle portion of the dash, where are the gauges reside, is the wrinkle paint.  Was a pain removing all the gauges and switches to paint it, but I'm glad I did it right.  Got the glove box and it's door installed. 

Next stage will be installing capping around upper edge of cockpit, then get serious about the interior.