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Triumph TR3 - Back up lights and the hose to no where?

My 1959 TR3A has back-up lights installed inboard of the directional signal lights. The light fixture installs through a round hole with a small hole at the top to indicate which way is up. The fixture has a threaded stud sticking out the back and is held in with a u-shaped retaining plate. I do not see this light fixture mentioned in either the Bently or ball repair manuals nor the TR2-4A Moss parts catalog. I assume it was dealer installed? The lenses are clear glass and identical in shape to the turn signal lenses. The lenses are held on with a chrome ring which is screwed into the fixture. The lenses do not seem to fit between the screws properly. I am wondering if they are correct and if not where do I obtain the correct lens or fixture? I also have a 5/8 O.D., 3/8 I.D. rubber hose coming from what appears to be the top of the heater core and open ends above the passenger side near the glove box. I wont be able to see exactly where the hose goes until I pull the dash for recovering this winter. The heater is operational and connected according to spec. Any Ideas as to what this hose is for and where it is suppose to go? I'm thinking someone may have put it there to dampen vibration noises or is there a pressure relief on the heater core that I'm not aware of?
Thanks in advance for any advice
HDW Ward

I think your back up lights have been installed (botched ?) by some PO (previous owner). Look at your front sirectional signals mounted in yout TR3A front grille. They are probably like the front ones. Maybe dimensions and/or new parts from the front can be used to correct the problem with the back ones.

As for the hose, there is a hose that drains the water that might collect in the front flip-up air vent panel. Even if it's closed and it rains hard, water will collect there and drain out the bottom via this hose which passes very close to the top of the heater core then down and out a small grommet hole near where the choke cable goes through the firewall under the "glove box" on the right hand side.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, TS27489 LO, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Thanks Don that hose has been bothering me for a couple years now. I guess I'll be doing some body work this winter to get the backup lights back to original spec. For now I think I'll just drive the car the way it is.

HDW Ward

That's what the car was made for . . . to have fun. Sounds like a winter project.

I don't think you can officially re-do the back-up lights as there was no original spec. I saw a red TR3A in 1987 in Ontario where the owner had welded on two more "bosses" like for the rear directional signals and had mounted back up lights on the rear valance between the existing ones and the license plate.

From 1959 to 1963, when I was rallying "TRusty" extensively, I had a 5" Lucas "flamethrower" mounted facing rearward on a bracket attached to the top bolt holding the rear bumperette on the drivers side rear. Boy, could I ever see when I turned it on ! ! ! !

It was also helpful when someone behind me was driving with his high beams on and I'd manually flip on the switch for my back-up light. Boy, did he ever get the message quickly ! ! !

Don Elliott 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

This thread was discussed between 25/09/2003 and 26/09/2003

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