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Triumph TR3 - Colling

A quick question about my TR3A ('58)...

My temperature guage is broken on my TR3A, and have no idea to check and see if I'm overheating the engine... After driving the vehicle for 5 minutes (@ 65F outside temp) the temperature I'm measuring on the Upper Cooling Housing (Thermostat) using temperature tape is 190F... This seems too hot??? After driving longer (30 minutes + the hood is very HOT to the touch) Any ideas on how to make sure I'm not overheating the engine...

1. Thermostat - Should I replace this
2. Radiator - There doesn't seem to be a blockage (fluid is building pressure, and radiator is same temperature from top to bottom) Previous owner had flushed radiator 1 year ago...
3. Radiator Ducting is installed

Thanks -
Bob

Hi Bob

Do you have the correct type thermostat? They have a ring that blocks off the bypass. You'd know if it was the right type, doesn't look normal. It has accordian pleats and a ring around it. If the wrong or no thermostat is present, the coolat goes through the bypass instead of the engine.

Are you boiling away lots of coolant? If not, I wouldn't worry too much, but get it checked if it runs bad. When mine gets hot (sitting in traffic jams, parades) it goes to 200 or more on the gauge and runs like crap. A few blocks at even 30 or so mph cools it down again. The fans don't do much.

Can you drain the block with the petcock? If you open this and nothing comes out, the block has lots of gunk between the cyls and block. A disassembly would be a good idea. This was the case on one motor I rebuilt.

Why do you think the previous owner had the rad. flushed? He had cooling problems, too.

Hope I helped a little.
Tom

I just went through a long process of getting my '60 TR3 to stay somewhat cool. My temp gauge did not work and it is very expensive to get these rebuilt. You can buy a manual temperature gauge from any auto parts store for about $15.00 (really!) that will work fine with the TR3 thermostat housing.
I ended up replacing all hoses, thermostat, water pump, fan belt (this is the cause of many,many cases of overheating on TR's and MGB's, by the way), and, finally the radiator itself. My problem turned out to be a very fine leak in the lower tank of the radiator that only leaked under pressure when hot. While I had the nose off (necessary to replace the radiator) I installed a 10" electric cooling fan on the upper front side of the radiator. I had to reverse the blades and wire it backwards because of the positive ground electrics, but it does work well and really helps keep it cool.
I also have seen a TR3 with a smaller radiator located in front of the regular radiator with the inlet and outlet connected to the heater outlet pipes located on the rear of the cylinder head (the heater doesn't really do anything, anyway). This also helps, according to the owner.
But, go buy a temp gauge and install it so you don't have to guess about the temperature. You might be rebuilding the engine or buying a new one if it gets too hot.

Mike
Mike

This thread was discussed between 06/09/2000 and 16/09/2000

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