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Triumph TR3 - Radiator Fit and Crank Hole

Greetings all,

It's time to put the radiator back in. Two issues arise.

First, when I add the 5/6" rubber washers under the lower radiator mounting flanges, the hole for the handcrank in the radiator is higher than the crank bolt on the crankshaft, making it impossible for the handcrank to be used. There were no washers in position when I removed the radiator.

Second, I'm installing a 12" Hayden electric fan on the front of the radiator, and it appears to be 2" too large, covering the crank hole in the radiator when positioned properly. A 10" fan would probably leave the hole clear.

My question is this: What do I lose if I give up use of the handcrank? If I do so, I'll install the 12" fan and the rubber washers and be done with it. If not, I'll need to lower the radiator using smaller washers (if any) and exchange the 12" fan for a 10" one.

Timely advice from experienced hands would be appreciated at this time as the weather is darn near perfect to get this puppy on the road.

Many thanks to all for your continuing help.

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

Hey Bill, Looks like your getting with it. As far as the crank hole is concerned I wouldn’t worry about it. About the only time that you would need the crank hole is if you were turning the engine to time it. I have a 12” fan on mine and would think that it would be preferable to a 10” fan. So the bottom line from me would be 12” better cooling.

P.S. May 17th is Paul’s open house, give me a yell.

Russ
58 TR3A
Russ Austin

Hi, Bill. You have 5/6" as your washer thickness.
I assume you mean 5/16". Both the washers which I took off, and the new ones from The Roadster Factory are no where near that thickness - 1/8" is more like it. You might want to re-check your parts and make sure they are correct? I'm not sure what was supplied from the factory originally, I took for granted what TRF sent me was proper.
Search clubs/events hold "cranking" competitions, so w/o use of yours, you couldn't compete if that's important to you. You could no longer crank your engine should you have a battery problem while on the road, although you could still pop start it.
I eliminated the hole in my rad. when I re-cored in favor of more effecint cooling. Somewhere I saw pics of someone's elec. fan installed, but I don't recall where that was. That's what happens w/ age I guess.
Hope I was of some help.
Mike '56 TR3
Mike Gambordella

Bill - Is it possible your front engine mounts have sagged ? If not, put in as thin a washer (or none) for it to line up.

It's possible the shop who re-cored your rad put the hole too low.

I have a 12" Kenlowe fan from UK and it fits above the crank hole and I have no problem. Try to mount your fan higher. I use my crank as you know for demos, for setting my valve gaps and when the starter packs up.

If your fan has space between the blades, can you poke the blade over a bit with a long stick etc. and still get the crank through ?

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

This thread was discussed on 04/04/2003

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