Dear Douglas-
I hope I can help. Your overheating problem has been the subject of many
articles and "research" by many before you. The most informative and useful
information I have come across is from Bob Schaller. He wrote a booklet for
TRF in 1987 that is a must buy if you don't have one already, entitled "More
BS about TR's".
Bob suggests that you block the bypass in the water pump with a 3/8 NPT plug.
This allows all of the coolant to go through the radiator. Also, as you
know, the fan is ineffective. He offers a solution to recore the radiator
and fit an electric fan. The new radiator offers 37% more cooling capacity
and increased flow rate. More details are available in the text, but he
describes the unit as Modine No. 12031 5PL, better known as the "L core."
This upgrade has certainly helped my car.
Your car is a TR3B, which is better known for overheating than any other
sidescreen TR. Perhaps this will start a flame, but I am prepared to defend
as I own TCF451L, also a TR3B.
On your fuel problem, if your car has not run in some time, I have always
been advised to remove the tank and take it to a radiator shop for cleaning
and any repair. This will certainly save time from rebuilding your fuel
system from the tank ( fuel pump, lines and carbs) only to find sludge in the
tank.
Finally, to quote Bob Schaller without noting something about him seems
remiss. Bob was a longtime Triumph fan who gave much back to his hobby. He
was an engineer by training and retired in Phoenix, Arizona. This year's TRF
Summer Party was in his honor, but he passed before it was held. Bob had
planned on driving his TR3A from Phoenix to Armagh, PA for the Summer Party.
He had planned stops along the way to stay with his fan club, including me!
I hope his research is as helpful to you as it has been to so many others.
Best wishes on your new purchase. Keep us posted on the progress.
Steve Thornton
Bowling Green, KY
1962 TR3B
1971 TR6
1969 Jaguar E-Type
1963 Jaguar MkII RHD
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