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Triumph TR3 - controlbox / fuse box

Hello you all,

I'm looking for a correct picture of a controlbox and a fusebox for a tr3 smallmouth 1957 (one of the last tr3) I do have the tr3a controlbox but I need the screw type and the original fusebox...does anyone has these parts for me...Thanks..Regards Remo Frederiks, The Netherlands...
R Frederiks

I would suggest you go to the Moss Motors website. They have great pictures. The fusebox is a simple 2 fuse thing with a couple of holes for extra fuses. They are available many places new I think, or used if you want to just clean one up. I have quite a few screw type control boxes in unknown condition, but you'd probably be better off to try ebay or a European vendor like Rimmer Brothers. There's hopefully a new one in a location near you. Shipping could be a bit pricey from the US. These items were used on lots of British cars from that era, looking around junkyards may turn up something. If you do get a used control box, you can clean up the points and adjust for proper charging and cutout. That may be all they need to work fine, meaning they'll almost keep a full charge in your battery.

Alternator conversions are popular, and eliminate the need for the control box, along with allowing you to use halogen headlights and a powerful sound system. And probably keep the battery charged full enough to start the car on a really cold morning. I am stubborn and want to keep everything original if I can, as I suspect you are, since you want screw terminals instead of spades. I hope this helped you, ask more ?'s if not.
Tom

R Fredricks: Try this link for an original factory manual drawing.

http://www.rucompatible.com/triumph/

On the left side of the page is a menu. Click on "Spare Parts Catalog" - there is a table of contents (all links) Click on electrical equipment. Scroll down to Plate AE - drawing of control box, fuse box, etc. Scroll to next pg, (77) and you'll find the part numbers. The Roadster Factory here in the states still uses these numbers (unless they've been changed).

http://www.the-roadster-factory.com/pages/2sales.php

They can help you, however shipping overseas may be cost prohibitive. Moss in the UK probably has them as well. Like Tom said, watch ebay - they show up quite often. Watch for a factory manual too if you don't have one - they're incomparable.

Best of luck -
Mike
Mike Gambordella

Tom and Mike,

Thanks for your help....

Regards
Remo Frederiks
The Netherlands
R Frederiks

Cheers, Remo. I actually got one on ebay for like $20. Didn't know it was new as I was bidding, but when it arrived, I was shocked to find a perfect new one. And of all the strange things, I have been using it on my TR4 driver for over a year now. I never even checked the voltages, and it's doing well. Last summer, I looked at it, and the adapter thingies I made to adapt (of all things) the spades to screws. I didn't want to cut the spades off, so I went the other way from yours. I don't want to remove it now, as I've gone thru 2 boxes from corrosion, and this one's lasting fine. I made a little roof for it to keep rainwater off out of a plastic milk bottle.

The first one that failed was a German clone (if only), wasn't adjustable at all, generally throwaway. The next failure was a used Lucas one I had laying around, must have had the cutout stuck somehow, because it made the wires smell like burning plastic, so off it came right away. Then I put on a decent one, looked a bit dicey inside, but a bit corroded. Wasn't in more than a month, and it looked like a crystal factory inside, the 4 has a much worse mounting area than the 3. My TR4 stays outside all the time, and water ran through it. Not good. When I got the "present" one, I decided it was worth keeping dry.

As an aside, I have never had trouble with a regulator (how un-British, it does more than just regulate), on a TR3. The first TR I acquired has its original, with old electrical tape around the seam of the cover. Seemed like a good idea then, I suppose. And it might be a good idea today, as I've never removed the tape in 30 years. I did smack it a little last year though. And the light went right off.

Happy New Year again from the chattiest TR3 owner alive at this moment.
Tom

Hi all
Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tom, you should win a prize for keeping the TR lines alive over the festive season. You be the man!
I do however have to one up you on the regulator deal.
About 4 years ago I took the generator off the 2 into my local rebuild shop to see if they could fix. They could and did, so of course I asked if they had any Lucas bits. The guy went in the back and came out with a Lucas box stating that was all he could find. Opened it up and yes a brand new lucas screw type regulator. Price..... $10.00 Canadian (about 7.00 US at that time. Yes its on the car.
Sorry Remo, just what you needed to hear. But they're
out there. You just have to keep turning over rocks.
Brian
B. Towne

LOL, sometimes all you have to do is ask! Must be fate.
Tom

Hi Tom, Brain and other tr fans,

I just bought a new control box (screw type)and replaced the top from the non screw type box.
So from the outside it look like a original one.
I keep on looking on the Ebay page for an old one...so if you see one don't bid......
The old fuse box is harder to get I think.. haven't seen it on Ebay yet..Brain could you send me a picture from the inside of your ingine compartment please I like to see how you connected the brake pipes to the bulkhead....I'll sent you a picture from the car at this moment... Tom if you like I'll can sent you a picture of the car as well but I'll need you e-mail adress...Happy new year to you all!!!

Cheers (T)remo
R Frederiks

Remo, the pipes are connected with some d shaped clips. The fuseboxes are available new, I think.

Neither of my TR3's have a cover on the fusebox. Did they come with a cover originally?
Tom

Hi Tom,

I just bought a new fuse box (looks the same).
I don't think the had a cover originaly. Do you have a tr3 or a tr3a? I do know how the pipes are connected now but I'm looking for the way they are on the bulkhead.I have noticed that with a lot of pictures they are all different.
Where about are you comming from are there a lot of tr parts to get? I'm still looking for a adjustable steering wheel... So if anyone out there has a wheel just let me know..

Thanks Remo
R Frederiks

I live in the US. A good steering wheel went through ebay not long ago. I think it brought $200. I'm not sure if it was adjustable or not. One of my 3's has an adjustable, not that I ever adjust it. If you have your control head for the adjustable, I'd be interested in the length of the tube on it. I got a new one from TRF, don't know for sure if it's correct.

The brake tube that runs across the bulkhead only has one of those "d" clips right in the middle on the car in my close garage. I'd bet it's original. The line is kinda tucked in close to the lip across the top there. The pipe runs above the hole, not below. Maybe another down under the carbs, didn't look. This is on a left hand steering model.
Tom

REMO - IF YOU WANT AN ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HAVE ONE, . . . . THEN FORGET IT. YOU WILL SPEND A LOT OF MONEY AND WHEN YOU PUT IT IN YOU WILL FIND THAT THE ADJUSABILITY WILL LET YOU PULL IT ONLY A FEW cms ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

If you are a large person looking for more space between you and the wheel, . . . forget it. The wheel will only pull out leaving you even tighter in the seat.

Ask others about this before making your decision.

Don Elliott, Original Owner, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Hi Tom, Don,

I couldn't response earlier because of a computer breakdown.... The measurement of the tube (If you mean the small pipe) is 5.3 cm....It should be shorter than the control for the non adjustable wheel.
Don my car was sold to the States in 1957 with an adjustable wheel, that's the only reason I want an adjustable steering wheel....

Regards,

Remo
R Frederiks

Thanks Remo, that's what TRF told me, that the adjustable tube was shorter. That just didn't make sense to me. If it slides, it needs more length in my mind. I'll have to just get it done one of these days. I may have the wrong stator tube, that will be a fun one to find or fabricate.
Tom

Hey Remo!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34200&item=4524550044&rd=1

(Adjustable wheel)
Tom

Thanks Tom....
Remo Frederiks

This thread was discussed between 22/12/2004 and 02/02/2005

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