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Triumph TR3 - TR3A Heater and Wiper Installation

Greetings all,

I'm examining for purchase a '61 TR3A (I'm just THAT close) and I've got two issues to run down:

1. There is no heater installed, and I would like to put one in. I'd welcome any and all advice about new vs. used, cost, pitfalls, etc.

2. The windshield wipers are also not installed. There is a separate, untested, wiper motor, but it lacks other hardware. Again, I'd welcome advice about how to get this set up properly.

It's easy enough to calculate the cost of Moss parts, but I'm ready to consider other strategies.

Thanks to all for this marvelous and valuable forum.

Happy motoring,

Bill Stagg
Bill Stagg

Bill - Become a member of TRA (Triumph Register of America) at :-

http://www.triumphregister.com

as well as VTR (Vintage Triumph Register) at:-

http://www.vtr.org

Join a local group. And put out want ads for the parts you need. The heater is less of a priority than the wipers. You can put in a used spare core. Check it with a garden hose at low pressure and see that water comes through (it's not blocked) and that it doesn't leak. Check the motor runs and the fan doesn't scrape against the housing.

Check the wiper motor works by jumpering it to a battery. Then buy the other parts. You don't want to drive a long distance with no wipers. But short trips from home on a nice day will be a blast.

There are a lot of TR owners with boxes, barrels, buckets and barns of used spare parts out there at reasonable prices.

You just have to ask and you shall find ! Ask here and at the clubs and on their web-sites too.

Thus endeth the first lesson on TR's.

Happy TRing.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Ok. It's November. It's cold. Let's talk heater.

Those of you with heaters installed, what can I expect from these units? My TR3A came sans heater, and I'm warming up to the idea of installing one to help take the edge off of cold, dry winter drives. What few references I've seen to their performance has been mostly disparaging, so what gives? Am I better off without one (saving money, time and leaks), or does the amount of heat generated and window demisting action warrant the investment? If the latter, what's the best advice on acquiring the heater core/fan unit?

Thanks for any hot leads...

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

Suppliers

Paul Oglesby, Madison KY (270) 825-2994

Albert Roth - Near Los Angeles e-mail:- albert@aroth.com

Bob Kamholtz - e-mail:- ECOD@vci.net

Buy a Hemmings and read the parts for sale just after "Triumph". Put in a Wanted Ad

Check the VTR site. Put in a Classified Want Ad

Ask around.

Try a heater from an American car that fits. Probably the quickest and cheapest.

Ittttt'sss beeeeen colllddd uupp heerrree toooo !

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

The heater will ward off the cold of a Scottish winter. If you have the tonneau fitted or top on it will be worth having. I wouldn't rely on it demisting much, but it does to an extent. I usually don't bother with it when I'm on the move as it seems to drain the battery a little and the warm air just gets blown away!.
From what I can remember you really want to fit the heater before the dash is in place, but I'm sure you could probably do it if you remove the cluster of smaller gauges and their associated pipes, etc.
Good luck.
Nick
Oh, yes. You want to fit the wipers before the heater. You woudl be as well to do them both at the same time.
n morgan

Bill-It is uncommon for a TR3 not have a heater even though they were optional. Maybe your car was delivered to a warm climate or had a heater fitted at one time. Even though the output is a little anemic, it definitely worth the effort to acquire one. I have comfortably driven in 15 deg.F (shirt-sleeve weather to Canadians), but that was many years ago. During hot weather they can be used as an auxilary radiator if overheating is a problem. Most manuals have a section on fitting the heater and list the needed parts. Besides, part of the fun is the scavenger hunt to find things. If you can find everything from one source, that would be too easy. The VTR ads are great resource. Let me now what you need, I have a coupe of minor parts. On another note, even with a working wiper motor, Rain-x is probably more effective.
Berry

My wiper motor is the original one that came with the car. It has 2 speeds. "SLOW" and "STOPPED". I made my own wiper blades by cutting down 2 new 16" ones with two "arches" - one near each end, cut it to 7.6" long and now I have 2 new teflon wiper blades that sit up proudly and wipe, not like the originals which drag and smear at all driving speeds and all rain conditions.

I switch over to the originals for concours shows, not to loose points.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Berry, Don and Nick,

Thanks for sharing words of warmth and encouragement. Sounds as though a heater could extend the number of driving days, or at least take off the chill. I'm off to the parts hunt for wiper and heater components to install during the upcoming holiday break. Two weeks ought to be enough to manage the under dash work. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A


Bill Stagg

This thread was discussed between 18/10/2002 and 19/11/2002

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