Triumph TR3 User manual

INSTRUCTION BOOK
Part No. 501528
TRIUMPH
SPORTS CAR
TR3
SIXTH EDITION
Third Printing
Issued by
STANDARD-TRIUMPH SALES LIMITED
COVENTRY, ENGLAND

Fig. 1. 'THE TRIUMPH TR3 SPORTS CAR

FOREWORD
Triumph vehicles are so designed that a minimum of attention is required
to keep them in satisfactory running order. There are, however, certain
maintenance operations which must be undertaken regularly. The object of
this instruction book is to assist the owner to understand the various operations
required, and so ensure that the vehicle receives regular and correct attention.
If in doubt about the vehicle's performance the owner should at once consult
a Triumph dealer, preferably the one from whom the car was purchased.
Triumph dealers are very carefully selected and are suitably equipped to give
satisfactory and expert after-sales service .
There is a Training organisation at the factory at which our dealers' representa-
tives acquire a first hand knowledge of up-to-date service procedure. Valuable
information is given regarding special technique and equipment which ensures
that all maintenance operations are carried out economically.
THE STANDARD-TRIUMPH REVIEW
The
Standard-Triumph Review is
a journal published monthly which gives
authentic information regarding the activities and products of The Standard
& Triumph Motor Co. Ltd. It is obtainable from most Triumph dealers.
Please write to the Publicity Department for a free specimen copy.
The Company reserves the right, on the sale of any vehicle, to make before
delivery, without notice, alterations to or departures from the specification,
design or equipment, detailed, described or illustrated in this or other
Company publications.

IMPORTANT—In
all communications relating to Service or Spares please
quote the Commission Number (Chassis Number).
LOCATION OF COMMISSION AND UNIT NUMBERS
Commission
Number—On Scuttle Panel. (May be seen by lifting the
bonnet.)
Engine
Number—On L.H. side of Cylinder Block.
Gearbox
Number—On L.H. side of housing.
Rear Axle
Number—On upper face of Hypoid Housing Flange.
SPARE PARTS SERVICE
To ensure the best possible service on replacement parts it is important to
note the following points :
(a)
Spare parts are not supplied direct to the general public. All supplies
are directed through Distributors who, in turn, will supply their
Dealers.
The name and address of the Distributors and Dealers
may be obtained from the Service and Spares Directory included
with each motor vehicle.
(b) It is recommended that only "
Stanparts " ( i.e. , genuine Standard/
Triumph spare parts) are used, only these carry a guarantee.
Experience gained by the manufacturers ensures that only highest
quality
material is used and the strictest accuracy maintained in
manufacture.
(c)
If in doubt about a particular part required, it is always advisable to
give the vehicle commission number and engine number, in addition
to the fullest description possible.
Owners of this model who wish to be kept informed of modifications and
competition tuning hints should register as a member of the Triumph Sports
Owners' Association ; details are given in the booklet enclosed with this
literature, or apply to the Publicity Dept., Standard-Triumph Sales Limited,
Coventry, England, for a copy of the book, together with enrolment form.
4

LIST OF SECTIONS
Foreword
3
General Specification
6
Instruments, Switches and Controls 8
Driving the Car
11
Starting—Gear Changing—Desirable Speed Limits—New Engines
General Upkeep 13
Regular Inspection — Cooling System — Lubrication — Engine
—Gearbox—Rear Axle—Brake and Clutch Operation—Road
Wheel Hubs—Front Suspension and Steering—Rear Road Springs
—Hydraulic Dampers—Propeller Shaft—Hinges, Controls,
Door Locks, etc.—Tyres—Front Wheel Alignment—The Jack
—Wheel Attachment
Tools 26
Bodywork
27
Door Adjustment—Soft Top Maintenance—Removal and Stowage
of Soft Top
Running Adjustments 31
Engine—Twin S.U. Carburettors (Type H.6)—Fuel Pump—
Clutch—Brakes—Propeller Shaft—Hydraulic Dampers—Loose
Bolts and Nuts
Electrical System ... 42
Ignition—The Battery—The Generator—The Starter Motor—
Control Box — Fuses — Lamps — Wiring Diagram —
Direction Indicators—Windtone Horns—Electrical Component
Specification
Optional Extras
51
Lubrication Charts
52
Summary of Lubrication Points 54
5
SPORTS CAR

GENERAL SPECIFICATION
Engine
Number of cylinders
Bore of cylinders
(Special Order) ...
Stroke of crankshaft
4
3.386 in. (86 mm.)
3.268 in. (83 mm.)
3.622 in. (92 mm.)
Piston area ...
(Special Order)
Cubic capacity
(Special Order) ...
Compression ratio ...
36 sq. in. (232 sq. cm.)
33.5 sq. in. (216 sq. cm.)
130.5 cu. in.
121.5 cu. in.
(2138 c.c.)
(1991 c.c.)
9 or 7
Brake H.P. (gross) ...
(Special Order) ...
105 at 4750 r.p.m.
100 at 5000 r.p.m.
Oil Capacity
Engine From Dry (see page 14)
I mperial
Pints
U.S.
Pints
11
13.2
(6.25 litres)
Drain and Refill ... ... 10 12
(5.7 litres)
Gearbox 1½ 1.8
(0.8 litres)
with overdrive—From dry ... ... 3½
4.2 (2.0 litres)
Drain and Refill ... 2¾ 3.3
(1.6 litres)
Rear Axle 1½ 1.8
(0.8 litres)
Water Capacity of cooling system ... ... 13 15.7
(7.4 litres)
with heater fitted ... ... 14 16.8
(8.0 litres)
Fuel Capacity
Gallons
12 14.4
(54.5 litres)
Dimensions:
Wheelbase 7' 4"
(224 cm.)
Track—Front and Rear (Disc Wheels) ... 3' 9"
(114 cm.)
Front and Rear (Wire Wheels) ... 3'
10" (117 cm.)
Ground clearance (under axle) ... ... 6"
(15.2 cm.)
Turning circle (between kerbs) ... ... 35' 0'
(10.6 metres)
Tyre size 5.50"/5.90"—15
Overall Dimensions:
Length
12' 7"
(384 cm.)
Width
... 4' 7½" (141 cm.)
Height (unladen)—Hood erect ... ... 4' 2" (127 cm.)
Top of screen ... ... 3' 10" (117 cm.)
Hood down and screen
removed ... ... 3' 4' (102 cm.)
Weights
(excluding extra equipment)
Complete, tank full of petrol
Shipping weight
19 cwts. 0 qrs. 7 lbs.
(2135 lb.) (970 kg.)
17 cwts. 3 qrs. 21 lbs.
(2009 lb.) (910 kg.)
6

GENERAL SPECIFICATION
VALVE TIMING. [
With valve-rocker clearance set at 0.0165" (0.42 mm.)].
Inlet and exhaust valves to be equally open at T.D.C. on the exhaust
stroke.
VALVE-ROCKER CLEARANCES (see page 31).
IGNITION TIMING (see page 31).
Set to fire at 4° before top dead centre (distributor contact points just
opening). As the advance is fully automatic, the setting is at full retard.
Contact breaker gap should be set at 0.015" (0.4 mm.).
ROAD SPEED DATA
O.D.
Top Top
O.D.
3rd 3rd
O.D.
2nd 2nd 1st Rev.
Engine Speeds (3.7 axle)
Using Dunlop Textile
Tyres:
at 10 m.p.h.
412 501 545 664 825 1007 1573 1615
at 10 km./hr.
250 310 340 410 510 620 970 1005
Using Michelin X Tyres:
at 10 m.p.h.
409 498 541 660 820 1001 1563 1605
at 10 km./hr. ... 254 309 336 410 509 622 971 997
Engine Speeds (4.1 axle)
Using Dunlop Textile
Tyres:
at 10 m.p.h. 455 556 604
736 916 1170 1744 1790
at 10 km./hr. ... 283 345 375 467 579 694 1083 1112
Using Michelin X Tyres:
at 10 m.p.h. ... 452 552 601 731 910 1110 1733 1779
at 10 km /hr. 281 343 373 454 565 691 1077 1105
GEAR RATIOS
O.D.
Top Top
O.D,
3rd 3rd
O.D.
2nd 2nd 1st Rev.
Gearbox Ratios ... 0.82 1 1.09 1.325 1.65 2.01 3.139 3.223
3.7 : 1 Axle
Overall Ratios ... 3.034 3.7 4.02 4.9 6.1 7.44 11.61 11.93
4.1:1 Axle
Overall Ratios ... 3.36
4.17 4.46 5.44 6.76 8.24 12.87 13.21
7
SPORTS CAR

INSTRUMENTS, SWITCHES AND CONTROLS
Fig. 2. Instruments, switches and controls.
NOTE :—In left-hand drive cars D changes with K, E with M, and F with H.
A Scuttle Ventilator Control. To open ventilator pull control knob.
B Windscreen Wiper Switch. Pull knob to operate ; they will only
function when the ignition is switched on. They will return automatically
to the parked position when switched off.
C Direction Indicator Warning Light. Will flash when the switch G
is operated and the ignition is switched on.
D Oil Pressure Gauge. Indicates pressure of oil at the bearings.
The gauge should read 70 lb./sq. in. minimum when the car is travelling
at normal speeds and the oil is hot.
Low pressure may be registered when the engine is idling or running at
low speeds ; this is quite normal.
E Water Temperature Gauge. The gauge shows the temperature of
the cooling water at the thermostat. Under normal motoring conditions
the water temperature should not exceed 185°F.
F Speedometer. Registers vehicle's speed and total distance covered,
and is fitted with a trip which is cancelled by pushing up the serrated
knob (situated under the instrument) and turning anti-clockwise.
G Direction Indicator Switch. These self-cancelling indicators will
only operate with the ignition switched on, and a warning light (C)
will flash on the dash panel when the switch is operated.
8

INSTRUMENTS, SWITCHES AND CONTROLS
H Tachometer. Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
(See page 12).
I Overdrive Control Switch. See page 51.
J Ignition Warning Light.
Glows red when the ignition is switched on
with the engine idling or stopped. It is an indication that current is
being drawn from the battery for the ignition circuit, or other purposes
that are controlled by the ignition switch.
K Fuel Contents Gauge.
Registers the approximate amount of fuel in
the tank. It operates automatically when the ignition is switched on.
L Instrument Panel Light Switch.
Turn knob clockwise to switch
on panel lights, further clockwise movement will progressively dim
the illumination.

These lights will only operate when the parking lights are switched on.
M Ammeter. Indicates the flow of current into or out of the battery.
N Screen Wash Control (where fitted).
To operate push the control
knob.
O Starter Switch.
Press to operate engine starter (see page 11 for full
instructions).
P Head, Tail and Parking Lamp Switch.
Pull knob to switch on
parking lights.
Turn slightly clockwise and pull again to switch on the
head lights. Press foot operated switch (U) to dip head lights, press
again for " full on " position, in which position a small red light
appears at the bottom of the speedometer dial.
Q Ignition Switch. Insert key and turn clockwise to switch on. Do not
leave the switch " on " when engine is stationary.
R Gear Change Lever.
See Fig. 3 for gear positions.
S
Choke Control. See page 11 for full instructions.
T Handbrake.
Pull to operate rear wheel brakes, the handbrake lever can
be retained in any position by pressing the button on the top of the lever.
To release the handbrake lever, first pull it, this will cause the pawl to
be automatically disengaged from the ratchet, the lever is then free to
move forwards and release the brakes.
U
Headlamp Dipper Switch. Press foot
operated switch to dip headlamps; press again
for high beam position. A small red indicator
light in the speedometer glows when the
headlamps are operating in this position.
V Horn Button. Press button in centre of
steering wheel to operate horns.
Fig. 3. Gear lever positions.
9
SPORTS CAR