FITTING THE FUEL TANK

The fuel tank had been restored some time ago, so the installation was not difficult.  The coupling hose, vent line and wiring pigtails are fitted before the tank is set in place.

The straps and cushions are attached and the new filler cap is positioned in the rubber coupling.

From inside the trunk you can see the vent line as it is routed to a hole in the trunk floor.  The fuel gauge wiring is connected in the lower right hand corner of the tank at floor level.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FITTING THE COOLING SYSTEM

We begin by attaching the cooling fan to the crankshaft pulley.

Next the radiator is set in place and the top hose fitted before tightening the mounting bolts.  The lateral braces are attached securing the radiator at the top.

After connecting the bottom hose the installation is complete.  

Did you notice the hole in the radiator?

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BODYWORK CONTINUES...

The assembly of the engine compartment is progressing nicely,  and the bodywork on the remaining sheetmetal parts has continued throughout that process.

Most of the body parts have been primed with epoxy primer, blocked, repaired where necessary.  Now several coats of high build polyester primer have been applied.  

Next these pieces will be blocked and prepped for the application of the final coats of 2K primer.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FITTING THE CARBURETORS

This installation appears to be much more complicated than it is.  In the photo to the left, the carburetors have been fitted to the manifold and the fuel lines attached accordingly.

In the photo to the right you will notice that we have connected the carburetor linkage to the accelerator mechanism.  The manual choke assembly is also connected but will require further adjustment.

More to follow...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

MEANWHILE, ON THE IGNITION SIDE OF THE ENGINE...

We have purchased a new Pertronix electronic distributor and coil for the TR.  The static timing on the engine has not yet been accomplished.  This will be done prior to startup.

If you look closely, you will notice the fuel line that extends from the fuel pump to the carburetors.  It runs just above the spark plugs.  Also the heater supply line has been connected to the heater coil.

Another view of the fuel line as it is routed just above the water pump pulley at the front of the engine.  

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

MOUNTING THE GENERATOR

It is much easier to install the generator before the carburetors and radiator are fitted.  In the photo to the left you will notice the generator in place.  We also purchased a new fan belt.  Attention was given to its tension.

In another view of the generator, you can see that the wires have been attached making the installation complete.

Thank you for your interest...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FITTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD

The intake manifold had been restored early on.  Today we cleaned it and bolted it in place.  Two of the nuts were damaged, so it will be necessary to complete the installation tomorrow.  Then we will be installing the remainder of the fuel delivery system.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

INSTALLING THE WIPER MOTOR

The windshield wipers were in good operating condition when the TR was delivered to our shop so we expect that it will work fine.  We will, however, clean and lubricate all the moving parts before the installation is complete.

Thanks for watching...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

FITTING THE EXHAUST HEADER AND HEADER PIPE

The engine is now in place and we are ready to fit the exhaust system.  At some point in the past, the studs that join the header to the header pipe had been broken. When the studs were reinstalled, they were not in alignment resulting in several hours of extra work.  But finally...

The remaining pieces of the exhaust system will be attached soon.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

INSTALLING THE ENGINE AND GEARBOX

As you may recall, the engine and gearbox had been previously restored.  Now we are ready to re-install.

Glenn in the foreground and Jeremy are guiding the engine into the bay.  Special care must be taken not to mar the finish on the engine or the adjacent areas.

Finally the engine and gearbox are resting on their new mounts.  

Now that the motor mount bolts are fitted and the power plant is secure, the assembly of the engine's fuel, exhaust and cooling systems will be installed.

This is exciting...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

ACCELERATOR LINKAGE INSTALLED

The accelerator linkage on the TR3 is a bit more complicated than necessary.  This entire apparatus could be replaced by a cable.  

Now all the peripheral systems have been installed.  The engine and gearbox will be installed tomorrow.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

THE WIRING PROCESS BEGINS

After the hydraulics have been installed, we positioned the new wiring harness in the car.  It fit perfectly.  All the connections are in the proper location.  

Jeremy and I also installed the new voltage regulator, fuse block, starter solenoid and signal flasher.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

INSTALLING THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

We plan to install the engine and gearbox in a few days.  Prior to that, we must refit the hydraulics and electrical.  These systems have a greater accessibility with the engine removed.  

You will notice the newly restored hydraulic lines and master cylinders for both the braking system and the clutch have been fitted to the car.

Coming together...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

DETAILING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT

After we removed the masking paper from the engine compartment covering the frame and suspension parts, we cleaned these areas thoroughly.

 Next, we applied several coats of rubberized undercoating.

 We also applied the undercoating to the inside of the wheel wells (front and rear).

Several coats of the undercoating material results in added protection from moisture that may accumulate in the cars "problem areas".

I love this car...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

REFINISHING INTERIOR SHEET METAL

 Before the reassembly work begins, it is necessary to apply several coats of satin finish paint to the trunk space, wheel wells and floor pans.

First, these surfaces must be sanded and cleaned.

Then the finish is applied.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

PAINTING THE BODY SHELL

Since the last post, we have been busy.  Following the first application of single stage urethane the car was blocked and resprayed.  Now the shell will be blocked again and polished.  

The TR3 shell is absolutely straight. A beautiful finish is the result of hours and hours of priming and blocking.

Stay tuned...

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253

BODYWORK CONTINUES...PAINTING THE BODY SHELL

Following the completion of the application and blocking of the high build primer, we applied several wet coats of 2K primer.

As the primer was applied, it was evident that the body was straight.

Then we blocked the 2K primer and masked the body.

Next we applied two wet coats of black, single stage urethane paint to the entire body shell.

All the priming and blocking we had done had paid off.  The body shell is very straight.

We are nearing the reassembly phase of the project.

Tom McCurry

Tommy's Topless Cars

tdmccurry@yahoo.com

843-338-2253