TR4A Solid Axle

What you see here is a1965 Triumph TR4A Solid Axle sports car that I purchased in running condition in 2002.   This car that was originally sold in New Jersey. but made it's way to Michigan.   Being from the Midwest and being 49 years old means that rust is a problem with this one.  But. I'm getting ahead of myself.

I drove it around  for a couple of summers and started replacing bits and pieces that needed it. like the exhaust manifold (replaced with a stainless steel header. because it's what I could find). timing chain and gears. etc.   The one thing on the car that didn't work was the temperature gauge.   I couldn't locate the proper relay at the time.   Long story short. I foolishly wound-up overheating it one day.   After that. the car sat in a garage in Michigan for 8 years. while I moved to New England.

In 2011. I brought the car out to Vermont. With the help of some excellent contacts. I found a TR3 engine. TS 68419E.   This engine was pulled apart at Sports Car Services. in Westminster West. Vermont.   The block and head were sent up to River City Machine in White River Junction. Vermont. The head was blasted. mag'd. the valve guides. springs and seals were replaced.  The valves (exhaust vales are Stellite) were replaced with new (aluminum alloy) collars and cotters and the head resurfaced.   All with the intent of building a new TR4 engine.   For example. the old TR3 triple springs were replaced with new TR4 double springs. etc. The block was shop peened and mag'd and the galleries were rodded-out with new plugs installed. The crank was ground and balanced at Motion Machine in Danville. Virginia.   The cam was ground and balanced at Cam Techniques in Sarasota. Florida.   New 87mm TR4 pistons and liners were purchased.   The radiator was cleaned and tested at B&R Garage in West Lebanon. New Hampshire.   And that's as far I got. before some health problems caused me to stop.

In the meantime. I crawled under the car and to my chagrin found that the rot had advanced in the usual spots of the rear section and the floors had deteriorated.   To remedy this. it was my intent to build a “new” rolling chassis out of two other frames I had acquired.   One of these frames. a TR4A Solid Axel. is available to go with the car.   It too has rust issues. The other thoughts were to acquire a frame from Ratco in Yaphank. New York; or. of course. watch for one on Ebay. talk to some shops. etc.

Currently. the trunk is stuffed with the ancillary parts of the original “gold” engine; carbs. manifold. generator. brake and clutch cylinders. fan. distributor. brackets. etc. ; as well as. the jack. handle. hammer and spare.   There are several boxes and crates of additional parts that can be seen laid out on tarps in the accompanying pictures.

In addition to the machined parts of the “replacement engine”. the other “replacement engine” parts are laid out on the “white” tarp. such as it's original fuel pump. oil pump. oil filter holder. etc. as can be seen; but missing is a distributor. manifolds and carbs. etc.  But. between the two engines there should be plenty of parts to build a fine replacement.   Again. the car was running prior to it's mishap.  

On the “blue” tarp are parts that are from this car. such as; the radiator. shifter/radio console. heater and heater parts. mirrors. horn. trim. etc. . as well as. a timing light. carb sync tool. spoke brush and spare tube.

Current tires are (4) BF Goodrich P165R15 SLVRTHRN radials on wire wheels.   Also comes with (4) Sport Premium 6. 00 – 15 bias tires.   Plus. an unknown brand spare tire on a wire wheel.

All in all. it's mostly all there and great starting point for anyone interested in rebuilding one these great cars.

Also published at eBay.com

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