Expert: Paul Wilczynski - 12/24/2008

Question
I have a '58 Triumph TR3. My dad and I worked on it when I was a teenager and had it running and in about 95% condition about 10 years ago. Since then it has mostly sat, garaged. I got it running about 5 years ago, did master cylinder and tires. What should I do to get it going again. I'm pretty sure gas is varnish and not sure what else to check. Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Answer
Hi, Rich!

When I did this to my old Rolls-Royces, they called it "recommissioning", and it was complicated due to the complexity of the car.

A Triumph, though, is quite a bit simpler.

You will have to check the brake system for water and perished seals...if you live in a climate with all four seasons, you will see corrosion. In any climate, you'll have bad seals. Most British rubber used for these seals is rubbish and will succumb to ozone damage within a couple of years. You will also find water in the hydraulic system. Hopefully it's limited to the calipers, wheel and master cylinders, and hasn't made it to rust out the lines, which could be fatal to you if they're not replaced with new ones.

Free up the front caliper pistons and rear shoes. The brake calipers may need rebuilding, the discs may need de-rusting. Ditto for the rear brake drums: new shoes, de-rusted.

The carburetor should have a complete rebuild. Same for the fuel pump. lubricate all linkages. Check fuel lines for leaks and replace if necessary.

Flush and refill cooling system with a water/antifreeze mix of 50/50. Check for radiator, hose, and heater core leaks. The heater valve may have frozen. Replace if necessary, bypass if not.

Change the oil and filter. Put a new battery in. Be certain that it turns by hand first by gently using the hand-crank.

Make sure you've got spark. Pour a half-teaspoon of light oil (Marvel Mystery Oil or even 3-In-One) into each cylinder. Crank the engine over with the coil wire disconnected and plugs out, to distribute the oil.

Put in new points and spark plugs, and reconnect the coil wire. Advancing the timing a bit might help it to fire up if there's difficulty.

Remember: you need two things: properly-atomized fuel, and spark, to get it firing, provided it's all there and timing is OK.

Lastly, drive it slowly to a mechanic and have him go over it with a fine-toothed comb. It could need any one of a dozen things upon which your life will depend when you set out on the road.

Good luck. Fifteen years is along time for an oldie to sit unattended. Do it justice by doing it right, then enjoy.

--Paul