Winnie The Pooh Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 I am the custodian of a TR with Commission number TS10959, build date 17 April 1956, it has drum brakes all round, so possibly a TR2 chassis, but definitely now with a TR3 body. Body Number 843977 and a plate reading EB10837 I would like help identifying what sort of engine I have in my car, the old DVLA document from 1983 states engine should be TS11318E However the plate reads TSA30FR. dated 6 Feb. 1959 FR Is this a factory rebuilt unit? Seems a tad soon to change the engine Any advice, help, suggestions (polite ones) gratefully received Cheers, Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Keith, I believe that is a factory rebuilt engine. The low number may indicate it was an early unit. People with more info will be along shortly. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 (edited) TS number, and EB body number (and drum brakes) all consistent with an early-ish TR3. Early TR2 engines had a few design flaws and were often driven 'energeticaly' so no surprise to find a factory recon engine even in the early days.. The FR plate rivetted to the block should show details of shell oversizes and, hopefully, whether or not camshaft bearings were fitted. AlanR Edited August 10, 2017 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winnie The Pooh Posted August 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Thank you Stan and AlanR, I thought that FR might mean that, but the number is pretty low and that made me wonder whether it was possible. The plate shows all bores, shells, bearings are 0 oversize, so standard dimensions. I will have another look to see if the plate mentions camshaft bearings. And I really appreciate finding out that the car probably did start life as a TR3, I didn’t know that early TR3s had all round drums. I will let you know about the camshafts. Best, Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Keith, we'd love to see a photo of your FRE plate. Those aren't that common and are always interesting. For info, here's a FRE plate on the engine of a TR3 belonging to one of our forum members: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Keith, From memory, TR3s started at TS 8609 and disc brakes came in at TS 13045. TR3As came in at TS 22014. A little unusual, perhaps, that the FR plate shows all standard bearings. Makes you wonder why it's an FR. But remember - such an early FR number must have been issued in the mid 50s so don't assume it's still the same! AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 My '3 (TS9551) body No. 842442 was made in December 1955, & has a factory recon engine No.TSA709FRE all bores & journals are standard. So all your numbers look OK to me Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 When I first got my 3A it was fitted with a TR2 block. TR3A recon. engine now fitted. Here is a photo. of the engine number plate on the TR2 block. Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Hmmm. I'm wondering what the extra letters mean on my plate (see Don's photo above)? Mine Tom's TSA 709 FRE TS 545 FR STD F STD STD -10 STD HP -20 Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldBob Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Mine also has the extra HP letters but not in the same position as Bob's... TSA 150 FR STD HP STD STD Engine is in a Sept '55 TR2. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 (edited) HP? High Port? Do these engines have the high port head? Was a FRE unit "short" or "Full" engine? Just a thought. Iain Edited August 11, 2017 by iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ptr2 Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 My Engine no, is also Factory rebuild. car commision no TS8169 Engine no; TSA221FRE Cyl. Bores; STD G Main Journals; -010 Big Eng Journals; -020 will post a picture later, also the engine colour was Blue, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 The letters after the bore sizes would indicate piston "Grades" When you strip them the letters will be stamped on the crown, it denotes very slight differences in sizing. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 The letters after the bore sizes would indicate piston "Grades" When you strip them the letters will be stamped on the crown, it denotes very slight differences in sizing. Stuart. Hi Stuart "F" "G" and "H" were certainly the piston grades, but "HP"? Iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Hi Stuart "F" "G" and "H" were certainly the piston grades, but "HP"? Iain & the E after FR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Colin Fairhurst Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 More than 50 years ago my Father was told that when the factory ran out of reusable engine blocks they would fit rebuild plates on new engines and put them into the exchange system to meet demand. Regards, Colin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 (edited) & the E after FR Hi Bob That's interesting there is no "E" in my parts books......was there an "E" Grade Iain Edited August 13, 2017 by iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ptr2 Posted August 12, 2017 Report Share Posted August 12, 2017 Just a thought, but maybe the E after FR, donates That the engine may have been a earlier block without clamshells, and converted to clamshell engine, and perhaps a couple more mods, from the early blocks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winnie The Pooh Posted August 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 Thank you to everyone for helpful replies, here is my engine plate, no mention of camshaft bearings and plain TSA30FR, without an E. But unlike the others it is dated: 6 Feb. 1959. Note the rivet head! This engine has recently been rebuilt, including pistons and liners so bores are still standard. Keith https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNLMTIbY2fb_9emkEvCULr4igfqfOhka8MMsu5x Quote Link to post Share on other sites
C3s Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 (edited) Hello, new member here from Birmingham, UK. To my surprise I see that ptr2 has my Fathers old car TS8169, he replaced the engine in 1966 after big end failure. I think it was a FRE but will ask for more details when I see him next. Paul. Edited November 3, 2017 by C3s Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rhino_mac Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 C3s, I would bet ptr2 would be delighted to hear from your dad when he sees your post. This is why the internet and car clubs are great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
C3s Posted November 3, 2017 Report Share Posted November 3, 2017 I almost couldn't believe it myself, had to blink twice! I remember seeing a photo of the car somewhere from about 1968, will work on that one. Totally agree with the internet and car clubs to keep the enthusiasm alive. Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham J Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 I think it is fantastic that the registration plate stays with the car in the UK. Here in Canada, well Ontario anyway, the plate comes off the car when sold, it can then get put on the next one you own, or get handed back in. in what other countries does the plate stay with the car? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ijonsson Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 In Sweden the plate stay with the car Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Ireland the Plate stays with the Car. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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