[New ignition switch, wrong connections!]

Thanks Richard, the pics are very helpful.

The key is very loose so I suspect the barrel is badly worn.

 

[New ignition switch, wrong connections!]

Thanks very kind of you Bob!

We are looking to keep the car as original as possible, let me have a chat with the owner and Ill get back to you.

Any thoughts on what you would want for a switch?

Thanks

Mark

[New ignition switch, wrong connections!]

I need to replace the ignition switch on a 1959 TR3A. The existing one has an intermittent fault which cuts off the power

Fiddling with the key restores power, the connections are good, so Im assuming its the internals of the switch that are failing.  

New Lucas switches are available, but they all seem to have male spade terminals, the existing one has two posts with screws.

I dont want to fit crimp spades unless I have too.

Does anyone know if the new old stock switches are available with screw posts?

Thanks

Mark   

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Update and Conclusion

I bypassed the gutted mechanical pump and hey presto it now has enough pressure to keep the inline filter at least 1/2 full. so she now starts and idles ok.

Ill fit the correct pump (4 psi version) later but shes now running well enough for me to do the final ignition and carb tune.

Issues with the ignition switch, which is faulty but Ill start a new thread on that!

Thanks for everyone's input!

Mark

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

I now have the pump info and it answers a few questions!

Link is here, if its ok to post links? https://weber-carbs.co.uk/shop/product/huco-low-pressure-12v-fuel-pump-133010/

Its a 2,1 psi pump, its a suction type, so it should be mounted in the engine bay not next to the fuel tank!

So the issue is with the new pump!

Ill try the bypass hose and post what happens!

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Yes those were my thoughts, but I dont know how they did, they may have removed the lever from the pump and fitted a blanking plate. 

I can see a plate between the pump and block.

Ill bypass it and see what happens!

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Thanks Richard I think you are right!

 

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Thanks Mike, The pump is right next to the bottom left side of the tank, so it should be getting a good enough flow. 

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Thanks, I think they wanted to keep the under bonnet looking as original as possible, negated by some of the other things they have done though!

  

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Yes my thoughts exactly!  I may have to take the mechanical pump off to find out whats going on.

I take it its more common to fit an electric pump under the bonnet?

Ill also see if I can temporally bypass the mechanical pump to check if thats the issue. 

I think the pressure drop through the old pump is causing the issue, the flow to an open end pipe is good but there is no oomph behind it! 

Id rather reinstate the mechanical pump, but I think they the binned what ever parts they removed from it!  

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Thanks for the info.

The glass bowl appears not to have any filter in it.

Ill try the filter bypass this week.

The fact that shes ok at high engine speed, and when its warm, is the mystery!

Its not helped by the pump being installed just next to the fuel tank, its very difficult to get to without a car lift and Ive had petrol pour over me before from a faulty pump so Im trying to be careful!

 

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Hi Rob

Thanks, Ill try bypassing the filter.

Ill post what happens!

If we are also getting a pressure drop through the old pump that may be part of the issue.

The glass bowl next to the old pump is full.

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Hi Rob. Yes its driving me, and the owner a bit nuts! 

Good point about the voltage, although the car has also been fitted with an alternator, so it should have enough power.

It seems like its getting back pressure from the carbs and shutting off too early. It pumps really well into an open container when idling.

Seems like im going to have to do a pressure check on it.

The mechanical pump has been left in place, but gutted, not by me!

 

[TR3A Fuel starvation]

Hi. Im working on a 1959 TR3A. Its recently been fitted with an electric fuel pump, I dont have the spec on it yet. It also has an inline fuel filter just before the carbs.

The inline filter never gets full, you can see fuel almost dripping into it.

It starts, eventually, runs and drives well at speed, revs fine.

But if its left idling for more than a minute, you can see the fuel that is in the filter drain out and the car stalls.

Ive disconnected the fuel pipe at the carbs, turned on the ignition and got a good fuel flow into a clear bottle.

The float chamber breathers are clear, the needle valves are not sticking.

So my conclusion is poor fuel pump pressure.

Does anyone have any other thoughts?

Thanks