rodofcv Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 This is my first effort on the forum so I hope I've got it right! After 15 years in my garage, I'm hoping to get my TR2 on the road this summer. I'm not a purist (the car came with a steel 3A apron and I'm not about to change it) and I would value you chaps knowledge on the following: 1) Has anyone installed 3A rear indicators? I'm no engineer so is there a spacer available so that a flat surface is presented to the indicator unit? 2) I'm thinking of using the front side lights as amber indicators only. Is there a regulation that says "Thou shalt have side lights" which would preclude this or require sourceing headlamps that include them? 3) Are 48 spoke wire wheels that have been dormant for 15 years worth having serviced? If so, any suggestions as to who might do it. 4) Are second hand wire wheels worth buying and if so, what are the provisos? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Menno van Rij Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Welcome on this forum. I don't know much about the amber light regulations. In Holland you can safely change the sidelights for amber ones. But, more about the 48 spoke wheels. I think it's a wise choice to swap them for new ones. All these years, prehaps with rust etc. I wouldn't go that way! The TRshop London sells a full 60 spoke set for a fine price. Menno Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 You realise that this is only the start of a long journey and that is before you drive away from the house. The front lights can be dual filament and the rears will have to have some home made brackets. it is probably best policy not to cut the body about too much. The 48 spoke wheels are not strong enough and the 72 make the look much too busy. There is no point in overhauling the existing when you can buy reasonable quality and you will get a new splined centre with no wear. MWS used to supply the best wheels when they were in Jeddo Road, London ,but they have moved out of town. They could refurbish them for you, if you were insistent. The tyre distributor near Beaulieu can provide well priced Michelins. You will find that you need all sorts of new parts. Hydraulic seals throughout New up rated radiator Possibly exhaust Conversion to unleaded head Overhaul distributor by Martin Jay New battery DO NOT touch the control box, not even to look inside. New oil and grease everything. You will be entering the world of replacement parts. Be prepared for most re manufactured parts to be inspected carefully and researched on the forum before purchase. Some items are not subject to high class quality control whether made in Engladn of the far east. We are lucky that anyone is interested enough to make parts at all for cars 50 years old. However it is difficult. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 This is my first effort on the forum so I hope I've got it right! After 15 years in my garage, I'm hoping to get my TR2 on the road this summer. I'm not a purist (the car came with a steel 3A apron and I'm not about to change it) and I would value you chaps knowledge on the following: 1) Has anyone installed 3A rear indicators? I'm no engineer so is there a spacer available so that a flat surface is presented to the indicator unit? 2) I'm thinking of using the front side lights as amber indicators only. Is there a regulation that says "Thou shalt have side lights" which would preclude this or require sourceing headlamps that include them? 3) Are 48 spoke wire wheels that have been dormant for 15 years worth having serviced? If so, any suggestions as to who might do it. 4) Are second hand wire wheels worth buying and if so, what are the provisos? Welcome to the forum. You used to be able to get rubber plinths to go on the back panel to level the lamp units up but I dont know if they are still available. My 2 just has them straight on the panel. I would fit the TR6 type headlamps with the sidelight included and get H4 type Halogens, so much better at night. The 48 spoke wires were never very good even when new so I would junk them and get 60 spoke. As Menno has said TR Shop 0208 995 6621 always do good deals on new ones (Buy painted as they are much easier to live with.) they also do new spinners at a good price as well. Second hand wires are always a bit of a lottery as its difficult to check they are true without spinning them up on a hub. You can check the spokes with a tapping stick, Dink sound is ok donk isnt Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
T Robinson Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Hi, Ref the rear indicator lamps: You can fit TR5 reversing light plinths to give you the flat surface required, Regards, Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rodofcv Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Thank you gentlemen. All comments noted. I will indeed go for new 60 spoke wheels, TR6 headlamps and TR5 reversing light plinth. Incidentally MWS are alive and well in Langley (www.mwsint.com). Thanks again Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwifrog Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Thank you gentlemen. All comments noted. I will indeed go for new 60 spoke wheels, TR6 headlamps and TR5 reversing light plinth. Incidentally MWS are alive and well in Langley (www.mwsint.com). Thanks again rodofcv Check with the usual suppliers before buying your wheels direct from MWS. I bought a set of 60 Spoke MWS wheels from TRshop London cheaper than the price quoted by MWS themselves, it was after the recommendations of your compatriot Menno on the forum. Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 I also heard from another TR specialist last week that they source MWS wheels more cheaply elsewhere than direct from MWS themselves. How bizarre? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 I also heard from another TR specialist last week that they source MWS wheels more cheaply elsewhere than direct from MWS themselves. How bizarre? Well I have ordered a set of wheels from MWS and now running 5 weeks behind del date starting to get worried Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Again, welcome to the Forum. I'm glad to hear your TR2 is to see the light of day again. Like you I had concerns about the safety of the rear brake light in modern traffic so I'm trying another solution, and enclose a photo of the rear of my yet to be completed restoration. I have used motorcycle indicators requiring a hole to be drilled in each overider rather than through the rear apron which makes it an easier conversion back to original for any future owner, as they will just need to replace or repair the overriders rather than repair and respray of the rear apron. I have altered the wiring to give 3 brake lights with the side lights remaining as originally planned. Not to everyone's taste I admit, but having taken several years to restore the car I'm hoping I may have reduced the chances of a rear end shunt, but in any event will feel more confident about the brake illumination. I'm also going to keep the unleaded head for now, and again, see how I get on. Let us know when yours is back on the road. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 That is a great colour. Do you have a name for it? The indicator conversion looks very good and in period. When are you planning the first drive? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 (edited) I have used motorcycle indicators requiring a hole to be drilled in each overider rather than through the rear apron which makes it an easier conversion back to original for any future owner, as they will just need to replace or repair the overriders rather than repair and respray of the rear apron. Great idea using motorcycle indicators, but I would have thought it preferable to attach them to the bumper/overrider irons rather than mutilate the overriders. I have seen this done on several cars with fog and reversing lights. Edited April 17, 2009 by BrianC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Thanks Richard. At the time it was painted I was trying to get Primrose yellow, this being a TR3a colour I like but not of course a TR2 colour. I was advised by the painter (a professional company) that the original primrose yellow would have to be especially made up, would therefore be more expensive, and would be harder to touch up in future. The alternative choice was the one which I eventually went for which is PPG Pale Primrose YL12 apparently used from 1966-71. It is 2 pack. I'm sure the purists will cringe, but I like it, and more importantly my wife likes it. She would only let me restore another TR if she approved of the colour. Brian, I went for the overrider mounting as the car had no overriders when I bought it derelict. In fact it had very many bits missing. The pair I sourced cheaply at an auto jumble already had a hole in one of them so that prompted my choice and I think it was probably easier than attaching to the bumper irons as this would need more bracketry. I will keep a look out though, as I am quite open minded about changing the layout if I see something I can copy that I like better. Sorry rodofcv the paint query has nothing to do with your original thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwifrog Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 I also think is is a great colour, Yellow is my favourite colour on a sidescreen after BRG with red interior Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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