boggie Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Hi All, I am going to fit a period washer system (manual pump, chrome jet etc) to our 3a. Can anyone tell me if the original optional system had a single point, 2 jet washer or 2 individual single jet washers. If 2 then can anyone let me know the exact fitting position please? Thanks, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Hi All, I am going to fit a period washer system (manual pump, chrome jet etc) to our 3a. Can anyone tell me if the original optional system had a single point, 2 jet washer or 2 individual single jet washers. If 2 then can anyone let me know the exact fitting position please? Thanks, Ian It should be 2 single brass jets but I dont have a 3a here at the moment to measure unfortunately (my early long door isnt fitted with them ) Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boggie Posted June 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Thanks Stuart, Is that chromed brass or just plain? Cheer, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Thanks Stuart, Is that chromed brass or just plain? Cheer, Ian I have seen both although I suspect chrome would be more suitable for your later car. They have a small ball bearing non return valve in them(which always used to seize up ) Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vivdownunder Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Hi Ian, I think all TR3A's were fitted with windscreen washer jets in the scuttle, just beside the windscreen wiper bezels. They have tails beneath the dash for the water supply hoses. However the windscreen washer kit to link up with these jets was an optional accessory.. The early kits were manually operated by a dashboard mounted pusher pump, which was updated to an electric washer kit on late TR3A's. This same kit carried through to 4/4A's. I think this kit was universal to many cars, as a Mk11 Jag's glass bottle looks identical, so it's bound to be available somewhere. If fitting a washer kit, jab a pin down into the jets, as they become clogged with car polish over the years. Regards, Viv. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 If 2 then can anyone let me know the exact fitting position please? Mine are 13" centre-to-centre and 4" back from the rear of the bonnet pressing on the scuttle (or front of vent lid). They are approx 1/4" from the wiper pivots. They are hexagonal, chromed and, I believe, original and as far as I can recall the same as on my previous TR3A. Probably Trico or Tudor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 (edited) The early kits were manually operated by a dashboard mounted pusher pump, which was updated to an electric washer kit on late TR3A's. This same kit carried through to 4/4A's. I think this kit was universal to many cars, as a Mk11 Jag's glass bottle looks identical, so it's bound to be available somewhere. Hi Viv, Without doing research, the windcsreen washers were an optional extra but fitted by the dealer, NOT the factory. The factory had their standard kit for the washer setup, that was NOT electric, TR3 or TR4, though that would not stop you getting the dealer to fit a non-factory electric kit. I stand to be corrected. AlanR Edited June 25, 2009 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 (edited) Hi Viv, Without doing research, the windcsreen washers were an optional extra but fitted by the dealer, NOT the factory. The factory had their standard kit for the washer setup, that was NOT electric, TR3 or TR4, though that would not stop you getting the dealer to fit a non-factory electric kit. I stand to be corrected. AlanR Alan I think the electric kit was a factory option over and above the push to squirt type optional extra later on in 3a production and as Viv says was a generic Lucas kit as fitted as standard to Jaguars but without their time delay feature. (on the Jag one flick of the sprung loaded switch gave a ten second squirt) Stuart. Edited June 25, 2009 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vivdownunder Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Yes Alan, I was saying that only the jets in the scuttle were factory fitted to all 3A's, as that avoided the dealer having to drill holes through a new car's duco which could have led to a disaster. It's logical that the dealer fitted the windscreen washer kit when ordered, and connected it up to the pre-existing jets. Regards, Viv. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Menno van Rij Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 I bought my generic washer kit a few years back. The jets were already in place, that made things a lot easier. However, the non-return valve on the bottom of the reservoir that came with the kit, was rubbish from the start. All water in the tubes returned to the bottle so I had to push the knob on the dash about 10 times before there was any sign of water coming out of the jets. I turned to a local classic LandRover supplier who handed me a far better non-return valve: this one works (once pumped, the water stays in the tubes) and there's a filter at the end of the valve, keeping the debri out. Menno Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Elliott Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 I ordered the windscreen washer kit as an option when I bought my 1958 TR3A brand new. The jets had been factory installed as mentioned above. Look closely and you may find the holes for these jets as per Brian's dimensions above. The dealer put in the bottle and the push plunger on the dashboard near the heater and overdrive switch. Note that this was dealer installed. My system is by Trafalgar. Since I resored my TR in 1990, I have never added any water or cleaning liquid to the original bottle shown in the photo. I don't drive on muddy roads or on winter slushy streets. I have never missed it. If it starts to rain, who needs to add water via the jets. I just use the wipers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boggie Posted June 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Interesting. I am pretty sure there are no jets on the car but I need to check now the seed of doubt is sown. Thanks for all the information guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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