MilesA Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 Whilst fiddling with the 3A yesterday I noticed that the starting handle guide is secured by a bolt from underneath the apron, but also two stays that attach to the guide where it projects through the apron and at the other end to the chassis. Deploying the stays just to secure the guide, looks like a bit of over-engineering. So are they there to provide some rigidity to the apron? Just curious. Miles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 There is quite a bit of force exerted on that guide when cranking, I think the primary purpose of the struts is to hold it in a fixed position. It also helps to locate the apron. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 ^ +1 As Bob says when you crank the engine the crank handle needs some serious support because it sticks out a long way. Also the location on the "dog bolt" is the cut outs on the crankhandle drive faces which don't like a lot of up and down or stirring motion. On my TR3a I noticed the crank handle guide when it was cranked was "rippling" the apron material it was bolted to and checked underneath to find...no guide support struts, ! a bit of home handyman and I fashioned a pair to support and hold it in position and job done, no rippling. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 There is also (on the TR3a at least) a flatish bit of metal about 6 inches long that goes from a bracket on the frame to the apron, presumably to help stabilize the apron. I didnt have one but Stuart was kind enough to send me a picture and dimensions. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MilesA Posted July 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 Thanks guys. So I was almost correct... Miles Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 In the winter of 1965, I was based in Stafford in really cold and snowy weather, with the old TR2 parked outside. Despite the fact that I am small, I was able to hand start the TR each morning, but I had to use both hands - shows one how much force had to be applied! As Mick says, those brackets are necessary. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 But if you have had the radiator re-cored and the starter handle hole removed in the interest of making the radiator more efficient, you don't need the extra support that the stays provide. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 4 hours ago, ianc said: "In the winter of 1965, I was based in Stafford in really cold and snowy weather," That reminded me of Joan Baez : “In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive” (The night we drove old Dixie down) I bet she didn’t have a starting handle though. I remember once being in my Rover 90, stuck at a petrol station with a flat battery. Out came the starting handle. Some young kids pulled up next to me in a Ford Fiesta and started laughing. I smiled back, thinking "One day, YOU will have a flat battery, and you will have to phone your mummy to come and help you." Charlie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dingle Posted July 10, 2020 Report Share Posted July 10, 2020 28 minutes ago, Charlie D said: That reminded me of Joan Baez : “In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive” (The night we drove old Dixie down) I bet she didn’t have a starting handle though. I remember once being in my Rover 90, stuck at a petrol station with a flat battery. Out came the starting handle. Some young kids pulled up next to me in a Ford Fiesta and started laughing. I smiled back, thinking "One day, YOU will have a flat battery, and you will have to phone your mummy to come and help you." Charlie. Bob Dylan was probably kind enough to share his starting handle with Joan. Berry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 Berry - Ha Ha, probably correct! On a level road, I have been able to bump start a TR4 on my own because a TR used every day needs only to be bumped in 2nd gear at very low speed to get it started. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted July 11, 2020 Report Share Posted July 11, 2020 I remember doing the same in the 1970's when finding an almost flat battery ! Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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