Segment:
Affordable British sports car, competing with models like the Datsun 240Z/260Z, Mazda RX-7, and some European GTs of the era.
Target Audience:
Enthusiasts seeking accessible, sporty motoring with a British character.
Competitors:
Datsun 240Z/260Z, Toyota Celica GT, Alfa Romeo GT Veloce, Fiat 124 Sport Spider, MGB GT.
Design:
Wedge-shaped styling by Harris Mann, available as coupe and convertible, distinctive pop-up headlights.
Performance Oriented:
Rear-wheel drive, sporty handling characteristics, powerful (for its class) 4-cylinder engine.
Primary Coverage:
Mechanical, Electrical, Body, and Maintenance
Secondary Coverage:
Troubleshooting, Diagnostics, Specifications, Wiring Diagrams
Estimated Page Count:
300-400 pages (typical for comprehensive service manuals of this era)
Type:
Factory Service Repair Manual / Workshop Manual
Format:
Print (Original) / Digital (PDF reproduction likely)
Engine:
2.0L Inline-4 (Triumph Dolomite Sprint derived), including fuel injection (Lucas) and carburetion variants, engine assembly, tuning, and overhaul.
Transmission:
4-speed manual (standard), 5-speed manual (optional overdrive), 3-speed automatic (Borg-Warner BW35 optional). Includes gearbox overhaul, clutch service, drive shafts.
Suspension:
Front: MacPherson struts, independent, anti-roll bar. Rear: Live axle, four-link, trailing arms, coil springs. Includes shock absorbers, bushings, alignment.
Brakes:
Front: Disc brakes (solid or ventilated depending on year/market). Rear: Drum brakes. Includes hydraulic system, calipers, wheel cylinders, parking brake.
Steering:
Rack and pinion, power steering optional. Includes steering column, linkages, steering rack assembly.
Electrical System:
12-volt negative ground. Includes battery, alternator, starter motor, ignition system, lighting, instruments, power windows, wipers, horn.
Bodywork And Chassis:
Monocoque construction. Includes body panel repair, corrosion prevention, door mechanisms, window mechanisms, seat adjustment, trim.
Fuel System:
Carburetor (Stromberg CD175, Zenith) or Lucas electronic fuel injection. Includes fuel pump, fuel lines, fuel tank, filters.
Cooling System:
Pressurized system with radiator, fan (mechanical), thermostat, water pump, coolant hoses.
Exhaust System:
Single exhaust manifold, catalytic converter (later models), muffler, tailpipe.
Maintenance:
Regular service intervals, oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug checks, brake fluid changes, coolant flushes, lubrication points.
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting guides for common faults, electrical circuit diagnosis, mechanical system checks, performance issue resolution.
Repair:
Step-by-step instructions for component removal, overhaul, and installation of major systems like engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering.
Adjustment:
Carburetor tuning, ignition timing adjustment, brake adjustment, valve clearance adjustment, clutch free play.
Engine Rebuild:
Detailed procedures for engine disassembly, component inspection, machining specifications, reassembly, and break-in.
Wiring Diagrams:
Comprehensive and detailed electrical wiring schematics for all vehicle systems, crucial for electrical troubleshooting.
Depth:
Comprehensive, covering everything from basic preventative maintenance to complete engine and transmission overhauls, including factory specifications and tolerances.
Engine Code:
LE (Federal USA), ES (UK/Europe)
Displacement:
2.0 Liters (1996 cc)
Configuration:
Inline-4, overhead camshaft (OHC)
Bore X Stroke:
90.3 mm x 76.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
8.0:1 or 9.0:1 (depending on market and fuel grade)
Horsepower Gross:
105 bhp @ 5500 rpm (Federal USA, Stromberg carb)
Horsepower Gross Federal:
105 bhp @ 5500 rpm (US spec, Lucas EFI) or 105 bhp @ 5500 rpm (US spec, Carbureted)
Torque Gross:
170 Nm (125 lb-ft) @ 3500 rpm (approximate)
Fuel Delivery:
Twin Stromberg CD175 carburetors or Lucas electronic fuel injection (Federal models).
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline (87-91 octane recommended)
Type:
4-speed manual transaxle (integrated gearbox and differential unit)
Type 1:
5-speed manual (Laycock de Normanville overdrive on 4th gear, optional)
Type 2:
3-speed automatic (Borg-Warner BW35)
Clutch:
Hydraulically operated, single dry plate
Gear Ratios 4 Speed:
1st: 3.159, 2nd: 2.057, 3rd: 1.376, 4th: 1.000, Reverse: 3.223 (typical)
Manual Transmission Fluid:
GL-4 Hypoid Gear Oil, SAE 90 (e.g., Castrol EPX 90, Mobilube GL-4 75W-90)
Manual Transmission Capacity:
Approx. 2.0 liters (1.75 Imperial pints)
NHTSA Rating:
Not rated under modern NHTSA standards
Brakes:
Front disc, rear drum. Parking brake operates on rear wheels.
Steering:
Rack and pinion steering, power steering available on some models.
Seatbelts:
3-point inertia reel seatbelts (front), lap belts (rear)
Headrests:
Integrated headrests on front seats
Rollover Protection:
Structural integrity and windshield frame for convertible models.
Oil Change:
Every 3,000 miles or 6 months
Oil Filter Replacement:
At every oil change
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 12,000 miles or 12 months
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 6,000 miles or 12 months
Coolant Flush:
Every 24,000 miles or 24 months
Brake Fluid Change:
Every 12,000 miles or 12 months
Engine Oil:
API SF/CD, SAE 20W-50 or 10W-40 (depending on climate), e.g., Castrol GTX 20W-50.
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approx. 4.5 Liters (4.7 US Quarts) with filter change
Coolant:
Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze, mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3 or DOT 4, glycol-based
Power Steering Fluid:
ATF Type F or Dexron II (if equipped with power steering)
Rust Prone Areas:
Wheel arches, sills, door bottoms, rear trailing arm mounts, battery tray area. Requires diligent rust prevention and repair.
Carburetor Issues:
Stromberg CD carburetors can be sensitive to vacuum leaks and require regular adjustment; potential for diaphragm failure.
Electrical Gremlins:
Lucas electrical components are known for reliability issues; wiring harness degradation can occur over time.
Suspension Wear:
Bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends can wear, affecting handling and requiring replacement.
Cooling System Overheating:
Can be susceptible to overheating if cooling system maintenance is neglected; radiator efficiency and fan operation are critical.
Fuel Injection System:
Lucas EFI systems can be complex to diagnose; fuel pump, pressure regulator, and injector seals are common failure points.
Manufacturer:
British Leyland (Triumph division)
Previous Models:
Successor to the Triumph TR6, aimed at modernizing the sports car offering.
Major Updates:
Introduction of fuel injection (Federal models), optional 5-speed transmission, revised suspension tuning, updated interiors.
Production Years:
1975-1981
Production Locations:
Canley, Coventry, UK; Speke, Liverpool, UK; later built under license in the USA (Malta, Ohio - Triumph-Michelotti TR7/TR8).
Total Production Units:
Approximately 115,000 units (including TR8)