Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Triumph bulletin board 3TA Manual

Hi all.
I know there are plenty of manuals out there but I am trying to find one for my 1958 3TA with a distributor. All manuals show and discuss the contact system but all that I have seen have very little or nothing on the distributor system.
Can Anyone help.
I have a water damaged bike and just want some details info on this area of the bike before I pull it all apart.

I don't think any of the C range manuals cover the distributor. You may need to consult the Haynes or Clymer, or there may be a Lucas manual that covers it, although I haven't been able to locate one as yet. The distributor is a fairly simple component anyway.

The distributor on the early 350’s is a good looking, slim unit. It’s not that common across other models. When I restored a ‘57 in about 2000 there were very few replacements around.

I suspect there are less now.

Don’t throw anything out when you strip it. It may be useful as a pattern.

To remove the distributor you undo the clamp bolt and twist it out. There is a gear on the end of the shaft held by a roll pin I think.

As stated above they are a simple unit.

not sure what info you need .
its an 18d2 distributor body , basically common to a number of Triumph 350 , 500 and 6T models ,from mid 50s to early 60s .
( and other brands too ) ... the internals would have been fitted to a specific model
the Distributor runs at half speed of the crankshaft .
with a single set of points fires every 180° , from a two lobed cam ... through one coil . ( 360° on the crank )
And the distributor rotor routes the firing to the cylinder on compression .

I have Triumph Instruction manual No 17 covering the B range from September,1956 onwards. It covers both the DKX2A and 18D2 distributors used at the time so should assist you with your 3TA.

If you’re interested I’m happy to part with it.

I live in Melbourne so postage would be reasonable.