Mounting windshield washer reservoir??

[DanEC]

I'm trying to finish up the under-dash work in preparation for installing the instrument panel and this included the windshield washer jets and tubing. I would really like to score a Trico original reservoir but haven't come across any Ebay. I wish someone would do a reproduction.

Anyway, I have a plastic bottle reservoir that ERA provided and I tried to see if it might mount in the general location of the original on the firewall. Between the starter relay, wiper motor and everything else - no way it's going in that area. The manual shows a bag reservoir mounted on the passenger side wheelwell but apparently ERA has gotten away from that and gone to this plastic bottle - not sure if the intent is to mount it in the same location as the bag one or not. I didn't find anything in the ERA supplements and private owner downloads.

I know Frank (428Street) has mounted a Trico reservoir on the passenger side firewall but I'm not sure what he did with the starter relay unless it's still in place behind the bottle. The Trico reservoirs must be pretty compact.

So, ERA owners - what have you done for a windshield washer system if you have one?

Dan

[PeteF]

For me, the washer system was of little use, so I removed it to make room for a manual choke in the dash hole. When the washer system was on the car, the reservoir was on the driver's side panel near the front left wheel. I now have a fuel pressure regulator in that location. I know I have made some concessions to originality, but this gives me areas to improve in the future.

[LMH]

Good luck finding an original Trico resevoir. I've been looking for over two years and not found the correct one. I don't know of a reproduction but if you find one, let me know.
Larry

[mickmate]

I may have a correct one available and a couple more that are similar. They are held in a metal clip. I think the decal is also being reproduced.

[LMH]

Nick, can you post a pic or two?
Larry

[KevinW]

the correct size ones are like as rare as hen's teeth.
Ive tried finding out if other cars had this size fitted without success - bit like the fluted knobs saga.

In the end I have compromised a little, (seeing as S/Cs never had a screen wash anyway) and got a NOS one very similar to this:

Vauxhall Victor FB, Cresta PA Trico Washer Bottle | eBay

(OK, its the wrong size, but it looks nice (and no I wouldnt pay what that ebayer wants for it).


and a trico plunger from Hawk cars, like Mick's got:

http://actoncobra.com/index.php?main...roducts_id=293

It will go, at least initially, on the firewall, in place of the puke tank.

I have to have a washer system here as its required for legally registering the car, as well as mandatory for annual road use (MoT) tests.

[mickmate]

That's great Kevin we had a Victor as the family car when I was a kid. I guess I never filled the washer or I would have remembered that. You could use it as is with the motor pump or cap that off and use the manual pumps. That bottle is the same as originals just taller I believe. The cap is considerably different of course. Now if only I could remember what model Brit car I've seen that glove pull on??
I'll get the pictures for that washer.

[LMH]

That's nice Kevin! I've seen that one while searching but it looked a little too tall from the pic, at least to mount in the stock location.
I heard somewhere, that the same Trico bottle was used on a Lotus Europa but don't know for sure. THAT should make finding an original one much easier!
Larry

[KevinW]

Larry - thats done it. I'm now obliged to spend hours and hours squandering time in wasted searches on Lotus internet sites for this stuff - I hope you;re happy.

Mick - the lid on mine is not quite the same as the one shown, although by the proportions, its the same bottle. Mine doesnt have the motor, but instead has a weird 'sink plunger' thing, which is pretty big attached to the lid - I dont know how its meant to work. I was just going to remove it, and use the trico dash mounted plunger to do all the work. any ideas?

If anyone wants measurements for the 'compromise trico bottle' let me know.

On my car its doubtful even if i had an original washer bottle whether i could put it on top of the footwell as per original street cars - my footwells are a little taller than the originals. The one shown is def too tall for 'top of the footwell' mounting. If/when i put the puke tank on the firewall I may move it to the inside of inner wing. I have also toyed with slicing out a section and plastic welding the base back on to make it a little smaller, but im scared of messing up a perfectly good-looking NOS item.

[my427cobra]

Here's a pic of my Trico washer bottle installed. I'll try to find some more pics and get you dimensions when I get home next week.

I believe the washer bottle was also use on the Lotus Elan/Elite and the Hillman Minx.

Cheers
Greg

[LMH]

Thanks Greg! Now Kevin can also look through Elan, Elite, Europa AND Hillman Minx threads to find the Trico bottle!
There you go Kevin!
Larry

[KevinW]

Greg - I just saw your that on the featured pics and was about to post a link to it. Looks real neat.

... and yep, the pointless behaviour has already started.

[KevinW]

OK, quick trawl:

Minx washer bottles = rare as Cobra trico washer bottles

Lotus variants seem to all have the El-cheapo Tudor washer bottles fitted.

[my427cobra]

KevinW: Yeah, I know all about pointless behavior. I've now spent the last month and a half on e-bay putting together a set of Elora 100 wrenches (one at a time) to try to replicate the original tool kit (got just about everything now). I'll never use the tool kit or jack but will look cool at car shows.

I found my washer bottle on the UK e-bay many years ago for $25.00. Fellow who sold it to me found it at a UK swap meet. Told him I'd pay him a finders fee to find another and he did. That one cost me $75.00.

Mickmate mentioned the decal. Many incorrect styles are available on e-bay. Bruce Canepa did a run of the correct style a couple of years ago when he restored CSX3360. I was able to get one from him. Don't know if he has any at this time.

I've posted an image of the correct decal before with diminsional refrences for those who want to make or have made their own decal. I could post it again when I gethome next week.

I'll try to lift the old one off the bottle very carefully (hot water soak) and save it for posterity.

Cheers
Greg

[KevinW]

Hey Greg ..... we both obviously know how to have a really great time on the web!!!

Here's the pics of 428Street's washer bottle - knew Id seen it here before when it first set the trico worm wriggling around in my head....

ERA_75210 - Club Cobra Photo Gallery
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...7/ppuser/19908
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...8/ppuser/19908
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...8/ppuser/19908

[my427cobra]

Yup. That's the beautiful car that set me out on a 5 year odessey to convert my car from an S/C version to a Street Roadster.

Should be done this spring.

Yeah. On the forum a lot this week as I hang around the BarrettJackson in Scottsdale.

Cheers
Greg

[mickmate]

I can't bear looking at that incorrect wiper motor on the wrong side! Luckily I couldn't see that from the drivers seat when he let me take it for a spin. Franks put together a nicely detailed car there. I'll try and find a picture of the clip that holds the back of the Trico.

[mickmate]

Easy to find right here on CC PhotoPost Classifieds - Trico washer bottle - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

[LMH]

How the heck did I ever miss that ad?!!!
Has anyone contacted him to see if still has it? One of you guys should email him and find out. I'll get in line behind you guys if no one else wants it.
Larry

[KevinW]

pm sent, but his last post was over a year ago.

looks like the same plated wedge-shaped bracket i have on my (incorrect) washer bottle.