I’m seeking information on the Rootes Commer Maxiload TS3 engine for a truck model project, I have many Pictures and images of the TS3 engine but absolutely no info on the actual dimensions of the engine. I need this to construct a replica scale model of this engine to put in a scale model Commer Maxiload project. The most important dimensions I need are the length width, and depth of just the basic TS3 engine block without all the ancillaries attached. Any Commer maxiload fans or owners of this engine who could supply this information are much appreciated as I can’t start the project without this info. (Commer Maxiload driver from 1970)… A “Knocker Rocker”…
Might be better to post this in the Oldie forum?
More knowledge of older trucks there, and some very interesting modelers visit there, more than here.
I daresay one of our highly professional moderators will “spirit” this across for you?
BUMP 
If you Google
Rootes TS3 engine, you will find endless amounts of information on this very Interesting and at the time popular engine. It was discontinued when production of the V Series Commer ended in 73/74. The tilt cab model (Commer Commando) which replaced it, used Perkins and in some if the early models, Mercedes engines.
The V Series was a very broad range of trucks, and I’m pretty sure that the "Maxiload " designation only applied to the 16t gross rigid. In other V range models, TS 3 and Perkins engines were fitted as required. You could usually tell a “Stroker” as they had twin headlights, whereas Perkins engined models had singles.
Two stroke was a C series, Perkins V series.
Bernard
Also marketed by Listers of Dursley and Wroughton for generator sets
oldengine.org/members/diesel … S3/TS3.htm
Pete.
albion1938:
Two stroke was a C series, Perkins V series.
Bernard
I didn’t know that.
I had a 1970 Commer, 13t gross. Its model designation was VCAW.
V was the series.
C designated the chassis type.
A indicated that it was fitted with a 6.354
Perkins.
W indicated that it had a 5 speed gearbox.
thanks to all who replied to my post re: Commer TS3 engine I now have the info from a member, It’s a shame that Chrysler also dropped the Commer TS4 engine, as far as I’m aware only 14 examples were built, some were tested in Commer trucks at that time in Mexico and Africa only 4 of the engines remain there is one displayed in a museum here coljenks
There were 16 TS4’s built I believe, 8 of which were extensively tested in the UK , one by Mortons of Coventry, when they were scrapped at orders of the management one indeed did go to a museum, the other smuggled to Ireland from what I’ve been told, this engine is now in New Zealand where it was restored to a high degree. The other 8 were used in testbed tests.
Allegedly, there’s a TS4 here in South Australia too - a few hours north of Adelaide in the city of Whyalla.
To cut a long story short - my local ‘diesel’ specialist- or injector pump guru as I call him claims to have seen it.
He told me the story about 3 years ago when he was rebuilding a pump for me, and yep he’s aware of the engine in NZ.
Unfortunately, he has since retired, so I haven’t seen him for a while, but he was an absolute master at setting up injectors & pump - a dying art!
Cheers all,
Keith
Some apt background music: youtube.com/watch?v=BmM-soQnQrc
The Tillings Stevens Two Stroke opposed piston engine concept didn’t die off completely after the end of Commer, the idea was used by the military to power the Chieftain tank using the Leyland L60 Multi fuel 6 cylinder (12 Piston) two stroke a collaboration between Leyland, Tilling Stevens and Rolls Royce in the late 50’s. It produced 650bhp but the main advantage was the concept of the engine meant the Tank had a lower profile important in tank to tank warfare. Further developments of these engines powered other British Army Armoured Fighting Vehicles under the Rolls Royce name. Franky.
Frankydobo:
The Tillings Stevens Two Stroke opposed piston engine concept didn’t die off completely after the end of Commer, the idea was used by the military to power the Chieftain tank using the Leyland L60 Multi fuel 6 cylinder (12 Piston) two stroke a collaboration between Leyland, Tilling Stevens and Rolls Royce in the late 50’s. It produced 650bhp but the main advantage was the concept of the engine meant the Tank had a lower profile important in tank to tank warfare. Further developments of these engines powered other British Army Armoured Fighting Vehicles under the Rolls Royce name. Franky.
In short, the concept of the 2 stroke horizontally opposed diesel was a winner. The application to a multi fuel engine, was again, a great innovation but maybe not nurtured enough? Being ex REME i can remember conversations with main battle tank mechs relating poor performance issues with the Chieftan’s (early 70’s) The concept of running weapons on diesel, petrol, jet fuel, heating oils without any major interventions was fantastic? The life of these engines was very low mileage.
At this point, i will relate (again) a memory from my brother (Ronald) while driving our Commer (TS3) tipper, on a particularly heavy site, and very slowly making his way toward tipping. He was just about making progress (forwards) and in second gear, when further progress required dropping to first. By the time first gear was selected, the engine took over the direction of the gearbox and began propelling the lorry backwards! The engine reversed itself! True.
Perhaps the most famous of all TS3s.
paulycats:
(snipped post)
At this point, i will relate (again) a memory from my brother (Ronald) while driving our Commer (TS3) tipper, on a particularly heavy site, and very slowly making his way toward tipping. He was just about making progress (forwards) and in second gear, when further progress required dropping to first. By the time first gear was selected, the engine took over the direction of the gearbox and began propelling the lorry backwards! The engine reversed itself! True.
Not that uncommon with two strokes, although four stroke engines could do the same. The Saurer diesels used by Morris-Commercial were notorious for that (and occasionally igniting the cab!) and I had the same thing setting off in crawler on a steep hill with the Gardner 6LXC in my Sed Ak 400, as did several of our other drivers.
Pete.
cav551:
Perhaps the most famous of all TS3s.
I collected a car from ■■■■ Skipworth, what an interesting bloke, he let me have have a look around his Commer and his workshops.
windrush:
paulycats:
(snipped post)
At this point, i will relate (again) a memory from my brother (Ronald) while driving our Commer (TS3) tipper, on a particularly heavy site, and very slowly making his way toward tipping. He was just about making progress (forwards) and in second gear, when further progress required dropping to first. By the time first gear was selected, the engine took over the direction of the gearbox and began propelling the lorry backwards! The engine reversed itself! True.Not that uncommon with two strokes, although four stroke engines could do the same. The Saurer diesels used by Morris-Commercial were notorious for that (and occasionally igniting the cab!) and I had the same thing setting off in crawler on a steep hill with the Gardner 6LXC in my Sed Ak 400, as did several of our other drivers.
Pete.
Father had a 3.4 BMC in the first of the FE Austins that did it, didn’t do the engine a lot of good, it wasn’t the same afterwards and a new one was fitted under warranty.
Bernard
Frankydobo:
The Tillings Stevens Two Stroke opposed piston engine concept didn’t die off completely after the end of Commer, the idea was used by the military to power the Chieftain tank using the Leyland L60 Multi fuel 6 cylinder (12 Piston) two stroke a collaboration between Leyland, Tilling Stevens and Rolls Royce in the late 50’s. It produced 650bhp but the main advantage was the concept of the engine meant the Tank had a lower profile important in tank to tank warfare. Further developments of these engines powered other British Army Armoured Fighting Vehicles under the Rolls Royce name. Franky.
Surprised you call it A Tilling Stevens Two Stroke as the only thing Tilling Stevens did was assemble it, they were not privi to any of the design or updates, a group of 4 were transferred from Coventry to Maidstone and worked strictly on their own.
There is some differences of opinion regarding the naming of the engine whether it was a Tilling-Stevens 3 Cylinder or a Rootes Two Stroke 3 Cylinder. Some sources say the Tillings-Stevens/Vulcan combine had the engine under development in the late Forties before being taken over by Rootes and they took on the completion to use in their QX Commer. Others of course say Rootes solely developed the engine before taking over Tilling-Stevens and used the Maidstone plant for assembly. Franky.