The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

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 Post subject: To auto or not to auto
PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:23 pm 
That is the question!!!! I cant decide!!! Guys please help me out! Trying to whittle down what i want and im down to either 1500hl or a sprint... But auto or not!!!


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:10 am 
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What sort of money are you talking? the very, very best 1500 in the country will struggle to make over £2k, but you'll struggle to find a Sprint that will move under its own power for that.


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:45 am 
I have different budgets. Im not to ser on a sprint butnif the right one came up immlooking at the 3k figure. It would have to be mot worthy for that. And not require major work (cosmetics i can fix slow time)

If it were a 1500 im lookong at the £1000-£1400 but im happy it may need a respray (im lookong for a keeper not a money maker obviously!)

Whatbi cant decide between is auto or manual as they both have pros and cons and im stuck!!!!


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:35 pm 
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Ultimately the deciding factor is down to two factors

1) Can you be bothered to change gear? If No then you have your answer

2) Availability - very few Sprint Autos so chances of finding one are slim unless it has a tree growing out of it

You'd be well advised to try both of you can as the two are like chalk and cheese. A 1500 auto is a perfectly good car but is a totally different experience to a Sprint auto. Both are good choices :)

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1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:17 pm 
What maintenance issues are there with auto boxes? Common fauts? Which 1500 have o/d or is this dependant on if aomeone retro fitted it?


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:46 pm 
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What maintenance issues are there with auto boxes? Common fauts?
BW65's are a pretty reliable box in general, and particularly so in the Dolomites because they're so unstresed in that application. There are two external band adjusters, a dipstick to check the fluid level, and an internal filter. The really important things are to ensure that it's run on the correct fluid, and that the kickdown cable is correctly adjusted.

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Currently over 35 years worth of fixing 35 boxes.
Hoping to reach 65 years worth of fixing 65 boxes.


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:58 pm 
Yup manual it is hahahaha :-)


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:14 pm 
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Not every 1500 has o/d as it was not standard fit. It's desirable but depending on what you intend to do with the car it is not essential IMO. It can be retrofitted though good boxes can be surprisingly expensive.

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Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:16 pm 
to be honest i would be pottering about no serious mileage so whilst i would like it and may consider it in the future its not the end of the world.


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PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:15 pm 
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If you do get an auto then get the 1850. They are reckoned to be the best of the Dolly autos.

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Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Old Brickworks, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1EA

1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - Now for sale)
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - another project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle


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PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:54 pm 
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Location: Dorset
My 1500HL auto box p155 like a sieve, but is rock solid - even when driven in a spirited way. It does struggle a bit with some hills, but is to be expected.

S


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PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:33 pm 
I think im going to stick to manual. Its been a long time since the college days and auto box theory lol

Plus i have my eye on a car...... Shhhh


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