Steve, adjusting valve clearances isn't as easy on the 1850. Valve seat recession isn't really an issue either (the 1850 has hardened valve seats due to the head being made of alloy) but a compression test is definitely worth doing to eliminiate worn piston rings or HGF. The next thing to check is the ignition system and don't assume that new parts are perfect. There are some poor quality new parts (such as as condensers and rotor arms) so make sure the parts are 100% known to be working. Use a strobe light to check the timing. The book figure is a good place to start for the ignition timing. Once you know that the ignition is 100% then you can move on to the carbs. The Dolly Wiki has a good guid for setting up the SU carbs.
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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