The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Assuming that my 1979 1300 has the small 6 1/2" clutch, which flywheel would I need to convert to the 1500 7 1/4 clutch. I have been looking at many for sale on fleabay for 1500 midgets, spitfires etc, but there appears to be at least 2 types, one has a flat mounting face for the clutch, the other has a recess for the driven plate and a raised lip where the pressure plate sits. Also there are differences in the flywheel to crank bolts, some being 3/8" and some 7/16.
Hoping someone out there has already done this conversion and will know. I don`t want to take the clutch out until I have the parts to put it back together.
Ralph.

PS, I have filled in the membership form to join so will not be a freeloader for much longer.

As I understand it, your 1300 will have 7/16" bolts so you need the flywheel with 7/16" holes BUT I do not believe either the Spitfire or Midget flywheel will be cross compatible. First, the part numbers are different so I think you need to source a specific 1500 Dolomite flywheel, and secondly, the 1500 Dolomite has a unique starter motor which I suspect you'll also have to source

The reason for the non cross compatiblity (at least in part numbers) of the 1500 Dolomite and Spitfire flywheels is down to THAT starter motor. The Dolomite has a pre-engaged starter (which is unique to model and therefore rare and expensive) whereas the Spitfire/Midget starter is an inertial type. Like the 1300's. Different starters require different ring gears and, since the flywheel was sold complete with a ring gear (though the ring gear can be bought separately) there are different flywheel part numbers for Spit and Dolly.

If you go back to Toledo 1300 days, there was a special order Toledo made for BSM (British School of Motoring) which had the Spitfire flywheel and larger clutch, presumably to take more stick from learner drivers! This alone proves it can be done! Not that I doubted it anyway, I'm pretty sure i've done it myself years ago. When I get a minute, i'll look up the part numbers for it! Though as the Toledo had the earlier 3 rail gearbox with it's 10 spline driven plate, that (driven plate) part number would be irrelevant.

Steve

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

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Use a spitfire 1500 flywheel, as said, it will work with your starter motor. I know the midget 1500 uses a slightt variation of teh Triumph gearbox, so I cannot comment on whether that is compatable.

No idea where you are, but I may well have a spit 1500 flywheel spare. In Brighton.

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Clive Senior
Brighton

Not so either; club stock has one reconditioned unit on the shelf and several core units waiting to be done when demand requires supply (though our favoured auto-electrician has retired and closed up shop). Same price (at the moment) as starter motors for all other models.

Apologies Ralph, I was unaware that the 1300 starter could be used with the 1500 flywheel; I'd assumed (silly me) that there was a reason the 1500 Dolomite used a unique starter different to the Spitfire and with the 1300 and 1500 block being essentially the same, I had similarly assumed (silly me) that it would be an internal ie flywheel reason.

Does anyone know WHY the 1500 Dolomite has a unique starter motor?

The inertia starter is a bit clanky, so I expect they were trying to make the 1500 a bit more refined than the 1300?
But they are pretty rare starters, I had a good one that went to spain, bloke was desperate. And "we" are lucky to have a club that has stock of some of this stuff.

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Clive Senior
Brighton

1500 Dolomite flywheel available with other stuff here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175707852143 ... R-SG_tz7YQ

Can't see the starter motor though...

Thanks all for your replies. I think I know now what I need, a 1500 Spitfire flywheel which should be OK with the existing inertia starter motor, presumably a 1500 Spit pressure plate, and a Dolomite 1500 20 spline driven plate. Does that all seem correct?

Thanks for the offer of the flywheel, but I am up in Yorkshire (Pontefract). There seem to be plenty of reasonably priced flywheels on ebay so I will keep looking.
Ralph

Double post, see below.
Ralph

OK, so just had a quick look, and Spitfire Graveyard had a good 1500 flywheel for £20 inc free p+p. Interestingly though in the description in large red letters has put "Will not fit Dolomites"
I am assuming that this is in reference to the previously mentioned pre- engaged starter and different ring gear.
Anyway I have taken a chance and purchased it, at £20 there is not a lot to lose.
Ralph

Ha, elsewhere on ebay TD Fitchett are advertising a brand new flywheel,

TRIUMPH TKC 1840 SPITFIRE 1500 & DOLOMITE 1300 CC FLYWHEEL 7/16 BOLT HOLES

So they reckon it will fit, and they should know.

The dolly 1500 and spitfire 1500 use the exact same clutch cover, plate and bearing. So just buy a clutch kit.
Spitfire graveyard are an excellent business to buy from. I have, several times. Always been pleased.

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Clive Senior
Brighton

The dolly 1500 and spitfire 1500 use the exact same clutch cover, plate and bearing. So just buy a clutch kit.
Spitfire graveyard are an excellent business to buy from. I have, several times. Always been pleased.
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One Spitfire 1500 clutch kit ordered, and it says it has the 20 spline driven plate, so as you say it should go straight in.
Thanks,
Ralph

OK folks, did the clutch change at the weekend and Spitfire 1500 flywheel and clutch went straight on no problem. I have a Haynes and Autobooks workshop manuals and both list the torque wrench setting for the flywheel bolts at 45lbs which is for the 3/8ths bolts, no reference to the 7/16 bolts, but I found 95lbs on line for spitfire and midget with the 7/16ths bolts so used that.
Also changed back to the 5/8ths master cylinder and clutch is now delightfully smooth and light in operation. Result.
Incidentally the old clutch was down to the rivets and had started scoring the pressure plate but still managed to drive the car. Just shows how even on a low mileage car like mine (15,000 from new) things can be worn out. I think the original owner, who only did 300 miles a year, hardly ever got out of second gear, as that is a bit noisy too. May buy another gearbox to re build, but currently no one seems to have a new second gear.
Ralph

Good result.
Re noisy gears, that is rarely down to the actual gears. More likely layshaft pin. It seems low gears put a lot of side stresses on them. But at 15k, that is a surprise. It may be worth draining the oil and refilling with a decent quality stuff. And you can check for any bit bits of metal on the magnetic drain plug. (there is always a load of fine swarf, but that isn't a problem. Bit bits are)

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Clive Senior
Brighton

Previous aged owner driving by riding the clutch? The old boy opposite had a new Fiat Panda and was on his 3rd clutch before the car reached 10k miles…he literally couldn’t lift his leg off the pedal!