Help Buying a Sprint

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alun n · #16 Post by **alun n** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:27 am

Cills are structural!!! 
 
TR non 0/d input shaft and nose seal will fit dolly o/d box as direct replacement. I've sold a few in the past that have gone stateside. 
 
Note that this is only suitable for post '73 J type TR6s unless you want to go to the trouble of altering the chassis mounts which then makes it fit all TR4-6s including the 250. 
 
The shipping is rather high though unless you are sending a batch (in the boot of a car perhaps or getting your Dad to bring them over as excess baggage)

alun n · #17 Post by **alun n** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:29 am

The bonnet shut doesn't look too good; never a good sign. 
 
VLK is a way off still; we stalled again. Next year probably now.

dolomiteusa · #18 Post by **dolomiteusa** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:24 pm

I think I'm gonna lay off the e-bay Sprint as I'm not getting any more pics. Guys probably hiding something. Besides, I'm breaking my golden rule about NOT buy e-bay cars. I've seen too many TRs purchased via e-bay...not as advertised. 
 
I'm still in the hunt. If anyone happens to see a decent Sprint for sale & you don't buy it for yourself <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> Please drop me a line. 
 
Concerning the TR gearbox. Am I correct in assuming the bellhousing has to be changed or are they exactly the same? I think if the rear mount is set up for the late gearbox(more of a length thing) then either the late or early will bolt right in. I'm making the assumption that you would use the same bracket that allows fitting a 4-speed gearbox to a late TR frame. I had one in my TR6 before I fitted a J-Type to it. The trouble comes when you try to fit a J-Type to an early TR frame. 
 
Thanks again for all the words of wisdom. 
 
OH yeah, any good books out there on the SPRINT? Aside from the BL workshop manual 
 
Cheers, 
 
Todd

alun n · #19 Post by **alun n** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:23 am

Bellhousing is part of the case casting and can't be changed. You are right about the rear mount issue, its the A type o/d chassis that causes the problems. 
 
Only reason the input shaft is longer on the Sprint 'box is to compensate for the adaptor plate on the Sprint that pushes the gearbox back so the change is ergonomic for the driver; the cranked stick didn't work too well apparently...

dolomiteusa · #20 Post by **dolomiteusa** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:23 pm

Sorry, to beat this to death & really won't having impact on a buying decision, but will a TR6 gearbox fit directly into A Sprint without any mods? 
 
Also, I'm watching a few shop manuals on e-bay. One actually says it was printed in 1977. I'm curious about what the differences were in the model years? Are there years that are better than others. Different trim options or perhaps flaws in the early years that were corrected later? Wouldn't want to buy a Sprint book printed in '77 for an '80 Sprint when there were some huge differences between the 2 years. Of course these would be the Factory books...not the Haynes manuals 
 
Again, TIA 
 
Todd

davepoth · #21 Post by **davepoth** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:30 pm

The bellhousing, which is cast into the gearbox is different, so It won't fit a TR6. However all the internal components are the same. 
 
There were no huge model changes for the sprint over the years of production. Around 1975 some small detail changes (hazard switch, door rubbing strips, bumpers and badges amongst other things) were made, but nothing substantial.

alun n · #22 Post by **alun n** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:16 pm

Most significant change IMO was the wiring which changed in '76. 
 
If you can get hold of Classic and Sportscar, January 1990 there is a very comprehensive article that highlights the changes and when they occured. Other than that there are four volumes called "The Sprint in Print 1-4" which are compilations of contemporary magazine articles. 
 
A J type TR6 gearbox will fit a Sprint if the input shaft is changed for the longer item. Having owned both models simultaneously (albeit an A type TR) I can be certain of this as I spent time comparing the two (three) after an expensive rebuild on the TR, and infact supplied Hugh Upshall in the US with the necessary components to do just this. Have you done it yet Hugh? From memory I think the propshaft flange has slightly diferent hole pattern so will either need changing too or machining to suit.

dolomiteusa · #23 Post by **dolomiteusa** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:39 pm

Alun, 
 
Have not done any conversions other than fitting a J-Type TR gearbox to a TR250. I used the bracket sold by Rimmer to allow the later gearbox to fit the early frame. Looks to me that the bracket could be better designed. The mount that comes with it is a dead ringer for the Spitfire j-type overdrive mount. 
 
Thanks for the insight on the change. Someone on e-bay mentioned they may've upgraded the water pump for 76 & beyond to solve over heating problems? Sound familiar? 
 
Still looking... 
 
Todd

davepoth · #24 Post by **davepoth** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:34 pm

From what I've read, there isn't much of a difference between the two for normal use. It's much more likely that the pump in the car was worn, and merely replacing it helped with the overheating.

2F45T4U · #25 Post by **2F45T4U** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:33 pm

What about the change from 6 to 12 vanes (or was it the other way round) Is that what he meant? 
 
 
Adam

dolomiteusa · #26 Post by **dolomiteusa** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:57 pm

I was wondering about the "Sprint in Print 1-4". Has anyone picked up a copy of the TRiumph Dolomite Sprint Ltd Edition...It's pretty commonly available. Good reading? Does it highlight model year changes?

alun n · #27 Post by **alun n** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:51 pm

The only Ltd Edition Dolomite Sprint I have seen for sale is a model sprint in Black (which ironically was never offered as an option!). If there is such a book then I need a copy... 
 
the water pump did indeed change from 6v to 12v, but later than '76. The 12v was an attempt to increase the flow of coolant but it was proven to create greater cavitation in the water flow therefore negating any improvement. Later ex-works cars used the 12v arrangement milled out back to 6v to get the optimum solution.

dolomiteusa · #28 Post by **dolomiteusa** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 5:01 pm

It's a book...I think the author is Clarke...I picked it up on Amazone for $15 including shipping. 
 
There's another Sprint on e-bay...in my price range. Comments & can someone look at it?? 
 
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1980-TRIUMPH-DOLO ...  
 
Cheers, 
 
Todd

2F45T4U · #29 Post by **2F45T4U** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:57 pm

Bit crummy above the head lights. Really youd want a car that needs no immediate attention as you'll have toruble getting parts.

dolomiteusa · #30 Post by **dolomiteusa** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 11:52 pm

OK, say I get a Dolomite that needs front wings. How hard are they to replace? All the TRs I've seen to this point have bolt on front wings. No welding. Is this the case with the Sprint? 
 
I'll assume that this e-bay car probably won't go for 650GBP. 
 
Oh, another thing. The TR6 wings that have the heritage seal of approval seem to fit very well. How do the Dolly Sprint wings fit? Are they available. What about the front section of the car on e-bay that seems to have rot in it? 
 
Cheers, 
 
Todd

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Help Buying a Sprint

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