first car!

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LewisK · #1 Post by **LewisK** » Sun Jul 20, 2003 2:37 pm

17th birthday was in March, have been learning to drive since April I believe, and have been looking at all kinds of car for a long time. Always loved Triumphs, specially Stags and Sprints <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> 
 
So went out and brought a pretty damn immaculate 33,000 mile 1850HL <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> (auto <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ohwell.gif ALT=":"> ) with sprint alloys and spoiler. 
 
It's sooooooooooo nice and sounds so good. Needs work on the front brakes cause both inside pistons on the calipers have seized solid leading to little braking. Needs a new handbrake cable too <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> 
 
It hadn't moved very often when we picked it up, doing about 200 miles a month, but handled a 60 mile drive from London immaculately even in the boiling heat, and the temp guage didn't get above halfway either <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> 
 
Gonna put in rear seatbelts, front harnesses, it has a new exhaust, new mirrors l+r+c and maybe change the filters on the carbs? Any suggestion regarding that? 
 
So Good! 
 
Screw Novas and Corsas!

alun n · #2 Post by **alun n** » Sun Jul 20, 2003 10:27 pm

Good choice Sir, and Welcome! 
 
I had to wait until I was 21 before I had my first Dolomite, an imulse purchase bought with my first wage packet during my year out between degrees - and students think they're poor today! 
 
Wanted Mimosa yellow with overdrive and webasto, but bought Carmine Red without either. Only went to look at it to get a measure for them, offered him 50% of the asking price when I'd seen enough and he bit my hand off! Still have it today 16 years later, the rest they say is History!!

ANTHONY RLD 900R · #3 Post by **ANTHONY RLD 900R** » Sun Jul 20, 2003 10:49 pm

<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> 
 
Fit a straight through exhaust with a Bosal (or possibly mini) back box under the rear panel - it will sound like nothing on earth -nice burble, hear you coming before they see you - and when you stand 10 feet back you can still feel the exhaust - it's what I have on my 1850 auto 
 
Also, fit bullet door mirrors they look much better <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... smokin.gif ALT=":smokin">

LewisK · #4 Post by **LewisK** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 9:10 am

yea i think bullet door mirrors are a definite! do they still offer the same field of view as normal mirrors though? 
 
It has a new stainless steel exhaust which is very nice, bit of a blow on it but sounds good - i don't really want anything toooooooo loud <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> .......basically your saying i should take the rear expansion box out <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> 
 
I'm going to get the brakes sorted with my dad & rallying friend soon, so it'll be really driveable. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... lasses.gif ALT="8)"> 
 
I'll post some pictures soon! 
 
It has a period 1982 (I think) Philips hifi with reciept for installation of the hifi and the two blaupunkt speakers. It's in really GWO and if anyone's interested get in contact with me with an offer for it, as I may change it just for a black slot-loader, cause I don't really want to put all my music back on tape <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"> 
 
Keep em coming! Anything else I should know about these cars that needs changing / attention?

ANTHONY RLD 900R · #5 Post by **ANTHONY RLD 900R** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 3:19 am

The bullet mirrors are okay for vision, I only have the driver's side(!) so it makes you keep a good look out!!!! 
 
I have Sprint alloys on with 185/70's, which to my eye (but then I wear glasses) look a meatier fit in the arches - I haven't had any trouble with the size on the bodywork. The handling feels better as well, as I had 175/70s on before. 
 
Check the front drag strut bushes as if they perish your inner edge tread wears off in no time - that's why I had to change my tyres. 
 
No on the exhaust - take the whole of the middle box out!!!!! 
 
And for g<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> d's sake check the coolant level through the filler plug and not the expansion tank as I first did<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> but soon learnt not to. 
 
To help with any overheating, I found the product Radiator Relief from Agriemech (good website) to be a marvel - lets the engine run around 17 degrees F lower but has a 50% faster warm up time. Car has never overheated, even in this recent hot weather, as I do a fair bit of stop / start driving in London, and the heater still works fine in winter. 
 
As a precaution I use a high percentage of antifreeze and also use deionised water in the system - no scale 
 
Otherwise, it's be prepared to learn the chassis, gearbox and engine numbers by memory from spending time in and under the car<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> .

knightrider150 · #6 Post by **knightrider150** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:21 am

my sprint is my first car 
 
my dad gave me this advise 
 
James your new to this for gods sake watch the back end <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol">

LewisK · #7 Post by **LewisK** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:48 am

v. true about the rear end there! 
 
Will check the coolant, going to be doing all fluids soon anyways as a matter of precaution <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":b"> 
 
going to get the quiller triumph brake overhaul kit, 2 front wheel bearings, handbrake cable, quiller sports air filters (their stainless ones) and that's it for now i believe. 
 
Rock on <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> !

knightrider150 · #8 Post by **knightrider150** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 10:06 am

K and N going in my airbox 
 
got a rimmer bros stainless 'zorst 
ignition kit 
lowered on spax all round 
FireStone 590s <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> 
 
you not changing the stereo system then ?

JonB · #9 Post by **JonB** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 11:48 am

Do the quiller air filters fit inside the airbox?? Only i noticed that several of the old hands were recommendin that they were the ones to go for, and that the ordinary K&N's (and any other) that replace the airbox were to be avoided as the suck up nasty hot air from the engine bay, rather than lovely cold air from the front of the car. 
 
Jon

knightrider150 · #10 Post by **knightrider150** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 12:15 pm

order the K and N filter for the stag rimmers do em 
 
fit in your airbox aswell <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D">

MaddMart · #11 Post by **MaddMart** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 1:45 pm

What's the part no. for the stag K&N ? I can't see it listed on RBs website. I've just modified a standard Sprint air box to fit on my 40's. 
 
Martin

1974 French Blue Sprint

knightrider150 · #12 Post by **knightrider150** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 1:59 pm

ring em up 
 
just ask if they have any stag k&n in stock 
 
they do btw <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)">

MaddMart · #13 Post by **MaddMart** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 6:30 pm

What you mean use that telephone thing thats sits on my computer desk ? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> when I've got a perfectly good computer in front of me. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin">

1974 French Blue Sprint

BDN712V · #14 Post by **BDN712V** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 6:32 pm

Are you sure they need replacing? Mine had a lot(!) of play in them, but with a quick clean, new grease and tightening up they've been fine since. Quite an easy job to do as well, and the only thing you're likely to need to buy is a grease cap (will find the part no. if you need for ordering) if you puncture it getting it off. 
 
Tim

LewisK · #15 Post by **LewisK** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 8:50 pm

Thanks for that Tim, gonna have a look at em at the garage when they're pressed out. 
 
K&N for the stag - Noted, ok. I've routed the air intakes to behind the front grill. 
 
Yes i'm gonna replace the stereo with a simple, black single slot loader with built in amp and put 2 more speakers in, just to make it more pleasurable to listen to. 
 
If anyones interested in the existing hifi, just message me <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> 
 
Thx guys!

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