1300 FWD, the latest weapon in the arsenal!

[algtj]

Thanks must go to Scott, firstly for sourcing me another car, (2 for me and 1 for a mate) secondly picking me up from the station and thirdly giving me my first ride in a Lotus Elise.<br>
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I will say this much, the journey home was much more comfortable! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Mightily impressed with the 1300. Now bearing in mind I have never driven one before, and it's the smallest engined car Iv'e owned, (Not counting the Siecento that was written off at 3 weeks old) I found the ride fantastic.<br>
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This little car handles so well I think some adjustment to the spax and new poly bushes are needed on the Dolomite!<br>
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The 1300 single carb engine is a sprightly little thing which revs to infinity and beyond! Much more willing than the 1500 although obviously not as much torque.<br>
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I am very sure I suprised more than one 'modern' motor on the journey home along the A43, A1 etc etc!<br>
But nobody was as more suprised as I!<br>
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Mrs Williams (Sophie) who if you remember wanted a modern car was suprised, and I suspect she will take this car into her heart as she won't need to pay for road tax and the insurance is only £134 fully comp!<br>
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I am looking forward to popping into the post office, when the insurance certificate arrives, to claim 12 months of the cheapest tax in the world ever!<br>
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Sophie's first reaction was something like this;<br>
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It's a little basic inside compared to the other Dolomite <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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It's not a Dolomite <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Looks like one <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Ok, the middle bit!<br>
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So the work starts!<br>
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List of to do items.....<br>
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Give her a good clean inside, make up an auxillery instrument binnacle (more of later) fit stereo and sort the tracking.<br>
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Guess who is going to be busy before TDCIR! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... b>algtj</A> at: 18/8/06 9:03 am<br></i>

[PurpleBargeKen]

Nice one Al. They are great cars. I really miss Gigi, but I guess I have enough cars to be going on with. See you at the TDCIR.<br>
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Ken

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[jeffclane]

I've been thinking of sourcing one of these, sounds a nice motor Al, any pictures? I know of one local which i may try and prise away from the unsuspecting owner.<br>
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Jeff

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[Carsreunited]

Excellent, glad it was received positively!<br>
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And a double bonus is that you have now sorted out an Avatar!<br>
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I'll be interested to track your progress with YMT as even though I only had it a few months, I had a real soft spot for it. Its a shame circumstances have conspired againt my 'Nicholas'esque' fleet ambitions!<br>
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[Nathan MWK 627G]

My little 1300 is better to drive that my modern car, takes a little getting used to after driving a modern van for work but thats the best bit i think......jumping from a van thats 6mnths old to a car thats 38yrs old!! But the 1300 always feels a very solid little car thats got loads of poke!! my car is all original, its never been restored and the engine has never been touched yet it still dose 70mph on the motorway and it still wants to go more!! just a shame that the world we live in these days wont really let us drive these great cars as an every day car!!

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... lub>Nathan MWK 627G</A> at: 18/8/06 3:31 pm<br></i>

[algtj]

Scott, I'll keep you posted, even down to the Leopard skin seatcovers Sophie has spotted on evilbay (In the eBay bit of the forum) Still it's her car...... <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START : --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Managed to shine the paint work on the boot, but was too tired to do the roof.<br>
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Soph then reminded me I have an electric polisher in the garage........HMPHHHH! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Jeff, tried to do some pictures but they came out the size of my finger nail....<br>
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When my brain starts to work as normal i'll figure it out again!<br>
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I definately recommend this model to anyone, the independant suspension speaks for itself.

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... b>algtj</A> at: 18/8/06 8:21 pm<br></i>

[Carsreunited]

Has the clutch sorted itself out yet or does it require pumping still? Faux sheep-skin seat covers would be about my limit, ask her if she wants to look like she's driving around sat on Bet Lynch?! That should put her off them!<br>
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[algtj]

To be honest Scott, I have only driven the car back as I am waiting for the insurance certificate to tax it.<br>
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The clutch needed a quick pump or two at junctions to function correctly, any advice anyone?<br>
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Soph is too young to remember Bet Lynch! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :p --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> :<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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She really seems to have taken to 1300, something about the chrome thing on the bonnet! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Were off to the airfield later so she can learn to drive it safely, and before I get a slagging from the females here, Soph by her own admission is not a very confident driver nor me a passenger! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[Carsreunited]

It will be easier to drive once the slave has bled up correctly. I didn't think to check it out in the workshop manual. Maybe fit that new slave on and start from scratch.

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[algtj]

Thanks Scott, as soon as I'm fit enough I'll start from scratch. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[Carsreunited]

Ooo yeah<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/embarassed.gif ALT=":o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Didn't mean to boss you about! Take your time or get the little nipper under there. Small hands will make the job less fiddly.<br>
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[dollysteve]

I love my 1300, so much better than a 1300 Dolly in every way, the engine is more rev happy and the fit and finish of everything seems better than it`s bigger RWD brother. I wish mine was still on the road but alas the dreaded tinworm has taken it`s toll on the rear suspension. Wouldn`t mind turning in to a ST tuning example complete with single weber etc, proper street sleeper stylee!!!!

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[algtj]

Didn't think you were bossing me Scott <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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OK, all taxed up! Went for a legal run! Clutch has started making a strange noise, I suspect it needs bleeding <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
I checked the reservoir the fluid level hasn't dropped<br>
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Love the street sleeper idea <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
I shall probably fit a set of twin carbs I have lying around shortly, I would have loved some minilites but the sound advice say's no go.

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[Carsreunited]

Can anyone confirm whether or not they are a self bleeding clutch slave on the 1300fwd?<br>
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[mbellinger]

Well done Al, on acquiring the original model in the Dolly series, the best built and the best suspended.<br>
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These cars are so underrated it makes me weep, yet the few of us who have tried know the reality is the best 1960's samll saloon bar none.<br>
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You are right about the 1300 engine vs the 1500 - much more rev happy and stronger in the downstairs department owing to the shorter throw crank.<br>
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The ride refinement of these cars takes some beating, even now. Couple that with the better steel quality and better panel fit generally than the later RWD cars and you cannot go wrong.<br>
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Be careful with the twin carbs etc, as without a cam change the benefit is limited. The TC model is trhat much quicker because it has a Spitfire Mk3 1300 lump under the bonnet complete with Spit cam, etc chucking out 75bhp.<br>
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Regrettably, the clutch slave is not a self bleed and is as inaccessible as any other Dolly. Best bet is the Jonners method of unbolting the slave and bleeding via a length of tube back into the reservoir thus avoiding airlocks and fluid waste.<br>
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Good luck - a discerning choice!

<p>Martin<br>
<br>
1968 Triumph 1300FWD<br>
1975 Triumph 1500TC Auto<br>
1989 Honda Civic 1300 Auto<br>
2006 Mondeo 2.0 Ghia X Auto<br>
2002 Renault Scenic<br>
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