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 Post subject: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:38 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Hi all, this is my '74 Toledo 2 door "Carledo's Way" Drag racing cars should have a name and this one seems to fit.

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The story so far,
I've been thinking for some time now about building myself a quick car to do a bit of drag racing with, nothing fancy, just run-what-ya-brung days and maybe a bit of bracket racing if it turns out to work well enough. However with a disabled wife and 5 teenagers living at home my budget is almost non existant so I knew even before I started that this project would have to run on enginuity instead of cash!
So with an almost total lack of money I set out about 2 1/2 years ago to find a car as a basis for the project. My list of requirements were pretty simple, it must be a 60's or 70's, 2door saloon with rear wheel drive and not too big or heavy. Easy huh? After several weeks trawling on e-bay (have you SEEN how much people want for a rusty empty Escort shell?) this Toledo caught my eye, 41k miles, 3 owners,Ziebarted from new, original bill of sale and docs, a few days road tax and a recent and not too drastic mot failure. It was 7 days into a 10 day sale with a start price of £200 and no bids. Plus it was in Cannock which is only about 30 miles from my home.
After 3 days of holding my breath, still no bids, I bid £250 with 15 secs to go and found myself the proud new owner of OWF 797M for the princely sum of £200, I had been the first and only bidder! When I went to collect the car a few days later, (having booked an mot to stay legal) the previous owner told me he was going to weigh it in for scrap if it hadn't sold, a very narrow escape indeed!

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I drove the car home thirty miles without incident and immediately set to removing the 1300 engine and gearbox which I sold for £100.
At this point the master plan involved a Rover V8 (what else?) and the gods of e-bay rewarded me with a good ex p6 V8 with the bonus of a Lumenition kit, twin choke Weber and a remote oil filter all for £135 and a p6 4 speed gearbox for £60. I still needed a clutch and some other bits but I had enough to start work so I got out my trusty tape measure...........
I know now that this conversion is possible, i've seen pictures and videos and even a very nice sapphire V8 Sprint on e-bay and I tell you my hat is off to the folks who have accomplished this, cos my first thoughts on measuring up the engine and the hole were NO WAY!
Still I've started so I'll finish, maybe I can dry sump it, lose the water pump and fit an electric one, modify or rebuild the bulkhead.........
So now you're made of money?
OK, how about losing the front subframe and building a new front chassis with Herald suspension, you can get steel box cheap?
This is going to involve a lot of time and some VERY accurate welding-----are you sure this is what you want?
BY THE WAY, I KNOW TALKING TO YOURSELF IS THE FIRST SIGN OF MADNESS BUT I FIGURE IF IT'S ONLY THE FIRST SIGN............
Time to push the shell to the back of the shed to gather dust and let some new ideas mature!

TO BE CONTINUED

_________________
'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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:39 pm 
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Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:45 pm
Posts: 190
Location: The North. Ish.
I love the look of this car, it's got a really nice stance to it. I'm beginning to appreciate the two door cars.

More pictures, especially of the engine bay!


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:15 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Thanks for the interest, I am going to continue the story but for now here's a couple of pics as requested, 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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:21 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
BTW love the Yorkshire proverb, but shouldn't it be "eat all sup all and pay nowt"?

_________________
'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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:00 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
So a few months later......
Rooting around the back of the shed I came upon this Calton engine which I had squirrelled away some years earlier, you all know the story, good runner, only done 65k, far too good to scrap, it'll come in useful one day...... On a whim I winched it up on the trusty engine crane and lowered it into the hole where it fitted as if designed for it! Game on as they say!
At this point I must say a heartfelt Thankyou to my long suffering wife and family who all agreed to buy me esoteric mucky bits of metal for birthdays and christmas presents for the forseeable future! Without this help the project would probably have died of financial starvation!
But for now christmas 2010 was approaching and my shopping list was growing. In the meantime the V8 went back on the Bay, returning a healthy £100 profit making the total project cost to then £0 This even caused my wife to smile!
First on the to-get list was a gearbox and clutch. Here I chose the box from a '97 Omega 2ltr 16v, mainly for it's concentric hydraulic slave cylinder to save messing about converting the car to cable operation but also cos it was stupidly cheap, only £40 from my local general scrappy, complete with prop, lever etc. I didn't even consider using the Omega's dual mass flywheel and clutch though, so I fitted a 2ltr Cavalier flywheel that was "lying around" and got a nos Carlton clutch off the Bay for a mere £25.
Though I didn't realise it at the time the flywheel was my first major mistake and I happily bolted it all together and tried to drop it in again.
MORE SOON.....

_________________
'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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:40 pm 
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Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:52 pm
Posts: 7564
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Steve, the Yorkshire proverb is spot on.

_________________
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


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:56 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Not much to report lately, just drivin it an lovin it more every day but for those who've been following my Sprint thread, today on the bay I found an ex police 3ltr V6 manual Omega currently selling for £185.......
GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN!!!!!

Steve

_________________
'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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:50 pm 
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Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 7:10 pm
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Location: Holland on sea
Nice engines the vauxhall v6's , ive had two omega elites with the 3.0 engine and there quite quick in a omega ( auto ) god knows what it would be like in a dolly :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:02 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Engine swaps will have to wait for a bit as the rent ran out yesterday and the Carledo is now at my mate's bodyshop for some overdue (since its argument with my missus' towbar) TLC.
I've taken a week off to get the bulk of the bodywork done before Tony lays some colour over it. The jobs are as follows:-

1) Carefully remove both front wings, these are destined to go on the Sprint so careful salvage is a must!
2) Replace inner front panel and repair any rot found once wings are removed
3) Fit fibreglass front wings and front outer panel
4) Fit 2 new outer sills (and diaphragms if required)
5) Repair dent in lower drivers door
6) Fit doorskin to passenger door
7) Repair and turn up rear wheelarch lips
8) Fit new bootlid and fill in bumper mounting holes
9) respray entire body in original Carmine Red

So today we got to stage 2!

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And then try-fitted the wings and front panel

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I've also stripped out and repaired the drivers door and part stripped the passenger door!
We started at 9.30 and finished at 4, not bad for the first day, sills tomorrow!

Steve

_________________
'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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:11 pm 
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Quote:
........Though I didn't realise it at the time the flywheel was my first major mistake and I happily bolted it all together and tried to drop it in again.
MORE SOON.....

Please.......

_________________
Vindicator Sprint, Honda Fireblade RRX 919cc, re-powered by AB Performance. Quick.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:34 pm 
wow, such an uncluttered workspace. It looks like you accomplished all of the work with two pairs of pliers and an angle grinder :D

great work.

stu


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 11:36 pm 
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I think he used more than that.. I spy a G-clamp too! :mrgreen:

Great work, looks pretty solid underneath :)

_________________
1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (project thread)
1966 Volkswagen 1300 (project thread)
1962 Austin Mini (project)
1962 MGA 1600 Mark II
1965 Mobylette SP50 (project)
2001 Rover 75 2.5-litre V6


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:13 am 
Any details on how the fibreglass panels are secured would be appreciated. :)


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:50 am 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Quote:
Any details on how the fibreglass panels are secured would be appreciated. :)
At the moment the plan is the old fashioned chippies method - screwed and glued, or in our case tapping bolts and Tiger Seal!
There will be pictures when we do it!

Steve

_________________
'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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Carledo's Way
PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:01 am 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Quote:
I think he used more than that.. I spy a G-clamp too! :mrgreen:

Great work, looks pretty solid underneath :)


I have been amazed by just how solid this little car is!
The eagle eyed among you will have noticed the little yellow plugs in the shuts and elsewhere, evidence of the Ziebart process it recieved when new. I think this is mostly responsible for the fine state of preservation the car enjoys, the only extra repair needed so far was the top of the o/s flitch stiffener and I have NEVER seen such good sill front extensions on an unrestored car. And wait till you see the pics of the doors!

Steve

_________________
'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!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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