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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:02 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

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Location: Highley, Shropshire
Having taken the plunge and bought the Vermillion Sprint Auto featured elsewhere, I guess its time to say a little about it.
Its VA 26140 DLA, registered EGP 247T sometime in 1978 (don't have a V5 yet) and as you may have seen in dursley92s post, its in a bit of a state!
Obvious from my preliminary inspection is that it requires (deep breath) both outer sills, both diaphragm panels, most of both lower inners all 4 jacking points, both rear outer arches, parts of osr inner arch, both boot floor to wheel arch closing sections, 2 front doorskins, 2 rear doors, 1 osf wing, repair to osf chassis below battery and either repair or replacement of the front lower valance. WHEW! Less obvious is that the floor pans, inner sills, main rails, roof, "C" posts (don't start!) rear window panel, bonnet, boot, rear valance, rear lamp panel and nsf wing appear to be OK. It also has a very clean headlining, decent carpets, rear inertia reel belts and what looks like a factory fit transmission oil cooler.
As far as the engine and trans are concerned, I was not able due to awful weather to try and start it on site so just winched it onto the trailer and dragged it home. since then i've only managed to grab an hour between showers to work on it. Needless to say its not running yet but the signs are favourable that it will. Weather permitting I will be on it tomorrow and hopefully will get it running and onto the ramp for a complete inspection. Steve

Image

_________________
'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.


Last edited by Carledo on Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:43 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:48 pm 
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:shock: Let's [-o< I'm not a church going person but that's some work there Steve. I can understand why you would want to re-shell.

I'm going to read this thread in awww. It's nice to be able to say mines bad but yours is worse :oops:

Good Luck Steve

All the best

Darren

_________________
1974 Triumph 1500TC In Maple Brown, (MABLE) GGN 647N
1968 Triumph Vitesse Saloon 2L MK2 Not for the faint hearted, mega restoration
1973 Triumph Spitfire In Mimosa


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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:53 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

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Gee thanks Daz, Ithink! 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: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:56 pm 
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Location: Highley, Shropshire
Few more pix....


Image

Image


Image



Image

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.


Last edited by Carledo on Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:17 pm 
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Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:42 pm
Posts: 3937
Location: Forest of Dean
Quote:
(don't start!)
:rofl3:
I shall be watching this one with interest :D If a shell needing that sort of work gets sorted my hat will be off to stratospheric levels to you sir.

_________________
1978 Pageant Sprint - the rustomite, 1972 Spitfire IV - sprintfire project, 1968 Valencia GT6 II - little Blue, 1980 Vermillion 1500HL - resting. 1974 Sienna 1500TC, Mrs Weevils big brown.


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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:29 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

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Location: Highley, Shropshire
I do admit to being slightly perturbed about the variation in width of the rear door gaps from top to bottom! I haven't found a reason for it yet and it may just be down to sloppy build quality and old tooling. Despite the massive amounts of rot, all 4 doors open easily and close smoothly with a satisfactory clunk (and attendant shower of iron oxide!)
I think that barring some truly horrific finds I'm going to proceed with this shell for a number of reasons 1) I've saved it when by any sensible standards most people would not and no matter what mechanicals I run it will still be a Sprint Auto and I fully intend to keep its outward appearance as stock as possible. 2) Its already an auto which makes my conversion easier. 3) The unused mechanicals can be sold on to help fund the project. 4) The car is 99% complete so I dont have to worry about tracking down hard to find minor bits. And 5) When its done I'll know its right cos i'll have done it all myself!
Lets face it, the reason any of us does something like this is for that magic moment when you stand back, look at the fruits of your labours and think "I done that!" Steve
PS Anyone know of a complete MGF electric power steering column going cheap? Earlier model the better!

_________________
'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: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:36 pm 
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You want funny door gaps, I'll take a picture of mine for you soon. The rear passenger side door has never really fitted at all! To the point that the handle on that side has always been loose, I'd assume from having to yank on it to open, then lift it to close the door!

_________________
1978 Sandglow Dolomite 1850HL The Lolomite - MOT pass! (broken again in 55 miles though...)
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it.
Image


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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:00 pm 
Just to prove that rear door wonky gaps came as standard..... on the production line;

Image


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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:13 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

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OK I'm convinced! I'll stop worrying about the door gaps! 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: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:14 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:02 am
Posts: 3401
Location: London
Good luck with the resto, one I shall be eagerly watching! Not far off my Sprint, VA26576 :cool:

_________________
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: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:24 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:10 pm
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Location: Darn saarf..
Quote:
Lets face it, the reason any of us does something like this is for that magic moment when you stand back, look at the fruits of your labours and think "I done that!
Absolutely bang on! :wink:

Restoring mine from a similar condition and then driving home after it's first mot in years, made me very happy and satisfied indeed.. 8)


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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 10:00 pm 
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Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2011 1:13 am
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Location: The continent
Quote:
Just to prove that rear door wonky gaps came as standard..... on the production line;
That's what you get when two different models are on the same production line.

Jeroen

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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Mon May 07, 2012 10:13 am 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
A quick trawl of e-bay last night revealed a number of MGF power columns with prices starting at £25! However all were devoid of Steering wheel and switchgear. The search also revealed the need for an ECU to control the thing (£25-45) and therefore a loom to connect it all up. I think i'm gonna have to find a car in a local nonspecific breakers and take out what I need myself so I get everything! The upside is that the pictures of the MG columns make me think there are indeed possibilities here!
If you all think I'm putting the cart before the horse by thinking about PAS when I've barely got a body to fit it to, don't worry, theres method in the madness! To suit my wifes needs the car needs to have PAS so I have to engineer this. Whether it ends up on this car or another is moot at this time and EGPs shell will make a perfect testbed! Plus this sort of engineering (which I love) will help break the monotony of welding and grinding (which I am not so fond of these days!) 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: The Next Level
PostPosted: Mon May 07, 2012 11:30 am 
Fiat and Micra are possibilities re: PAS??


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 Post subject: Re: The Next Level
PostPosted: Mon May 07, 2012 8:03 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7005
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Well the elements were not too kind this morning so I got the Carledo on the ramp and wired up the brake line lock that I installed when I rebuilt the master cylinder. A brief test burnout on the wet yard shows it works perfectly!
This afternoon was better though not terribly productive.
The story so far, I've already looked round the engine bay and noted the following, the oil is remarkably clean and topped up full but is very slightly cloudy as if from water contamination, I don't think this would show if the oil weren't so clean. I couldn't initially turn the engine by hand but fitting a decent battery had it clunking over nicely and the oil light extinguished fairly promptly at cranking speed, all good so far but no start (Big surprise lol) An insistent chattering with the ignition on alerted me to the presence of an SU fuel pump and a corresponding absence of fuel in the tank so I rigged a pipe into a gallon can and tried again promptly spraying fuel everywhere from the split and perished pipes. Having replaced all 3 hoses with new I tried again and this time was rewarded with a slowing clunk as the float chambers filled till the back carb float chamber started flooding, HEIGH HO!
I disconnected the pump and turned my attention to the ignition, since the rev counter was not kicking at all I suspected a total absence of spark. A test light quickly confirmed power to and across the coil but as I reached for the dizzy cap clips, the heavens opened again and I was forced to abandon for the day.
Fast forward to today and my first job of cleaning out the float chambers and needle valves went fine, quite a lot of crap but no problems and a quick test confirmed the carbs now filling and not leaking. So to the dizzy and this is where it all goes pear shaped, the points are burned blue and have a gap you can drive a bus through and unusually I don't have a spare set to hand or the condenser which has caused the failure either! Curses it won't be running today then. As a bit of an afterthought I pull the plugs out, they are uniformly black and a bit sooty and comprise 1xNGK, 1xChampion and 2xUnipart of different numbers so I think a new set is justified! The cap, rotor and leads look OK though and there is only a very small amount of oil around the number 3 plug to suggest a small plug tube leak.
I haven't actually checked to see if theres any water yet but the fact that the overflow bottle pipe is broken off at the thermostat housing is not encouraging!
Thats it for now, I'll get some new plugs points and condenser tomorrow when the factors are delivering again and stick it all on if I get time! 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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