Dolomite 1500TC V6 swap and race build

[James467]

On the Midget I run HS4's, in the photo are the HS6's from my Sprint.

Edited due to bad grammar!!

[Mad Mart]

On the Midget I run HS4's, in the photo are the HS6's from my Sprint.

Edited due to bad grammar!!

Now you just need to remove the apostrophes from HS4s & HS6s!!!

[James467]

That's what I get for trying to write a post whilst negotiating a discount on gas from BOC!

I gave up, went down the Hobbyweld route.

[James467]

Boost (sorry, don't know your name!! ) have you thought about a K series?

A lot of people I know have K Series engined Midgets ranging from the 1.4 all the way to a 1.8 VVC, all mated to ford type 9 boxes. I was thinking of getting a 1.4 90bhp unit then putting the larger throttle body on it which will take it to 120bhp when the 1500 lump goes bang, they seem to be plentiful and its easy to mate them to the ford box. I was going to get a whole car, pinch the engine, ebay anything I can then junk the rest.

Easy to do on a midget, not sure about a dolly though.

[Boost All The Dollys]

Boost (sorry, don't know your name!! ) have you thought about a K series?

A lot of people I know have K Series engined Midgets ranging from the 1.4 all the way to a 1.8 VVC, all mated to ford type 9 boxes. I was thinking of getting a 1.4 90bhp unit then putting the larger throttle body on it which will take it to 120bhp when the 1500 lump goes bang, they seem to be plentiful and its easy to mate them to the ford box. I was going to get a whole car, pinch the engine, ebay anything I can then junk the rest.

Easy to do on a midget, not sure about a dolly though.

I thought about it but I'm not very good with wiring and ECUs so that put me off

[Toledo Man]

Not to mention the head gasket problems associated with THAT engine. If I were to own another K series engine (with or without a car) the first thing I would do is to bite the bullet and fit the uprated gasket set regardless if it hadn't already been fitted. I've suffered that problem when I had my Rover 214.

[James467]

K Series problems result from the location of the thermostat which allows the head to overheat first melting the plastic locating dowels then when the stat opens allows it to cool too fast thus warping it and allowing the head gasket to move and blow.

First thing to do on a K is move the thermostat and fit steel locating dowels.

The caterham in my avatar has a 1.4 K and I've never had a problem with overheating!

Yes, ECU electrics can be a bit daunting!

[Toledo Man]

I didn't know about the thermostat issues. It would explain the failure of the plastic dowels (I knew about the dowels failing). No wonder the cars overheated in the first place.

[Boost All The Dollys]

K Series problems result from the location of the thermostat which allows the head to overheat first melting the plastic locating dowels then when the stat opens allows it to cool too fast thus warping it and allowing the head gasket to move and blow.

First thing to do on a K is move the thermostat and fit steel locating dowels.

The caterham in my avatar has a 1.4 K and I've never had a problem with overheating!

Yes, ECU electrics can be a bit daunting!

It's a good idea but I'd rather stick to the original engine

[Boost All The Dollys]

Right, after doing some searching, I found that I can't get a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold for a 1500 dolomite, so I'm going to make one. Plan is to get a TriumphTune manifold, lop the secondary's off and shortened it so the bend is immediately after the collectors. Then I'll bend the secondary's so it clears the cross member and have the final collector somewhere by the gearbox

[Boost All The Dollys]

UPDATE:

I haven't been doing much on the car, been busy house hunting so I only had a few hours over the past few weeks but id thought id give an update.

managed to got eh exhaust system off, which involved cutting the down pipe in two ad someone had welded it to the centre section. ( whole operation took 5 hours!!! )

cylinder head and almost everything on the top side of the block off; radiator, water pump, electric fan, distributor, alternator almost off, inlet manifold broke off so Marko sold me a new one (thanks Marko), carbs, and fuel pump.

Next up is to drain the block (forgot there's a brass nut to do so, so id only drained the cylinder head), drop sump out, remove bonnet, and finally remove the engine.

now most of the bits are out of the way, the engine bay needs a good going over, so much surface rust from the fuel leaks and all sorts.

hopefully ill get some more done this week

[Boost All The Dollys]

Further Update

The car is slowly being pieces back together, although not with the parts in mind being fitted due to lack of funds, a wedding will do that too you

Once I get the head gasket kit ordered, I'll be trying to piece together a 4-1 header for the updated cam that I want to use, the set ahead fitting the whole front end together, MOT, then I'll be done.

Next item to address is paint, the fronts all primered up from a minor prang I had in the car, this has given me the opportunity to go for a race-style livery, what do you guys think of this? Photo is what I mocked up on PS

[Triumph1300]

If your still on a 1500, the club can supply a 4 branch manifold now

[Boost All The Dollys]

If your still on a 1500, the club can supply a 4 branch manifold now

Yeah, I'm tempted to get one, but I'm unsure if the runner lengths are the right size for the cam il be using in the future. It is tempting though

[marko]

What cam are you using now and what do you plan on in the future?