Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)

[dollyman]

That is looking great Murdo Are you going to mask off the rest of the garage? It would be a shame to get it dirty
You mention powder coating some of the running gear? I have heard somewhere that it tends to chip with normal road use? I dont know how true that is, but it might be worth looking at.
The ramp does look a good bit of kit, as you know i was a bit scepticle Keep the photo's coming really enjoy them

Tony.

Powder coating nowadays is fine, there are modern coatings that are slightly more flexible designed specifically for car suspension systems.

Just make sure you don't coat any bolt or flange faces, anything that requires metal on metal contact.

That's good to know James I just remember reading about it somewhere? Knowing me it could have been years ago It's an age thing

Tony.

[oily66]

Regarding the fuel pipe seal that’s as best you get from the factory.
I ended up using a blind grommet, think it was a 25mm off the top of my head and I cannot find a picture.
The dum dum stuff you have there is the usual.

[RSi]

I've noticed the chap that does the powder coating here plugs the bolt holes James. I don't think there's a better alternative for protecting components underneath the car, or is there?

It'll be a case of tidying up the "dum dum" then Trevor, did they come originally with a grommet, or was it left open to the elements?

[RSi]

I thought these might be a nice touch for shows.

[oily66]

The dum dum is standard
This is what I did



Those plates look the nuts

[RSi]

The dum dum is standard
This is what I did



Those plates look the nuts

That looks neat.

The dum dum was doing the job and kept the water out, so will trim it down so it looks acceptable, if it doesn't I'll go the grommet route, is the hole not oblong?

[James467]

You know dum dum is just plumbers mate!

[dollyman]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sugru-Origin ... 289ecfa37c
Have a look at this stuff Murdo, it's great stuff.

Tony.

[Carledo]

Factory fit around the fuel tank outlet was a wonderfully hygroscopic chunk of sponge foam and a dollop of Dumdum!

Trevor's solution is a lot neater and massively more waterproof! I'd go with that!

My own take is more empirical, rather than trying to keep water out (which seems impossible with the way the bootlid and lamp seals leak), I ditch the foam or whatever it is strips berween the tank and boot floor, leave the main big grommet out and a hole around the pipe and drill an extra 25mm drain hole near as possible to the front (lowest) edge of the tank recess. Then a couple of good solid coats of Smoothrite on the inner boot floor surface! The idea being that any water that gets in, can get out again quickly, rather than hanging around to do damage. I don't expect you to use this approach, my car has been built from the outset to be a daily use car, it may well be put away wet (shock horror) or even get left out in the rain!

Steve

[RSi]

Drill an extra 25mm drain hole near as possible to the front (lowest) edge of the tank recess.
Steve

Unthinkable Steve, I've had to take a brandy after that suggestion. Now if I could purchase an NOS hole I'd go with that no problem.

Hopefully the only water this will see is tap water with car shampoo, unless I get caught out, which is highly likely in the Hebrides.



There's a tiny hole there.

[Carledo]

A lot of Dolomites (I hesitate to say all) seem to have that 1/4" drain hole in the boot floor aft and left of the big grommet. TBH, it's too small and in the wrong place!

At first glance, it appears to be at the lowest point, but experience of huge puddles and rust patches has taught me otherwise!

I can't find my only remaining NOS hole, will a remanufactured one do?

Steve

[geeksteve]

Leave a dash of salt in there and the drain hole will make itself automatically at the lowest point

[oily66]

No not oblong, probably looks that way due to to curve of the panel.

[dollyman]

Talking of holes, i always used to drill a 1/8 hole in the lowest part of a silencer box when fitting new ones. A couple if the customers car was a "shopping car" it made them last 2 or 3 times longer just by letting the water out.

Tony.

[JPSPRINT]

I thought these might be a nice touch for shows.

I can't praise the work and photos on this thread enough, super effort Murdo !!!!