The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I couldn’t resist this project.




Abandoned V8 project, bulk head cut out and subframe no good anymore





































removing underseal sure aint no fun.


























Phew!
Racing to get this back on the deck so I can concentrate on my real job!




I don’t recommend stone chip on the subframe before painting it, looks naff.

That shell is a good starting point.


What engine are you planning?




Ian.

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The shell it’s great, good doors and shut gaps.
I want it back to original Ian, sprint engine and auto box.

Progress today:

Great work and very quick progress . I have noticed that you have put your brake callipers on the wrong side of the hub.

Cheers for spotting that Ron, I would have probably put them on the car tomorrow the wrong way too!

The poly bushes are pretty badly engineered, I had to work all of them on both cars on a 12” disc sander to fit. It think they should be good in respect to being harder then standard and softer then the real deal so not such a hard ride.
Don’t bother fitting the upper wishbone ones, completely wrong gauge.

Are your bushes Floflex by any chance. I managed to fit the front upper wishbone ones on my car only after I filed out the metal insert. I fitted some on the rear axle tie bars and although it improved the handling I could not stand the extra noise inside the car.

I think so Ron, they say buy cheap buy twice, so I bought two sets.
Did you put plenty of silicone/rubber grease on them? I was hoping that would counter that effect.

I only use Chris Witors Superflex stuff, i've heard too many horror stories about the cheaper ones!

I'm also quite sparing with it, rear ends of rear trailing arms, rear ends of rear tie bars, front ends of front tie bars, rack mounts, subframe bushes if i'm going for trackday use (solid not poly rack mounts in this case) and the steering column bush for longevity. Anything else that's not good enough gets new rubber.

I've driven cars that are completely polybushed and didn't enjoy the experience, far TOO harsh and noisy.

I have poly at both ends of the upper rear tie bars on the Carledo, purely to counter axle tramp during line lock burnouts and storming starts on the dragstrip, the downside is they squeak a lot during normal driving on anything but the smoothest surface and what was a gentle whine from the back axle is now a howl at motorway speeds!

My 2 pennorth, 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

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.

Sounds like the best solution is a large set of speakers!

Sorry to say I once fitted a FloFlex orange bush from eBay to my 110 Landrover after an old bush was flagged on an MOT. At the next MOT the polybush failed.
I won't use anything but SuperPro or SuperFlex polybushes, or the closest to OE rubber I can find.

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The Carledo, having been on a strict diet (to go faster, add lightness!) doesn't even have a radio, let alone a posh sound system. Speakers are HEAVY! Nor does it have much in the way of carpets or soundproofing and the back seat is only there for noise reduction, you can't actually get to it to sit on it and it comes out completely for track days and RWYB at the Pod! (and MOT's, or i'd have to fit tipping front seats)

So yes I am at the extreme end of cabin noise levels, it's a bit like being inside a rally car on a special stage! A lot of poly has made it even worse!

_________________
'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

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.