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Sprint engine? http://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=35944 |
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Author: | Carledo [ Fri Jun 19, 2020 2:02 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
Quote: Quote:
The Vauxhall 8v 2 litre is as powerful as a Sprint, cheap as chips and indestructible (even by me!) Although belt driven, it's a NO-contact engine. It's an easy conversion and the injection wiring is only 5 wires to running! The Omega box that matches it has hydraulic clutch and the box is short and light with a readily shorten-able shift extension.
The advantage of using an engine that was originally fitted to the Dolomite range, is you reduce your chances of officialdom sniffing around. Personally I think the rules are stupid. I can understand them wanting to stop people rebuilding a whole car from just a vin plate but I see no problem with putting different engines in.If you want to spend money later, a guy I know of in Stafford can get 240+ bhp from one of these, but I find circa 140 is "sufficent" for a road car. Why wouldn't you? Steve Also I like the idea of using a retro engine and coming from a generation bought up with computers, I am fascinated by the way old tech like the a Dolly actually manages to work. The SU carb, for example, is ingenious. As for the piles of scrap listed on ebay, my advice is stay clear. At the very least check it turns over by hand before even considering it. The engine in mine was such a cheap purchase and it turned out to be not so cheap. OK I got it going in the end but I had to throw a ton of parts and time at it to make it work. In hindsight I would have been better off spending more and getting a good one in the first place. The SU carb is very clever, but it's not as reliable or fuel efficient as a Bosch Motronic! As Alun has said, buying ANY used Sprint engine is a gamble, even a cheap one can be a waste of money with NO re-usable parts to salvage. And the cost of rebuilding one is soaring, then there are the difficulties in getting quality bearings, chain tensioners, pistons, oil pumps and so on. Even decent gaskets can be a hunt and if you intend to use it in anger, this will be an ongoing problem that will only get worse. I can understand going to the time, trouble and expense of doing this for a tidy, solid, genuine Sprint in its original shell. Not so much on a mongrel Toledo (like mine, no offence intended Clive!) Steve |
Author: | Mad Mart [ Fri Jun 19, 2020 10:43 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
When I take on an engine rebuild I strip it, measure it and report my findings to the client at no charge. The client can then decide if they want to proceed or not based on my assessment. The engine will need to be shipped to me ie. not in the car. |
Author: | cliftyhanger [ Fri Jun 19, 2020 12:17 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
I have built several engines over the years, so that doesn't scare me in the slightest, and all have been "refresh" rather than needing any real machining. Just a hone, new rings and bearings etc. In fact one of the best I did was in a 1300 herald, built from 2 engines (crank and head provided by one, block the other, pistons and rods from both to get a matched set within 1g.) Anyway, expecting around 1K for a sound engine ready to be used, plus ancillaries. So Mr Weevil, ballpark about right. Meanwhile, life is overtaking me. Organising the funeral of one parent, the other just taken into hospital after a fall. So nothing will happen fast. |
Author: | cliftyhanger [ Tue Jun 30, 2020 10:14 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
An update. Today I went and collected a sprint engine and gearbox. The engine is free, and full of oil. But has been standing for many years I reckon. As usual, it was good when removed from a car (aren't they all!) so the head and sump will be coming off as a minimum. It came with a dizzy but no cap/leads. And a pair of carbs off a 2000, but I do have some short dashpot carb parts, so a bit of mix and matching is required. (I also dropped in to see the facebook blue dolly with the Saab engine, but it isn't for me) |
Author: | Carledo [ Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:00 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
Quote: (I also dropped in to see the facebook blue dolly with the Saab engine, but it isn't for me) What's it like in the tin? Steve |
Author: | cliftyhanger [ Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:19 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
Quote: Quote: (I also dropped in to see the facebook blue dolly with the Saab engine, but it isn't for me) What's it like in the tin? Steve |
Author: | jikovron [ Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:08 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
A Biva is almost impossible to achieve on a dolomite without an EC43R marked screen (the equivalent BS number is no longer accepted) of which so far I've been unable to find, so in my case I'm looking to reverse the body mods, fitting stock dampers, standard subframe to regain the 8 points. Carledo, does a getrag 240 really fit the shell with no mods? as I'll seek one out for the 'next' power plant if so. |
Author: | jikovron [ Sat Jul 11, 2020 9:37 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
Ahh that's an R28 gearbox! If course it is! I inexplicably had in mind the 240 that the 1800 mantas had but I reckon they are about the same size all told, looking at your installation an LT77 seems vast! I've got modest torque goals now so a light duty box like that will be fine tbf. |
Author: | Carledo [ Sat Jul 11, 2020 10:28 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Sprint engine? |
Quote:
Ahh that's an R28 gearbox! If course it is! I inexplicably had in mind the 240 that the 1800 mantas had but I reckon they are about the same size all told, looking at your installation an LT77 seems vast! I've got modest torque goals now so a light duty box like that will be fine tbf. I THINK the only difference between the Manta box and this one is in the clutch actuation, the Manta is cable operated whereas this one is a concentric hydraulic slave, which, with the merest bit of finesse, matches perfectly with a stock Dolomite master cylinder. Dunno about modest torque goals, this same box goes behind the 3.2 24v V6 in the bigger Omegas! Steve |
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