The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hello, we adopted a 1977 MG Midget and her cousin, a 75 TR6. Both left out and open to the weather here in Brooklyn and a nursery to multi generations of cats. The Triumph was in worse shape mechanically, so we worked on it first. Now my wife and I are going to start on the MG. Yes she helps and yes we are still happily married (44 years this June). Surprisingly the Midget fired right up after fluids and gas were replaced and drives,shifts and brakes well. Here is where in needed your expertise in all thing Dolomite. The engine number is YC66822HE which corresponds to a Dolomite engine number. Are there any differences in engine specifications for the two engines? The engine appears to be in the car forever. No hacked up harness or splicing into the cars system. We did find the Spitfire engine wiring schematics in the Haynes Midget Handbook to be slightly different. We traced out and found wires under the dash wrapped in the original tape wrap not used that are shown in the handbook. I know, if it's not broken don't fix it, so any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Larry and Michele Ferrara.

As far as I am aware, the mechanical specification of the 1500cc Midget, Spitfire and Dolomite is identical. I had occasion recently to rewire a 1500 Midget which had had a wiring fire behind the dash and encountered several apparently superfluous wires in the new loom there. It seems to behave quite normally with them not connected to anything! I can't quite work out WHY the extra bits are in the Midget loom, since the loom is NOT shared with the Spitfire and most assuredly is not shared with the Dolomite. So there MUST be another reason, but i'm blessed if I know what it is!

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, 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.

The starter motor will be different...

US spec. One size harness fits all. US spec have all the buzzers and the beepers and seatbelt warningsystems.

Jeroen

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Classic Kabelboom Company. For all your wiring needs. http://www.classickabelboomcompany.com

The actual engine components are identical.
Some of the bolt on bits were a little different, so as Alun says, the dolomite had a different flywheel ring gear and a more sophisticated starter motor, but they were very possibly swapped when fitted. And the sump is different I think, but again easily swapped.

So you should be fine just using the Midget 1500 manuals for information.
Best of luck

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Clive Senior
Brighton

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and in taking the time to respond. I was in touch with the first two owners and both said that's how she came to them. If the engine was replaced here it must have been by a MG dealership back in the day when we had a few in the New York City area. Again thanks and any information is greatly appreciated. Larry.

i did this swap to my 1500 Midget. The main differences are, as mentioned, the starter motor and matching ring gear (pre-engaged item does not fit in the MG tunnel) and sump, bowl at the rear on the Midget, at the front on the Dolly, because the steering rack on the Midget is ahead of the axle line on the MG, behind on the Dolomite. Then the exhaust manifold is different. But that's it, everything else is exactly the same.

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Vindicator Sprint, Honda Fireblade RRX 919cc, re-powered by AB Performance. Quick.