My 1500hl project

[Andybrad]

Ok, engine is now built up again, had a few setbacks getting bits for it so it took far longer than expected.



The oil pump, sump pan and water pump are now fiited also.

I now need to order some more bits for it so I can hopefully fit the engine in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

[wiggybum]

Reminds me of my first Dolomite 1500HL in 1993! Loved tinkering and messing around with it. I fitted electronic ignition to it by swapping the internals over from a 1300 Maestro. Cost about £10 from a scrapyard. Still works too! It also ran a single 1 3/4" HIF SU carb. Just as quick as twin SUs but with a sewing machine idle

You'll have fun getting that exhaust in. I take it that's off a Spitfire? It'll need a lot of modifying to fit your car.

[Andybrad]

It is off a spitfire yeah. Was fairly cheap off eBay so I'll see how much it requires altering to make fit. If it's an awful lot of work, I'll have a new one made up instead.

[Andybrad]

Big step forward today, new engine is in and running

Managed to get the old engine and gearbox out and new ones in and running in about 6 hours with the help of my dad, would have struggled without him.

Fitted a solid steering rack mount and a poly one whil the engine was out and access easy.

I've re used the existing exhaust for now, the spitfire one I bought is nowhere near fitting and im itching to get the car back on the road now i've heard it run, so will probably keep the standard manifold and build a better flowing exhaust to connect to it.

Afraid i didnt get much chance to take many pictures.

[Purplebargeken]

Shame about the Spitty exhaust, but at least she's a runner. Always a huge psychological boost I think.

Keep at it

Ken

[Andybrad]

Got these in the post today

Hopefully fit them at the weekend, along with new clips of course.

[r1150rt]

Wow!! they look nice. Where did you get them?
Are they available in different colours?
Dying to know how the engine runs too.
Any chance of a pic with the hoses fitted.

[Andybrad]

Thanks, they came from a company called classic silicone hoses, I'm very impressed with the quality of the hoses and they were a pleasure to deal with. They do a few other colours too.
I will put some pictures up of them fitted, got to do a bit of cleaning under the bonnet first though.

[Andybrad]

Drove the car out of the garage yesterday, first time its moved for a year


I've still got a few issues to sort out with the engine, the main one is an oil leak which appears to be coming from the sump gasket but that should be an easy fix, theres an oil cooler to fit and some wiring that needs tidying up.

Still undecided about the exhaust, does anyone know where i can get a tubular manifold from?

Hoses are fitted now.

[Jon Tilson]

Sorry...On a dolomite the only one that I know works is the one it came with...

Just make sure the flanges are flat and you use good studs and brass nuts. Be prepared to change the gasket every 2 years.

Jonners

[Triumph1300]

You could try Jigsaw racing, they prototyped a 1500 exhaust manifold a few years ago, from a SAH one I had kicking around, unfortunately, there wasn't much take up for them.

[Andybrad]

Thanks for the replies, i'll give jigsaw a call. If they don't have anything ill stick with the original manifold and connect a better flowing exhaust to it.

[Andybrad]

It's been a whle since i've updated this but some progress has been made, i've fitted the sierra vented brake setup now along with a mocal oil cooler and a few other bits and pieces,
i've had the repair panels welded in to the rear arches and painted them up. Few pictures:

I ended up having the braided hoses made up to connect the calipers to the hoses on the car as recommened by someone on here.



The standard exhaust is still on there at the moment, i've given up on the tubular manifold idea for now. Got a load of 2" stainless pipe and fittings from jetex to make an exhaust to connect to the original manifold. Waiting til after the mot to fit it tho as theres only going to be 1 silencer.

I'll let you know how the mot goes.

[Andybrad]

Ok, it failed the mot last wednesday on the following:

- Rear numberplate lights not working (just a bad connection)
- Emissions, excess hydrocarbons.


I had a go at adjusting the weber carbs but got nowhere fast. So I put the original carbs back on for the retest which it passed on friday.


The issue now is that i've got an aldon dizzy fitted which doesn't have a vacuum advance as the webers don't use one, so the car is down on power. Although that is no bad thing as ive got to run it in now.

[richard4040]

Are the old wheels up for sale by any chance ?