Dolomite and Spitfire 1300,1500, clutch and flywheel issues.

[dollymighty]

Hello everyone,

I need some clarification on an issue please.

I have trawled previous posts but I am still a bit confused. Please forgive me if this has been covered.

My Dolomite started life as a 1300 non overdrive but has, for many years been a 1500 o/d (among many other changes).
I am fitting a new engine and gearbox as my old one was a bit tired, the new engine is from a 1500 Spitfire.
The new gearbox which has been coupled to my existing bell housing and o/d unit.

I am now putting in a new clutch and here is the issue; I have come to find that the clutch on my old engine is smaller than that on the 1500 spitfire engine (and also the new clutch I have bought too! )

The bolts on the old engine are also fatter than than the allen key bolts that held the clutch cover on the Spitfire engine.

Both have the ring gear that fits the 1300 inertia starter... not the pre engaged one.

It seems that the Spitfire Flywheel has a protruding ring on it where the clutch plate bolts fit into it whereas the other one on the engine that has come out is virtually flat.

Is it feasible that the 1500 engine that I have taken out was just running on a Dolomite 1300 clutch and Flywheel?

If so it is lighter and should I just transfer the Flywheel from old to new, getting a new 1300 clutch, what are the implications of either route?

If I stick with the larger clutch and Spitfire set up, does anyone know where you can get a new allen key bolt set for it as one of them is burred.

Head hurts, thanks for reading.

Thanks for your time.

[James467]

Is it feasible that the 1500 engine that I have taken out was just running on a Dolomite 1300 clutch and Flywheel?

1300 and 1500 flywheels have different part numbers so this could be the case.

If I stick with the larger clutch and Spitfire set up, does anyone know where you can get a new allen key bolt set for it as one of them is burred.

Yes, I'd just make everything 1500 then it will fit. Moss can supply the parts, part number 146176 40p each 6 required.

http://www.moss-europe.com

[dollymighty]

Many thanks for the link that is a great help.

[Jon Tilson]

There are quite a few variations on the 1300 and 1500 flywheel and clutch combos...

First requirement is the clutch spline count must match the gearbox input shaft. Second and no less important
is that the clutch plate and cover size must match the flywheel...
Single rail boxes ( later cars) all have fine splines. 3 rail boxes as original all had the coarser splines, but no guarantees now....who knows who fitted what if its been rebuilt!

What you have - is what you have...

A 1500 could have an inertia starter and ring gear (1500 Spit and Midget) or a pre engaged - from a dolly 1500.
All will be larger clutches.
There are also a few 1300 BSM cars with bigger clutches, but most have the smaller. All 1300's have inertia starters.

There are also variations in flywheel bolt spacing, so the crank tends to come with the flywheel. A 1500 Spit inertia flywheel doesnt match with a 1500 dolly crank for example.

Hope that helps...its a minefield but you can get through it. Best to match the starter with what you have as they are cheaper if it needs changing.

Jonners

[markas]

There are also a few 1300 BSM cars with bigger clutches, but most have the smaller. All 1300's have inertia starters.

Jonners

So did the BSM cars have beefed up clutches to cope with learner drivers? I learned on one of those

[MIG Wielder]

Hi D.M. I had this problem some years ago with an early chassis number 1850 but with a later gearbox.
I just took the old clutch pressure plate, the driven plate and the release bearing into the local motor factors in Bracknell at that time ( since I knew they had all worked together ) and said " Please match these" .
5 minutes later I had what I needed.
As Jon says there are many variants and Moss Motors would be a good place to start with, what with all the Triumph variants of splines, driven plate diameter and pressure plate diameter.
HTH,
Tony.

[Jon Tilson]

Looks like your tired 1500 engine was indeed fitted with the 1300 flywheel and smaller clutch.

You can go down that route again as it should bolt to the spit engine. However I would recommend the larger clutch
that a spit 1500 and dolly 1500 usually come with, as the smaller clutch is pretty marginal.

As to the allen headed bolts, I dont remember any of mine coming so fitted. I think the standard bolts from the smaller clutch cover
should be re-useable. If not I'm sure the usual ironmongery suppliers will have something.

Jonners

[dollymighty]

Thanks for the replys everyone, such variations, crazy!

Will check my starter against the ring gear, fit the new allen head bolts that arrived today and beef my clutch up, seems shame not to use the nice new one that is sat there!

Thanks all once again.

Regards.