I've got a sprint engine...now what?

[fastman]

I've purchased a TR7 DHC, with a sprint engine, about 5 years ago. This may not sound very impressive to you, but here in the middle of Canada, it is a very rare sight! It is the only one I know of for all of our car clubs here in our province of Manitoba. I am now ready to dive into this project and see what I have gotten myself into. The PO purchased the engine, or built it, from sourced pieces acquired in the UK. I will provide what I think I know, and will be asking for some advice from those that really understand these unique engines. I purchased the car, sight unseen, from a couple thousand kilometres away, without speaking to the owner and very little email. It was the weirdest experience. I had the car hauler company actually do the transaction on my behalf.

The mill looks very clean and unused. I don't think that it is even broken in. It has an electric puller fan, new alt., no provision for the heater matrix at the back of the head, and a pair of down draft weber carbs. It is still running points ignition. The wiring is gimpy, and I can easily fix this with attention to the grounds and power. There is oil in at least two of the spark plug tubes, bathing the plugs. It also seems to leak oil from the back of the head somewhere near the bulkhead.

My current plan of attack is to first look after the dodgy wiring. Next was to get the spark plugs dry, and cure the leaky tubes, followed by the head and heater matrix take off. I am also keen on electronic ignition, and SU carbs (I've already got a set). If this sounds like a somewhat stable plan, chime in with advice, or perhaps a different route. I am not afraid, to tackle most myself, and I would like to sort this out within the next few months as dry weather comes around mid May. (it was -43C yesterday morning!)

I will also post pix as needed. I do enjoy everyone else's photos, and they help with communication.

[Reg]

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

I think Canada is a absolutely stunning country..but -43 ..and there's me thinking it was cold in England! You folks are made of strong stuff!

Congratulations on your car..a very good choice..even for the rarity factor.

If you have the original spark plug tubes..sorry, but they are rubbish and will always leak. If you can afford it, then new (re-designed) tubes with o-rings are the way to go..fit and forget..never had one leak yet. The club supply them but you do have to be a member to order.

New plugs are needed..plugs that have been bathed in oil, can have weakned ceramics and crack.

I have the Luminition Magnetronic (MTK007) electronic ignition in my dizzy..all fits under the cap..nice and neat and very easy to fit. I have paired it with a Bosch (red label) coil.. No- 0221 119 030.

I know it's a cost, but all worthwhile investments if you are going to keep it long term..I think there is around £200 there spent already!

Lot's of guru's on here who will give good sage advice I'm sure..it's the best forum to be for a Sprint engine.

Best of luck, lot's of pic's please..we love 'em..along with all questions no matter how silly and trivial.

[xvivalve]

Welcome indeed.

Denis Thomson in Vancouver and Doug Unia on Vancouver Island have Sprints; they may be useful contacts for you. I've just sold a Sprint engine that is about to be shipped to Chicago; that also is destined for a TR7 race car.

If you still have the original cross headed screws holding down the rocker cover, that is almost certainly likely to be the source of your leak. Particularly with the ridiculously thin gaskets supplied by the aftermarket these days, it is virtually impossible to nip down the bottom right screw to seal. The Club supply cap headed replacement bolts which with an allen key are far easier to tighten down and stop your oil leaking onto the manifold from this corner...meanwhile, at least you know you are getting good oil supply at the top end! They are £7 a set inc UK postage, slightly more for international, but you may be able to source them locally.

A second vote here for the club plug tubes too...and new plugs as a consequence.

[fastman]

Thanks for the information, and the contacts. I'm pretty certain the valve cover has the better fasteners, so unfortunately, I believe the head is not seated. I will attempt a re-torque after replacing the tubes. Speaking of which, I can't seem to find them on this site. Must I join the club before I can see them offered?

[xvivalve]

They are listed here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20147

[dursley92]

I have fitted a Sprint engine in my TR7 as well so welcome to the club!
Ref the heater take off on the back of the head, Rimmers sell an adapter part no. RB7240 which is just a standard Sprint blank plate with a plumbing elbow fitted into it so not very difficult to make yourself. Note if you get one of these you still need the hose connector to screw into it so I took one from an old TR7.
The picture shows a standard Sprint plate, the Rimmers RB7240 one and an ordinary TR7 for comparison.



Feel free to pm me if I can be of help.

Russ

[fastman]

Thanks Russ. I've also found sprintspeed sells a backing plate which looks like a professional piece. As for spark plug tubes, I've noticed that sprintspeed, and an Ebayer both have designed a tube with improved o-rings, as does this club. Is there one recommended over the others? Also, are there any advantages for a magnetic electronic ignition, over the "electric eye" with chopper type? I was thinking of the latter, as my other TR7 and TR6 have them fitted without issue.

[soe8m]

The electric eye, especially the lumenition optronic is better than the magnetic ones.

Jeroen

[dursley92]

Thanks Russ. I've also found sprintspeed sells a backing plate which looks like a professional piece. As for spark plug tubes, I've noticed that sprintspeed, and an Ebayer both have designed a tube with improved o-rings, as does this club. Is there one recommended over the others? Also, are there any advantages for a magnetic electronic ignition, over the "electric eye" with chopper type? I was thinking of the latter, as my other TR7 and TR6 have them fitted without issue.

The club tubes are the ones to go for and have been well proved by lots of members.

Ignitions are more tricky as the Sprint distributor is a Lucas 44D and the options are limited. I run a Pirhana/Newtronic optical ignition mainly because my engine came with that already in the distributor and I have acquired a couple of spares off Ebay over the years. You can also swap the distributor cap and rotor to fit one from a Lucas 45 type such as sold by Britpart for Landrovers etc etc etc. There are lots of comments/advice/recommendations about electrinic ignitions on this forum so I would suggest having a good read of those before you go and spend a lot of money.