RUK - Project Recommission 1972 'Dolomite' Auto

[yorkshire_spam]

I can't think of anything else engine wise which should be a problem, bottom end should be fine, you're doing the timing chain, I have done the carbs, Water pump is a brand new ceramic ring pump, I set the valve clearances and the cam looks good, rad is brand new.

I have a front cover seal if you want me to post it to you.

Remember when you refit the kickdown cable to make sure it is adjusted correctly. Sorry, you probably already know that!

Did you get the prop balanced in the end?

Love that little car!

I think the seal is ok, I know I probably should replace it while I'm at it, but now I just want to get her back on the road.

I haven't disconnected the kickdown - so hopefully it'll be ok.

Haven't got round to the propshaft, if I get chance to remove it tomorrow I'll drop it up at the balancing place on Monday.

The sump had really suffered over winter, so I've taken it off, cleaned it and given the outside a really good coat of anti-rust.
Tomorrow I'll give it a good coat of black ready for re-fitting.



All the gasket faces are nice and clean ready for rebuild, the only thing really holding me up is the curing time for the paint on the sump.

Couple of things to note.... when I suspected the HG had failed I did the usual hunt-the-mayo. But didn't find any.
Since I started work on the engine I found mayo in the sump AND the oil filter seemed to be about half full of coolant!

I have fresh oil filter, oil, plugs etc. all ready to go as it gets re-assembled.

[James467]

Couple of things to note.... when I suspected the HG had failed I did the usual hunt-the-mayo. But didn't find any.
Since I started work on the engine I found mayo in the sump AND the oil filter seemed to be about half full of coolant!

This worries me, I'd be interested to know what Steve, Alun and Mart think about this.

[xvivalve]

It takes time for 'mayo' to form; first the water needs to get into the oil, then the immiscible mixture needs agitating by passing through the oil cycle multiple times. Initial early investigation may therefore reveal no 'mayo'

[Carledo]

What Alun said ^^^^^

But i'm a little concerned about the coolant in the oil filter, which I infer was NOT mayo but cleanish coolant. Now it may be a by product of the overpressure caused by the HGF, where a certain amount has forced it's way past the water pump oil seal and thus into the sump and on to be trapped by the oil filter. And the bit of Mayo in the sump is just from condensation during long tem standing and unconnected.

The alternative cause is one that Mart is familiar with, I called it for him when he had a similar problem with a Sprint engine. And it's a porous block - which is not what ANYONE wants to hear!

My inclination woud be to build it up and try it first, before jumping to conclusions or scaring yourself to death. Only if the cycle of water getting into the oil repeats itself do you need to start worrying.

Steve

[yorkshire_spam]

I could do without it being a porous block... I've had a similar issue in the past on a 3.9 RV8 - cracked behind the liner on (IIRC) no 5. No HGF failure, but very similar (and extreme) symptoms.
Hey ho, what will be will be.

Yes Steve - it was clean coolant in the oil filter housing, it ran out the bottom (followed by the oil) when I removed it.

Thanks gents!

[yorkshire_spam]

Oil filter fitted, water in (no antifreeze until I make sure she's not leaking!), oil in....
Turned the engine over until the oil pressure light went out.

Fitted fresh spark plugs, connected everything up and she fired straight up.

Slight oil leak from the filter housing (my fault... not tight enough)

I spotted that the OS steering rack gaiter had popped off at the rack end and got chewed up by the rack, so I've replaced that.

Next jobs are re-arrange the cars on the drive so I can get the garage door at the back of Binny open (I'm not running the engine for long in a closed garage!)
Then I can get her fully warmed through and check everything over. If all goes well (ha ha ha) I'll adjust the handbrake and book the MOT for next Saturday morning.

[Toledo Man]

Did it pass?

[yorkshire_spam]

Afraid not, one of the front brake hoses is leaking and the steering rack mounts had too much play.
Retest next Saturday if I can get hold of a replacement hose.

[James467]

the steering rack mounts had too much play

They were new last year! If they have deteriorated that much I would want a refund from wherever I got them so you can get some new ones.

[yorkshire_spam]

the steering rack mounts had too much play

They were new last year! If they have deteriorated that much I would want a refund from wherever I got them so you can get some new ones.

I had a root through the file you gave me with the car James, but I couldn't see a receipt/invoice for the hoses.
As soon as I get it removed I'll inspect for wear/damage. I just need to source as replacement so I can get her through the re-test. Ordered steering rack mounts from Rob Sport - so provided I can sort something out I'm planning on a re-test next Saturday.

[James467]

Maybe I didn't replace them?

I did drink a lot of ale last night so some brain cells are probably missing!

[yorkshire_spam]

Maybe I didn't replace them?
I did drink a lot of ale last night so some brain cells are probably missing!

They look new, the one that's leaking is the braided hose that connects to the caliper.

Edit.... I miss read your previous post James, you were talking about rack mounts.... I answered talking about hoses..... I must be half asleep this morning!

[dollyman]

Sounds like you both had some ale

Tony.

[yorkshire_spam]

Rack mounts look pretty new and in reasonable condition, so not sure why there was so much movement on the test.
Couldn't figure out where the brake hose was leaking, looks like it's somewhere near the top union where it joins to the original flexible.

[Carledo]

It's possible that the rack mounts are OK and the tester is confusing legitimate movement (very few or no moderns have rubber mounted racks) with excessive play. The other possibility is that the slipper plate under the N/S rack mount needs a small adjustment.

Personally, I favour solid rack mounts on Dolomites of all types, it sharpens up the steering no end and doesn't seem to incur any bump steer penalties. Plus, of course, you can kiss goodbye to any chance of a failure on rack movement!

Steve