TPC's first drive for 26 years!

[Bumpa]

This afternoon I finally had the time to tweak the carbs and get my 1850HL running better and then she had her first short drive for 26 years. Woo-hoo. What an achievement! Amazingly the O/D gearbox that I bought untried from ebay seems to work perfectly. I got up to third gear briefly and proved that the O/D works.

The steering is lighter than I expected and the brakes work well enough but feel somewhat dead. It has new discs, pads and shoes, calipers and master & slave cylinders, plus the servo has been rebuilt. Stamping on the pedal locked the fronts, so they work fine - just don't feel like a modern car.

The rebuild has involved only a small amount of welding at the front of the sills and a repaint. I have stripped the engine and found it in good condition so it has had cylinder honing, new rings and shells, new timing chain and new clutch. I ground in the valves and played with shims to get the clearances right. The motor sounds good and seems to have the power I would expect. The interior is in exceptional condition considering it is 40 years old.

The front mudflaps will have to go, or at least be shortened. Every corner found them rubbing on the ground.

Here's a hand-held video of the first drive.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/65077213@ ... 775517012/

[yorkshire_spam]

Result! You've gotta be chuffed to bits that she's on the move!

[tamtrucks]

mine was like that til few months of driving it around and it got better and better,,all down to bedding in everything and double check freeplay when ever you can

its a very good feeling when you drive it for the first time

[Bumpa]

I just have to wait for the new windscreen to come and be fitted. Two other thoughts are - I wonder if the dampers are shot (they are the 1977 originals!). The car felt very bouncy and seemed to lean a fair bit on corners. But then the road round my house is very lumpy because of sandy soil and tree roots, and the seats are softer than in my modern cars.

The other thing was how awkward it is to get it into reverse gear. You seem to need a lot of effort to lift the lever and the movement across the gate is tiny so I'm not sure whether it is in reverse or third gear. I know my wife won't like that.

[Galileo]

Good work on getting it going again! Pretty sure the shocks from 77 will need replacing, give it a hard push down on each corner and you should only get the one bounce. Not sure about the 1850, but the Sprint box is a 'knock' into reverse rather than a lift up. Brakes will need some bedding in when all new but will be nothing like the windscreen headbutting at the slightest dab over servo'd modern car brakes, they will need a firm press but should feel progressive.

[sprint95m]

I have driven at least three cars with single rail gearboxes, selecting reverse gear was easy in them all,
so I am thinking your problem is something requiring investigation, I'm afraid.


It is good that another Dolomite is back where it should be on the road!


Ian.

[Bumpa]

I have driven at least three cars with single rail gearboxes, selecting reverse gear was easy in them all,
so I am thinking your problem is something requiring investigation, I'm afraid.

It is good that another Dolomite is back where it should be on the road!
Ian.

Oh no, there is no way I am dismantling the car again just yet. I can cope with the reverse gear selection and I don't think my wife will ever drive it - she isn't an old car fan.

Regarding the shock absorbers, what types are decent quality at reasonable cost? From which supplier? I'm not looking for especially sporting units. Close to standard will do for me.

[going_downhill]

Looks like its driving really well. Makes me reailise the steering in my car is pretty heavy watching you drive around one handed! Engine seems nice and smooth with no hesitation (mine has a little). Also spotted how much quicker your indicator flashers are than mine..

I went with Gaz Coilovers from Rimmers with standard Sprint springs. Slighty firmer than stock 1850 springs. Mine wallowed all over the shop and was exactly as you describe. I assume you can travel the suspension a fair bit by pushing down on the bootlid. Mine now feels so much more drivable, I can actually enjoy giving it a bit on country roads. Not back breaking either so i'd recommend that setup.

[Bumpa]

TPC now has its new windscreen courtesy of National Windscreens (thanks guys, super job), and I have been to the post office, changed it to Historic Vehicle and it is now legal to use it on the road. It has done a dozen or so miles today just as a shake down and seems to be working well. Snagging jobs include tightening up the throttle cable so there is much less free play in the pedal, and fixing the choke knob so it will bl**dy well stay out when the motor is cold. Looking forward to some enjoyable drives.

I've given it some super unleaded to drink. Is that a good idea, or will it be happy on ordinary grade? It is a standard spec 1850HL.

[MIG Wielder]

Well Done ! An interesting story.
Yes I try and use Shell super unleaded in my 1850 when possible . Maybe it is psychological but it does seem to run better on the super unleaded.
Especially at 138.5 / litre down here
Tony.