NAB 755T Dolly 1500HL Project

[LJColeman]

Enjoyed having the Dolly out today for the (probably) last time this year.

It’s a shame Castle Combe Autumn Classics was a wash out!

[LJColeman]

A sunny Autumn drive - maybe the last of the year.





I have also purchased a 1850 donor car with over drive that I will be using for my 1850/TR7 engine conversion I’ll be doing over the winter.

The car is a barn find so the rest of it will be for sale once I have used the parts I need.

I will also have a 1500 engine & gearbox for sale once removed from my car.

[LJColeman]

So,

After a bit of a disaster going to collect an 1850 that i won on ebay (Arrived to find it was actually a 1300!!) and a wasted trip to Reading.

Dan Brown came to the rescue & sold me his russet brown Dolomite 1850 with Overdrive & kindly delivered it to my house.

I will be stripping the car over the next coming weeks to a bare shell. I have a feeling the engine may be seized so i need to look into whether i should rebuild the 1850 lump before fitting it into my 1500.

Looking for peoples opinions on rebuilding the 1850, Is there anything to be aware of before i start?

[MIG Wielder]

Looking for peoples opinions on rebuilding the 1850, Is there anything to be aware of before i start?

If the engine is already out of the car, I'd definatly do the engine bearings and thrust washers and inspect the bores, maybe deglaze the bores and re-ring the pistons. Inspect the timing chain tensioner while its out. Then if the crank needs a regrind I'd go for balancing as well; maybe a rebore... Its a bit like eating salted peanuts. You can never eat just one.
As regards difficult bits, the crank pulley can be very tight, the water pump can be difficult to remove and the head studs can also be seized. Get back to us if the head is stuck as we have a solution. One other thing we found on an 1850 we worked on last year was that the flywheel had been put on 60 degrees out.

Tony.

[LJColeman]

Slight change of plan over the weekend:

* I have been making a lost of everything that would need to be done to carry out the 1850 conversion on my 1500. The list was substantially longer than i first thought it may be, My 1500 is near perfect & it would be a shame to put a 'non-perfect' engine & gearbox in it.

After factoring in costs of rebuilding the 1850, Rebuilding the OD gearbox + replacing all the coolant hoses, Radiator etc etc etc i have decided its going to cost a lot more than i can afford at the time being.

So the new plan is to refurbish the engine bay & engine of my 1500, Plans are:


- Try and source a 1500 Overdrive gearbox.
- Remove engine from car & replace sump gasket, Clean block/head/rocker & paint.
- Replace clutch & slave whilst out.
- Clean up & paint engine bay whilst engine removed.
- Tidy up wiring loom etc whilst engine out.
- Replace complete exhaust system with stainless.

I would like to do some mild tuning to the 1500 engine but it seems more hassle than its worth so i think ill just keep it as it is.

** (If anyone is interested in any parts from my 1850 then let me know) **

[AlanH]

Don't forget the prop shaft.

Whilst you have the engine out it may be worth do some basic porting. I understand the club are doing a 421 manifold so that would go together nicely.

If I were to go for a manual dolomite it would be a 1500 with over drive.

[LJColeman]

Don't forget the prop shaft.

Whilst you have the engine out it may be worth do some basic porting. I understand the club are doing a 421 manifold so that would go together nicely.

If I were to go for a manual dolomite it would be a 1500 with over drive.

Do we know when the 421 Manifold will be available?

[sprint95m]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=31852




Ian

[LJColeman]

Exhaust has now been replaced with a stainless system. I must admit it wasn't much fun to fit, but I got there in the end,

I do however have a knocking coming from the rear of the exhaust somewhere & a blow from the front joint which I need to sort but other than that it sounds and looks great.

Haven't done much else other than a annual service, looking forward to getting out in the car this weekend.

[LJColeman]

[LJColeman]

Managed to sort out the blowing exhaust & knocking noise today.

Also carried out a Annual service this morning ready for a Classic car Run tomorrow.

[GTS290N]

Looks good. Where did you get the exhaust from?

[LJColeman]

Looks good. Where did you get the exhaust from?

Thank you, the exhaust is from Rimmers.

[LJColeman]

A little bit more work done on NAB over the weekend, A few jobs ive put off for a while.

- Refurbished radiator from Arrow Radiators (Very good job)
- Replaced thermostat & flushed system
- Replaced both front engine mounts (Mounts from TD Fitchets)
- Replaced gearstick gaitor and surround


A few jobs on the list to be done over the next few weeks:

- Replace both front wheel bearings
- Replace gaitors on upper & lower ball joints
- Rebuild both front calipers with new gaiter kits & Pistons
- Try and tidy up the engine bay a little


Im looking forward to a summer using the car as often as i can & doing lots of miles.

[LJColeman]

Update -

Im Pleased with the improvements the coolant system has made - The car holds a steady temp now and never gets hot. The new engine mounts have made a whole world of difference, The car drives so much better now and not half as much noise/vibration!

Ive got a list of bits to fit just need to find some time!

Next up is:

* Rocker oil feed pipe
* Front discs & Green stuff pads
* Front wheel bearings
* Front upper and lower ball joints
* Complete front Poly bushes
* Front caliper rebuild kit

Looking forward to getting all the work done and see how it drives after!