Dolly 1850 HL Restoration

[Jummyboy123]

Been restoring my mothers car for her, Sadly my Dad had it and said he'd finish it for her but as they're split he's never bothered, Needs a little body work other than that everything is pretty much new, All poly bushed etc apart from gearbox and engine mounts but these are new anyway. The car hasn't been on the road since about 1994 and used to belong to Eric Young who used to play for Crystal Palace and Wimbledon, The car was last taxed 1994, It's pretty clean underneath so i'll take a few more pictures during the day, New tyres will be going on tomorrow on some 13" Sprint wheels. More pictures to follow.

[yorkshire_spam]

What's left to do? Everyone knows 1850s are the best!

[Jummyboy123]

Haha, Yeah they are, I have quite enjoyed working on it ordering bits and pieces to suit this n that and making a couple of parts, one thing I found didn't fit was the bar that pushes the clutch fork, ordered one and just wasn't long enough so hunted and hunted, in the end went down the engineers and got them to turn a stainless steel bar for me £8 simple enough job.

Only bits left to do is tidy the body up and a lick of paint, Tighten handbrake cables and adjust as these are new, Plug reverse lights in, Check why the rev counter doesn't work, fit the rest of the interior back in and just odds and sods.

It was a mess when I got it back, I welded new seals on last year or the year before as they weren't the best and everything else is pretty much new. Calipers rebuilt, New brake lines, New bushes, New this New that. should drive like a dream !!!

[Jummyboy123]

Took a few more pictures today in the day light.

[tamtrucks]

keep it up nice one,nice story behind it too.....look forward to next progress

[Bumpa]

Very similar story to my 1850HL. Mine was owned by my brother-in-law from three years old, but was stored away in 1992 and not touched until I took it on about two and a half years ago. It only needed minor welding on the front of the sills and a repaint. Otherwise it is remarkable for a 42 year old British car. It is a delight to use, comfortable, fast enough for modern road conditions, and draws attention wherever it is parked. What colour is yours? Mine is Tahiti Blue.

[Jummyboy123]

Not too sure on the original colour, would have to check the paint code but it will be going in for a full respray etc at some point, but for now to get some use out of it for summer it'll have a quick touch up and mop over.

[Carledo]

I'm a little concerned about your clutch pushrod dilemma. These cars are renowned for cracking the clutch fork around the pivot inside the bellhousing which will give exactly this symptom. A longer rod will only cure it for a very short time before the pivot bursts through entirely!

Steve

[Jummyboy123]

Not too sure on the original colour, would have to check the paint code but it will be going in for a full respray etc at some point, but for now to get some use out of it for summer it'll have a quick touch up and mop over.

It is the Tahiti blue same as yours !! Going to get a few rattle cans to touch it up for now to neaten her up before going in for a full spray.

[Jummyboy123]

I'm a little concerned about your clutch pushrod dilemma. These cars are renowned for cracking the clutch fork around the pivot inside the bellhousing which will give exactly this symptom. A longer rod will only cure it for a very short time before the pivot bursts through entirely!

Steve

The clutch fork looked like it was in good condition considering, I don't think it had done too much work, I'll check the manuals because we had two different gearboxes, one was an overdrive the other was normal 4 speed, Wondering if they're a different size and thats why it didn't fit.

Also I take it these cars will run fine on straight unleaded or do they need a Four Star substitute ?

[yorkshire_spam]

I run mine on straight unleaded, no additives. Alloy heads should have seat inserts as standard (from what I understand)

[Jummyboy123]

I'm a little concerned about your clutch pushrod dilemma. These cars are renowned for cracking the clutch fork around the pivot inside the bellhousing which will give exactly this symptom. A longer rod will only cure it for a very short time before the pivot bursts through entirely!

Steve

The clutch fork looked like it was in good condition considering, I don't think it had done too much work, I'll check the manuals because we had two different gearboxes, one was an overdrive the other was normal 4 speed, Wondering if they're a different size and thats why it didn't fit.

Also I take it these cars will run fine on straight unleaded or do they need a Four Star substitute ?

I also remember with the slave cylinder fitted, I pulled the fork all the way forward so it hit the front of the bellhousing, this alone was not enough to push the piston all the way back into the cylinder itself, The bar I had fitted came from Rimmers themselves, I called to confirm they had sent the correct one and they agreed they had. Was looking around for someone so I could measure theirs but couldn't find anyone at the time so went down the engineers to have one made up which works absolutely fine as it should.

[Bumpa]

Regarding fuel, I run my 1850 on super unleaded because it was orginally specified to use 99 octane. Because the mileage my car does is low, the extra cost doesn't bother me. I haven't tried it on standard pump 95 grade. As others have said the cylinder head should be fine as alloy heads must already have steel inserts for the valve seats.

[yorkshire_spam]

Regarding fuel, I run my 1850 on super unleaded because it was orginally specified to use 99 octane. Because the mileage my car does is low, the extra cost doesn't bother me. I haven't tried it on standard pump 95 grade. As others have said the cylinder head should be fine as alloy heads must already have steel inserts for the valve seats.

Sorry, above I should have said I run mine on straight super unleaded, as above.

[Jummyboy123]

Regarding fuel, I run my 1850 on super unleaded because it was orginally specified to use 99 octane. Because the mileage my car does is low, the extra cost doesn't bother me. I haven't tried it on standard pump 95 grade. As others have said the cylinder head should be fine as alloy heads must already have steel inserts for the valve seats.

Sorry, above I should have said I run mine on straight super unleaded, as above.

Ok thanks guys. At least now I know, In other news, think I've just bought another 1850 !!! This one's been laid up since 1986 in a dry stored garage......... !!!