I've finally started on the engine, and engine bay clean up.
Once I get this complete, it'll be just a fresh coat of Dinitrol underneath over the original ziebart and then MOT. I'm not aiming for this year now, as the restrictions in Scotland are going to last until after the summer IMHO. There's no hurry anyway, plus I'm working on the house which is taking up a lot of time.
Don't you just love cleaning things, something very therapeutic about it
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)
Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).
Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).
Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.
With more stripped out of the engine bay for the clean, you get a much better view of the condition. To think it's 40 years old in 8 weeks time, makes it remarkable that it's survived in this condition - it's completely original, there's nothing there but just grim and dirt to clean up, I'm absolutely over the moon.
It's fitted with an oil cooler.
Last edited by RSi on Wed May 27, 2020 9:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)
Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).
Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).
Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.
James467 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2020 11:42 am
White engine bays do look nice! You could go the extra mile and get all of the aluminum castings on the engine vapour blasted!
That oil cooler should be for the auto box, or at least it looks like an auto box oil cooler!
Yes, it's an auto Sprint James. I'm hoping to get all the aluminium bits polished up in situ, I'll see how that goes though
The rocker cover is off and waiting to get done, with all the other wee bits and pieces, I'll hopefully get them done next week as there's finally going to be an ease on lockdown, in Scotland.
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)
Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).
Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).
Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.
James467 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2020 12:55 pm
Of course, you have an auto dont you! Sorry, just ignore me, 8 weeks with the kids and my brain cells are starting to die off!
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)
Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).
Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).
Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.
The engine bay a bit barer. I'm just waiting for an engine beam to arrive so I can drop the subframe and front suspension, for cleaning. Once I get the subframe off, I'll clean the engine bay and get it polished up. All its original parts will go back on.
I've loosened all the bolts ready to drop the subframe. The engine's block's completely cleaned and ready for painting, the sump will be done too.
Some of the engine bay components cleaned and painted/powder coated, ready for fitting once I'm ready.
Heater blower waiting for it's stickers, the exact ones aren't available so having to get them remade. There are similar ones readily available, but not exact. Just need to clean up the wiring and get a new resistor bracket for it, after 40 years the cardboard it's made of is a bit tired.
It gets a bit messy when you blow the parts down with the airline, so had to cover everything.
Small steps, but progress.......
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)
Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).
Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).
Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.
I'd be pleased if my local HOSPITAL paid as much attention to cleanliness as you do in your garage Murdo.
I fear mine will never be that clean, i never even got round to screeding the concrete floor, it was pressed into service too quickly and as a result, I have a bit of a dust problem (ignoring the general mess that is also a constant presence)
Where do you PUT all your stuff? You know, tools and spare parts and anonymous junk?
Steve
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!
Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.
RSi wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:01 pm
Heater blower waiting for it's stickers, the exact ones aren't available so having to get them remade. There are similar ones readily available, but not exact. Just need to clean up the wiring and get a new resistor bracket for it, after 40 years the cardboard it's made of is a bit tired.
How many sets are you getting and will you be selling? I've got a blower stripped & powder coated waiting for reassembly.
RSi wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:01 pm
Heater blower waiting for it's stickers, the exact ones aren't available so having to get them remade. There are similar ones readily available, but not exact. Just need to clean up the wiring and get a new resistor bracket for it, after 40 years the cardboard it's made of is a bit tired.
How many sets are you getting and will you be selling? I've got a blower stripped & powder coated waiting for reassembly.
I can get as many as are needed. Have you a photo of the ones on your heater blower to see if they're the same as mine, 3 x stickers on the blower
Last edited by RSi on Thu Jun 04, 2020 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)
Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).
Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).
Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.
Personally I wouldn't bother with the engine bar support thing. You have a lift (yes I am a bit jealous!! ), a perfect opportunity to just drop the engine and box out in one go then whilst the engine and box are out you can detail them. Plus the other areas that you can't get to.
Pull the exhaust, prop and gear lever, disconnect the speedo and any hoses and brake lines. Drop the lift, disconnect the rear gearbox mount, 4 subframe bolts, support on 5 axle stands then just raise the car up leaving the engine on the floor. It would probably take me less than an hour to do.
Whilst I was at it, I'd pull the axle at the same time!
Not wanting to teach you to suck eggs but watch it if you pull the engine you'll make the car rear heavy on the lift.
James467 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:47 pm
It looks really good!
Personally I wouldn't bother with the engine bar support thing. You have a lift (yes I am a bit jealous!! ), a perfect opportunity to just drop the engine and box out in one go then whilst the engine and box are out you can detail them. Plus the other areas that you can't get to.
Pull the exhaust, prop and gear lever, disconnect the speedo and any hoses and brake lines. Drop the lift, disconnect the rear gearbox mount, 4 subframe bolts, support on 5 axle stands then just raise the car up leaving the engine on the floor. It would probably take me less than an hour to do.
Whilst I was at it, I'd pull the axle at the same time!
Not wanting to teach you to suck eggs but watch it if you pull the engine you'll make the car rear heavy on the lift.
If I had your skills James and ability I would certainly be doing that , but a lack of confidence leaves me doing things very slowly, and a lot more time consuming, but I'll get there before I retire
You can fully rebuild a car in a few weeks, nothing scares you, just get stuck in.
I was warned about the weight ratio thing a long time ago when I was rebuilding my Landy. That was very light in the rear and very top heavy at the front, so really conscious about that now - thanks for the heads up though.
Last edited by RSi on Thu Jun 04, 2020 1:03 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)
Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).
Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).
Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.
