Project BFR (1973 Mimosa Sprint)

[tinganting]

you probably know this ... but on early engines the number is on the top between carbs...but the i can also tell you how to suck eggs... has it got overdrive?

[Mad Mart]

Yep, it's got O/D (optional extra on the early Sprints). I've looked all over the block but haven't seen a VA number yet.

[Dollyboy]

very neat that, Sir, quite handy with the metal...

[sprint95m]

Yep, it's got O/D (optional extra on the early Sprints). I've looked all over the block but haven't seen a VA number yet.

The engine number will be on the block between the jackshaft core plugs. On the early Sprint I had, to be able to read the engine number I first used a little degreaser (GUNK) and a cloth to clean up the surface. The stamped digits are very thin and quickly fill with dirt. Hope this helps.

[David6214]

If you get a heritage certificate and it comes up with a different gearbox let me know, I have two others here that it might be instead!

It should be the original engine. I gave you the history I had and I don't think there was an engine swap in there. The PO gave me a replacement engine that he stripped out of a spare sprint that he was going to put in, so I reckon the one in there is the one he bought it with. The PO had it pretty much from new and as far as i know didn't change the engine.

PO took the gearbox out and I am pretty sure the one I sent with the car is the right one. If not then its the one with the chipped casting....its still here, but I think we agreed that it wasn't worth it.

Takes ages to find the numbers on early sprint engines, Sprint V8 spent about an hour with a diddly little wire brush and WD40 until he found out what it was (VA1747).....and he knew where he was looking!

It was beneath the Carbs on that one......and only very feintly stamped

No reason for it not to be there ....

[xvivalve]

Nice work Mart! Its a bit of a fettle, but not too bad a fit I hope. I only have one offside left in stock so need to restock before Stoneliegh...any feedback appreciated as that can be incorporated into the next batch...

I can say I have only ever found one Sprint engine number and that was on CAB...and I'm now on number 58!

[David6214]

Al

You must look harder, I have found most of mine (I think thats about 13 sprint engines, no match for your 58, but the percentage is good!)

[Mad Mart]

Thanks David, I'll have a look through the paper work (I have the memory of a goldfish at times )

I've always been able to find the engine no. on all my other Sprints. I've made it a bit harder now on BFR as it's had a coat of black enamel.

Alun, I shall report my findings re: the front wing repair panel forthwith.

[sprint95m]

The shell of your car is pretty good really.
My Dolomite has corrosion to both sills at their front ends (the car sits lower at the front so any water will lie here, hence the corrosion?). I am currently replacing the lower inner sills- these still have the original paint on the outside but pretty heavy rust internally. I felt it was better to do this work now even though it is still MOTable, rather than wait for the rust to destroy the inner sills. The outer sills are quite sound except for some of the lower parts, so I am replacing these too.

What I am wondering is- the corrosion of the sill front ends is caused by water trapped between the wing and sill?
Once the sill is holed, water can then enter the sill structure and cause corrosion?

[Mad Mart]

Started to rebuild the block tonight. I think this is my favourite part of the resto.

Before biginning the rebuild clean off all traces of the old gaskets and make sure you give all the orifices a good clean afterwords (I'd forgotten to clean the bottom of the block, as you can see from the first two photos, so had to start again) . I also run a tap down every thread just to clean them up.........awe! this is gonna take ages to write this up...read the Haynes manual!






I managed to find the engine no. although it's too faint to make it out. It is where it should be, by the jackshaft core plugs.

[straylight]

for the slow learners and first timers (me) any chance you can run through this in slow time Mart ? Just describe in simple terms what you are actually doing at each step.....and any potential pitfalls to avoid.

Better still, I'll just pay your airfare !

[David6214]

the mad mart world tour....nice idea....Mart goes round britain and the world fixing everyones dolomites......the 5th emergency service

Starting to come together well Mart......you'll be running a countdown to when it is finished soon!

[Mad Mart]

you'll be running a countdown to when it is finished soon!

[Paul Geering]

Yes was an optional extra on early Sprints but not on the first 2000. Having driven mine now with the basic 4 speed box I can tell you that it is great for round town but a right pain anything over 40mph! If it wasn't for originality I would go for O/D everytime.

Resto coming along nicely, thanks for the frequent updates. They are a great read - keep it up.

[Mad Mart]

Yes was an optional extra on early Sprints but not on the first 2000...

Mine is one of the first 2000 Paul and it has DLO in the chassis number.