VA969 Mike's Early Sprint Restoration.

[Howard81]

A question was asked by Howard last week regarding the pins on the back of sealed beam units. As an illustration to anyone else who is unsure. The outer beams are dual filament and have three pins. Inner units only operate on high beam & have two pins

Thanks for posting those photos! I've actually managed to source a decent, working Unipart unit that at least matches the light on the other side. I'd be happier with the factory-fit Lucas, but as Unipart are also official parts, then it's not all bad

You'll be glad to know that's it for headlights.I'll make the next installment something more interesting.

It is interesting! It's this small attention to detail that fascinates me. I'm exactly the same when I need to replace anything on my 1966 Beetle

[sprint95m]

A dilemma, Mike? It is possible to fit the plastic mudshields as fitted to later Dolomites to the early ones like 969. These prevent the common front wing/eyebrow corrosion by stopping water reaching these areas (hopefully). Obviously fitting these will mean your car is not as it left the factory. I know what your answer will be ..........

[mahony]

wow,the wheels and springs look great,may i ask how much the wheels cost to refurb,cant wait to see the end result.

[pal1972]

yeh Mike them wheels look class!!! where did you get them done and how much??

[Gra]

Great wheels!

Can you let me know the Devon address as I am down that way regularly.

[Mad Mart]

Great progress Mikey. Can't wait to get stuck in myself. How much does the sand blasting cost?

Those wheels look great & for that price, a bargain. Devon is only an hour or so from me!!

[hutch76]

Hi folks. I have no problems either way. As I know the owner of Auto Image, I can have a word regarding cash deals. Same goes for powder coating. Both sources did everything for me on VUC.

The powder coater is a good friend, and understands the finish required.

As to the logistics of all this. I have no problems with anyone shipping parts to me direct, and I will happily take the parts to have the work done. I will happily pay the cash (cheques can be sent to me), uplift and post back.

I'll happily do this free of charge, for Club Members. If any non-members want anything done, join up first!

[sprint95m]

When I found 2 off of 627242 I thought that I had it cracked but alas no. If anyone has a couple of these spare & a gasket as shown. I still need the other side so please let me know.

627242 is also used on T2000 mark 2?
The headlamp panels seem to survive well on 2000s. If that same item is indeed used on them, maybe excellent condition secondhand could be an option?

[Gra]

Moral dilemma; the guys at Auto image gave me great service but it's obvious that they contracted the job out to this other firm who are a specialist. And would have added a mark up.
Callum you recomended Auto Image how do you feel about making a direct approach to the do er.
Don't want to broadcast it if it gives you grief.

No moral dilemma as far as I am concerned I wouldn't even consider using a firm based as far away as Glasgow no matter how good. I would however give my business to a firm in an area I regularly frequent.

[hutch76]

Moral dilemma; the guys at Auto image gave me great service but it's obvious that they contracted the job out to this other firm who are a specialist. And would have added a mark up.
Callum you recomended Auto Image how do you feel about making a direct approach to the do er.
Don't want to broadcast it if it gives you grief.

No moral dilemma as far as I am concerned I wouldn't even consider using a firm based as far away as Glasgow no matter how good. I would however give my business to a firm in an area I regularly frequent.

No offence, I would definately disagree there. For top quality work, I would outsource to anywhere in the UK, that would give me the standards I want.

I've sent parts to London for chroming, and the bodyshop I use is in Suffolk. Why? Because nobody in my local areas are as good.

[sprint95m]

Strange thing; the retaining ring comes in two halves. Each half is the same and has part number 627242. The parts book shows the retaining ring to be a complete circle with part number 627242. This is obviously wrong -



It comes in two halves & each half is part No. 627242 -



When I found 2 off of 627242 I thought that I had it cracked but alas no. If anyone has a couple of these spare & a gasket as shown. I still need the other side so please let me know.

I purchased a Dolomite parts book for my early 1850 and it arrived today.
It states you need 4 off 627242 (and has a slightly different illustration).

[hutch76]

So what did you do for the rest of the day Mikey?

[sprint95m]

Mike, is that not a later type handbrake lever?

[straylight]

great effort Mike. Did you run into any problems with the lifting hook slipping on the chain ? Looking at the arrangement and knowing how far back the engine must tilt to get it clear, I'm wondering how you stopped the whole chain sliding through the hook. I'm still worried about how to organise getting mine back in so ideas are good

great project, thanks for documenting it so thoroughly

stu

[Mad Mart]

Good spot Ian.

Stu, do it the way I do, after a respray. Lift up the body & roll the engine & box under, drop the body.