The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Cheers Nath, no worries matey, I know you're busy.

Well there she is, not too bad really. Thankfully I won't be needing one of Aluns front panels just yet.

As mentioned before, a bit of filling for tomorrow or weds. Then a few layers of paint. Noticed a patch of rust on the underneath of the bumper. I'll just treat it for now. A replacement can wait. A good clean up will make a difference.

What about a bit of stainless mesh instead of the grilles?

Saw a good little tip the other night on 'An MG is born'. Mark Evans dabbed each screw and pop rivet with a bit of Waxoyl before he fitted them to the bodywork. Makes sense.

looking good ken, got a completion date in mind?

Kind of hoping that the bodywork will be finished (for it to look respectable) in about 3 weeks. Don't forget I only have a few hours on Saturdays and Sunday plus whatever I can snatch during the evenings (except Tuesday and Wednesday). Want to focus on the front end first of all. Then the rear, and then finish the sills off.

A service and a couple of mechanical bits to do for the MOT and that should be it.

Maybe end of August, hopefully. Depends if my mechanical mate can help (do) the bits... cos I'm not too confident. They are: bulhead steering bush, maybe upper steering joint and brake pads. That might not be an exhaustive list. Also a couple of new tyres and cleaned up steelies and replacement s/h rear shocks. Booger... forgot about them

Cutting it close for TDCIR but I really want the car up there. Fed up of not going in a Triumph for the last two years. Year before that was in LWD

Anyway, today saw the refitting of the rear seats and a bit of a blow over with the primer on the front. Just a light coat for a bit of protection really. Need to sand everything down to make it nice and smooth. All the coarse stuff done with a grit wheel on the grinder and a wire wheel on the drill. Might have a bit of time tomorrow before a hypnotherapy client is due to be seen. Hopefully that will pay for most of the service stuff, etc

If it doesn't get done in time to MOT it. I'll tow the bugger to the TDCIR
Ken

Have gone down to bare metal from the underneath bit above the headlights downwards. Have left the middle bit with the 1500 badge well alone as it's perfect.

Yet again, rustkilled everything, painted the area where the grilles sit with a couple of coats of red oxide primer. Have filled in some grinding marks on the front valance. Front bumper irons also sanded, rust killed and red oxided.

Will sand that down properly over the next couple of days, prime and paint over the weekend if all goes well with the repairs to the holes in the side.

Does anyone know what size bolts are used for the bumper side fixing point? Can't find the old bolt and t'other one was mullered.

Might also clean up the chin spoiler and fit it too. Making progress.

Ken

Crikey, you're racing along there Ken old bean! Puts me to shame, I've done sweet FA to my car in the last month or so apart from drive her around. Couldn't even rustle up the energy tonight to wash her! I hate that bodywork bit, haven't got the patience for all that sanding and waiting and painting and rubbing - give me oily bits any day! Unfortunately my car needs less attention on the oily bits than it does on the body!

x

Hiya Mel. It's taken me a while to get back in the groove but that's life. I don't mind the bodywork, oily bits are ok, as long as they are basic oily bits. I would love to have the skill and knowledge to not have to rely on other folk to help me out. Never mind.

Just have to keep on plodding along.

Nil done on LD tonight as I've just got home. Late meeting with the GP's and GP surgery counsellors

Ok, today's list of stuff done

Some filling around the front of the n/s wing, just below the bumper bolt hole, just needs sanding and a bit of shaping. More filling done to the lower section of the front valance, nothing more than a very light skim. All smoothed off.

Grey primered the inner panels where the grilles go and gave the front bumper a bit of a clean up.
Not bad for a couple of hours. Too darn hot to be out for too long today. It's taking shape nicely...... hooray!!!

Ken

Bit of an update.

Front end nearly completed, just need a couple of pinhole's sorting out and a bit more primer (ran out) then I can move the car out, turn it round and start on the back LD looking a lot neater

Non bodywork bits done today: fitted an inline fuel filter and replaced the old fuel line as a matter of course. Dismantled the headlights and gave everything a good clean and copaslipping. Got some new bumper side mounting bolts, washers and so on for the front bumper. It will all be copaslipped to death.

I'll take some piccies tomorrow.

Ken

Some prat had parked across the enterance to my garage. Couldn't get in and I didn't know who's car it was. Too tired to use Big Momma to tow it out of the way. Never mind. Will work on LD tomorrow.

99.9% of the front end is done. Have fitted the front wing lower repair section and with a little bit of fettling it should look quite decent, not 100% perfect, but a darn sight better than what was on there before. All being well, I will have it finished and I'll be able to get the car turned round to work on the cosmetic stuff at the back. Progress, progress, progress.

Have taken pics and hopefully they will be on here later today'ish Maybe.

Ken

Hmm, front end all primered and awaiting top coat when rest of the bits catch up. Went to turn the car round and she wouldn't start. I had a starter pack with me, but to no avail. She turns over but doesn't catch.

Have taken the battery off for some proper battery charger loving overnight, etc. I had a look at the new petrol filter, and saw that it was dry. I must admit I fitted it whilst the car was jacked up at the front. There wasn't much petrol in the tank, however, I put in two gallons when I lowered the car down this morning.

Any ideas. She was a first turn of the key starter before

Ken

piccys of kens progress...











looking good mate!!!!

nathan

Great progress Ken, I'll know where to come if I get another project, don't like doing bodywork.

More than welcome mate.

A bit of an update on RB2........
Its breathes fire It starts and runs, now just to sort the fuel leak, clutch, brakes, dynamo,screen washers, electrics, interior, rust ect ect ect.