The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I got the most important job done. I gave the exhaust a clean up and gave it a coat of silver paint.


I got the remains of the rear section off without any problems.

It was barely holding together so it was in dire need of replacement.

The completed job. It looks a whole lot better than before.


Long term, I want to fit a stainless exhaust. My existing exhaust is the post-1975 type with the transverse silencer. I want to fit the early type with the tailpipe on the nearside. Fortunately, Triumph provided not only the threaded holes for the bracket but the bolts as well. While I had the rear nearside wheel off I thought I'd try to get the bolts out.
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With my impact wrench, the bolts came out without any problems. I put some copper grease on the threads and put the bolts back in. It made sense to check this while I had access. It will avoid any problems when I come to fit a stainless exhaust. The only other thing I will need is the bracket from the autobox. One of the tyres on the wheels I got from Alun has a puncture so I'll have to get that sorted out tomorrow. I had always planned on replacing the tyres if necessary so that won't be a problem. I've got cash from the sale of my parts and payday is tomorrow so money definitely isn't a problem.

My LED sidelight bulbs came in the post today. The one on the left is the LED bulb and the one on the right is the filament bulb.

They are a bit brighter but being warm white bulbs they have the original look. These are the first warm white car LED bulbs I've seen so I thought I'd give them a try. It should help to take the load off the wiring and will probably outlast the car.

Jobs left to do:
Fit the radio aerial.
Fit the bracket for the trip reset knob.
Get some shelf speakers.
Get the autobox exhaust braket.
Paint the headlining.
Fix the driver's seat.
Wire up a switch for the HRW
Fit a replacement strap for the washer bottle.
Fit the LED stop/tail light bulbs.

The list doesn't seem to be going down...

Toledo Man wrote:My LED sidelight bulbs came in the post today. The one on the left is the LED bulb and the one on the right is the filament bulb. They are a bit brighter but being warm white bulbs they have the original look. These are the first warm white car LED bulbs I've seen so I thought I'd give them a try. It should help to take the load off the wiring and will probably outlast the car.

Presumably, they aren't as bright as they appear in the photo? It might be dangerous if they're too bright for other drivers to see your indicators at night.

The photo doesn't show it all that well. This is the photo from the ebay listing where I got the bulbs from compaing the different types of bulb.

One more job has been crossed off the list and another is partly done.

I decided to fit the radio aerial tonight.

It was an absolute doddle to fit and it left me wondering why I didn't do this job sooner.

It is great to have a fully working aerial once again. The old one was hit and miss with reception. I must make sure that I retract it every time I leave the car. This is how the old one got broken in the first place.

The partly done job was the trip reset knob bracket. I attached the bracket to the trip reset and wedged it on the parcel shelf. It ain't perfect but it will do until I can get it fitted properly. Access is a bit restricted so I might use some sort of adhesive. I'd rather not take everything out if I don't have to.


The tyre replacement didn't go too well. The replacement tyre had a puncture and it was too late to go back to the tyre place so I'll have to go back tomorrow.

Finally, this thread is back where it belongs (thanks Andy/Ian. I didn't move it). I find myself torn between having the 3-way bass reflex speakers or the 70s style pod speakers. I'm also toying with the idea of replacing the single dash speaker with a pair of 3.5" speakers which would fill the space nicely for a 4 speaker setup (my Panasonic will run 2 pairs of speakers). I need to do something because the current speaker setup isn't really ideal. This is yet another of those "why didn't I do it sooner?" jobs.

Just after the 2012 MoT I had removed an L shaped plate from one of the engine mounts to fix an exhaust knock (fitting an autobox bracket cured that problem) and I keep on coming across this part so I need to reinstate it (another job to add to my list).

I concur the return springs are the wrong way round...

You had 2 choices....

Jonners

I can worry about that later. I went back to the tyre place and they didn't have any 155/80 13s in stock so I've left them my number and they'll give me a call when they've got them in.

I mentioned earlier on that I had a pair of red LED stop/tail lights that wouldn't work properly in the Astra so they'd been in the passenger side door pocket since I'd taken them out. I was wanting to try them out in the 1850.


This is a comparison with the LED on the right and the filament bulb on the left. The photo probably doesn't show it all that well. I tried to adjust the settings on my camera phone. It should give an idea of the difference.

The moment of truth came when I pressed the brake pedal with the ignition on. They are working perfectly. This job didn't cost me anything and it has improved safety with the advantages of LED bulbs. This wasn't even on my list but it is best to do jobs and buy bits whenever you can regardless of priority. It was also the first time I'd used my Aldi LED worklight in anger. It is brighter than my headtorch and still leaves my hands free with the hook and magnet on the back.

I dug out the L shaped plate which is part number 158586 and is just called a "restrictor".


This is situated between the engine mount and the engine mounting bracket. You can just about see the offside one in situ in this photo.


Before the restrictor is going to go back on I thought I'd clean, prime and paint it. This is what it looked like one it had been painted.


One job I need to do before I fit speakers on the parcel shelf is to paint the headlining. Mad Mart has done this on his latest Sprint resto (XJX) so I'm going to do this. Most of my headlining isn't too bad but there are a few areas that would benefit from a couple of coats of white vinyl silk so it will get done.

I bought a tin of white vinyl silk emulsion from the local Wilko for the headlining. I've also reinstated the restrictor.

I just undid the top nut on the engine mount. This is only accessible from above with a combination of socket extensions and a UJ. I had to go through the gap in the exhaust manifold between No.1 & No. 2 spark plugs. Next, I jacked up the engine until the bracket had cleared the thread. I had to use my crowbar to lift the engine the last few mm to be able to get the restrictor in place. It didn't need to come out in the first place and I'm sure it was there for some reason so I thought I'd better reinstate it. The headlining doesn't look too bad but I'm sure a coat (or 2) of the silk will lift it.

Compared with mine its on the wrong side and the wrong way up. What does the parts book say?

You seem to have a timing cover oil seal leak too.

Good job on the headliner....

Jonners

My parts book says Jonners you're wrong!! He he

Sorry to sound dense but what's the purpose of the restrictior?

I've checked my early and late parts catalogue and it is definitely fitted the right way round. I wish I knew what the restrictor did. I can only assume that it restricts movement of the engine side to side (the clue could be in the name). The engine seems to idle a bit better with it in place.

Jonners, I've not done the headliner yet. Just thought I'd take a photo before I started. I'll need to strip the grab handles, the interior light, visors, interior mirror and possibly the top seatbelt mount before I apply any paint. I'm also aware of the oil leak which will be added to my job list.

I thought the picture was a after painting shot, must be the flash, or its very clean to begin with.

I've not done the headlining yet. Just thought I'd take a photo before I started work. The grab handles, interior light, interior mirror, sun visors (they need painting separately) and possibly the top mounts for the seatbelts will have to be removed before I start painting the headlining.

Halfords are back in stock of Russett so I've grabbed a tin. The bonnet will be next to receive a coat of Russett. I didn't have the paint on my list but I'm getting stuff as and when I can. I'd like to get an air powered DA sander which will help improve my preparation. I've still got that dent on the offside rear wing to deal with.