Hiya! New Toledo Owner Here - Could use some Advice

[Nick C]

First silly question - what type of battery do I need?

First silly answer - a car battery :p

I'd have thought any smallish one would do fine as long as it's got the right shape terminals on the top? It's only a 1300 after all...

[Russ]

First silly question - what type of battery do I need?

First silly answer - a car battery :p

Hah, aye well I kinda expected that

I was just considering the amount of electrics in the Toledo compared with cars nowadays..so any standard car battery from Halfords for example?

[tinweevil]

Yup. Size, shape, terminal position and size are all you need worry about. There's nothing on the shelf these days that has insufficient capacity for our cars.

Halfords HB015 will do nicely.

Tinweevil

[Russ]

Cheers Tin, will get one tonight.

Baring any unforseen incidents..pictures coming tomorrow!

[Russ]

Here she is folks! We had to jump start the battery but she went first time, and sounded so sweet!

There's a minimal amount of rust, a scratch on the roof (see pics), but the electrics all work fine, the seats and insides are top notch, and other then the engine its pretty much in tip top condition!







Full gallery here (more pics to follow!).

[DavePoth]

Looks good and solid, which is the important thing. Keep on top of those scratches and dents and you have a great car there.

[Russ]

I'm told either the block or the head is gone, or both.

The engine leaks oil, burns oil (blueish exhaust smoke), and the head gasket is gone (whiteish exhaust smoke). Its recommended that I get new pistons, get the block rebored, get the alternator recoiled, replace the perishables, and get a new clutch whilst the engine is out.

Or try to find a replacement engine!

[bifold]

I would fit a second hand proven engine,(a engine you have seen running
or buy one from a long term forum or club member )
for a engine of 22000 miles its either been abused or its was a lemon from day one,
once fitted the car is back in use,there is more fun driving a dolomite and you can allways strip the old engine and rebuild if the costs are acceptable,nice looking car.

[Russ]

Hmm one thing - it appears to be a rear wheel drive, which I understand is rare for Toledos?

Will that affect what clutch I need to buy?

[Lewis]

Nah, all Toledos are rear wheel drive

A front wheel drive Toledo, now that'd be a rare thing!

Rimmers sell both clutch kits, as do most places.

[Russ]

Do I need a Dolomite/Sprint clutch?

(Does that go for most parts aswell?)

[bifold]

I think the best thing to do is go to a few club events/shows/meetings rub shoulders with a few fellow owners,Its a lot easyer to take everything in,when you become aware that your one of many ,with your own copy of dolly mixtures and able to access all that experiance engine replacement become a minor job.
Its allso changed my attitude to the triumph fwd cars,never really stopped to look at one,but since looking at the posts on the forum have come to realise they are cracking cars. underpriced

[DavePoth]

The vast majority of oily bits are interchangeable between the Toledo and the dolly 1300. I can't think of much that doesn't interchange apart from the bits in the boot.

[Purplebargeken]

Russ, send a PM to Phil as his 1300 engine is up for grabs. He's only in Herts.

Nice looking car by the way.

Ken

[Russ]

Russ, send a PM to Phil as his 1300 engine is up for grabs. He's only in Herts.

Nice looking car by the way.

Ken

Thanks Ken, Phil has kindly offered it to me already, I'm just wondering how on earth I can get it back to Cambridge