Rolling Restoration

[marty dolomite]

To be honest I love it without the vinyl, just needed somebody else to agree with me

Yep.

[stevephotoman125]

Had to order new bolts for the alternator top mount and the long bottom alternator bolt, seems the last owner was a bit over enthusiastic on tightening and stripped the threads. The top alternator mount bolt vanished on a road on the way home, managed to bring it home thanks to a rawl plug, a wood screw and a washer lol.

[stevephotoman125]

Sorry not updated recently I've been working on my sons customised Granada Hearse for a couple of weeks. Well Noddy has had the right shaped battery fitted, which allowed me to tighten the alternator up with the new bolts fitted. I took the stainless exhaust off and reassembled it with assembly paste on the joints, the exhaust brackets were all loose and it was blowing from the joints. The timing has been done and the carbs tuned so the exhaust is no longer sooty and the car is a lot more lively.
The bad news is the wife wants me to change cars, it's a struggle fitting 3 people in the back(according to she who must be obeyed). Dare I say it but she has her eyes on a 1980 SAAB 99 so the car's going in the for sale section, although IF it sells I will miss it, a Saab just wont seem the same

[Toledo Man]

Next to an Acclaim a Dolly is quite spacious. 3-up in the back of a Dolly is perfectly do-able.

[stevephotoman125]

I agree with you, try telling it to my wife lol. SO instead of me enjoying driving my Dolomite I am expected to drive a Swedish Tank

[boybiffa]

nothing wrong with a proper saab. However... if you really want to keep the dolly and find rear leg room a problem,you could always fit slimmer seats in the front,giving rear passengers more leg room. As for carrying 3 people in the rear,it is capable of doing so,but if carrying luggage and have a car fully of adults with 3 in the rear,uprating to stiffer shock absorbers and springs might be an idea.

No reason why it can't be done Ive once had 5 people in the rear and 3 up front when I was going from a mates house to a party. However it was rather low!

Rob

[JPB]

I like Saab 99s, not only because they share the Dolomite's engine - all but identical up to the introduction of Saab's 2 litre version - but also because their heaters are, well; Swedish! The 99 is only very slightly heavier than a Dolly but makes do with a single carb where Triumph's version of the engine has a pair. Hmm, there has to be a logical upgrade there somewhere, but I'm blowed if I can think of one just now.

The only thing a Saab 99 ever did to offend me was when a friend's rather good, 1974 1850 - borrowed once when the Mrs had my blue '72 Automite away with her - decided that I no longer needed to see where I was going and dropped its roof cloth on my head. That 99 was also the most vile shade of green ever invented but hey, beggars can't be choosers.
1709cc slants are pretty gutless compared to the 1850, but are also, quite possibly, the most durable of the range. You'd probably not want one in a TR7 though.

[stevephotoman125]

I will grow to like the car. It's a 2 litre 1980. I'm just working out how to fit my nice wooden Dolomite dashboard onto the Saab

[stevephotoman125]

NODDY THE DOLOMITE SAVED!!!! I had to take my son over to Suffolk to collect his little runabout a 1955 Ford Prefect in Kermit Green coach paint. Anyway Noddy did a 330 mile virtually non stop trip without missing a beat, when I got home I think even my wife realised what a great car he is and decided he is big enough and staying

[DoloWIGHTY2]

NODDY THE DOLOMITE SAVED!!!! I had to take my son over to Suffolk to collect his little runabout a 1955 Ford Prefect in Kermit Green coach paint. Anyway Noddy did a 330 mile virtually non stop trip without missing a beat, when I got home I think even my wife realised what a great car he is and decided he is big enough and staying

Fantastic news!

[stevephotoman125]

Well this weekends job is adjusting the autobox gearchange linkage, Noddy keeps thinking he's in reverse when he's in park

[Toledo Man]

Great news! It can be a bit awkward to adjust the linkage. Make sure you don't lose the clips at each end of the rod.

[stevephotoman125]

Thats the linkage on the auto box adjusted, managed to do it with it still on the car, it had unwound from one of the locking nuts. A bit fiddly but I have a couple of mini adjustable spanners which are great for jobs like this.
On a seperate note I took my son out to pick up a 100e, Noddy did just under 44mpg so I'm well happy

[stevephotoman125]

Just a quick update, I haven't put anything on here recently as been doing plenty of driving but no restoration. I had a cold start problem which turned out to be one of the coil connections.
I have had a couple of problems with float valves sticking on the carbs which gives me a chance to fit some new period accessories. I have been given a pair of brand new Speedwell Flojet replacemene float valves, supposed to give better peformance and improved economy( well that is what is says on the packaging)

[stevephotoman125]

Well the Dolomite is off to a new owner at the weekend, I didn't want to risk damaging the car by towing our classic caravan with it so it's being replaced with a 1979 Saab 99 and a 1991 Jaguar Sovereign( virtually free present from a friend).
Dare say the new owner will be active on here as he's already joining the owners club