The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Oli_88 wrote:Have to agree with the others.

However, I also have to say, in the style of Ace Ventura.
Like a glove...

Yes indeed, fits like a glove

well done for sticking with it and getting this far.

good luck with the fettling.

rich

Great work - not too far to go now.

iandollysprint wrote:The steering joint is a rally design uprated item! Didn't know there were issues with them...

There is a disclaimer about using this pressed joint in their catalogue. They do sell a forged version of the T2000 design.


The problem I suspect you'll have to avoid is one of airlocks in the cooling system.
Due to the bodyshape, a Sprint radiator sits low relative to the engine. Triumph overcame this with
their design of thermostat housing, situated as it is at the highest point of the cooling system.
Some French cars have a bleed screw in the top hose, which works okay.
Others use a header tank as the highest point (Vauxhall did it this way). With its 16mm bore outlet, filling
an entire cooling system through the header tank is a test of your patience .

Here is a previous thread that may be of interest or help
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12104


and a web site that usefully gives radiator dimensions
http://www.carcooling.co.uk/catalog/Car ... s-6-1.html

sprint95m wrote:

iandollysprint wrote:The steering joint is a rally design uprated item! Didn't know there were issues with them...

There is a disclaimer about using this pressed joint in their catalogue. They do sell a forged version of the T2000 design.


The problem I suspect you'll have to avoid is one of airlocks in the cooling system.
Due to the bodyshape, a Sprint radiator sits low relative to the engine. Triumph overcame this with
their design of thermostat housing, situated as it is at the highest point of the cooling system.
Some French cars have a bleed screw in the top hose, which works okay.
Others use a header tank as the highest point (Vauxhall did it this way). With its 16mm bore outlet, filling
an entire cooling system through the header tank is a test of your patience .

Here is a previous thread that may be of interest or help
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12104


and a web site that usefully gives radiator dimensions
http://www.carcooling.co.uk/catalog/Car ... s-6-1.html

Thanks for the links most helpful. I'll probably look to imitate the vauxhall design (headertank) with the ford rad!

Ian

Also had a quote from Davemac propshafts for a bespoke item using sprint back end and manta front end. £125 plus VAT which I thought was very reasonable.

More progress

Welded the original sprint gear stick with overdrive button on to the manta gear linkage. Neat eh. It also has a short shift arrangement that I got free with the box when purchased.

One problem is definetely going to be the exhaust manifold. Cutting and shutting the original is a no go, the manifold needs to sweep away backwards to the gearbox almost immediately or else it will foul the engine mount There isn't much room in there and the engine is only canted over 7 degrees.
I plan to knock one up myslef and then fit to cut down original spring downpipe. A bespoke item can then be made once the car is up and running.

Off to measure the full length of the prop now so I can get one made up.

Also trial fitting the inlet manifold and R1 carbs. Ideally I could do with a proper manifold from someone like bogg brothers but they are a bit expensive at £180. The manifold will need longer flexible tubes to help match the carb centres.

Again fairly tight when you offer up the carbs but I do get benefit from the 7 degree canter. Air filters may be interesting!

More progress.

Fitted a modified and shortened oil dip stick. Vauxhall kindly provided a blank to a dip stick hole for front bowl sump applications. SImply a case of knocking the blank out fitting the tube and dipstick then welding up the original hole where the dip stick used to live.

Also fitted a speedo drive. Took a new manta cable off ebay for £20 chopped the speedometer end of, carefully removed the original sprint speedometer end from the sprint speedo cable and fitted this to the manta one.

Hopefully measure up the propshaft this afternoon so I can send the sprint back end and the manta front end to Davemac propshafts who will knock me up a single piece one.

...

Awesome project mate

Really enjoying what you are doing

A bit more progress.

Tried fitting the r1 carbs to a chopped down manifold. Not happy with it all so I will fork out for a bogg brothers alloy manifold instead.

Also chopped a front wheel drive exhaust manifold up to try and make it fit for my rwd application. It wont win any prizes but should do the job until I can get the car to someone who can make a proper one. Hopefully tomorrow I will finish off the exhaust manifold.

Cheers for now

Ian, great project and one I always look out for any progress. Just a point, the exhaust take-offs should be the same linear length. The one from no.1 cylinder is a lot longer than the one from no.4.

Thanks for the hint.
Here's me thinking i'd get 300bhp out of it

It's only to get the car going though. I'll be off to someone who knows there manifolds, any suggestions. I just used it for welding practice

Ian

Finished off the temporary manifold. I plan to fit with flexibles to a chopped down sprint downpipe. This will get me going I hope.

Ian
This is the part I struggled with in my conversion, I eventually had an exhaust made for me at great expense and had to cut a lump out of the bulkhead, I am still not happy with it today but think I may have found a way round it.
Looking good though keep up the thread.
darren.