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Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:22 pm
by Coastline
Thanks for all the advice guys. :D I am happy with all that now.

Re: Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:59 pm
by Edin Dundee
Definitely with overdrive if possible, it makes a huge difference to the engine revs and noise.
The gearboxes on 1850s are weak.
I'll stick my neck out and say 1850s are more liable to 'engine problems' than Sprints due to the possibility of the head not wanting to come off.

The two share the same water pump design, distributor drive design...

The Sprint gearbox is infinitely more robust than the 1850.

Re: Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:06 pm
by Coastline
Many thanks for the advice, much appreciated. Finding one that is not a project car is going to be my next challenge. Thanks again.

Re: Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:55 pm
by Toledo Man
Have you considered an auto. No clutch or gearbox problems to worry about and the engines have an easier life.

Re: Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:02 pm
by Coastline
Yes, I would consider an auto, great idea. Thanks.

Re: Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 9:42 pm
by Dolly-Dimple
All the best in your search, keep us posted :-) Great bunch of friendly people here with plenty of help on hand. Kind Regards Russell

Re: Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 7:40 pm
by Jon Tilson
Just seen this...

Overdrive IS desirable but there are other considerations, like carting it round all the time if you just do town or
country B road work. The gearbox mounting is crap to be frank, and every dolomite 1850 Ive ever had with overdrive never felt so "tight" mechanically as one without because of it.

Depends on how/where you drive it.

Keep an eye on the coolant level, change the oil and you should see 80k miles between major requirements like
timing chain replacement and water pump seals weeping, both of which normally give you some warning.

They are the business. Love them to bits and buy the first good one you see regardless of transmission. Autos
are also brilliant...

Jonners

Re: Buying a Dolomite

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:41 am
by Coastline
:D Thanks for all the advice guys, appreciated but have to put the project on the back burner as something has cropped up making it impossible to buy at the moment.