The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Evening all, I bought my second Dolomite today, parted with the last one in 1984.
It's an 1850 auto in great condition. Took a friend who is an ex-Triumph main dealer mechanic with me to view it and he gave it a clean bill of health - plus was very reluctant to hand the keys back over once we got it home
Anyway, the question is, what fuel is it best to use, and with or without an additive? The previous owner has been using standard unleaded with Castrol Valvemaster Plus. Do I stick with this - the car does run beautifully - or does anyone here have any different opinions?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Mark

Welcome to the forum Mark.

You don't need to use an additive with the 1850 because the head being of alloy construction had hardened valve seats from new so you won't get valve seat recession. You might have to advance the ignition timing to allow for modern unleaded. Good to see another 1850 auto. These cars really get under your skin. I maintain a database of all the surviving 1850 autos so this could be a car I already know about. Can you let me know some details (you can contact me directly via a Private Message - PM for short - if you don't want to post on here). One of our newer members has just become the 1850 registrar so I'm sure he would like to know more about your car too. Don't forget to join the Club. It is worth every penny of the membership fee.

Let's us know how you get on and get some more questions asked should the need arise.

if the cost doesnt phase you, use shell v power if you can. It has a higher octane rating than most and is blended properly. Dont use supermarket rubbish fuel its the scraggy end of the petrol industry. Im sure there will be opinions on this too.

Ordinarily the timing would need to be RETARDED for unleaded, but this depends what the timing is set at now really.
If it drives nice and theres no pinking Id put v power in it and no additives.

Tony

My Dolly is due to resurrection back to the road soon, so I haven't much experience directly.

However, regarding supermarket fuels, I will never use them again, I used to brim the tank on my bmw 730ld every two weeks, and on one occasion had to do some really long trips and filled up at BP.
Upon starting the engine I could tell the difference before even moving an inch, the car stopped sounding like a diesel. On the road it felt like a new car.

Have never filled up at a supermarket again, and never will, only used BP, and Esso, when the Sprint is back I will check Shell as it seems forum members have had good experience.

Evening all, I bought my second Dolomite today, parted with the last one in 1984.
It's an 1850 auto in great condition.

A green one perhaps?

If so, that takes a weight off my mind. I have been looking at it off and on for a while.

I usually put in 97 ron if I can get it. Otherwise I use Valvemaster with octane boost. If yours runs well on that then I would keep the setup as it is.

I think we will all be very interested to hear how you get on with it but be warned these things are addictive. The first step is to admit your addiction and then try to pay more attention to less important things such as your wife, job and friends etc.

Hello! Welcome along to the club and its great you have chosen to become an owner again! As Dave has said, i would also really appreciate some details of you and your car (registration number, colour, your name etc) for the spreadsheet. I wish you many a happy mile behind the wheel of your new Dolly

Kind Regards

Russell.

AlanH wrote: A green one perhaps?

If so, that takes a weight off my mind. I have been looking at it off and on for a while.

I usually put in 97 ron if I can get it. Otherwise I use Valvemaster with octane boost. If yours runs well on that then I would keep the setup as it is.

I think we will all be very interested to hear how you get on with it but be warned these things are addictive. The first step is to admit your addiction and then try to pay more attention to less important things such as your wife, job and friends etc.

Yes indeed, the green one from 'Car and Classic'. It was only 30 miles away from me and my Triumph expert gave it a glowing bill of health.
Russell, will pm you some details as requested.
Many thanks all for your friendly welcome to the forum, now to join the club!

Many thanks for the PM Mark much appreciated and having seen your car when it was for sale can I say very lovely Dolly!!!

Kind Regards Russell