1977 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL IP6890 (POV 62R)

[KieranE1850]

418202434.jpg (105.24 KiB) Viewed 5489 times

Hello Everyone I will en devour to post an up to date thread of what is happening on IP6890 as it happens.
i will begin by posting the photos i was sent which sparked my interest in this car, and ill include some i took today in this post and hopefully fill you in on what has happened inbetween.

Ill only post the first photos in this post and then give you a rundown on whats happened and some current ones in a second post.



Kieran

[KieranE1850]

Part 2


Now since those photos above. the car was driven the 150 miles back to Dannevirke rather without incident except for a chrome wheel trim deciding to part company on the way!

First of all the distributor had its advance weights wired up so they weren't actually doing anything and it appears that they had been rubbing on the inside of the distributor cap prior to this. We fitted new pins and springs into it and it now works correctly. The car was also given a thorough clean inside and out the very next day.
It became apparent alot of engine oil was leaking from around the oil pump transfer housing area so first of all i fitted a new oil pump which came from James Paddock as well as new rack mount bushes (superflex) as they were drowned in oil. however the leak only improved slightly and there continued to be a leak in that area. At about this time the electric fuel pump stopped working so i fitted a replacement one of those and i ordered some seals for the transfer housing from rimmer bros. I have tried to use the car regularly in conjunction with my working 2500TC and while still waiting for the seals one of the rubber carb mounts packed it in and the car ran terribly. so a second order was placed to Rimmers. After i fitted all these new parts the car worked relitively well. I made an attempt to tune it a little better and it was going quite well until one of the new rubber mounts failed... luckily Rimmer Brothers were kind enough to send me a second pair and so far they are lasting! while all this was happening i removed the door cappings and my father stripped them back and restained and varnished them and they came back looking fantastic. I also fitted two new chrome mirrors as the original one actually fell off!

Fast forward a few months and i have one replacement steering rack and column nicely painted and fitted with new tie rod ends etc. These were fitted into the car as the original rack had alot of play in it and the column was not much better. i also fitted two new shocks to the front and had a wheel alignment done.

in addition to this work ive also fitted a modern stereo system and a new airel and the correct badging on the boot lid.
Also tidied up the paint on the cam cover and air filter box.

changed the brake fluid and adjusted the rear brakes. and fitted halogen semi sealed head lamps.


Unfortunately i cannot add the photos as they are too big...

[KieranE1850]

Hi all here are the photos i promised earlier...

your comments are greatly welcomed!

Kieran

[KieranE1850]

part 2 of photos

showing bad repair

[sprint95m]

Welcome to the forum Keiran.
We have a few New Zealanders in our forum's membership.


Overall your car looks very good, but the corrosion at the front really needs to be sorted out sooner rather than later.

Also, I would be inclined to change the coolant hoses, especially since you still have the original type wire hose clips.
Furthermore I would convert to Evans waterless coolant, this negates the weakest link of the cooling system, namely
the plastic expansion bottle, because said coolant stays at atmospheric pressure at all temperatures.





Ian.

[KieranE1850]

Hi, thanks for your comment.

I will at this stage leave the cooling system as it is working and not leaking but have taken into account your comments about the hoses.

The corrosion did not cause any concern at the wof inspection. So I will leave it for now, even though it is unsightly. That is the only corrosion damage I've found on the car.

Also I have a list of things I'd like for the car, parts for these are not readily available in New Zealand new or second hand so if any one in the club could help keeping in mind my location that would be appreciated.

- Rear tail light lense indicator left hand side when viewed from rear.
- complete ignition switch and wiring loom.
-passenger side wiper arm and blade.
- drivers side grille peice and headlight panel (for repair to that corner at a later time)
- choke cable assembly ( locking type)
Boot floor mat carpet
- set of Sprint wheels and nuts caps etc. ( realize these could be hard to get but putting it out there anyway)

Thanks again Kieran

[Toledo Man]

I've already got this car on my database. I didn't know it started life as a UK car. Have you thought about having some UK number plates made up? They would look good at shows. I ended up ditching my Sprint alloys because I was sick and tired of forever having to pump them up. If you still decide to go down that route, make sure you get the 3/8" nuts. These aren't easy or cheap to come by. My oil pump is leaking and I suspect the O rings (there are 2 of them) need replacing. I've bought them from Rimmer Bros but I haven't got round to fitting them. I suspect that your oil pump O rings will also need replacing.

Keep up the good work.

[KieranE1850]

I can't say I have actually, but that would create some interest. Just not sure where I'd have it done. Sprint alloys in New Zealand aren't the easiest to come by at all. I've spoken with Robert about it and he doesn't know of any for sale and it's a matter of being patient. Unless I was to find some one shipping a car here or something that I could place the wheels in the car or some such thing. I'm starting to think it's something that won't happen. I can get some mini lite style wheels with nuts and caps for a fairly good price so I'll consider that. I did today have a new set of tires fitted, 175/70 and I think it's made quite a difference to how it drives. I was quite pleased up until later this eveningredients when I discovered one of the carb rubeer mounts to be leaking! Third time now!!! I have another new one, but it won't be long until it breaks too.
When I got the new oil pump I fitted new o rings. And I have changed the ones in the transfer housing too. It could be those still leaking or the fuel pump though too possible? Prehaps the o ring on the distributor?

Will have to try and find out soon....

Kieran

[gmsclassics]

Hi Kieran and welcome

I'm just south of Auckland and have three Sprints at present. My son did have an 1850 auto for a while so I still have a few parts, but had a clearout of most a year or two back. I suspect though, the bits you are after are the ones that aren't around as they get broken or damaged most frequently. It is a shame that TradeMe no longer have their wanted section as now there may be parts lying unwanted in someone's garage, but unless they list them, you'll never know they exist. However there are a few Triumph car clubs around (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch) who are probably happy to circulate your wish list to their members. You never know what you'll come up with.

Those carb mounts are notorious for breaking - in fact none of the rubber/metal bonded parts now are much good. I did fix up one pair by injecting (needle and syringe) Araldite deep into the cracks and then waiting a week before installing. That pair are still fine three years later, or if you join the UK Triumph Dolomite Club they sell a whole lot of spares including alloy carb mounts. I have a set of those on another car and they are great. Oil pumps do leak a little and as long as it isn't too much, best just to degrease every once in a while and forget about it.

Minilites do look good on Dolomites as well as Escorts, there was someone over Tauranga way doing deals on those, just make sure you get the correct offset. If you need to improve the handling further, look at the bushes on the suspension next. Especially those on the front and rear bars at 45 degree angles. If those are worn, the handling can get quite sloppy.

Geoff

PS
I've got a left rear light unit spare. Think I have a spare steering column complete with ignition switch. Which bits do you mean grille piece and headlight panel? if it is the black plastic grill and the flimsy alloy piece directly round the headlamps, I have those. No wiring loop (but lots of bits), no choke cable. I think I have a wiper arm, but whether it is the same type, I don't know.

[KieranE1850]

Geoff, I have sent you a pm about the parts you've talked about above.

I have had two sets from rimmers and now they all have split in some way. I am planning to join the Dolomite club in the very near future to try and obtain some aluminium ones that wont break!

I think Minilites will be the way I go, although not just yet. I will wait for myself to recover financially. But I will make sure I have the correct offset etchow m before buying..

Then the next task will be to have the body work sorted and the car painted.

I'll see how I get on. All the seals and gaskets on fuel, oil pumps and transfer housing are new and it leaks less oil than it did but still leaks some.....

[KieranE1850]

Can anyone point me in the direction of the best place to purchase some engine gaskets, (inlet and exhaust manifold) a full set of hoses for the engine a throttle cable and the little buttons for the valve clearences.

Thanks in advance, have just done a 600 Mile trip and a few things have surfaced that need tending to.

[Jon Tilson]

Best to let Robert and Geoff advise on NZ parts suppliers.

Gaskets and hoses can be bought in the UK. Someone like TD Fitchett may do you something.

Jonners

[KieranE1850]

Just an update...

I am midway through an engine rebuild I initially set out to change a few gaskets but curiosity got the better of me and i found myself ordering oversize pistons and bearings...

The car is also at the body shop getting that damage repaired visable in the photos.

I am on the lookout for a few trim parts as I am looking at having the car resprayed shortly

[KieranE1850]

Photo update on the engine rebuild.


Has been fitted with


New pistons and rings
Main and big end bearings
New exhaust valves and valve guides
New oil pump
Recon water pump
Block was bored out and the crank was ground to suit the new parts.
the head was skimmed and welded where it had corroded.

[KieranE1850]