The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I recently joined the club. My Sprint hasnt run for 10 years. While the engine is out for welding, I plan to take the engine to a mechanic who hopefully will get the engine to start. But Ive noticed signs of a water leak into the exhaust manifold and cylinder no 1. Is it wise to try to get the engine to start in its current condition or am I best taking the cylinder head off and installing a new head gasket before trying to start it? Will starting the engine as it is damage it? All help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

No one can say if it will get damaged or not. It might be ok. It might not....
But if it was my engine and i had any doubts id strip it and check it first.

I'm in a similar dilemma with the 1850HL that I have just acquired. Mine hasn't run for 24 years, but it still turns over on the starter nicely. I'm scared of trying to take the head off because I have read so many horror stories about seized head bolts. I'm tempted to fix up the cooling system, ignition and carburation, give it some fresh petrol and give it a go.

Wadda you think?

Thanks for the responses Matt and Mike. Ive decided not to do anything for now. Among the tips ive obtained from fellow members on the phone is taking out a spark plug and putting a small camera lens down the hole to check whats going on. Ideally I'd take it to a Sprint engine expert and let them take the head off and give a diagnosis. Does anyone know of a garage with such expertise and any idea of what it should cost please?

Where are you based?

You need to squirt some light oil down the bores and then try and turn the engine on the crankshaft pulley. If you get smooth
revolutions you could put the plugs back in and do the same and see if you have any compression. You should be able to feel this by hand with some attendant hissing noises. Any stiff or sticky bits and the rings are hitting something. You can take a chance with more oil and brute force - Ive done this once on a TR7 engine that was partially seized due to bad storage...and got away with it. It did smoke a lot on first start though...

I would also drain the sump and see what comes out. Maybe try a new oil filter.

Its a lot easier to get an engine to run when its in the car too....

Like Matt says though....probably better stripped and cleaned before risking damage, but I always like to try a quick fix.

Jonners

richphy wrote:I recently joined the club. My Sprint hasnt run for 10 years. While the engine is out for welding, I plan to take the engine to a mechanic who hopefully will get the engine to start. But Ive noticed signs of a water leak into the exhaust manifold and cylinder no 1. Is it wise to try to get the engine to start in its current condition or am I best taking the cylinder head off and installing a new head gasket before trying to start it? Will starting the engine as it is damage it? All help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Rich, With the engine in the car I did my Sprint head gasket in 2 hours off and 2 hours back on. It is rather more difficult in the car as the exhaust manifold has to be dropped back against the inner wing complete with the bolts to avoid taking the down pipe off. So 4 hours x £65p.h. down here = £260 + yer VAT mate; plus parts.
Then add on time for what ever you do with the head on the bench.
If there is water in any cylinder that is bad news as it will rust the bore and the rings.
Good Luck,
Tony.

Bumpa wrote:I'm in a similar dilemma with the 1850HL that I have just acquired. Mine hasn't run for 24 years, but it still turns over on the starter nicely. I'm scared of trying to take the head off because I have read so many horror stories about seized head bolts. I'm tempted to fix up the cooling system, ignition and carburation, give it some fresh petrol and give it a go.

Wadda you think?

If the engine is out of the car I'd go for cylinder head removal. Those that have done an 1850 head "off the car" reckon its a lot easier. I've only ever done 1850 heads "on the car" and yes, it is not easy. I've done a write up on the dolly-wiki with my experiences. The bolts usually come out quite easily, its the studs that are a real problem.
HTH,
Tony.

If it helps I have done dozens of Sprint engines over the years and only one had seized head studs that required cutting off and that car was left in the salty air of Bognor Regis for 6 years before I dragged it from its lair!
I have, however had to rebuild several engines that the bores were scrap due to spark plugs being left out and water getting in and the pistons had to be hammered out.