The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Developed what sounds like a bottom end knock on my 1500 auto, Not there constantly but when asking for a bit more acceleration it becomes apparent!Engine ticks over beautifully as always and at low round town speeds is perfect too! Have probably decided in my head that it's a bottom end noise so my question is are the bearing caps available and how big a job is it to change the caps? Also is there anything else that it could be bottom end wise?
Thanks Rich..

Don't jump to conclusions, bring it round to me, or Tony for a second opinion.

Can be reshelled by dropping the sump. OHV's are typically strong of crank and weak of shell so caught early as it sounds
like you have then you should get away with new shells. Also check the oil pump rotors while its all off.

Bit of maneuvering to get the sump off, but its doable. The front main bearing is the only one you cant do with the engine in place IIRC, but the mains will usually be ok.

Jonners

Triumph1300 wrote:Don't jump to conclusions, bring it round to me, or Tony for a second opinion.

Ok Bruce will do if you let me know when your'e up to it! Phil and I had a good listen today and we were both under the same impression but like you say I want to be sure before I touch it really.
Haven't dropped the oil yet this year as only covered 1000 miles last year as had POL on the road then too so my plan was to do this some time this week too.
Thanks for the info Jon.

Cheers Rich..

It always pays to change the oil annually on a 1500, regardless of mileage. I have just taken in a 1500 Auto for breaking, that too has a light growl (I wouldn't really call it a knock) when well warmed up, under load and over 3000rpm, ie when you kick it down to climb a steepish hill. Otherwise its sweet as a nut and idles quietly and happily at 650rpm with no oil light on or any other obvious problem. I've heard this sort of noise from this type of engine before. Sometimes, all that is needed is an oil change and the timing knocking back a degree or two!

Steve

Carledo wrote:It always pays to change the oil annually on a 1500, regardless of mileage. I have just taken in a 1500 Auto for breaking, that too has a light growl (I wouldn't really call it a knock) when well warmed up, under load and over 3000rpm, ie when you kick it down to climb a steepish hill. Otherwise its sweet as a nut and idles quietly and happily at 650rpm with no oil light on or any other obvious problem. I've heard this sort of noise from this type of engine before. Sometimes, all that is needed is an oil change and the timing knocking back a degree or two!

Steve

Ok Steve, I'm going to change oil and filter anyway, nipping round to Bruce's tomorrow. It's a new noise have owned car for 3 years now and change oil every year but as said only covered 1000 miles last year so had it on my to do list but hadn't done it yet. It doesn't just happen on kick down and it's more than a new rattle, can't say accurately the revs when it happens as mines a flat dash so no rev counter. Oil light goes out almost immediately when starting and never comes on whilst driving or anything like that, idles well and really drives well but doesn't just happen on kick down it's always there when you ask for a bit more ie over 40 ish, but is also there in neutral revving manually from engine bay but at the end of the rev if you know what I mean? Glad to hear it may be other things although electronic ignition on mine, But the "Growl" is probably a more accurate description of the noise.
Cheers Rich..

Im about at mine over the weekend too Rich if you need a hand

Tony

tony g wrote:Im about at mine over the weekend too Rich if you need a hand

Tony

Cheers Mate

So popped the caps out on rod 1 this morning and the top shell is pretty worn showing signs of copper! Plan to hopefully get a set on Monday the numbers stamped on them are VP5105 are these standard caps?
Cheers Rich

James Paddock sells King bearings which are the old style 3 metal bearings from original.

VP 5105 are std shells from the factory


If there are no other markings', it's std, is unground size

Sounds like you caught it just in time. A decent brand of engine oil should help with longevity. I'll second the Paddock's recommendation. They're one of the good guys.

I wasnt aware that King bearings were tri metal. Is that definite?

Tony

I still have sets of STD big ends and mains here in Birmingham, AE Glacier brand. Some standard and oversize thrust washers too....

Rich, Jod is your man when it comes to the 1500 engines and he's fairly local too.