The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi all
after a mishap with my engine I am currently doing a top end rebuild.
So far all going well and a lot has been learned. I've overhauled the water pump, made a puller for the brass cage etc and fitted a correct pump housing (found mine had a 12 vane inside a 6 vane housing).

I have lapped and fitted some new valves and now re learning the art of valve clearance. I found a training manual pdf online which has been helpful and shows clearance as inlet 0.008 and exhaust 0.018. Lucky for me all exhaust are spot on! but I was surprised on the inlets. I had one that I fitted a 0.026 feeler gauge! I had gaps of 0.012, 0.019, 0.021 and the 0.026.
so after some calculations I need to get shims of 0.105, 0.111, and two at 0.102
Just wondered if its normal sometimes after a rebuild to have such a range of numbers?

There is Central garages near me in Brixham which used to do all things BL so before doing any purchases I may see if they have any old boxes of shims I can rummage through!

When I did mine the numbers were all over the place as well. How quickly the shims and valve gear wear, I don't know but doing the clearances is a bit of a pain to do, so I suspect most people won't bother unless there are getting some nasty noises from the top end.

0,008 to 0,010 for the exhaust will give a much quieter engine. The large play for the exhaust is very abnormal. There's not much of expanding with the valve, bucket and then direct cam operation. I think Triumph had rockers and pushrods in mind during writing the manuals. When set all correct you normally can go a while before re adjusting. When having the head of recently it is adviseable to re check after some miles. A slightly piece of residu on the seat or valve can make the measured play a bit more. After a good clean during a testrun the play can give some different figures afterwards.

Jeroen

If you struggle for shims, I have a syrup tin full of used ones...

Jeroen thanks for the advice , that’s quite a difference for the exhaust clearance but I like the sound of a quieter engine

Alun
I may get in touch soon, I probably should have asked you first. I ended up getting a few for the inlets from Robsport but if I may need some for the exhaust

On a slightly separate note, why don’t the TR head gasket sets come with the exhaust manifold to head gaskets? Only realised today and thought that it had been missed out, yet looking at the photos of kits online I can’t see any in them .

There seems to be an "optional" or possibly date related exhaust manifold gasket for TR7 (or it may be 1850 Dolomite part) Sprints don't have one at all!

Steve

I’ve Now ordered one as I’m using the 1850 manifold which previously always had problems sealing

Std. there weren't any gaskets between the manifold and the head. Make sure you have the correct type. The TR7 ones do not fit. The stag or 1850 have a different shape and will seal. The TR7 gaskets will have an 1850 manifold leak.

Jeroen

I have the 1850 gasket now . Maybe that was the problem with it previously not sealing