The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi
I have just started the 1850 engine after a full rebuild, and it does not sound as healthy as planned,
There seems to be a low knocking from around the rear lower end.
There is also an intermittent clang from around this area, oil light goes out ok.
Sounds as if it’s around the rear or clutch
I have recorded some videos,
Any ideas what could be the problem would be much appreciated?

Darrell



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjgeolW6iZg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5SwdwzIARY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwVrMA8mVYU

First video sounds like big end knock.
Second and third sound like the starter is catching the flywheel.
Did you measure the clearances when you fitted the crank and bearings? Did you check endfloat?
Is there a spacer between starter and block?

That doesn't sound good Darrell, at a guess it sounds like a big end as the oil light goes out quickly? Did you do the rebuild yourself?

Tony.

Before fearing the worst, I would check everything is setup properly. My Sprint engine sounded like a bag of spanners and I feared the worst. It turned out the problem was a combination of a misfire and the timing being horribly out.

Also check that nothing is catching anywhere. I had a horrible knock and it was just gear stick hitting the metal plate on top of transmission tunnel.

I mean other posters are probably right, I haven't a great ear for this kind of thing but it always pays to check the cheap and easy to fix stuff first.

Hi
Thanks for the reply’s,
Yes I did rebuild it myself, obviously not as well as I thought I had!
I checked the timing with a strobe and that looks fine, and nothing is lose around it, unfortunately it is defiantly engine related,
I followed the workshop manual as close as I could, but suspect I have got something wrong with the crank clearances as you said.
Re the spacer between starter and block, I cannot recall removing or fitting one back,
Looking at the parts manual I cannot see any reference to one.

Am I right in thinking the engine will have to come out again?

Darrell.

If you take the starter off, any contact will be immediately obvious, also sometimes when the clutch release bearing is almost touching the clutch fingers it can be periodically taken along for the ride due to crank float when the engine is erratically running making a scratchy sound usually.

The bottom end rumble could be anything banging against the subframe etc whilst the engine is vibrating like that.
Hopefully it's only that!

Did you only use components from one engine? I've heard similar noises when (I think) a TR7 flywheel was used in error and it was catching on the backplate bolts (which are countersunk screws on the TR7)...

Darrell, one way of eliminating a big end knock, is get someone to pull a plug lead off one at a time while it is running. If the noise stops when a certain lead is removed then you can say it is the big end on that cylinder. I hope i am wrong and it is something catching, but does sound internal Just a thought, is the noise there if you press the clutch?

Tony.

Is there any way that you could have left the flywheel loose Darrell or left a dowel out?

Tony.

dollyman wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 6:49 pm Is there any way that you could have left the flywheel loose Darrell or left a dowel out?

Tony.

I did that years back when converting a T2000 auto to manual! I used the auto flywheel bolts and they were just a shade too long, bottoming in the holes in the crank. They seemed to tighten but weren't QUITE! It was quiet for a few mins and then the clanking started! But I had the advantage of KNOWING the engine was OK already. Even so I did a lot of head scratching before I worked out what was wrong and another hard days graft pulling the box again to fix it! Even the best of us fall foul of Mr Murphy and his pesky law sometimes!

Steve

Hi

Thanks for all your reply’s

I used new flywheel bolts UKC3044 as per parts manual, and torqued to correct setting. So I don’t think the flywheel is lose.
I will have a go at the plug lead trick tomorrow, and will pull the starter motor off.
Tony you mentioned a dowel out, which one are you referring to?
I have pressed the clutch but the noise is still present.
Apart from the pistons and parts that come in the rebuild kit, all the parts are from this engine.
I will let you know what I find tomorrow.
Thanks again
Darrell

Was the crank reground?

I can't really determine anything from the videos I'm afraid Darrell, but nevertheless,
I suggest you check is the proximity of the front pipe to the subframe
and the oil pump to steering rack mount (if you have a solid mount).



Ian.

Manta wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:35 pm Hi

Thanks for all your reply’s

I used new flywheel bolts UKC3044 as per parts manual, and torqued to correct setting. So I don’t think the flywheel is lose.
I will have a go at the plug lead trick tomorrow, and will pull the starter motor off.
Tony you mentioned a dowel out, which one are you referring to?
I have pressed the clutch but the noise is still present.
Apart from the pistons and parts that come in the rebuild kit, all the parts are from this engine.
I will let you know what I find tomorrow.
Thanks again
Darrell

Darrell, sorry i thought there was a locating dowel on the engine but looking at the manual there isn't one.

Tony.

Did you remove the gearbox to engine mounting plate? On Sprints the bolts don't have any washers fitted because of the lack of clearance between the bolt heads & flywheel. Not sure if the 1850 has the same problem.