1979 Dolomite 1850HL - Lacking Mojo

[hoopsontoast]

Well, some may remember a good while back I had a Dolomite Sprint (re-shelled with an 1850 body) and to much regret, I sold it...

Well I had been looking for a replacement for the Sprint, TR7 and Acclaim I had for a while now, and managed to find this little beauty going for a good price.


1979 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL by hoopsontoast, on Flickr

Has a few little niggles, mainly electronic/carbs based but it runs well and is solid. Overdrive works like a dream and pulls around 3000rpm @ 70mph which makes for nice relaxed cruising over the Sprint. Bit more torque low down as well!

Managed to do South Bristol to Faringdon and then Faringdon to Redhill today with heavy slow traffic on the M4, M3 and M25. Quite chuffed.

Plan is pretty much as is, get running sweet as a nut and add Revolutions ala the plan for the old Sprint-

Dolomite Sprint Photoshop by hoopsontoast, on Flickr

[daklone]

Cracking motor!

I had one just like that "back in the day" and loved it.

[andyf]

Nice one Hoops, I had an 1850HL years ago as well, great little motors.

[BenzBoy]

That looks really clean and tidy! Very nice. I really want a Dolly at some point. This isn't helping. ;D

[hoopsontoast]

I know, I missed the Dolomite more than the TR7 and found this at a good price!
You know, I sort of prefer the 1850 to the Sprint, a little more relaxed drive.

[markgenesis]

Thats stunning , love the colour, the Sprint alloys really suit these but i think the Revolutions just have the edge.

Always fancied one of these, i think they have the best interior (short of a Roller) of any car of the period.

[ChasR]

That looks very tidy indeed in that shot . Glad to see you are enjoying it.

So, how long until you purchase some lowering springs and Revolutions ?

[jim]

I like it, what's the inside like?

[hoopsontoast]

Well the Revolutions are standard Triumph small chassis fit, and aparently with a little pursuasion on the front inner wings will fit no problem, not sure about the extra offset (ET25 for the Revolutions over ET35 for the Sprint Alloys) will fit with a little lowering as well....

[hoopsontoast]

Its had quite a lot spent on it, and some bodywork repairs in the past few years, its not perfect but presentable. Some bubbling on the rear arches and bottom of the doors so nothing unusual for a Dolomite!

Some more pics-


1979 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL by hoopsontoast, on Flickr


1979 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL by hoopsontoast, on Flickr


1979 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL by hoopsontoast, on Flickr


1979 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL by hoopsontoast, on Flickr


1979 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL by hoopsontoast, on Flickr


1979 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL by hoopsontoast, on Flickr

[ChasR]

If I still have my Sprint we should meet up for a mini-Pageant Dolomite meet .

Looks very tidy in the photos mind you. Is that a Sports exhaust I spy? With the Stage 1 (ish) bits it should have a couple more ponies. How does it compare to HTO?

If the rims are unlaquered like my Stag wheels I would clean them ASAP though . The brake dust was a curse word to polish out of my Stag wheels after leaving them like that for a few weeks .

[hoopsontoast]

Its a sports exhaust, still standard manifold though. Its not as quick as the Sprint, to be expected and more so at the moment as it needs a tune up. Its a bit sluggish under accereration but perfectly usable. The Handbrake needs doing though, hill starts are a bit nervous!
The wheels have actually been refurbished and are a lot lighter than in the pics (the shade does not help).
I think a new rad will be on order, the current one has a bit of damage. Its not got over 3/4 temp yet, in heavy traffic but I don't like it getting so hot.

[hoopsontoast]

Just done an Oil change, will probably do one on the gearbox, dif and do the clutch at some point soon as well.
Replaced the rocker cover bolt washer that was missing which should mean less oil sprayed around the engine bay.
Adjusted the carbs a bit more so it actually pulls a bit better. Still bogs down under hard acceleration, maybe new carb mounts are needed. Probably replace the K&N's with a NOS 1850 Air Filter as these look a bit manky and its a bit of a bodge when they were installed.

Current To Do List (in rough order)

-New Recon Radiator *
-Kenlowe Fan *
-Adjust handbrake *
-New HT Leads (the odd missfire) Points, cap and rotor arm all look new
-Maybe new Distributor (the odd missfire)
-Look at Gearbox / Clutch (bit notchy on gear changes and 2nd to 3rd is a bit iffy)
-Replace middle exhaust box (current one rattles a lot)
-Get some Revolutions ;D

*In the next month ready for the R100's impending MOT so it can be used daily if needed.

Not sure about lowering it now, it actaully rides really well (a lot better than the Sprint) and not really any squeeks or knocks either.

[christhebodger]

that looks a craking car, its 1 car on my wish list, id leave the sprint wheels on it

[trigger]

Love these and yours looks a great colour, Looking forwards to updates.

[ChasR]

I guess not having Spax dampers partly on the car helps . The 1500 Spit of mine is a harsher ride than the Sprint which feels comfy but a little too soft! I can sort of see why some TDC members are not too keen on the Fast Road Springs.

Gearbox oil change will help, but make sure you go for a GL4 spec oil and not a GL5 to save your gearbox (and overdrive .

It looks like you will have fun, and well, it is about time you owned a Triumph again . If you need to borrow my ignition tester let me know .

[hoopsontoast]

Well I drove back from Redhill to Faringdon with not many troubles, the occasional misfire is not really a problem and it comfortably stayed between 1/2 way and 3/4 with the heater on

Once I got back I noticed that the rear left wheel was very hot, and actually glowing heat! I think this may be the cause of my dodgy handbrake and possibly dif noise / slow acceleration.

Right, I get the jack out and start turning, and I hear some odd creaking. Sounds ominous, get out a spare sprint alloy and a brezeblock just in case, good idea that. Then slowly the jacking point crumbles!
The sills are pretty solid everywhere except where I need it, on the jacking point. So a nice little pile of rust and a square hole in the sill between the jacking point walls!


IMAG0229 by hoopsontoast, on Flickr

I managed to eventually get the hub off with a fair few taps of a hammer and a shower of brake dust. I think they have been sticking as one of the brake shoes is very worn and scratched with a few chunks missing!
I could not get the handbrake to make any effect and the whole slave cylinder/handbrake link moves around 1cm in its mount, not ideal I think!

Little pile of rust a distribution of brake dust

IMAG0230 by hoopsontoast, on Flickr

No more pics I am afraid as I was covered in carbon and grease! ;D

I need to order some new brake shoes, so I gave it a good clean with a wire brush and put it all back and it moves a little easier but the handbrake barely works at all now. At least I have the R100 for the moment!

Tomorrows job is to have a look at the exhaust middle box (its rattling a lot) and hopefully bleed the clutch.

[darrenh]

curse word it. standard jacking points are so pony, even when they arent 30 years old.

trolly jack + slab of wood on chassis rail is the way forward

[hoopsontoast]

Yeah, I was going to buy one earlier in the week as it happens, but decided against it! Will be getting one now!

[ChasR]

On my Dolly I never bothered with the sills (despite them being replaced!). If you have access to a trolley jack, chocking the front wheels (I am cheeky in using wedged bricks I admit!) and jacking the car up from the diff with the axle supported on axle stands is one the safer methods IMO .

If you remember James the factory jack actually went straight through his sill into the inner sill on his Nissan .