Practically Classics Forum

Robsport are good that way, I bought many bits from them and always had good experiences with speed and quality. I wish mine had come with a 12 vane pump, they're no better but at least they allow the alternator to be removed without taking the radiator out unlike those pesky 6 vane pump covers. Grr.

Rad is out too so frame can get a coat of paint too seeing as it was a nice shade of rust! Hoping the bulkhead pad will clean up without too much grief, have managed to get some overspray off with some fine wire wool, but took the kids for a day out today, so not done anything to it. May get a chance tomorrow, but it's the mother in laws birthday, and apparently they're coming here...

Need to go and buy a new circlip too as kit doesn't come with one, and I found the remnants sat on top of bearing as it had split.

Been having a think, as due to the amount of dodgy areas broken, and breaking through, plus the paint that pulled off, a full respray would probably be a better option than trying to blow in countless repairs, I've been told by my daughter that it would be really nice resprayed in Magenta!

Magenta would be rather pleasant. Never offered originally on 8 valve Dolomites but the shape suits it so well that it should be made compulsory. On the other hand, the car's original Sienna is an equally rare colour and brown is the new black, so I keep on telling myself.

Well main thing is to get pump sorted and running again, then I'll start on the bodywork, so at least I may get some use in over the show season. Had a family day out yesterday, and it's the mother in laws birthday today, so won't get anything done today either, but hopefully get some time over the weekend

Well it lives again, pump rebuilt, and now water tight, and now it's all back together I think it all looks a lot better than it does when I first started. Just a new battery, and rear hub oil seal to do, then I can crack on sorting the bodywork.

So, remembering what it was like under the bonnet





And now

Nice work that man!
One observation if it's OK; where's the breather tube for the transmission? It would originally have been taped around the top of the brake servo and its open end would be at the right of the servo, about three inches back down into the engine bay. If this tube is routed too low, has no loop or is missing altogether, the trans will eject fluid from the breather at speed and will leave quite a line of fluid along the road behind the car. Both of mine lost their breathers and both maintained their fluid level perfectly once I'd put a fresh pipe on there. I'll gladly scan and post the relevant page from the original manual if you need to see that.

It's in there somewhere John! I did wonder the loose end should be connected to something but was told no, I'll chuck it back over top of the servo again for good measure

Finally bought a new battery for the Dolly, so managed to go for a Sunday afternoon run just to make sure it's still all ok. Grabbed some newer pics too. Seem to have a dunk dunk dunk on over run/ feathering the throttle, sometimes louder than others, and sounds like it's coming from the rear but not sure. Apart from that, was a nice run out.

Really need to sort out the bodywork as it's getting quite bad now, you can see how bad the rear wing and door is getting even from the distance I took photos from, so best crack out the wire brush/Dremmel/flapwheel. Trouble is, where there's lots of scabby bits, blowing them all in isn't really an option, so looks like full respray time as it will just be easier. Thing is what colour? Quite fancy Magenta as I said previously, but have a couple of other options, just not sure yet.









As for colours, thoughts

Magenta


Blue


Orange

Beige!!

Taupe, seeing as Sienna was the original colour and it looks good when it's had a polish.

Or Magenta 'cos it's pink. Sure & you're man enough to run a pink car.