Mallard Dolomite 1850 Auto.

[Matt of the Vivas]

With the Bug more or less complete im starting to get back on to the list of jobs that this car still needs...
When i bought it (6 years ago!) the fuel tank had just been replaced as it was leaking. This had been caused by a leak into the boot floor that had rusted the bottom of the tank and also a small area of the boot floor. The resulting fuel leak had also stripped most of the paint from the boot floor. I repaired the boot floor, but never bothered painting it properly, just brushed it over with waxoyl to protect it. Time for this "temporary" repair to get done properly then:



Starting point. Nice and solid, no real rust but not looking pretty.



Waxoyl cleaned off with white spirit and flaking, lifting paint cleaned back.



A little etch primer, some red oxide, and plenty of colour coats.





Inspired by this, i cleaned up and painted the original tool kit.



And the spare wheel - which still wears its unused 1970s tyre.



I also have some accessories for a bit of "dressing" - a Triumph Emergency Windscreen, a tin of Unipart touch up paint in the correct Mallard Green and a TR7 sponge!

[Matt of the Vivas]

With this off the road for the winter im getting stuck into some jobs that ive wanted to do for ages, but not had the time...
The front subframe is rusty, tatty and nasty.
I did attempt a clean up in-situ but its not very accessible. Spotting some surface rust round the lower edge of the chassis legs that would be very easy to get to with the subframe down was the final straw...



I took the frame down. The engine bolts to it, so i had to find a way of supporting the engine while allowing enough room for the frame to pass. Some angle iron bolted to the front cover and a pair of stands did the trick.



The chassis legs cleaned up nicely, and have been painted with zinc primer and black tractor paint.



The subframe, caked in oil and muck, was steam cleaned.



Revealing these odd white marks - clearly factory as the frames never been painted before. Alignment marks? or maybe colour coding showing which subframe fits which engine - they are all different? Thinking about it the axle has a splosh of yellow paint on it too...

I then sent it off for powder coating



The chap i use is brilliant, he blasted and powder coated the frame for £70. Id have spent that on paint and wire wheels, and it would still have looked crap....





All back on the car, it looks amazing....

[penguin45]

Mmm - nice.

Looks excellent.

Chris.

[Matt of the Vivas]

While this was being done, i spotted some nasty rust on the inside of the transmission tunnel. It runs close to the exhaust and the heat had burnt off what little paint there was. Luckily, on a Dolomite the trans tunnel unbolts, making life much easier...
Ive had to remove the lower parcel shelf and console, so good time to tidy up the wiring and clean the carpets...



Nice mess with the tunnel out.



Possible oil leak, although it may well be waxoyl - it looks too thick to be ATF. I shall clean it all up and see if it comes back - its never lost any ATF.



Tunnel removed and degreased. The rust follows the line of the exhaust pipe almost exactly... Dont think its right through, will find out tomorrow!

[Matt of the Vivas]

Cleaned up fine, just a little pitting. Primed, sprayed, and now drying off in my kitchen....

[Matt of the Vivas]

Ive replaced the gasket on the forward clutch servo, this was the worst of the two leaks i found. I'll keep an eye on the other one, if it is leaking its very minor...

Thats it, hopefully, ready for the new season!

[Matt of the Vivas]

One other thing... If anyone has a copy of Triumph World this month, they might see a familiar sight...

[Matt of the Vivas]

Ive had a really nice season with this so far, helped by the fab weather. Lots of shows and meetings, not missed a beat. I love this car!

snagit

In the sun at Holt Transport Rally a week or so back.