Practically Classics Forum

But we have a small Triumph saloon to take it's place so all is good!

Took this in against the PI, and I look forward to spending some time on it as and when time and weather allows. Just had a full respray in Pimento from brown, which is nice, still a few bits to finish such as under bonnet and boot, but I shall enjoy doing it when I get chance to. I do miss not having PAS though! It was a shock to the system

I'll let the photos do the talking.

Mmmmmm. Ah yes, that car. Good, solid old thing it is too. You can't go far wrong with a Dolomite, especially not when that fragile Marina Gearbox is left on someone else's garage floor and the unburstable BW65 auto device finds its way into the tunnel in its place.

Enjoy it.

Thanks John I intend to!

Despite it being from the same manufacturer, almost identical inside, it feels a totally different car (well I suppose it is but you know what I mean!) it pulls well with the auto, but it's not quite as refined (read quiet) as the PI, but then one plus side my daughter commented on it being nicer inside than the PI, odd as it's so similar, so all I can put it down to is the colour.

Nice, I'll forgive you getting rid of the PI then

would you be able to fit the saab turbo engine?

Probably, although Saab being Saab, they fit theirs back to front in the 99, so timing chain is next to the bulkhead. It would appear after using our friend Google it is possible

rich. wrote:would you be able to fit the saab turbo engine?

With a hole in the plenum chamber to allow the Saab's camshaft-mounted distributor to fit through, yes. But without the turbo as the engine's tight against the nearside chassis leg in a Dolomite and there's only room for a slim, hockey stick-style exhaust manifold. Even that's a tight squeeze in there. (Picture below):


Just a thought, Rob, and please don't be upset at my saying this; the engine bay could do with a polish.

Mind you, it's not as though I've much room to talk:


The extra wiring on yours is so much tidier.


edited having seen your reply to Rich.

JPB wrote: Just a thought, Rob, and please don't be upset at my saying this; the engine bay could do with a polish.

It's high on the 'To Do' list, along with sorting rocker cover, air box, heater and trunking, servo etc etc. I'm still in two minds whether to paint the bay in red to match, or cheat and just satin black it. At least there are jobs I can be doing to it that can be relocated to the shed should weather be against me

I'd go for the satin black. It's tidy, easy to touch in when it gets chipped and saves a heck of a lot of hassle.

That's my thinking too, plus with the original sienna under there, any awkward to reach spots aren't going to show up as much as they would if the rest was bright red! It would have to be done with everything in situ, and again, black won't stand out as much as red would should any get where it shouldn't be.

Cheapskate? Maybe, but if it aint broke don't fix it, so I currently have no desire to remove the engine.