The History Part III

So to 2004 and again here I am with no running Sprint, no money, but with a wife and 4 kids.

Work for the same company but in a different job.

The car had been "resting" for 20 years still only done 54k.  As we were not going far for our annual holiday this year I decided to inspect the Sprint over a few days and decide what to do with it.  The body work has faired very well with little minor surface rust appearing.  However, the wheels had suffered badly and the car was lost under 20 years of  accumulated, "that will come in handy one day" stuff.

First job then took son no2 and I two weekends to clear the clutter with a number of trips to the local tip.  At last we could fully see the Sprint.  Two flat tyres and loads of dust and muck courtesy of 5 cats and a rabbit who lives in the garage.

Tyres pumped up and time to move the car to the middle of the garage so we can move around it.  4 people pushing very hard to move it a few inches.  The front discs had rusted just enough to make life difficult.

Car moved, wheels off and brakes inspected, see photos.  Calliper removed and brushed up.  Piston blown out.  Despite the callipers now looking good the pistons were corroded where they sat on the inner seals, so new brakes needed now. 

Rather than spend loads of money now it was decided to see what condition the engine was in.  Oil replaced, new battery, plugs out and turn!!  It sounded very good on the starter motor and with a good spark.  Compression was not measured by any scientific method though.  Next it was down to the local tip for a lawn mower petrol tank to hook up so we could start the car.  Qualcast to the rescue.  Tank on, petrol on and .......... bugger.  Bad leak from front carb.  Anyone with a spare re-furb kit and connecting pipe and seals out there please.

This is were we stop for now.  Next is to sort out spares list based on what we know and tackle some of the surface rust.

Stemmed petrol leak so decided to try and start the engine.  Not much petrol in the carbs but just wanted to check there was nothing like piston meets valves etc.  Key in and turn........yes, it fired, rough, maybe on 3 only, but nothing metallic.  Oh dear what's that under the car, water and anti freeze? Yes.  Coming from water pump housing.  Carbs, manifold off and water pump out,  Yep pump seals gone.  New seals then.  Anyone know how to get spindle bush out please?  Might as well do that at the same time.

During the past few days I have been assessing various other parts of the car and pricing up the spares needed.  At the end of last week the sub-total was up to the £500 mark using Rimmers parts list, so some savings to had, but is an indicator of what the the damage to the credit card could be.  Time to think laterally to reduce cost.  EBay to the rescue, Sprint with 6 months tax and MOT, new brakes, electronic ignition, SS exhaust etc. with spares £500.  Purchased the car, well at least I get to play again for a while as well.  Car still in Glasgow waiting collection.  Then today, 9 Sept, called a very nice guy from the Dolomite Owners website adverts giving away a complete Sprint, no rot, been stored for 10 years for FREE.  Head is off as gasket went, hence reason garaged.  Going to collect next week some time