13 replies to this topic

[cosworth bdg]

Just a short question, what happened to the triumph dolomite F3 engine of the 1970'S.....why was it a disaster?

[sterling49]

Originally posted by cosworth bdg
Just a short question, what happened to the triumph dolomite F3 engine of the 1970'S.....why was it a disaster?

Hmmmn...ok, crash helmet on...here goes......I beleive our Noige drove one of the works cars with this engine? My recall is not brilliant now but I remember going to a Roadshow with NM and the great Tony Pond in attendance ( he berated my wife for yawning... are we keeping you up luv?).

I do not remember the engine covering itself in glory, the Saab works rally team got their version (re-engineered ) working well, even with a turbo, one of the 1st production cars so fitted. I think they had a tendency to blow headgaskets and other nasty habits....

I am sure a more informed member will make me realise that I dreamt all of this!!!!
I am not even sure if it was the 16 valve version that was used


Sterling

[RTH]

It was the 16 valve sprint engine, it actually only had one camshaft which operated two valves from each lobe with rocker fingers working the second valve. quite clever. It was more a marketing thing with the BL (mid seventies) owner of Unipart as the sponsor of the F3 team, wasn't a bad engine weight/power output/limited development potential meant the simpler VW and Toyota engines were just marginally superior , but I think you could call it competitive on its day. Tony Dron drove also. In MFQ 17 there is a film of the teams Monaco weekend '76 I think.

[sterling49]

Originally posted by RTH
Tony Dron drove also.

Get the booby prize ready for me on Monday....I had forgotten that Tony Dron ever drove one of these.........but remember the Dolly Sprint well, a great car

[David McKinney]

No booby prize necessary, Sterl
Unless you were trying to name all the team drivers
In which case you would obviously have added Brett Riley ;)

[sterling49]

Originally posted by David McKinney
No booby prize necessary, Sterl
Unless you were trying to name all the team drivers
In which case you would obviously have added Brett Riley ;)

Gee David, you are making me realise just how much I have forgotten....the Kiwi guy, bit useful to.......




Sterling

[Alan Cox]

Originally posted by David McKinney
Unless you were trying to name all the team drivers
In which case you would obviously have added Brett Riley

........and Thomas Lauda........

[David McKinney]

I wasn't trying to name all the team drivers either - just doing my bit to ensure NZ drivers aren't forgotten
(What bothers me though is I'm sure there's another name in there that I've forgotten...)

[Rob29]

Originally posted by David McKinney
I wasn't trying to name all the team drivers either - just doing my bit to ensure NZ drivers aren't forgotten
(What bothers me though is I'm sure there's another name in there that I've forgotten...)

Must be Tiff Needell who drove for them for the whole of the 77 &78 seasons,and the rubbish engine was nearly the end of his career. He was a winner in FF & FF2000-with a Toyota motor could have been in F3.

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Rob29
Must be Tiff Needell who drove for them for the whole of the 77 &78 seasons,and the rubbish engine was nearly the end of his career. He was a winner in FF & FF2000-with a Toyota motor could have been in F3.

Was it not a young Tiff, that won a FF1600 in the early '70's....adorned with stickers that read "Sponsor Needed"?

Sterling

[Cirrus]

Tiff did drive the Toyota-powered Safir in '76

[doc knutsen]

Originally posted by RTH
It was the 16 valve sprint engine, it actually only had one camshaft which operated two valves from each lobe with rocker fingers working the second valve. quite clever. It was more a marketing thing with the BL (mid seventies) owner of Unipart as the sponsor of the F3 team, wasn't a bad engine weight/power output/limited development potential meant the simpler VW and Toyota engines were just marginally superior , but I think you could call it competitive on its day. Tony Dron drove also. In MFQ 17 there is a film of the teams Monaco weekend '76 I think.

The 16 valve engine would have potentially better top-end breathing than the 8 valve units, but with the air restrictors mandatory in F1 the engine would not be able realise its ability to breathe better, rev higher and release more beehaitchpee. It would likely be a bit heavier, too - and with the extra weight high up - than a two-valve design. And no advanced electronic management system to optimise things.
Nice road car engine, though. The Dolly Sprint is a favourite of mine. I seem to remember one G. Marshall having a lot of fun in one.

[Tony Kingston]

Ian Taylor.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by sterling49



Was it not a young Tiff, that won a FF1600 in the early '70's....adorned with stickers that read "Sponsor Needed"?

Sterling

Not stickers,the car was painted like that after a respray.First proper sponsor (HTS)dropped out.