AndyCrews

Many thanks for the replies. Cost if wasted fuel included over £300. Ouch! Tank and fuel lines have now been cleared. It did start this morning, very reluctantly, and poured out smoke until the carbs cleared. Having run it on the drive for a bit, its still smoking a little, but seems to be OK. Will take for a proper run later. The pumped out fuel is taken to a central processing plant in Sheffield and turned into an industrial degreasing product. AA man said he had done six incidents on Saturday. While he was here one of my neighbours owned up to doing the same thing recently, fortunately he realised before he started his car. ADDED. Have now refuelled with correct diet of Vpower Unleaded and done a few miles. Car going well and smoking has now stopped. Fingers crossed no damage other than to my wallet. Andy

Just had to have my Spitfire recovered. Refuelled and 2 miles down the road starts spluttering and clouds of blue smoke. Then the penny dropped...I'd filled with Diesel. AA are coming to pump the tank tomorrow. The car will start and run. Any ideas about what damage might have been done. The AA man thought it would be OK once the tank had been cleaned. Its not making any strange noises. Going to be an expensive lesson. Andy

My Spitfire did this sometimes last year. Clicked a couple of times, but would start in the end. Over the winter the battery gave up the ghost and I changed it. The difference was amazing....The starter turned the engine much faster and no clicking since. So even if the battery seems OK, it might be on the way out. Andy

Ahem.....how much??? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506044023737?make=triumph&sort=default&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&page=5&radius=1500&postcode=ws149sr&search-target=usedcars&quicksearch=true&logcode=p Andy

Many thanks for the replies. Lots of info to consider. Andy

I'm sure this must have been covered before so apologies if I'm repeating stuff. I'd like to fit an overdrive to my '78 Spitfire 1500 to give a more relaxed drive, currently anything over 55mph is a loud drone. Is it just a case of changing the box for an OD unit along with the wiring, or are there more parts required? The other question I have, is where would be the best place to source box. Any recommended suppliers or is it best to advertise or somewhere like the Spitfire Graveyard? Any replies appreciated. Andy

My 1500 had poor starting, pinking and running on before a tank of V power went in. Don't use anything else now, but do have a Shell garage a mile down the road. Andy

My car sometimes does this. Its caused by one of the chokes sticking in the open position. Its cured by pushing the choke upwards until it clicks back into place. Andy

Many thanks for the replies. I'll stick to using the old footpump! Andy

Could anyone tell me if its safe to power a small compresser from this socket. It would only be used for inflating tyres, so no prolonged use. I don't want to risk it if the wiring isn't up to the job. TIA Andy

If you use the London Congestion Charge website https://congestioncharging.tfl.gov.uk/b/pb/provideVRM.faces you can put in any reg number and the system will give details. I used it for numbers either side of mine and got and Austin Maxi and Austin Allegro. Andy

Yes, I did. Same thing last year and it was OK. Found the receipt for the old battery in the cars history file, it was just shy of five years old. Wasn't a cheap one either. Andy

Purchased Yasua battery with 5 year guarantee from local Halfords. Near instant start after lay up. Need some sunshine now, but forecast not good Many thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. Appreciated. Andy

Many thanks for all the prompt and helpful replies. The battery was stone dead. Even after 10-12hours on charge, the headlights are dim, the indicators won't flash and the starter hardly turns, so new is the way to go. Had a look at the website and the 063 unit is cheaper than I thought a replacement would be. Will have a check locally and buy the best deal. Again many thanks for much useful info. Andy

Despite many hours on charge, the battery on my Spitfire 1500 appears not to have survived the winter lay up. Even the clock had stopped. Does anyone have recommendations for a replacement, please. Andy

Mine has turned up today. Andy

This is my Spitfire Andy

I've fitted a combined water temp/oil pressure gauge as sold by the club shop. The water temp reads low in normal use, 50/60 degrees, but I know if it goes higher then there is trouble brewing. Andy

I did inadvertently fill the car with 95 after I first bought it and it pinked, ran rough and ran on after turning the ignition off. It really didn't like it. Next fill was Vpower and it was like driving a different car! So much smoother to drive. Andy

Hi. I run a '78 Spitfire 1500 with less than 40k miles on the clock (backed by old MOT's). In the last 10-12 years its done less than 4k miles. So far I've been using the additive in the fuel, as did the previous owner. As far as I'm aware, the head as never been off. Would it be safe to discontinue using the additive? Andy