Kiajon

So, after giving the points a little clean I got a spark from plug 1! Result! Not much of a spark (in my view) but it was definitely a spark. This will sound like a stupid question but what does a good spark look like? I mean should I be expecting Blackpool illuminations, a bonfire night sparkler or fire fly? I got a slightly less impressive version of the latter. I expect things might improve if I get the ignition service kit from the shop? Disi cover, points, leads, plugs etc. On another plus note I was surprised at how easy gapping the points was. (Ok, you know I'm going to regret that comment) Having got a spark I plumbed in my fuel line, turned the engine over..... no start! Did have my now usual fuel leak though (see image).

No spark at the plug. Need to try the ht thing again as I'm not sure I'm doing it right. I'll order said new parts from the shop and we'll see what happens. Thanks again and please keep the suggestions coming! It's all part of my learning curve!

Ok. So respaced the points and still no spark. Must admit that they look a bit furry so I'm thinking they are going to need replacing. I've attached photos of the disi and plugs set up so you can tell me if there's anything obvious (to you) wrong. Best placed to order a decent set of points from?

I have those and the carvisbin the garage so I should be able to nudge it about a bit!

So. The points open and close. When I open them with ignition on I get a spark across them. Is that a good thing? Now I'm dealing with my 1 year old daughter so..... Just reading up how to turn engine over manually (I told you I know nothing but enjoy learning). I'll upload a photo if the dissi and a vid of the fuel leak and you can tell me what I've got.

Thanks for that check list. I’ll head up to garage in a mo and tick them off. The fuel leak is from the bottom of the float chamber, I think it’s just a poorly fastened connector.

Good morning people. So now I can move my 1500 Spitfire again it's time to get down to the original problem. It won't start. So here's what I've got. Fuel to the carbs... leaks out after a few turns. A turning engine (obviously) a nicely charged battery. What I haven't got is a spark! Took a plug out, put it against the block, turned over, no spark. Tried the same with the HT lead from the coil, no spark. Changed coil (checked wiring) no spark. So. Obviously I need to change the leads (it's been sat a while -12 years- so they'll be done) what else should I check? (Be gentle and presume I know nothing about cars or electrics! Because I know nothing about cars or electrics but I'm enjoying learning). Am I also right in thinking it could be the points? If they're fubar does that stop the spark from the ht lead? If it is the points is it worth changing for electronic ignition now? Over to your cumulative massive intelligence and knowledge base! Cheers Jonathan

First of all sorry for not responding to your very helpful posts earlier. Impending bad health took me away from the project (impending bad health = the wife told me to get on with the garden or she'd shove the garden rake somewhere that would require lengthy surgery to remove!!) So, update. Firstly the garden looks great! Secondly I recond the master cylinder, bought and fitted a new slave cylinder, bled the system and, joy or joys, the gearbox is no longer stuck in gear! Result! Thanks for all your help and giving me the confidence to have a go! Next to try and get the engine to start - which was the original problem! First I'll need a new battery (the old one won't hold charge) and then I'll start a new thread on how the hell to get the old girl running (the car that is, not the wife!). Any tips for starters would be gratefully received! Cheers

Thanks for that Graham. I have the Haynes manual which has helped. The gear stick came out with a reasonable tug, but does not seem so keen to go back, I’ve tried to line everything up but I’m obviously failing at something. I was pleased that the nylon bush and spring didn’t fire off into the garden when the lever came out, I’ll give them and the hole a good clean as you suggest.

Once more, thanks for the advice. I’d got the plunger moving and with a bit of cleaning of the bore out it popped! I’m going to give it a refurb as I like the thought of having the original piece on the car.... obviously up to the point where it fails and I’m stuck at the side of some remote unclassified road where the instructions from the last village I’d been through was ‘Stay on the road and keep clear of the moors!’ So I’ll need to wait for that kit and a replacement slave cylinder. In the meantime, is there a knack to getting the gear stick back in?

Land Rover? Ok, so my spitfire might look like a tractor but...... I’ll have a look. The famous online auction site has a genuine one of those for about £13 where as Rimmers (is there anywhere else to try?) has Gerling ones at £90, not Gerling ones at £70 and general ones at £35! So now I’m confused. How do I find the bore of mine?

Well. We have progress. And a fair amount of tidying up to do! I now have the master and slave cylinder on the bench. The photo was taken before I removed the slave and I only did that once I realised it had a notch in it for the bolt! 🤦🏼‍♂️. I know I can refurb the master cylinder (need to blow some air down it to release the plunger - I’ve already taken the clip off and it won’t come out!) but do I just replace the slave? Question 2 (of this email) I removed the slave and there is a ‘push rod’ - if that’s the right word- that goes into the gear box. Should I be able to push this in? I can’t, is that a problem? Thanks for you patience!

Result! Thanks for the advice. It appears I was being too polite with the gear stick. A good, firm tug upwards and out it came. Still has the spring mounted widget within so no ferreting around the garage to find the flying bit. Tunnel now out! Next job release and refurb/replace slave cylinder. I presume the gear shift will go back in with similar persuasion? Thanks again and watch out for yet more questions! I am not only a novice but also a mechanical numpty!

It doesn’t feel totally fused to something, more wedged by something (I’m sure there are more technical ways of explaining it but, as I said, I’m a novice!). I’ll try the rocking option tomorrow if I can convince the wife to sit in the car and grab my gear stick.............

Thanks for your responses chaps. Yup, it’s stuck in either 1st or 3rd and will not move out! Which also makes getting the tunnel off a challenge. Is there a way of freeing it?

Thanks for that Dan. Unfortunately it’s stuck in gear! And worse than that it’s stuck in 1st or third so I don’t have the room to remove the tunnel. This is starting to sound like gearbox out! Oh hell! Now that’ll be a baptism of fire!

My spitfire has sat for many years (over 10) because of an ignition problem. Now I have time to sort it (as the country is shut down!) I have a new problem. It’s stuck in gear, seized master cylinder and therefore won’t roll. I’ve removed the master cylinder seized solid. Will try and renovate but it might be easier to buy a new one) and I thought the slave would be in a similar condition so I’ve tried to get the transmission tunnel off but can’t remove the gear shift/stick so can see the slave cylinder but can’t reach it! So my questions are many, hopefully your answers will be gentle (I’m a mechanical novice) and we can get the girl running before the country Re-opens! How do I take the tunnel off? I’ve undone all the fastenings but can’t get it over the gear stick. Although the cylinders are seized should I also be worrying about the clutch and flywheel sticking together? If so, how do I release them. And what else should I be looking at sorting as part of this recommission? Please be gentle! I’m a novice! All the best Jonathan

Cheers for your welcome Colin. I’d love those links to the seized clutch plate, when you have time. I’ve started on the master/slave cylinder route as the clutch pedal was absolutely solid. I disconnected the master cylinder (still solid attached to it’s mount!) and no matter what I tried the piston won’t move anywhere so it’s definitely in need of refurbishment. I assumed whilst I was doing one that doing the other end would be a good idea! I’ve undone all the bolts of the tunnel but the gear shift is in the way (stuck in gear and won’t move) but at least I now know I’ve done most of it right! I’m learning fast!

Well hello and thanks for reading this! I inherited a 1500 Spitfire (W reg) from my father many moons ago and enjoyed it for all of 3 years. Then it stopped. Something to do with the fuel system. Anyhow, into my garage it went and there it has stayed (apart from when we moved house and it was towed to my new garage) for 10 years. I had a couple of half hearted efforts to get it running (dry plugs, spark, fuel leaking out of the the pipes before the carbs but no go) but with no success. And then we reached now. The great shut down. Suddenly I’ve got time and the inclination and the motivation (it’s either the Spitfire or the garden!) and my 6 year old son is desperate to see the old girl go! Now however, we have a new problem. It’s stuck in gear, seized master cylinder and therefore won’t roll. I’ve tried to get the transmission tunnel off but can’t remove the gear shift/stick so can see the slave cylinder but can’t reach it! So my questions are many, hopefully your answers will be gentle (I’m a mechanical novice) and we can get the girl running before the country Re-opens! How do I take the tunnel off? And what else should I be looking at sorting as part of this recommission? Cheers Jonathan

Thanks for all the guidance so far. Haynes manual in hand I will be spending this evening in the garage..... unless the wife finds me...... or the 21 month old son!!!

Hi guys, So, currently sitting in my garage is a late model Spitfire 1500 which has not been on the road for 10 years. The bodywork seems good, interior is a little tatty (or missing) But no great concern. The problem is, the engine won't start. It turns over,pumps fuel (which is fresh) but no start. The questions are, therefore, what should I be looking at? What perils usually lurk within a Spitty that hasn't moved in 10 years? As far as the engine is concerned, there's no spark from the coil (put the lead out next to bodywork to check), should I replace it? I'm presuming I'll need to sort out everything under the dizzy cap. To that end is it worth switching to electronic ignition? Or should I sort the old points condenser system first? As far as electric ignition can anyone recommend one, and any to avoid. Right. That about covers it for now. Sorry if it's a lot but I'm new to this game so please be gentle. this car has been inherited from my dad so I'd like to get her up and running. Thanks in advance for your help, Jonathan