PeterH

Where was it filmed. That was a great road.

I was just going to say more or less what Colin has said. The new floors I fitted to my Mk3 have captive nuts on about 13" centres, where as the runners are 11,3/4" (don't quote me on these measurements - I've just taken them with a tape measure under the car). I used the inner holes and drilled new outers and used nuts and washers.

They don't look anything like the runners on my Mk3. They bolt straight to the floor without any extensions. They also don't have all these holes.

Snow, what snow ? Barely a dusting here (Between Totnes and Dartmouth, Devon). And I've just bought a 4 wd Suzuki Jimny ! Peter

Many moons ago I was a service instructor with Massey Ferguson, so I've rebuilt several diffs, albeit somewhat larger and with all the service tools available. On one course on a 4-wd loading shovel the students managed to put one diff in upside down so one axle drove forward the other back !!! No time left for them to correct so there was some midnight oil burnt by us instructors to take out and refit correctly in order to get the machine out of the workshop ready for the next course.

The diff is a differerent job. Very noisy - nothing to do with the clonk. Just taken the oportunity to check the U/Js propshaft etc whist taking diff out. This is a scan from the W/S manual I've marked the rollers. Don't know how many but apear to be stacked in rows between the splines.

I investigated taking the joint apart this morning. You're braver men than me with all those loose rollers. Fortunately I was only gently pulling as the sectioned view in the manual seemed to show something odd. I slid it back and screwed on the retainer quite quickly. Now to see what the diff's like inside.

Thanks. I'll see how I get on with the diff, and if there's anything left in the piggy bank I'll get an new shaft. The workshop manual does state 'Note: The sliding joint should not be dismantled for any reason'.

It's rotational, and when I turn back and forth there is quite a noticable clunk. The car was rebuilt about 4 years ago with all new bushes, a new spring 2 years ago and a gearbox rebuild last year (the knock was there before that). I've just taken the diff out to rebuild / replace as there is quite a whine from it. (more noticable now the gearbox is quieter !)

One winter job - investigate knock from rear on take up / over run. UJ's appear OK, but noticable play in sliding joint of prop shaft. Car is Mk3 Spit, with what the manual calls 'FrictionLess' prop shaft. Can anything be done about it or is it a complete new shaft? Peter

As I said in second post. I'd take him any time, but this mother (daughter-in-law) insists on wrapping in cotton wool. Next time we child mind - but he's bound to tell her then I'll be deep trouble. My Mini doesn't have rear seat belts - 1979 - no fixings , but that's another story.

Of course what ever solution has to satisfy Daughter-in-Law !!!!

My 7 year old grandson would love to have a ride in my Mk3 Spitfire. Unfortunately his child seat won't fit into the small bucket seat of the Spit. and a booster seat sits him too high - head level with top of windscreen. Has anyone overcome these problems to legal carry a youngster in a Spitfire. The law says a child under 12 must use a child seat.

They wanted to get me off the motorway before putting me on the recovery trailer.

Having recently suffered the iniquity in my modern of being towed off the motorway by the RAC (fuel pump failure). I wondered how they would tow my Spitifire (heaven forbid it ever needs to). My modern was towed by a rigid bar conected to the screw in eye passing through the front bumper. My Spit doesn't even have the eyes originally attached to the anti-roll bar 'U' bolts.

See the photos of my mk3 seats in the post 'SpitfireMk3 Seat Covers' Peter

Reply from DVLA Thank you for your email enquiry dated 21 May 2018, concerning a MOT exemption. Under new legislation that came into effect on 20 May 2018, certain vehicles constructed or first registered more than 40 years ago are now exempt from MOT testing, unless they have been substantially changed. As long as the DVLA have a date of manufacture/first use on the vehicle record which shows the vehicle is over 40 years old, the on-line tax renewal system should pick up that the vehicle is MOT exempt. I believe this action was taken when you taxed your vehicle. To make sure the exemption has gone through when you were taxing your vehicle I would advise you to contact the DVLA directly on 0300 790 6802. I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Doug I hope you are right. The DVLA MOT checker lists my car as having an MOT that expires on 3June. After that date I don't want to be done for driving a vehicle with no MOT. (I know I should get it MOT'd before then to be on the safe side - I'm just being Bloody Minded.) Peter

Regardless of the pros and cons of keeping the car MOT'd, Just to be awkward I'm trying to declare mine as MOT exempt (I'll probably still get a voluntary MOT). But there's nowhere on the taxing website to do this. I e-mail DVLA on Monday asking how, I'm not had a reply yet. (Not holding my breath) Peter

I've just 'taxed' my 1969 Spit. on line. Nowhere did it ask if I wanted to declare it MOT exempt.

It does say the list will be added to as more speciallists come forward. Perhaps TSSC should do so.

My carpets came from Newton Com. complete with a very similar fixing, but minus the screw. I though to use 'pop' rivets. I like Dick's son's idea but with the moulded plastic backed carpet it is very difficult to feel the stud, and I didn't want to keep bodging through to find it. I might try making a paper template. Peter Beautiful day in Devon too. Too nice to fiddle about with the car must get out and DRIVE IT.

Any body got any tips for lining up the press studs to hold the foot well carpet in place. New carpet, new footwell so starting from scratch. I have fitedt the female part to the carpet but how to transfer that to the floor? Or is it better to do it the otherway round i.e. fit the stud to the floor first?

I bought Newton Commercial ones through the club. They are well made and fitted well. I replaced the foams as well, the old ones were well shot. Whist off you want to check the seat back hasn't broken off the base. Both mine had and a second hand seat I bought was cracked.

The bolt through the middle of the plate is only holding the spring together, not the plate. If you've removed the 6 nuts it should come off (with persuasion).