PeterH

I assume fitting a swing axle to an early Spit would be OK as the swing axle was fitted as standard later.

When I bought the car (Mk3 Spitfire) it came with an original Triumph steel hardtop and no hood or frame. On rebuild I fitted a hood. If I want to fit the hardtop do I need to remove the hood and frame or just release the hood from the rear deck? I think I read somewhere Spitfires were available as only a hardtop - I ought to get the heritiage cert, it might tell me if that's how the car was built. Peter

Following earlier posts under the topic 'Reverse Engagment', I think I've got things sorted. As mentioned there was a lot of play in the clutch release arm, both in the push rod and the buttons carrying the release bearing. I ordered a used replacement from Rimmers, but this had almost as much play as the old one so was returned. Fortunately I have a lathe so I turned up some bushes to take up the wear. After a quick gearbox overhaul (see circlip and synchro posts) I got it all back together yesterday. I also replaced the slave cylinder. Intital test in the garage seem fine. Clutch well up pedal and no grating into reverse or first. Can't try it on road just yet - need to shuffle cars round to get it out. Now the interesting thing is that it looks as though there was a clutch problem well before I rebuilt the car and I didn't notice. The clamp bolt slot in the old slave cylinder has been filed out and is nearly 1 1/2" long. I guess someone did this in the hope of getting more movement by pushing the cylinder further in.

(Circlip came off - brute force and ignorance. (yesterday's post)) I can't find anything in the manual about checking the synchro (baulk) rings. There is a figure quoted on internet for MG B of 0.020" clearance when ring pushed hard home onto cone (back of ring to gear face). Presumably a similar figure is OK for our cars?

Thanks. I'll give it a go tomorrow. Glass of red waiting !

Thanks Richard. I'll remember that when I come to reassemble the box. Still doesn't help with getting it off. Being recessed in the gear you can't get a lever in behind it as you might if it wasn't.

That's more or less what I was trying to do with the screwdrivers. The circlip is on a splined shaft and is actually recessed in the end of the gear.

3 rail gearbox. Without the special tool shewn in the workshop manual. Does anyone have a dodge as to how to remove the mainshaft circlip 112394 ? I've tried prising with various screwdrivers but you need at least 3 hands (extra small).

Sorry I seem to have hijacked this thread. Perhaps I should start a new one.

At long last taken gearbox out. What a struggle. Had to take bell housing off in car to get box out - can't see any other way out. 1) Clutch plate in correct way round - clearly marked fly wheel side. 2) Some crankshaft end float - must be near max acceptable - need to check further. 3) The probable the cause - lots of wear in the alu clutch release lever where bushes fit for thrust brg carrier. Also play in eye of slave cylinder push rod. I've just ordered a new (used) lever from Rimmers. New NLA. Might have a look at syncro whilst box is out so maybe a while before I know if I've cured fault

Suzie (Courier Spitfire register) tells me this white car is now for sale on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202050312787

Excelent - I really like the next one - great music. Reminds me of ...................................... https://youtu.be/9bkMx2YFXOU

Looks like a White Spitfire in Vodafone's latest ad. Loading shopping into boot - bad guys arrive - girl phones police.

Thanks for comments, Gear box out at earliest opportunity.

I've got this problem on the Spit. Car had new clutch on rebuild 3 years ago and has always dragged slightly since, but now seems to have got worse. Is there a quick fix ('Bodge') that will see the season out, then I can take gearbox out and make a proper job over the winter?

Canley list coke cable CC10, round knob, under Dashboard Controls. (in stock @£13.44) Doesn't say if it locks, but most of my parts came from them and mine does.

My Mk3's locks on giving it a twist. It was a new cable when I restored the car 3 years ago. Can't remember which supplier, most likely Canleys. It has a round knob.

My local independent motor factor sold me 5 ltrs. Comma Hyper Clean. Works well for me - doesn't smell as bad as Gunk. Apply with brush allow to soak and pressure wash off.

I should have said that the carpets were / are black and the Triumph spare parts catalogue only lists black. The carpet inserts on the door cards are also black. I have an old late Mk3 brochure showing a, probably, damson car with tan interior with black carpets and inserts. Hope this help

My Valencia Blue Mk3 had / has Tan interior this is as original - looks very smart. Bought through club shop made by Newton Commercial. My id plate states colour 66 = Valencia Blue trim 13 = Light Tan.

Perhaps this is a good place to list classic friendly MOT stations. I've just had the Spit done for the 3rd year by Totnes Cross Garage, Halwell, Totnes. I can recommend them in South Devon. Very keen on classics and 'interesting' cars. (pass with advisory on hand brake adjustment) Peter

I used to work with a rather stayed middle aged man - Don. One of the younger office lads commented that Don drives like an old man.' Don (quick as a flash) returned - 'I drive to become an old man !'

I changed from standard steel wheels with hub-caps to wires on my mk3 Spit. Much against advice - everyone said I should go for alloys. But they totally 'made' the car visually. Yes they creak and are a devil to clean, and I guess if I were to push the car I'd notice their lack of rigidity, but boy doesn't it look good.

Oh wow. I've just done a Google Earth view of Thurleigh Airfield - it is lined with cars. There must be hundreds. Don't know if they are all scrap or just storage.

A response on the Mini forum says the airfield at Thurleigh in Bedfordshire is full of old cars taken in under the scheme and that he saw a transporter bringing more only a few weeks ago - he thinks they are collecting them all together from around the country. Anybody live near enough to confirm this?