Badwolf
-
Posts
5,362 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
63
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Gallery
Downloads
Store
Events
Everything posted by Badwolf
-
How long would it have taken to build up 'lead memory' from the point of grinding in the valve seats. My engine was rebuilt in 1985 and would have covered maybe 7,000 miles before the demise of leaded petrol.
-
Fitting the H frame is hard enough but when you then try to fit a full depth radio that is something else! I was given a nice Sharp job which, at the time I didn't realise was one of those that slides out of an external shell to lock in the boot or take walkies. Never again, put in the shell.. fine but then you can't slide the radio in because of the gear stick. Got it in eventually but if anyone tries to nick it, it could be a long job. The irony is I very rarely use it these days. Might follow Doug's example and take it out and fill the space with gauges and dials
-
Dot 4 hydraulic fluid, on purpose to strip paint
Badwolf replied to daverclasper's topic in Bodywork & Fittings
V23-Thanks for the post. I am shortly going to start work on paint stripping (starchem paint stripper) and your post has been invaluable to me. Are any of the vapour filters of any use in a 3m 6200 mask or is it just a question of doors open, restricted time using or just, as you mentioned, an outside job for safety? -
A/F - Issue sorted thanks to Pete on AGM thread. Old data held in cache was being accessed and overlaid onto the new website layout causing a 'jigsaw' type problem and other weird things. Both my tablet and desktop suffered but now sorted.
-
Thanks Mark. These look exactly what I'm looking for. They also look very much like the ones that Moss are doing. Typical, first you can't find something, then spoilt for choice. Now... bullet or rectangular!!??? What is the correct design for a '72 1300 Spit?
-
Just thought I'd have a look on the club web-site for current Dolly values (like you do) but couldn't find the download values on the home page (when I finally got to it) and there doesn't appear to be a serch routine. ** Kevin-- If you are moderating this post will you please have an in depth look at the new club web-site from the I.T. angle 'cause it's driving me nuts!! Thanks
-
Thanks Pete - Yes I remember reading Doug's post about getting the convex. He has bullet wing mirrors but I don't know where he got them from and if they are all a standard size. Hopefully he will pick this up. I looked at some at the NEC last month but wasn't sure of the best type for fitting. I remember many, many years ago having some that were a single hole with a nut inside the door frame which bent the door skin alarmingly. When the Spitfire was originally restored, I made a conscious decision not to have mirrors or a radio aerial due to the dangers of rust. However I have got used to door mirrors on my modern and find that when driving the spitfire I miss them and feel that these days not having them could even be very dangerous. Of course rust prevention is much better these days, so not so much of a worry on that score and with repainting it will be better to do the holes and treat the inside before applying the paint.
-
I have been reading here several comments about the pros and cons of wing/door mirrors. I have been looking for convex versions which do appear to be fairly scarce and also bullet/rectangular styles. I plan, as part of the repaint to fit them on the doors (if I ever get them to fit!!) and will drill the necessary holes, rust proof them etc before painting. So this is the forward planning bit. What is the general feeling as to the best type of mirrors and the best place to buy them. The club shop only appears to do the flat types but, I suppose, I could always get the wide angle, stick on, additions if they are still made, to give a wider view in part. I note that some of you have obtained new convex glasses for the mirror units which would be an alternative if a complete convex unit is difficult to find for a reasonable price but are they all a standard shape? Over to you!!
-
Dot 4 hydraulic fluid, on purpose to strip paint
Badwolf replied to daverclasper's topic in Bodywork & Fittings
I found a couple of 30 year old bottles of dot3 at the back of a shelf. Obviously dangerous to use as brake fluid so I also thought of using it as paint stripper. Ok, why when I want it to strip paint, it won't, but when it leaks out of the master cylinders.. it does. There is no sense or reason left in the world..... I bought a gallon of synstrip off fleabay. That was recommended to me some months ago.. I agree with RogerH (it arrived with a pair of those radiation proof gloves). -
Front wishbone bushes GT6
Badwolf replied to Dave the tram's topic in Chassis, Suspension & Steering
Interesting... I was told my a member of the polybush team on the stand at the NEC Restoration show, that on no account should you use grease/lube of any kind when fitting. If fitting was difficult use a smear of washing up liquid as this was water soluable. Anything else mixed with grit/dust etc and formed a grinding paste which knackered the bushes!! This came up as I mentioned that R*mmers had tried to sell me 'polybush' grease when I ordered my bushes. -
Hi BFG. The niggles keep finding me.. no problem. I am trying to sort them out (such as the mis-match in heights) before I do the re-paint for the very reason of not damaging the new paint. The re-paint is essential. If you look back over the pages of this thread, especially to the state of the bonnet and hard-top (page 11 - I have been working on this for a loooonnng time!!), along with the problems I have mentioned with the paintwork blistering you will understand.
-
Dave- I would love one too!! Those of you who have been following my trail of disasters will know that I have had fitted a new leaf spring by my local garage, and then I fitted new ujs, polybush bushes on the radius arms, spring eyes, and on the new shock absorbers. Everything torqued up under load etc. I now notice that the off side is 3 cm higher than the nearside. I never noticed this before, so it may be that it has been like that for years and that having done ths work, I am now much more aware of it. The car handles well and everything should have settled down after a 30mile run with passenger yesterday. Any thoughts anyone?? Should I stop looking for trouble and get on with the paint job? I really would like to sort out these annoying niggles before I get on with the paintwork.
-
The safest way to smoke test is to get a box of plumbers smoke test matches from you local plumbers merchant. B&Q might sell them too. They are handy for loads of things, You just strike them and they safely smoke for about 30secs.
-
Watch out for an air lock in the heater pipe at the highest point in the system. Make sure any T pieces in the pipework are the correct way round. I had problems caused by both of these last year.
-
I was experimenting with 'chroming' the bezel on an old rev counter and, as Pete says, pried the lugs but only a fraction to release the pressure. Then a twist and the bezel, glass and base parted company.. I was amazed. I never did try the chrome paint on the bezel. Wonder where I put it. I do remember stripping off the black paint to find lovely yellow brass underneath. Off to the garage to find the bits!!
-
Just had and interesting afternoon fitting the new shock absorbers properly. All done now torqued up etc but not check toe in etc yet. Need to make one of Uncle Pete's patent measuring gadgets!! This was the first time that I had seen both shocks together and was a little concerned that one is longer than the other!!! I was also amused that the Lockheed, which I assume was the original factory fitted one, bears a label saying that shock absorbers must be fitted in pairs. These certainly weren't and have been on the car since I got it. The shocks are shown photographed in their fully 'retracted' state.
-
Doug...... and loads of dials and guages to see how much current you are producing and using!!
-
Never throw anything away... the mantra of the classic car owner! While waiting for the deivery of the new bolts for my suspension spring eyes, I remembered that 30 years ago I bought a complete pack of bolts to renew those on the suspension. On routing them out, yes I find a pair that will fit nicely. Just the job. Then for some reason, I tried the nut from the new bolt on the remaining thread of the knackered bolt... it doen't fit easily. When fitting the new spring the garage appears to have used a metric bolt and managed to get a unf nut onto it. Probably got it started by hand and zip gunned it on. No wonder that when I try to torque it to 38lb it gave up!! If I am correct it may be worth while reminding any garage doing work for you that this car is imperial not metric.
-
Thanks Richard for taking the time. I will have a look now you have pointed me in the right direction. My valve appears to be working well.. at the moment but I liked the look of this one for the future. Thanks again
-
Doug- I am interested in one too. I assume that it will fit my mkiv spit. Do you have a link please?
-
Welcome to the forum. Don't worry about the post, I am probably even worse for questions. You will, I'm sure get a good response from those that know. There is a lot of knowledge here and a lot of great people willing to share it. Just wait. Sadly this is not in my league, but there are plenty here to help.
-
I agree with Adrian. My doors have never locked and there seems little point going through the hell of skinned knuckles etc especially with the dreadful lock/linkage design of Mk IV Spitfire doors. Just make sure the car is as secure as you can. There is much advice over the threads on here. You just have to search. The majority of us favour (in no particular order) : battery dis-car-nect unit, ignition imobilisers, bonnet locks, steering wheel/gear stick locks (in my case the gear stick lock fits on upside down), fuel shut off tap, full alarm. If you fit all of them, don't be surprised if it then won't start for you as you will have forgotten one of them!!!
-
I agree. Knowing what secondhand parts from a Vitesse, Herald etc are common to a Sprifire would be brilliant. I know you can check the parts lists but for all the models in the TSSC range!! Especially as I'm not absolutely sure which part came from where on my 'mongrel'.
-
Great idea. Kevin, if he agrees, might have to set up the indexing of it and we would all have to abide by certain entry conditions to keep it logical. Also a list of products that members have used and like.
