petegardner_901

Ha! No, single line thank heavens ( no bleeding problem if you’ll forgive the pun)

Hi all The original servo fitted to my later GT6 operated on the front brakes only - as I'm probably going to fit a servo on the Spitfire 1500 now I was wondering what peoples' thoughts are on connecting it to the front brakes only as well? Not sure if the rear brakes do much anyway apart from the handbrake... Couple of pix here - the GT6 is now 'work in progress' Keep well... Pete

My penny worth from over the years... an exhaust system for the gt6 with mounting brackets way out line. ( response from Rimmers: yes we’ve had this before but you must expect to adapt stuff with old cars) set of suspension bushes made from brittle plastic - utter rubbish The right hand column switch for the Spitfire that included the nylon bush under the steering wheel - bush was too short new condenser for distributor that was as useless as the knackered one I took out new light switch for dash panel that had no “click” between side and main beams settings - it just floated. better stop there I’m feeling too depressed......

Update for interest... I removed the propshaft - it was the type with a UJ at the diff. end and a CV joint at the other - and found both joints were loose so old prop was scrap. New propshaft from Rimmers arrived with UJs both ends. Two problems: the small round disc that acts as a grease plug in the splined end dropped off... no way I could get it back without dismantling the UJ on that end. Did that and seated the plug properly. Second problem: only one UJ had a grease nipple. The other one just had an empty nipple hole. Great. Had to grease up one UJ, then transfer the nipple to the other end, grease that and put a blanking screw into the empty hole. Not huge problems but just annoying. Anyway. Car is smooth as silk and no clonks on take up. Wonder what the next job will be.......

Please can someone explain propshaft balancing to me...? Is the propshaft balanced once it is fitted to the car? If not, I don't understand why you have to mark the flanges so that it goes back on the same way? And as I have taken it off and replaced the UJ, does it make any difference which way it goes back? And what about taking the propshaft in to an engineering company to get it balanced - THAT is when it is off the car, so surely then it makes no difference when you put it back. ?????????????

Thanks to all for the response. Doug - I'm too old for this stuff too - takes me ages to get up after I've been on my back under the car. I'll be taking the tunnel cover off I reckon - I've removed the short cover section and can't really get to the bolts and nuts on the flange properly. There is a company in Feltham that can balance the prop so I might pop over there when I've fitted the new UJ. Just hope it cures the "clonking" noise I had.....

Hi all... 1979 Spitfire 1500 with overdrive. Help me out someone - I'm taking the propshaft off to change the UJ which is rattling... Sorry to be pig ignorant but what is the set up at the gearbox end of the prop? Does it just slide out on splines so I can pull it out when I've undone the UJ bolts or is there anothe UJ hiding behind the gearbox/OD...??? I didn't want to start stripping out the seats/carpet etc if it's not needed. If it does just pull out will I lose a load of gearbox oil? Thanks Pete

Agreed - but somehow I need to check absolutely now while I have the back end up in the air... - I will take the diff. out if it is really necessary but it's a faff. On the other hand it would be a faff to put it all back together back and find it WAS the diff......👹

Not sure quite yet. been getting a huge clonk from the rear when taking up the drive or taking my foot off so it’s either UJ’s or diff. Also a slight regular knocking. I’m halfway through dismantling right now so should have a better idea soon. How much backlash can you feel in the diff by rocking it by hand?

Anyone know any good names who can overhaul the diff off my Spitfire 1500? Surrey area really - I know Mike Papworth is good but I can't get to Coventry... Thanks

Can someone give me a quick run down on the best system for a Spitfire 1500. Club shop seems to be selling something different to Rimmers? Do I need a power module and new coil or just something to replace the points/condenser? thanks for any advice

Thanks Pete when I’ve sorted it what size fuse would you reckon I should use - I’ve now got a 10 blade fuse box with the o/d on its own circuit so I can give it its own fuse

I assume I am right in thinking a (J type) overdrive solenoid shouldn't get almost too hot to touch when activated for 5 minutes....? :-(

Evening all... and Happy Halloween... I have always worked by the rule that the best way to set your ignition timing is to slacken off the distributor and turn it until the engine speeds up, then keep turning until it just goes over and starts to hunt a bit - then turn it back a touch. I have now done the job properly using a strobe and dabs of white paint etc on the Spitfire 1500 and have set the timing dead on 10 deg. BTDC. Thing is, it was way out from my "by ear" method (too advanced) and the engine revs dropped as I set it properly. Runs well and now ticks over beautifully at 750 rpm. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on all this! Cheers P

Yeah - I need a regular service when things go slow....

Could turn the spline pointer 90 deg. to cover both eventualities... Many thanks to all btw. Anybody in Guildford tomorrow keep an eye out - I'm taking it for a run... (Inca yellow - easy to miss... :-)

Evening all, On the Spitfire 1500 I have the 2 speed wipers motor. I want to grease the rack properly as I'm not happy with it - is it simply a matter of freeing it away from the motor body and pulling it out from the tubes under the dash - and replacing it after greasing...? I didn't really want to get stuck and have to dismantle the scuttle area. Thanks

Hi Previous owner (Spitfire 1500) has fitted 165 70 R 13 tyres. Any ideas what the pressures should be? Book says 21 Front, 26 Rear. but that's on slimmer tyres. Thanks Pete

Morning all. Any Sparks on here to advise...?? I have fitted a 10 blade fuse box on the Spitfire 1500 and wired the cigar (!) lighter into a fuse on its own. What size fuse should I use here? I have for the moment stuck a 25A in but bearing in mind I'll probably not use it to light cigars - just accesories occasionally - is 25 too high? Thanks P

Colin many thanks! I found it tucked up under the hinge where you said!!!

Hi all Quick bit of help needed - I am trying to reinstall the boot light in the Spitfire 1500 - all the wiring is ok and the light fitting etc but the lead to the switch is just hanging down in the nearside of the boot and I cannot see for the life of me where the switch (606240) (which is missing) goes. It is a simple plunger by the look of it and I can get a similar one but where is it fitted? Thanks P

JohnD...!!! I have to disagree with you here...😊 if the car was registered May 1979 it is now in it's forty-first year... Like when you are born you are not yet 1 year old but you ARE in your 1st year...

My Spitfire was registered May 1979 which makes it 40 years and 4 months old. DVLC say that MOT exemption will start from the end of this year unless I can give them notification of when the car was manufactured - NOT when it was registered. I pointed out it couldn't have been registered before it was manufactured so the registration certificate should be enough proof. Not so. I have to get a letter from the Triumph Motor Company stating when the car was manufactured. Ha ha ha. (Yes - I will get it MOT'd anyway but thought you'd be interested in this unusual anomaly...)

Look what came out of the exhaust when I fired her up...!!!!!!!!!

Is fitting a replacement original straightforward? Are they all just spade connectors that plug in and out?