SpitfireGeorge

Thanks for your help guys.

Hi Guys, I have purchased some new replica minilite wheels, 5J x 13, for my Spitfire Mk3. I intend to fit 165 x 13 tyres but I am not sure which profile size to use. I want the speedo to be accurate so should I use 70, 85 or 90 profile tyres? There seems to be plenty of 70s about. Cheers, Brett

I am currently re-building my Mk3 engine. It has cost a small fortune with balancing, new pistons, new bearings, new unleaded cylinder head, new camshaft and duplex timing gear. It will have cost over £1000 by the time I have finished it. Obviously non-standard but if I just wanted a standard Mk3 one I would buy a reconditioned unit with guarantee. Cheers.

That's great thanks. I was a bit worried when I saw it.

Hi Guys, Reconditioning my Mk 3 engine and decided to replace the rear crankshaft oil seal. Removed the standard orange one, in a million pieces as I could not remove it whole, and found there was a steel disc. The replacement seal does not have a steel disc nor can I find room to fit it either. Am I correct in assuming that the metal disc was a stiffener for the original and is not required on the new? Thanks, Brett

Thanks Guys.

Hi Richard, Where do I find where and when my local group meet? Cheers, brett

Hi Guys, Can anybody recommend a mobile welder in the Greater Manchester area? I need somebody to fill a few holes and install a new boot floor for me. The car is not moveable at the moment. Cheers, Brett

Thanks Guys, They are circlip type so I will try the dowel first followed by dunking if unsuccessful. Cheers, Brett

Hi Guys, Can anybody recommend a decent piston gudgeon pin removal tool. I have taken my Spitfire Mk3 engine apart to rebuild and found that some of the land between the first and second ring on one piston has broken off and I now need a new set of pistons! I don't want to pay loads of money for one though as I will probably never use it again. Cheers, Brett

Hi Guys, Looks like I need to buy 1-7/16" AF socket. Thanks for your help as always. Cheers, Brett

Hi Guys, Just starting to rebuild my Spitfire Mk3 engine. What size is the massive nut at the end of the crankshaft pulley, it looks about 1 1/2 inch AF? I don't want to buy random sockets as this size are not cheap. Thanks, Brett

Hi Richard, Thanks for the photographs. Just thought that as I was rebuilding the car I might as well do it right. Cheers, Brett

Hi Guys, I am reassembling the rear brakes on my 1967 Mk3 Spitfire and was wondering about the two shims that keep the brake cylinder attached to the back plate. The curved one goes between the cylinder and the rubber boot but where does the second go? I have seen diagrams where it goes on top of the first and others where it goes on top of the rubber boot to hold that on firmly. In the past I put both on together followed by the boot but it was always loose and let any old garbage in. What do you do? Cheers, Brett

Thanks Peter, I was worried about breaking something expensive if I tried some "persuasion".

Hi Guys, I am in the process of removing the rear spring on my 1967 Spitfire Mk3 as part of a general body off overhaul. All the suspension has been removed together with the 6 nuts holding it to the diff. The problem is I still cannot remove the spring plate. There is something going through the middle of the plate to the diff but when you read the workshop manual it does not mention it. Is it just rusted on and needs forcing off or is it something else? Cheers, Brett

Thanks Doug I will bear that in mind.

Hi Guys, Anybody know of a good chrome plating company around Greater Manchester? Thought I might as well get my bumpers done while the weather is too cold to work on my car. Cheers, Brett

A photo diary would be a good idea. My son wants the Spitfire when I kick the bucket so a load of photos would be a good addition to go with the car. So far I have purchased a complete set of poly suspension bushes, trunnions, and top suspension joints, new rear brake drums, brake pipes, cylinders, adjusters, springs and shoes, new front callipers, drilled discs and pads, braided flexible hydraulic pipes, Mk IV rear spring and mounting box, front springs and top plate, Gaz shocks front and rear. I have reconditioned the steering rack and have new track rod ends. I have painted most of the suspension arms royal blue which contrasts nicely with the black chassis. I have a second hand MK3 engine which I will recondition as mine is clapped. Once I have a bit more done, my Geraniums are over-wintering on my work bench, I will upload some pics. Cheers, George

Hi Guys, Re-joined TSSC after about 40 years absence (no internet then!). Still got same car, Spitfire Mk3, which I have started rebuilding to hopefully finish late next year. Look forward to texting you all over the coming months and years. Cheers, George