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Sparky_Spit

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Posts posted by Sparky_Spit

  2. Electric Vitesse?

    in General

    Posted

    Hmm... so I see, it does. There must have been something different about the Mini I mentioned above that made it non-compliant with the VHI or Type Approval in this case. I'll have to find the original article to find out.

  3. Electric Vitesse?

    in General

    Posted · Edited by Sparky_Spit

    Am I right in thinking that a 40 year old plus "Vehicle of Historic Interest" loses that status once a conversion such as above has been carried out?

    I remember reading something a while ago about a very nice Mk1 Mini that had been converted and through a series of curcumstances to do with age and Type Approval (I think) it became almost worthless as it could no longer legally be registered for the road with its original number plate , due to the fact that it's motive power was not in period, and the modifications to the subframes were considered as "not in period" and it therefore had to have a Q plate issued under the Totting Up process?

    How do companies that do the conversions get around that?

  4. Spitfire 1500 - No oil pressure when trying to start

    in Engine

    Posted · Edited by Sparky_Spit

    You could try taking the distributor off, and taking out the distributor drive gear. Then use an electric drill with a flat wide screwdriver bit to turn the oil pump. From memory, I'm pretty sure you run the drill anti-clockwise, and keep it spinning until you feel the drill slow slightly as it takes the load of the oil pump actually pumping oil.  You will probably also see the pressure  rise on an oil pressure guage if you have one. I always do this after a long period of non running.

  6. Aldon Amethyst programmable ignition

    in Engine

    Posted

    I can tell you for certain that Amethyst will connect to and converse with Windows 10, or more specifically, Windows10.0.19044 Build 19044 as in my case.

    I've just been out to the garage and tried it, just to make sure I'm not going mad yet. Maybe some later Win10 editions are incompatible.

    I locked the distributor points position by taking off the 2 springs and lock-wiring the base plate so it cannot move. All the Amethyst needs is for the points to open at some point to trigger the spark, and you get this by rotating the distributor until the points open, or you can leave as is and add extra static advance in the curve's advance table.

    • Thanks 1

  7. Aldon Amethyst programmable ignition

    in Engine

    Posted

    Yes, it's true that Aldon will not support the Amethyst beyond WIN10 I think it is. I'd forgotten about that, sorry.

    I'm running Version 10.0.19044 Build 19044 and it's fine. To be honest it does not really bother me as once I set up the unit with its advance curve, rev limit, etc, I have not touched it and it just works and does the job very well.

    If I ever want to make changes I'll just dig out the old WIN10 laptop and use that to reprogramme the box.  But yes, I agree that it is an issue for a new purchaser. 

  8. Aldon Amethyst programmable ignition

    in Engine

    Posted

    I've noticed better performance due to being able to tune the curve for best power/torque without pinking, so that must mean more efficiency I guess. No, I'm not using electronic ignition, just a new set of points in a wear free distributor that has the advance/retard locked together, as the Amethyst unit takes care of advance/retard, (both centrifugal and manifold vacuum) and the points themselves last forever, as they are now only dealing with milliamps.

  9. Aldon Amethyst programmable ignition

    in Engine

    Posted

    Yes, I've been using one for quite a few years now, and it has been faultless.  Very easy to install and programme, and easy to make ignition curve changes on the fly, if you take your laptop with you and connect it to the unit and tune the curve as you drive.  All you need on the laptop is the Java application (you can download that from the internet) and you will need to use windows (hence needing to use a laptop). The only downside is that you can only use Windows; it won't connect to your phone.

  17. Door fit - again

    in Bodywork & Fittings

    Posted

    I'm really glad I came across this posting as I have very poor sill/door/B-post issues, exactly as above, ever since I replaced it all quite a few years ago, and have been collecting a few panels when I find them cheaply to do a better job on it. All very good stuff - thanks!

  18. What are these parts?

    in Bodywork & Fittings

    Posted

    Thanks Gents for the superquick replies.  I had a Mk2 many years ago but can't remember the arrangement of hardtop or hood sticks so this is all new to me.

    My current Mk3 did not have a hardtop with it, but does have a GRP aftermarket one, which fits where it touches. Hopefully these new found parts will enable it to fit a bit better .

  19. What are these parts?

    in Bodywork & Fittings

    Posted

    I am trying to identify these parts in the picture below - can anybody help please?

    I thought that the two brackets on the left are Mk3 Spitfire hardtop brackets that attach to the B-posts, but a well respected member on here thinks they are Mk1/Mk2 hood-stick attachment brackets?  Any definitive answer?

    The fitting on the right is unknown - any ideas?

    Thanks - Mike

    IMG_20220717_165350666.jpg

  20. Front wheel bearing side thrust

    in Chassis, Suspension & Steering

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Ian Foster said:

    I used this Shacktune kit but shimmed it up so I had 0.002" free play.

    This was used in conjunction with new stub axles and bearings, as the old stub axles were quite worn where the inner part of the bearing had been rotating. (190K miles though to be fair). Vertical links also replaced. Paranoid me!!?

    IIRC the likes of the MGB use the spacer as part of the standard set up.

    Ian

    I put one of the Shacktune kits on my Spitfire a few weeks before the last CT Ten Countries event. The kit is very well engineered and works perfectly. There is none of the front brake pad knockback as before and so you get instant front brakes. We did the whole event with no problems.

    But, as soon as we got home I took them off and reverted back to standard; I just didn't like the new "feel" and missed the slightly longer pedal action. It just didn't feel like the car I'd known and loved for 40 odd years. All this sounds a bit stupid I know, but I'm happier with it back as it was.

     

  21. Engine noise spitfire 1500

    in Engine

    Posted

    13 hours ago, NonMember said:

    I really don't know, but every big end failure I've ever had on a Triumph was no. 3 and, as you say, this appears to be "well known"

    I think it is to do with no.3 BE being oil fed via the centre main bearing, and sharing the feed through the crank with no.2 BE. But why no.3 should suffer more than no.2 does, I don't know. I do know that my other "special" engine has the centre main dog-leg feed in the block drilled out by a few millimetres to increase flow. Nick Jones will know chapter and verse on this. NICK???

  22. Engine noise spitfire 1500

    in Engine

    Posted

    2 hours ago, NonMember said:

    No surprise that it's no. 3 but as the others have said, that looks like a regrind job at the least.

    Rob, why is no.3 likely to suffer failure more than the others?  I've heard this before and have indeed seen it in one of my own engines (an FD), but can't remember why.

  24. Driving in 2022 are standards getting worse?

    in Out and About in my car

    Posted

    The most shocking thing I've seen concerning bikers was one summer trip on the M25 northbound, just after coming out of the tunnel, just as the first  slip road joins the motorway. A fast sports bike came onto the M25  and started lane hopping. The rider was normally dressed in leathers, etc. His passenger however, a young lady with very long blond hair flowing from her crash helmet, didn't quite meet the standard normally needed for some degree of protection.

    She was wearing a bikini, and nothing else except a pair of plastic flip-flops. She was wearing a crash helmet though, so that's ok.

  25. Driving in 2022 are standards getting worse?

    in Out and About in my car

    Posted

    Being a motorcyclist as well as a Triumph car driver, I hate country road crossroads. No matter how "loud" your protective clothing is, or how many lights you have on, many car drivers will just not see you, or if they do they totally underestimate your speed, even if it is well within the limit and consistent with the traffic flow, and just pull out in front of you. You must make eye contact with them so you know they have seen you, and you know that they know too. It still didn't help once when a driver at the white line looked right at me, waited a second or two and then just pulled out across the crossroads where I had right of way. Luckily I was half expecting it so could take avoiding action, but it was a very close encounter. That particular junction (Wivenhoe football ground in Essex) has seen many accidents over the years and I now avoid it.

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