AlanT

Dave. Do your existing tyres hold air? If so, the rims are probably not bad. This was my situation (car also off the road for 2 decades+) so I: used paint stripper while the old tyres were still on (left on overnight - just B & Q stuff). Wire brush in drill to clean off the paint. It took two goes to get the lot off (quite messy...heavy rubber gloves). hand sanded, spray undercoat used the brightest silver paint I could find (makes all the difference to the look of a Spit vs. so called 'bright silver' from Halfords) lacquer spray. new tyres then fitted. The wheels look factory fresh.

Is the heat shield that sits between the carbs and down pipe in place? I had a Spit missing this and it stuttered like mad when hot.

If the crac was in Dublin then it wouldn’t be at all serious.

Agree! My wife would de-sanction many of my hobbies if I paid other people to do the maintenance. I’ve got the bills relating to maintenance on my Morris project and all I can say is that the previous owner really did love the car!

Re MOTs I’m in the ‘yes’ camp. Having said this, a Morris I had for 13 years never failed because I made sure it was right (self maintained). I looked it up on the MOT history thing and since selling it, it’s never passed first time, not from rust but deteriorated bushes, tyres, brake issues. Most owners need the MOT because they don’t know what is right.

Mintex are brilliant vs. Standard pads. I also had a scary ‘no brakes’ using the standard pads supplied by a well known stockist.

Don’t be worried it your timing ends up quite a bit advanced of factory settings. Mine requires this with modern fuels. There’s no power at factory setting level.

Ah, ok. Thanks @PeteH I’ll ring around. The ones I looked at seemed to go off code and registration only

Hi All, can I ask a cheeky question since you all helped me so much with my Spit.resto. I’ve just welded in new metal to a Morris I’m fixing but the car doesn’t match the official colour. You can see the new paint vs old in attached. Does anyone know a place that will create colour matched aerosols? Have asked on the Morris forum but no responses as yet. Thanks Alan

I also ended up replacing the entire B post. Far better fit.

Thanks All. I think I’m going to go for a new prop. Climbing about underneath isn’t my fav activity but it will be a break from welding what has turned out to be a very rusty Morris!

The windscreeen/door glass/door gap conundrum can be really tricky if a car has had previous repairs. Like @Josef I ended up with ratchet straps in all directions to get it done. Even so, door gaps are fantastic but windows could close 1-2mm tighter at the top…but I wonder if they ever did.

A few of these new switches aren’t quite right. The gearstick o/d switch on my Spit has the writing upside down!

Another vote for Mintex pads. They totally transformed braking on my Spit 1500. Far easier than a servo…but they do occasionally squeal.

Hi All, I’ve got the classic +50mph shake. The sliding joint on my prop has play in it so I’m looking at new props( have already tried changing UJs). Paddock’s have them at £135 which seems low vs. getting one made. Has anyone experience with these? Thanks Alan

Out of curiosity, what’s your paint spraying setup? Cost a fortune to get my car sprayed so I’d like to do my next project myself. Thanks

Colin. I only went to my local branch meet once. A bunch of people there but only 3 Triumphs, including mine! Weird. Kicks from these cars? Increasing levels of individuality. It seems anyone can have any car now…except when it comes to classics. In the ‘80s you stood out by having a Range Rover. We get the same perk for very little (comparably) plus free road tax!

It’s easy to overlook the simple pleasure of opening the garage door and finding our cars inside. Design, tinkering, sometimes driving. A simple pleasure.

You’re right Colin. There does seem to be a drop in home restorers. There are very few on this forum at the moment and it’s the same on the Morris forum. Perhaps it’s a loss of confidence to try fixing things as younger owners haven’t grown up with having to mend cars? Or (more likely)screens are taking up far more leisure time? Interesting about your Z3. I ran an old Boxster for a while and secondhand parts are easy to get, albeit expensive! The car wasn’t difficult to work on.

Very brave of you to do this repair. I’d have found a 2nd hand bonnet as my filler skills got lost in the post.

Your Clarke 135TE is an excellent choice. It's very forgiving for bodywork as it can run at low amps. Do get flap wheels for making sure metal is clean...makes a huge difference to the weld. Agree that an auto darkening helmet is essential kit...but so is a bright light so you can see to place the torch before the arc is struck...I have one of these as it's super maneuverable and lasts for ages between charges. https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-rechargeable-led-work-light-1000lm/613KF?kpid=613KF&cm_mmc=Google-_-Datafeed-_-Electrical and Lighting?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=Google-_-TOKEN1-_-TOKEN2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3JyEl465ggMVdGHmCh3ISg35EAQYASABEgIQgPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Agree re. Mintex pads. My Spit has been transformed by them. No servo but the brakes are now excellent. Wouldn't consider driving one with ordinary pads, the difference is so great.

If you do have to replace the sills, buy 'original' not 'pattern' outer sills...the patterns leave your doors hanging out an inch or so at the back and mess up the lines of the car. I learnt the hard way...had to cut them off again & replace with the proper parts! And agree with @Josef Dave @ The Spitfire Graveyard is a terrific supplier. I got replacement front inner arches off him...they fit and saved a load. He checks his stuff properly before sending it vs. others that have sent me scrap.

Yes, that worries me as well! @Pete Lewis I guess there was a period when Morris was forced to promote the ex. rivals in return for using their engines...they did love to borrow engines...MG Midget etc. This one has only 3500 miles on it since professional rebuild, duplex chain, electronic ignition & is very quiet. I do like the way a Morris fires the second you turn the key (electric fuel pump) vs. churning the Spit until the floats are filled...very different to drive. The Spit is all 'please throw me about' vs. the Morris is 'ah, and relax'.

They make great local runabouts @Bfg. Just not so great on a long run. And they do need upgrading in a few areas to be useable…like adding brakes!