AlanT

Hi All, I’m fixing the niggles until I can afford a full seat refurb. Can’t get the pulley bolt off still. Mathew suggested an impact wrench Never owned one so not sure what I’m buying. Most seem to be about 400w, corded? Slightly worried that the leak may be the front plate, but I’ve never heard of one of those go! Thanks Alan

Yes, the ‘stick out is (at least in my experience) dodgy panels.

And finally…don’t touch repro outer sills. I had to cut mine off and start again with proper stuff. Repro (mine were from the most well known seller) are far too narrow on the top section.

Should say that this car was a particular problem since a previous owner had changed the sills and lost the gaps. The normal adjustable door brace that you can but wasn’t enough.

This is how I braced mine. Across the gap + A to B posts + look carefully and you’ll see a link down to the middle. All whilst on the chassis. The join in the main link allowed for adjustment. Door gaps came out great but I still had to fiddle the windows a bit to stop them catching the frame when fully closed. So my strong advice would be to keep the glass in the doors so you can test fit before welding the inner sills (I’d stripped my doors down before which was a mistake). Good luck!

Well at least Spitfire’s have incredible heating!

Good news! When Roger sent me his spare fuel pump he plugged the ends with proper rubber bungs…the exact size of the petrol tank breather pipe! I’ve added a bit of silicone to make sure it stays put/seals.

Pete, That’s very good of you to look. Thanks. I’ll do that then. Very close to getting it on the road now. Just niggles and seats. Sorted the seat belt issue!

Ok

There is no existing hole in the floor so.

Thanks Pete, I’m guessing this is a breathable filler?

Hi All, Does this breather on the tank just need capped off? Smells a bit with it open! Just about to fit the boot panel and light so want to sort it. Thanks Alan

I like the ‘bung up rain’ option Mathew. Yes, gearbox cover sounds like a good idea. Thanks

Hi All, just realised that my new floorpan has no drain for the battery box pipe. Has anyone created an alternative solution? I don’t want to start drilling into my lovely new paint if I can avoid it. Thanks Alan

Thanks All, Will try the options. Alan

Will keep the belts in case I suddenly want to fit a roll bar!

Thanks Clive, Not sure about mounting the belt higher. I’d have thought that removing one of the anchor points can’t be a great plan. I’ll take the pain(cost) and my lesson, buy ‘proper’ fitting belts.

Thanks Paul, what I don’t get is that I used the Rimmer online Spitfire section and it’s plainly wrong! Wish I’d noticed before soldering the old warning connecting plugs to the new anchors. Alan

Hi All, Bought new belts for my Spit 1500 but they don’t seem to feature the ‘over the shoulder’ bit. Am I missing something obvious? Have ‘borrowed’ a pic from Mathew’s resto page to show what should be vs the new ones (bought from well known supplier and listed as for a Spit) Thanks Alan

Hi Roger, It works perfectly. Thanks again. Alan

Been cracking on with the interior before I fix the niggles. Underlay and carpet in. A bit fiddly as not a moulded set. Next up are door restraints, seat belts. The pile on the floor grows smaller!

Great. Thanks

Thanks Pete. So what you’re saying is that it’s normal? Does seem a tiny amount. I’ll prob leave the waxstats on for the moment having owned a 9 year old Spit (basket case) when I was about 20! The one thing that did run well was the engine!

Hi All, Ive noticed slight dampness down the outside of the wax stat jets after shutting down my Spit 1500 engine. The carbs haven’t seen action for 20 years but I did clean / strip them thoroughly . Thoughts? I’m thinking new jets and needles. It’s enough to smell, not drip! Thanks

Should just point out that before attempting the starter motor method, disconnect the coil! Don’t want the engine to start!