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kippermcflipper

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Posts posted by kippermcflipper

  8. Adjusting tappets

    in Engine

    Posted

    I just did mine, used a wide jaw adjustable spanner - bought mine for £20 from Toolstation. Strong, fits and treat and allowing the crank to be turned effortlessly, and precisely. Just remember to remove it before attempting to start the engine! As for the clearances, patience a screwdriver and feeler gauges and it works a treat. Can try and be as accurate with them as you like but ultimately they will wear/ heat will change the clearances anyway. 

  9. Another newbie!

    in I thought I'd introduce myself

    Posted

    I think I’ll try and richen it up by a couple of flats and see how that goes - better to be slightly to rich than too lean.

    As for events; unfortunately work means I won’t be able to make March but any excuse to get the car out is always welcomed! So maybe a run or two could be good!!

  10. Another newbie!

    in I thought I'd introduce myself

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said:

    the wax stat kits are pretty awfull , on one local spitty  ended up with removing the kit which cost a fortune for whats in it , nothing lines up every thing sticks or binds , put the old ones back with the 2x1p mod to  uncrimp the base ,remove the wax capsule and add the required 2x 1p

    keep the small spacer and its fine and would have saved a lot of £££ s

    many do this , not wanted by the owner but  its a proven  waste of money 

     

    Pete

    Certainly would agree with you - this kit isn't very good. Worst part is trying to connect the jets to the linkage! Reason for changing them was actually because the rear jet tube was leaking and no amount of messing about would resolve the problem. 

    Im very tempted to switch back; but with the effort changing the linkages over, ill have a little play with them first (nothing really to loose!). Apart from a quart of petrol maybe!

  11. Another newbie!

    in I thought I'd introduce myself

    Posted

    Thanks for the very warm welcome. Well as the weather was nice today I decided to go for a little blast out and around. I am happy to report that it was a success in the most part, lots and lots of things id like to sort out but heres the plan I have in my head right now!

    Having had some teething issues getting the correct mixture (fouled a new set of NGK's), finally the plug health is looking a little brighter - maybe a little hot (see pictures). With a colortune, timing light and carb balancer everything is hunky doory!, and of course a few steep learning curves. I'm 27; so this really isnt my era of car, but patience and persistence and some friendly tips is paying off + the will to keep it not to far from original as a gentle road cruiser! No large speakers, racing or wheel spinning coming from this car!

    Next little issue id like to work on is the main jets. Having replaced them with non waxstat (using the well known conversion kit, much swearing was heard that day); ultimately problems with tick over when hot is a thing of the past. However; they do have a habit of sticking on choke which means going underneath and popping them back up when the engine is a little warmer than cold. I may replace the main jet bearings and see if that helps; or try and adjust the linkage, bore out the hole on the jet linkage so it isnt as 'tight' and therefore causing a slight angle that means they dont move as freely as perhaps desirable.

    Biggest jobs right now in this order are:

    1. Bonnet (repair/ paint and reweld a new stability panel in the front, - where is mine - why is there so much fibreglass!???) fit club bonnet lifters to assist in opening and closing
    2. Main Jets (as above)
    3. Squeak from front offside wheel bearing - replacement due
    4. Trunnions - already oiled - but investigate if any weaknesses.

    Get through is list and I think that's a good start!

    Ill keep posting; new bits - if there is a part of the forum I should move this post over too; (a bit of a blog type thing); then let me know and ill try and keep updates coming in!

    I nearly forgot - a new radio needs fitting, now a era classic would be lovely but for now; I have an old Pioneer that needs a home so getting out the junior hacksaw; fashioning some steel into a radio fascia with some black paint and then adjusting the wiring as necessary means that driving will be even more pleasurable.

     

     

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  12. Another newbie!

    in I thought I'd introduce myself

    Posted

    Hi, just another new member that thought id say hello.

    I am Mat; and have owned my Spitfire '79 for the last year. I wouldn't say ownership has been completely without its flaws; as I recall driving across a very fast roundabout on the A1 with petrol pouring out the overflows on the twin HS4's! Or less unenviable head gasket failure, and fan clutch problems. 

    I seem delightfully to have found myself a money pit; whereby the pain and work is neverending! But thats all the negatives out the way. Being based in East Anglia; I am hoping to bring it out to some events at some stage, but battling with many historical bodges, and poor bodywork, I fear I may be holding my hat down in shame, for it is a little far from concourse condition at the moment! The question is; is it something people really want to see! Let me know!

    I am hoping to keep it slightly simple, with a rolling restoration project (im sure everyone is laughing intently at their screen!). 

    Big Jobs:

    1. Door Gaps!!!! ?indication of maybe sill failures - or poor sill job in the past I think!
    2. Interior - seats/ foams most definately!
    3. Bonnet - strengthener has fallen off, near inner/ outer arches both sides - must learn to weld and paint.
    4. Numerous panel issues that need attention across the tub!
    5. Mechanical - differential slight whine on/ off load needs attention (oil checked), gearbox oil leak.
    6. Engine - needs a decoke (requiring 98ron to prevent overrun at the moment! Maybe electronic ignition and HS4 overhaul in due course (but ok at the moment).
    7. Full respray!

    At the list goes on!

    With a small garage you can barely walk around, the jobs will soon pile up - but its managed to get through an MOT relatively unmolested, runs sweat after many hours of blood and toil, and its a pleasure to drive in the sun! 

    With a full time job, house to keep and a fairly inexperienced skill set other than a father who worked on these in the 70's is an uphill battle. But its all ok.

    Its a shame the Bedfordshire Steam Festival was cancelled this year, that was the date set to bring it into view but never mind.

    Any points/ hints or thoughts?

    Nice to join you all.

     

     

     

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