Morning everybody. First posting.
I joined up in the Spring at the Practical Classics show and have been enjoying the magazine and friendly approach the Club has ever since. A busy schedule means I don't get out and about much but hopefully that will change soon. I bought a Mk3 1969 Spitfire in excellent condition about 2 years ago and have done about 1000 miles in it since. I bought it because I owned a Mk2 about 40 years ago and had to sell it owing to lack of cash. I have regretted that ever since. If 16 EAM, Wedgewood blue, still exists let me know....
Anyway, to cut to the chase. This is a good solid car, restored about 10 years ago and very original apart from the seats. It had very small niggles that I have been going through one by one. A badly fitted fuel filter was replaced because of a fuel drip. That led to a pinhole drip in the pipe that leads from the front to rear carb. That was replaced too. A further fuel leak was found on the lid of the front float chamber because one of the screw holes on the chamber lid was broken and the botched repair didn't work. That lid was replaced too (from Burlen) and the fuel line is now secure. It is evident though, because the carbs are very difficult to balance, that the butterfly spindles are worn and drawing air. Next stage will be a full refurb so I bought the kit from Burlen. Before I start I've done some reading. As far as I understand looking at the bagged bits, the kit from Burlen (Rebuild Kit Part No CRK115 replaces CRK248) contains 2 new spindles and a pair of what look like white metal bushes for each which fit neatly . My understanding was that the HS2 carb body ... the twin 1.25" SUs I remember ... doesn't have spindle bushes fitted. The original spindles were designed to wear in the alloy carb body seats. Are these new spindles 'undersize' to allow fitting bushes now or am I barking up the wrong tree? If I do have to fit these bushes will a press be needed or will they push fit if I'm careful with a dowel drift? If so would you use a drop of loctite to hold them? Is there a stop end inside the barrel to prevent them going in too far?
If there's an expert out there who could answer these questions I'd be very grateful. Thank you all.
Eddy
