Nigel Clark

Prompted by Colin's Lindsay's remark about difficulty getting parts in the Vitesse radiator thread today, I wondered how we're all getting on. I've recently been building a store of parts to see me through the next 3 months, so I can play in my garage until with any luck coronavirus restrictions are lifted. My recent experience is as follows: - Rimmer Bros are still shipping web and phone orders very much as normal, I received a parcel of parts via UPS yesterday. - TRGB are closed to visitors but still shipping web orders. - Newton Commercial shipped as many outstanding orders as possible then shut down last week. - Frost Restoration shipped an online order I made on Friday, arrived yesterday. - Chris Witor is shipping web orders as normal. - Several eBay traders have sent me packages via Royal Mail, arriving yesterday and today. - TSSC Club Shop is closed until further notice and staff are working from home to provide other club services. How is everyone else getting on with obtaining parts? Nigel

+1... Dodgy bullet connectors are responsible for many unexpected electrical troubles in electrical systems that are now 50+ years old, and can be hard to trace. You can guess how I know this!. Nigel

I did change the oil, though the old oil hadn't done many miles. But the difference on start up is so pronounced, I've no doubt at all the new filter is a big improvement. Highly recommended for Spitfires, Heralds etc. Nigel

Yes, Harrington bumpers are made in Vietnam and they are they only manufacturer, so all stainless bumpers from all UK suppliers should be the same. Just look for any suppliers with a special offer and order at the best price you can find. Nigel

Thank you both, I hadn't thought of that but it makes sense. You should be getting notifications in a moment, when I like your posts above. Nigel

Often within an hour or two of posting, I receive a notification that another forum member has reacted to my latest post. But when I check, it's rare to find that anyone has replied. Anyone else get these 'ghost' notifications? Nigel

I fitted Harrington stainless bumpers on my TR6 about 8 years ago and am very pleased with them. They fitted well and continue to look good. In bright light, chrome has a slightly blue hue; stainless is very faintly yellow by comparison but if you didn't know, you'd be unlikely to notice the difference. Nigel

I'm reviving this old thread today as I've finally got round to fitting the Mann oil filter with non-return valve and Wix adaptor, mentioned in my post on 3rd December. Finding time for little jobs like this is one of the benefits of lockdown. Time to report back. With a 'normal' oil filter, there was clearly a problem with oil drain back on standing. Every time the Spit was started after standing overnight, the oil pressure light would take about 20 seconds to go out, while the crank knocked alarmingly. I fitted the new filter yesterday then spun the engine with plugs out until there was decent oil pressure. 24 hours later, I've been back and fired her up. The oil light went out in a second or two and there was no knocking, so a big improvement. Thank you to everyone here for the advice, especially Clive for information on the oil filter and adaptor. Nigel

Since we're into some serious thread drift, how about June & Les Wrighton's police car... Nigel

I'd stop for that too. Angie Hill at club HQ used to own it many years ago. Mind you, I wouldn't want a telling off from her! Nigel

Nice one! I'm pretty sure the GT6 would out run that particular cop car. Seriously though, I won't be surprised to get pulled over in one of the classics. I will always have a shopping list and carrier bags with me. Or be returning home with shopping on board. I'm not going to flout the lockdown regs but see no reason to stop using classic cars; they will simply be restricted to essential journeys. Nigel

Neighbours round here know I'm a totally mad petrol head and just find it a bit eccentric. Be interesting to see what reaction my classics get when out shopping during lockdown. The GT6 got a few admiring looks in Sainsbury's car park... Well I think it was admiration! Nigel

Not quite so. I've just taken the GT6 to Sainsburys. Perfectly legitimate under present restrictions and no one can accuse me of panic buying - there's barely enough space in the back for a normal weekly shop for the two of us! I'm going to keep using my classics for shopping trips during lockdown as it does them no good being idle for too long. Nigel

Sorry, I'm being a bit obtuse here, what earlier comment is relevant? Nigel

Hi Johny, Yes, thank you. I've run a straight-edge over the sump face and tapped down a few previously over-tightened bolt holes. The face of the block has been scraped clean and it's all ready to go back with a new gasket tomorrow. And the oil pump has been torqued back at 8 lb ft each bolt with new split washers. Currently the oil pump is full of engine reassembly lube, hope it doesn't drip out before the oil goes back in the sump tomorrow. The spark plugs are out and I'll give it a good spin on the starter motor before reconnecting the coil and refitting the plugs. After that, I'm scratching my head to think of an essential reason to take the Spitfire out. We probably need a box of eggs and and some milk... and beer of course! Why go out in the modern when the Spit needs a test run? Nigel

Plenty of leaks here, just depends on the spelling! I've had the oil pump out today and it measures up well, all clearances in specification, so I've bolted it back in. Sump goes on with a new gasket tomorrow. Thank you again for your help. Nigel

Yes, that's why I'm not really worried about the oil pump. Or the crank. I had a look at the big ends and there's no need to replace the shells. I only started this because the sump was leaking. Bit of a can of worms really... New oil pump? Crank grind? Full restoration looms. I don't think so, I'm only fixing an oil leak! Nigel

Hi Johny, Oil pressure is good, about 50psi when hot at 2000 revs, so right in specification. That said, you're right, so I will drop the pump and get the feeler gauges out tomorrow. It's not as if time is in short supply right now! Nigel

I've just received an email announcing the new dates for the Practical Classics NEC Classic Restoration Show, which has been postponed from 27-29th March. The new dates are from 7-9th August. That's just one week before the TSSC/TR Reg joint event at Stratford. Let's hope the pandemic has abated by then, and we can enjoy both events to the full. Nigel PS: I'm also posting this on the TR Reg forum.

Thank you for the input gents. As it ain't broke, I'm not going to fix it, and will leave the oil pump alone. But I will be changing the oil and filter regularly. I would have done that anyway! Nigel

Thank you, I've always found strainers inside 2 litre Mk2 and 2.5 litre sixes. If there's enough debris to totally block the strainer, I would imagine the engine is already in serious trouble! Nigel

I've just removed the sump on my Spit Mk3 to fit a new gasket and been surprised to see there's no wire mesh strainer on the oil pump pickup pipe. It's an early Mk3 from 1967. Should it have a strainer on the oil pump? I'm more familiar with the internals of Triumph sixes and those always have a strainer. I've seen an early Herald 1200 engine without a strainer but that had a mesh screen inside the sump to catch coarse debris. Rimmers online catalogue shows a Spitfire Mk1/2/3 oil pump with a strainer: https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GLP145 Does it matter that there's no strainer? Seems to me any sizeable debris will go straight into the pump and cause wear that would have been avoided with a mesh strainer. Nigel

Seems like a sensible measure to me. Nigel

I'm going to be getting on with several Triumph jobs I didn't have time for, curing an oil leak from the Spitfire sump and painting its bulkhead, maybe fit a new fuse box. Fortunately I've got the parts already. The TR6 needs a new head gasket and I've got that on the shelf too. Bought paint last week to decorate hall, stairs and landings (3 floors, so should kill plenty of time). Sadly, no test match special on the radio while I'm working. Mike the Pipe... I lived just down the road from his workshop in Stanley Park Road, Wallington in the seventies. As a teenager, I could peer round the door and see what he was working on. Usually an Escort or Cooper S. Please can we have a photo of your MtP exhaust manifold? Nigel

That's great, colour really helps compared to the old b&w version. Thank you. Nigel