Jonah

Thanks Richard From the drawing and a quick look at the car it looks like I’ve got a Mk3 frame with the lever arrangement that was fitted to the later Mk3’s The bigger problem is that when the hood is folded away the seats can’t be pushed back without rubbing on the frame and damaging the seat cover more detective work needed here I think! best Julian

Does anyone know if there are any differences between the hood frame on a Mk3 to a Mk4 apart from the locking handle arrangements? I bought a new hood from Prestige Autotrim for my Mk3 some years ago which has the lever handles, the problem is that the cover won’t reach down to the B post covers so I’ve raised them covers up to meet the hood im also not sure that the hood stores as it should when collapsed as it fouls the seats if they’re pushed back id like to sort this out properly now but not sure where to start, is it the hood frame or maybe the hood itself? thanks Julian

Thanks all, I’ve just ordered one from James Paddock for £5.00 plus the usual

Thank you Peter that gives me hope that a copper or unifier pipe over here will be an easier prospect

I think that’s the problem I’m having Johny with this pre made pipe, it’s pretty tight on length, if I had the tools to make a longer pipe Im sure I could go Colin’s route but I’m not sure this one will make it, or perhaps any pre formed pipe…..or maybe it’s me just finished wrestling the pipe out, you were right Graham it’s a bugger to make a neat job

Thank you both, given that my pipe is so wrong it might be worth me buying a replacement to shape properly, do you know if it’s possible to buy just the one pipe as opposed to a kit I don’t have the tools to make my own pipe

looking at the pipe running across to the o/s connection it runs through the turret and then along the cross member. There are a few twists and turns in the pipe to get through the turret which is limiting my ability to reshape at the other end. The pipe also ran through the turret on the o/s should the pipe just run around the outside of the turrets or go through them? Hope this makes sense Julian

This is a pic of the other side, which I’m hoping is ok. I can see where the pipe goes across. I was thinking that if I couldn’t reshape the offside pipe I’d be able to splice in a new piece. Is that feasible?

Thanks Graham, the job list just gets bigger!

Thanks Colin i had a feeling it was wrong

While investigating stiff steering, and changing trunnion rubber seals, I’ve noticed that the offside flexible brake hose rubs against the tyre on steering lock. could anyone please tell me if the hose is incorrectly fitted? best Julian

I’ve ordered them Johny so will let you know julian

I like that idea Johny

Thanks Johny, poor quality parts has become a familiar problem for me since I started this restoration, working out the trusted suppliers I guess is the key julian

Would it be ok to ignore the problem and not replace them Johny? julian

Yes it’s the rubber seal at the top that has split and perished on both sides Julian

Meant to ask, would you replace the whole trunnion or just the seals? julian

Thank you both, next job awaits……then the leaking diff! julian

Do the springs need to be removed to change the trunnions Pete?

Any thoughts on my question about the trunnion seals, they’ve perished and one has split completely, the trunnions were replaced about 3 years ago with little mileage since I’ve forced as much grease out as I can with oil do I need to replace the trunnions to fit new seals? thanks Julian

Indeed, my late father in law used to say that old age is not for sissies……didn’t understand then but do now! after four back surgeries manhandling spitfire gearboxes and crawling around the garage requires I need a great deal of oiling I’ve oiled the trunnions and grease was forced out, although these were installed new only a few years ago the rubber seals have perished and split. Do I need to disassemble the steering to replace these? Talking of wise old folk, my dad used to say ‘never drink on an empty head’, tonight I intend to disobey and do some oiling of my own! julian

Brilliant thanks Iain and Pete, works a treat now julian

My Wanner 315 grease gun arrived today via eBay, I’m struggling to get it to work with oil, am I missing something or maybe Ive bought the wrong gun? thanks Julian

Now that’s a clever approach Peter julian

Thanks everyone, as soon as my eBay purchase arrives I’ll crack on and will let you know the outcome julian