mbs2013

Thanks Nigel. Tried both but no joy. I've found a Spitfire Mk4 one on a certain auction website - does anyone know if the inner metal bit will fit the Mk3 if I was to strip it and add a Mk3 cover? The ash tray and vent covers appear to be the same so it would be a case of the basic shape and mounting holes needing to be the same.

No luck there either, but thanks

Hi Pete I've just tried them and it's a no. Thanks for the suggestion as I'd forgot about them. Matthew

Hi I'm looking for a Spitfire Mk3 dash top panel. My car is missing it completely so I am looking for one with the metal insert for attachment to the car rather than the plastic overlays that are available. I’m not too worried about the condition of the vinyl or foam bit as I intend recovering it to match the car anyway. Thanks

Interesting... will consider that one in future.

I'll give it a go. I had read that one then completely forgot so went with the piece of wood. It was a very tight fit to get it in that far, thus the raggedy edges.

Good news! I've finally got the plug out. It took a lot of chiseling (and a now broken chisel) but it started to give at the bottom which forced the top to come loose. It was then easy the remove. New one now in place but haven't had chance to check the seal as I've got to put the radiator back in first. Will be one for the weekend I think. Thank-you everyone for your advice.

Yeah the car was part restored by the previous, previous owner and then most recently stored in a gazebo I think. Only had a brief look at it today. Getting behind it is ok, but I can’t get anything in a position to put force behind it because of the bulkhead

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know it goes

Yeah I've scraped the rust away. There is barely a centre left to the plug now given that fell apart but the outer rim is still in place. I'll have another try with it tomorrow and hopefully it will move. Would heating what remains make any difference?

So I've tried a pry bar and chisel and all I've got is a bigger hole but the outer ring still won't budge. I can feel the block behind it so I'm a bit warey of sticking anything further behind the plug to remove it. I'm reluctant to have to take the head off at this time but it is starting to look like the only option. I did want to carefully try a mini hacksaw but it is too long to get it in and maneuvered.

Thank you all for the advice. It’s still not playing but I’ll give it another try tomorrow

Thanks. I’ll try the hub cap remover idea tomorrow. It’s a bit awkward to get the socket and hammer in given what is around it but I’ll try a few positions and see if that works if the first option doesn’t.

Hi everyone Wasn’t sure whether this would be one for the engine or cooling system section as it could be argued for both, but I’ve got a hole in one of the core plugs on my Mk3 Spitfire which I’m trying to replace. The engine is in-situ and it is the larger core plug at the bulkhead end of the block. I’ve tried the self-tapping screw and screwdriver through the centre options and neither will shift it and I’ve ended up with a larger hole (it was originally about 3mm) Aside if removing the engine for easier access, does anyone have any tips that may help? I’ve attached a photo of the plug and the hole is just under 1cm in dIameter. Thank-you in advance

Thank-you everyone for the help with the filter box and sorry for slow replies - the slots are in the top in the same way as the image from PeterH, so I'm more confident it is right now. Now idea about the needles in the carbs, but I was planning on overhauling them anyway, so will add new needles when I get round to it.

Brilliant. Thank-you Colin

Thank-you for the speedy replies Chris and Mark. Sounds like the certificate is worth a go. Assuming this doesn't have the body number, is there any other way of finding this? Best wishes Matthew

Here's a quick update. I've not had any time to make progress due to the demands of work and study, but I have been accumulating parts - as mentioned above, I now have a boot lid, and I've just acquired a set of wire wheels and an air filter box. I bought the air filter box as my fuel line is currently flapping around by the pancake filters and is getting caught each time the bonnet is opened. At the time I thought it was the right one, but I'm not sure - please can anyone advise? Matthew

Hi everyone I thought I'd tag onto this conversation rather than starting a new one. Do you know if the Heritage Certificate states the body number? My car came without plates due to having had new bulkhead panels by the previous, previous owner, who is unfortunately no longer with us. I have the V5 and enough other proof to suggest it is the correct car, but I am missing the body number and want to get new plates made. Best wishes Matthew

Hi Rob Thanks for the recommendation. I'd not heard of Paddocks but the website looks like it will be useful. Matthew

I'd not thought of them. I'd only looked at Rimmers and Moss for metal ones. TD Fitchett is near to me so I was going to try them, but I'll give Canley a look too. Thanks for the suggestion.

Looks great. I did wonder how to attach the brackets. I assumed it would be a case of using fibreglass to make the joints.

Thanks Peter. I've been looking at those this weekend and was wondering what they'd be like. That's good to know.

Thank-you

Hi Colin. It was missing the front valance and boot lid. I tracked a boot lid down a couple of weeks ago that needs a bit of work, but I'm still looking for a valance.