Martin White

Thanks all that is really useful info. I was coming back from a car show and had to brake suddenly. About 3 miles later noticed a drop in performance and car acting sluggishly. Will investigate all round tomorrow and see what I can find. p.s. Is there a set of brake service seals that you can buy from dimmers etc?

Hi All My 1976 1500 spitfire seems to have a stuck on brake. If I manage to get the caliper off and remove the piston. Is it then a case of fitting new seals or do I need to be taking anything else into account? Not tackled brakes before so any advice welcome. I also assume I just need to bleed the hydraulic fluid from the side that I am working on. Thanks in advance for any suggestions Martin

That is great Thanks Colin. Really helps. Did you have to drill the mounting points or can it be done without drilling? I think I may have to settle for 4 axle stands although having a car hoist looks extremely useful for this particular job. 🙂

Thanks Pete and everyone else for the input. Martin

Thanks all. Copper grease I have and sounds like a good idea. Will purchase some lengths of the canvas strapping in readiness. I do not know what comes in the fitting kit but I am hoping it is everything I need as I guess these have been supplied for many years. I have already purchased a 1300 gasket (on recommendation from Roger G) to replace the 1500 manifold to head gasket. Hopefully then I am all set. The current jets in the car are brand new so I should have some control over the fuel mixture. How does everyone check the fuel mixture is optimum without a machine or colour tune? Colour of the plugs after a few miles of running? Martin

Hi All I have on order a bell twin exhaust purchased from TSSC. I also have a bell manifold. Before the exhaust turns up I wondered if any of you had any experience of fitting and can suggest any extra items I might need in addition to the kit which comes with it (other than exhaust sealing paste). I have seen several articles where additional exhaust clams were used. Would like to get anything I need in advance so that hopefully can get this put together in one go. I also realise that I may well have to change the jets to accommodate for the additional airflow. Any other tips or pointers greatly appreciated Thanks Martin

You have to buy them as a set of two and I only need one. Any one have a spare nearside underrider? Thanks Martin

Might just bag one of those then. Cheers

Hi Folks Does anyone have a spare spitfire 1500 nearside underider they would like to sell. Current is plastic but I guess metal would do also. Thanks Martin

Thanks All

Good solution. What are those spacers made of?

Just a quick one folks I want to re-chrome my fuel cap. I have a 1976 spitfire 1500. I can see that there are two small holes at the back and side of the cap. Does this contain a retaining pin? If so can I just knock this out and remove? If not what is the easiest way to remove? Thanks in advance Martin

I actually have one of those and I believe the cheap stereo I have does accommodate blue tooth. Might try that for a while. Ta

Not a bad shout. To be fair the stereo is pretty cheap anyway for exactly the same reason. Will probably look at something similar and easy enough to chuck in the boot if need be. Thanks Martin

That sounds like quite a good idea. Hopefully can still hear them with the roof down. Thanks Doug

Hi All Just a quick one. Can anyone recommend speaker size for the door panels of a spitfire 1500 and where best to place them so they will not interfere with cables/window mechanism etc. Thanks Martin

Thanks Guys as always. Will return for exchange unit. Much appreciated

Apologies I did mean to attach photos which will probably make things clearer. Please see below. Hopefully they are clear enough?

Hi Folks Had a few problems with solenoid sticking so ordered a replacement which is supposed to be suitable for Spitfire 1500. There seem to be a connector missing which I have on the one already in the car. Have I got the wrong part or do I need to "wire" differently. Any advice, as always, extremely appreciated. Thanks Martin

The old gasket and the payene gasket holes line up perfectly. Martin

Ok 👍

Ok Thanks Roger. Surprised I didn’t notice it last time. Excuse my ignorance but is it an oil way?

Ok might be worth making a little larger. I assume this will not compromise gasket strength. There is quite a bit of material around it though thanks Martin

Hi Folks Just about to put the head back on the block (in a very cold garage) I have noticed the payene gasket has one of the holes (I assume oil/waterway) is slightly blocked by the gasket not lining up correctly. I checked with the ajusa one I removed and it appears to be the same. Is this an issue does anyone know? Seems worse by number 1 cylinder and not so bad at number 4 Martin