rogerguzzi

Hello All I am going to rebuild a Spitfire 1500 engine and I am getting to old to fight it around the floor so I was thinking of getting an engine stand but what weight capacity do i need? would this do http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENGINE-STAND-VEHICLE-TRANSMISSION-STAND-750-LBS-/311426738389?hash=item48827ae8d5 or this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENGINE-STAND-VEHICLE-TRANSMISSION-STAND-1000-LBS-/311426739510?hash=item48827aed36 or even this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-Swivel-Transmission-Gearbox-Engine-Support-Stand-1000-lbs-450kg-New-/201406785249?hash=item2ee4c7a6e1 I think I like the 4 wheel type Roger

Hello Dougbgt6 The brake warning light is fitted to the dual brake circuit cars, there is a valve with a piston in it that moves left or right if a circuit fails and this puts the light on via a switch mounted on it. I comes on when you turn the ignition on it is wired in parallel with the oil warning light or it series? I know this because mine came on some time ago while driving the car and I did not notice the oil warning light(bright day)and I have an oil pressure guage fitted. I think I will just put a red light in the middle of the lower guages. Roger ps I fitted green led's in the instruments as I found some of the green internal lenses were broken.

Hello doughgt6 Now you have got me thinking I could put the clock in the passenger side(you can never have enough guages even if you don't understand them) just look at aircraft? I know they have 2 sets but that would just be SILLY Roger

Hello All I have been making a mock up of the middle part of the dash and here is the result! I am not fitting 2 temperature guages! a volt meter will be in lower position. I am not sure about the brake warning light? I may fit a round one in the centre. I think I may move the light switch to the right in place of rear hazzard switch and move that one down to bottom of dash. I am going to send for some veneer samples. Roger

Hello All I am going to have a go at re veneering my dashboard this winter and change the guage layout. What I can not decieded on is the colour or wood type? I want a bit more colour and warmth than the standard English walnut but not the dark Burr walnut(to dark and to posh for a Spitfire in my opinion) I was thinking of some thing like this. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271953028821?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT or this(should be Saplele) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141593292276?var=440731338862 or this(should be Ash) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141593292276?var=440731338862 what has any one else used and photos please Roger

Hello Graham I have a rear fog light fitted which works ok from the dashboard switch. Roger

Hello All I was right in my thinking(reduced power sides,full power stop.) So I have fitted a diode in the side light lead (3amp a bit over kill but to hand! but would be ok if standard lamps were refitted.) When I was doing this mod I found this wire and plug what is it for? (I guess USA spec) Roger

Hello All Now here is a stange thing that I only noticed last night. When all the lights are switched off but the ignition on if I press the brake pedal the dash lights come on (reduced brightness) and I checked today so do the front sidelights(can't tell if rears are on as stop light is on) I have been running Led's in front,rear and dash lamps for several years(It has probably always done it) I can only assume there is a back feed from the rear lamps up the side light circuit(I will have a look later) probably needs a diode in rear tail lamp circuit? I have just had a thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder if the stop/tail lamps are the sort that puts the leds on at reduced power on side lights but full power on brake lights? that would probably explain it? People must have wondered why my side lamps were going on and off in the day(if they noticed!) Roger. ps good job Spanish police did not notice I would probably be still in jail or broke!

Hello All On the boat home now 2400 driving miles from home? We are not cruise type people I am bored already walked around the ship twice looked at rip off duty free prices dont want to start drinking yet? would tinker with Spitty if they would let me on the car deck!

Hello All Last night in Spain in Picos area (fogot where?Drink?) We have done 2300 driving miles and I had to put 1/4lt of oil in this morning and had to tighten a hose clip when in Jerez after the 40+degs driving but fans are working great(I do have an oil cooler fitted (thermostatically controlled) will post more photos if you want when home

Hello John So many people smile and say things in Spanish that sound nice and Spitty is photographed evey where We got this for letting a young man sit in Spitty and have his photo taken! Now I have lost track of which photos I have posted? Roger

Hello Eddie Hotter or worse driving? Off to Cuenca today 200miles? Roger

Hello All Here we are in La Iruela on way back up Spain(1500 driving miles from home and no oil or water used! The new full width radiator and electric fans work perfectly(the high temperature one has not come one even in 40degs and mountain passes and traffic) just turned it on as a precaution now and then but most of time left her to her on devices. we could get used to this Tapas,Vino and nice weather(and lack of traffic!!!)but not impressed by driving standards?

Hello All see if these photos work? I will try and put place names to these when we get home. We have been to the Jerez cicuit today and we managed to get a paddock pass for Spitty but she was the ONLY classic car there? Back there tomorrow for more motorcycle racing. We saw ZZtops and Queen Mania yesterday and James Toseland and Bonnie Tyler today!!!!!!!!! On monday we are making our way to Gibralter and then up the righthand side of Madrid. will try to send more photos? Roger

Hello All Well the adventure has started. We drove down to Portsmouth in all that rain on Saturday morning!!! and arrived at Santander after a smooth crossing. When we got off the boat us and a chap in an MX5 were singled out for the third degree by the customs blokes? but they turned out very friendly(I think they just have to get a daily quota) we then drove to llanes for the first night and through the Picos mountians in the mist and rain!!!! to sahagun 2nd night. Then a boring drive down to Avila walled city which is fantastic and we are here for 2 nights. will try and put photos on later Roger ps first 550 miles done only 1500+ to go!

Hello John pm me your email and I will try to send some photos? no promises as I am not that good at this tinter web stuff Roger

Hello All We are off on a tour of Spain this Saturday(3am?) We are sailing down to Santander then going all the way down to Jerez for this http://www.worldgpbikelegends.com Then to Gib and back up to the right of Madrid All in our Triumph 1500 Spitfire ( using it what it was built for?) Wish us luck (not that we need it the is car fully sorted by me and has been to Spa twice and Classic Le mans once) I will try and post a few photos(we are taking one of those tablet things?) or I may use Facethingy as it appears easier? Roger

Hello Learned Ones I run a 1500 Spitfire and for the last 3years plus I have been running a 88 dec thermostat with no problems. Now I have upgaded the radiator to a full width and removed the viscous fan and fitted 2 x 9" fans controlled by a switch in the bottom of the radiator and manaul overide switches(the fan thermostat has 2 switches built in so I have wired the fans via relays to operated indpendantly) All this seems to work ok except I may need to source a switch with lower settings this one is 88-82dec and 92-87dec thats the cut in and out temperatures. But because it is in the bottom of the radiator it causes the engine to get a bit hotter before cutting in. Now the purpose of the post is why did Triumph fii 82dec to most markets but 88dec to American cars? and we are going to Spain this year(4weeks dont panic!!!!) So I am wondering if I should fit a lower temperature thermostat so the car runs cooler and change the sensor switch to a much lower if I can find a dual one in the right range(suggestions for this please? part numbers or cars fitted to) Roger ps the car runs mk3 profile camshaft, 9.5 to 1 compression and cleaned up combution chambers etc, K&N,s and Megajolt ignition.

Hello Taffius There is one listed in the contacts section Roger Have you stopped grining yet? Have fun that's what they were built for not to put on a pedestal!!!!

Hello Taffius Don't run your Spitfire down they are good fun cars and will not break the bank to keep in good order or run. I have owned one for 5years and been to Classic Spa twice and classic Le Mans once and we are off to Spain this summer? Santader to Gibraltar and back. They will cruise at 70+ and ours gives 40mpg when touring(but not when thashed. I have been out with the Big Boys in their TR,s and most of them don't go any faster(I think the lack of MPG on the 6's has something to do with it?) So they rattle and bounce a bit more? but you can have several for the price of TR's So just enjoy. Roger

Hello p7rider No I think it is a bit of slack in the centre main bearing as I re shelled it and checked with plasti guage, but thinking about it maybe camshaft bearings are worn(non fitted late block) and oil pressure is slow to come up when been stood for a while! Roger

Hello Richard I only got one of these as I did not want to make another hole in the dashboard. I have carried out power consumption tests on all the electrical equipment to see if a Lucas 15acr alternator would cope and I would have to be sitting at tick over with every thing switched on? which is not likley to happen? you would turn off the headlights and heater and wipers as not needed when stationary and it balanced the fans out, The charge rate at about 1500RPM balances everthing, so I can not see the need for a high output alternator unless you have heated windows and lots of extra electrical equipment. So no worries when driving Roger

Hello All Over the winter I have upgrade my radiator to full width(1500 Spitfire) and rebuilt the alternator(new bearings and brushes and a skim of the commutator. I have also fitted two 9" fans controlled by a twin thermostat in the bottom of the radiator and over ride switch(2 postion = 1 or 2 fans) Now the get to the topic? I have been thinking of battery drain when fans etc are on(going to Spain in June) I was thinking of fitting a Smiths volt meter into the dash. As I looked about at prices I came across these and I thought at that price it will do the job and I can use it in any other car to test the alternator or dynamo. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B58VNZW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 I have tried it against 2 good multi meters (retirement present if they only knew) and it is within 0.1 to 0.2 volts (minus) which is good enough for me and I suspect a lot more accurate than a Smiths voltmeter. Roger ps you do have to wait about 2 weeks for delivery but at that price I have patience. Photo of fans set up and switch and leds(just above blue pencil) that is with both fans on the switch is center off and left for one fan, right for both and the leds work when fans switch from the thermostat also(1 or 2) extra ps just found these they will be free with cornflakes next? and I have wasted £0.43 !!!!!!!!!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cigarette-Lighter-Voltage-Voltmeter-BuyinCoins/dp/B0092KVYGI/ref=pd_sim_ce_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=10M5PQMV85406F892ZGD

Hello Richard Thank Clive not me it was his suggestion but it is a good idea. I made a new circle of plywood to fit over the wheel to save removing the bracket off the hardboard? one. Roger

Hello Clive I went out into the garage today to attack the headlight bowls! but I have had a change of heart because when I had taken the light unit out I saw the spring attachment is fixed almost in the middle of the bowl> So I decided it was more trouble than it was worth and the bowls a riveted in(i have ordered a small 1/4" drive set from Halfords £13.50 with discount http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/socket-sets/halfords-30-piece-socket-set-1-4 So I have modified the spare wheel fixing so I can fit the wheel inner side up, more room for tools and spares (thank's for the idea) I used to put the spares under the wheel it will be much easier now, this where the club is good at sharing ideas.