RichTeaBiscuit

Hello, does anyone know what the Spitfire Mk2 grille insert is made from? Want to bring it back to full glory and wondering what's the best method. Cheers

Yep it is a good price and is below what they quoted, I can't help but wonder if it's because they realised they f*cked up! Only time will tell and I'll be sure to report back 😅

To be honest with you I have no idea, these aren't even questions I'd think to ask. They charged something around £300 all in (skim, acid dip, new valves, etc including machining new tubes). This was a job that was passed on from the local company I'm using to a metalwork shop they have used before and trust, which I went for over Canley. I'll soon find out if it was the right choice or not. Meanwhile the Mrs is asking what happened to the red car I bought 4 months ago!

Oops sorry I didn't reply! Yes I was told the tubes were shot. The head has been acid dipped and new tubes machined.

Absolutely beautiful machine!

Looks gorgeous!

Little update, head is done but the hold up is the push rod tubes on my 1147 engine. Can't seem to find replacements so will probably have to have some made. Part number 104826.

Everywhere seems to have a long lead time for the lead work which lead me to book with a place who will put me in the lead.

Perfect thanks chaps, rang this morning and hopefully going down this cheaper avenue - Canley was a 4 month lead time unfortunately, will try Ivor Searle.

I have the option of having the head sent off to get converted to unleaded: Costs circa £600 and will take 4-6 weeks due lead (leed not led! ha) time. However I can get one from Canley for £299 Unleaded Cylinder Heads : Canley Classics Are there disadvantages to using one from Canley rather than getting my own original done? I don't need a new head but I thought as it's getting skimmed anyway might as well do it.

I'm not sure which has the best value - but I personally would love a red TR6!

Thanks Adrian for that detailed writeup. Great tip with the graphite. It's more straight forward than I had thought - though I think I'm going to take the opportunity to replace the windscreen capping first as the one I currently have has a few extra holes in it - previous owner has gone at it with a drill.

Sorry to hijack the thread! My gearbox is the original so I'd rather keep it than exchange - is rebuilding a fairly straight forward, if time consuming job? I have seen some excellent videos online.

Anyone have any tips/advice for me installing a new soft top on the mk2?

I'll ask - doesn't seem like the type of place to do that though, they were happy to do minor things when I went in for them to take a look with no charge. So far I'd recommend them just based on that! Seem pretty up front and not pushy which is nice. https://www.raceltd.com/

To be honest - I didn't ask - what sort of answer should I be looking for?

They said the gasket was recently replaced but hadn't been fitted well - also the head had never been skimmed so they are fitting a new gasket and skimming the head.

Blown head gasket, but using the opportunity to get a few extra bits done 🤣 while I'm enjoying the 🌞 Thank you for the info, I'll get on that. No I don't think my pistons are coming out! That's great to hear - you definitely know what you're looking for more than I do!

Some photos sent from the workshop. They said the head gasket had recently been done, but not well and the head has never been skimmed.

DanMi you're absolutely right there is no rush, I woke up this morning and decided that today I prefer the look of the 155's. I'll get down to some meets and maybe I'll settle on something I like next year. I'll get news about the head next week I suspect, as I'm away a lot for the next month I told them no rush as I won't be around to collect it anyway. They are going to give it a skim and other various minor bits including a good clean of the engine bay and a new radiator/hoses. Used this time to sort out the garage big time - It's got carpet tiles down on it which seem fine for now but will probably wear a lot, I need to get something a bit more hardy to put down under the car - maybe some interlocking plastic tiles.

Thanks DanMi, would be great to compare, definitely need to get down to some shows, unfortunately (sort of) I'm on holiday most of Sept so that will delay things! Adrian, I plan to use her all year round, except when there is salt on the roads. She lives in my garage normally. Work is a short drive so it's good fun taking her there. Taking delivery on an EV next month which is at the other end of the spectrum, I'll be using that on the reeaaally cold mornings as it will be nicely preheated! Though it's more of a family car and mainly to take the little one to/from nursery. He's still under 2 so will take a while for him to be ready to join me for a ride in the Spitfire, though I've tested his car seat and it fits - the wife says NO!

Sorry to interrupt but quick question with regards to wheels - looking at wires - they come in 4.5 and 5.5. I have a choice of 165/80r13 or 175/70r13. Will get whitewalls painted on (much cheaper) and get the tyres from Blockley tyres. Any opinions on wheel width on a MK2? I don't want to ruin the appearance by making the wrong choice! .... please continue the debate though! I have Google drive to back up everything, all cloud based. Have a nice shared family album.

Quick question - I didn't take a specific photo as my mk2 has gone away for a couple of weeks for a head gasket change/milling and various other bits. It is sort of visible in another photo I took though - behind the handbrake the shell dips in - is that supposed to be like that? I noticed it as my door is a bit loose so I got out without opening it, and that's where my hand naturally fell, so was wondering if someone had pushed down on that part before and it's caved in.

I measured the screw that was in the hole, it was a 8 gauge (4.2mm). Hopefully a 4mm rivet will do it. They were originally supposed to be 3mm rivets. Ordered these short rivets. Stanley 1-PAA52T 4mm Short Aluminium Rivets (20 Pieces) : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Thanks guys, I did wonder if the holes would cause an issue. Do you just use a standard metal file to file down a rivet?