Piglet Posted July 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2022 Carb tinkering today. Warmed her up and then adjusted the screws a smidgen and now she ticks over at 800rpm. Perfect. Then I decided to strip the paint off the sir filter so I can paint it the correct silver and gave the bolts a polish. Filters look like new. But it's a bit too far gone for paint so it's either a powder coat or K&Ns. Which I want anyway lol. Talking of powder coat the frame is now being done and should be ready next week! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishawley Posted July 21, 2022 Report Share Posted July 21, 2022 K&Ns? It might be fair to say that opinions vary about the merits (and cost) of these. May I mention a cheap wheeze for rescuing pitted parts such as these? Derust, then rustproofing primer. Then srapy pitted area generously with stonechip. When rock solid dry can be sanded flat. Nothing clever about this really - just using stonechip as though it were a super tough high build primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 21, 2022 Report Share Posted July 21, 2022 apart from the silly cost of KNs you would have to change the carb needles to correct the weak running from fitting pancakes often the start of much messing around headaches Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 21, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2022 Are those filters that tricky to set up? I had some on a MK4 with no changes made and the car performed exactly as before, just with a better induction note. Maybe pod filters might be an idea. I've had many a 4 stroke bike with cone filters and pods, no jetting needed. But you do have way more experience with these cars than I do! As for the paint, getting the air filter powder coated would cost maybe £25. The frame is only costing £80, so with the price of the paint and the time involved a bit of powder might be the answer! Thanks Pete for your advice. I have never heard of that paint before so worth remembering. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted July 22, 2022 Report Share Posted July 22, 2022 Originally your air box would’ve been black Alex. Silver ones only came in on the very last Mk3s. Obviously paint it whatever colour you want though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2022 Black! Thanks for letting me know. Could have sworn it's silver lol. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 Alex any change of air filter that supposedly improves air flow will reduce the induction vacuum across the needle jet this loss sucks out less fuel and you end up with a weak mixture theres some clues about needle specs and filter/exhaust changes in the triumph tune /moss catalogue once you move into Must Have parts you can open a can of worms , triumph tested and recorded data for thousands of testiing miles and dyno work to make the car do what it should , we all like to tinker but we cant do the research work on a DIY basis without some headaches pancakes also make more induction noise so the feeling is its faster , in reality and a stop watch its probably slower ..just noisier have fun fit what ever you fancy Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 Slower is not a good idea! For now the standard set up stays. Thanks Pete! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 Comments made about my front coil. I was advised that this can be normal but really? Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted July 23, 2022 Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 It's normal for it to be bowed... toward the VL, when the car is jacked up. Bending toward the bulkhead when under road load is unusual, abnormal even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2022 It's odd isn't it? Might explain my heavy steering...or not. I have no idea really. Been looking around and these look good, but I'll still need coils. Might just replace the coils and see what happens first. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 A bit more fettling. Following Josef's design I now have a vinyl covered backing section for the boot. The radiator expansion bottle is way past it's sell by date so I ordered one of those from Paddocks along with a washer bottle and a new coil for the suspension...but I'm now wondering if the damper isn't bent. We shall see. I was going to change the fuel filter too but is this one too small? It's about 1/2 the size of the old one. Alex 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 I use ones about the size of your new one. I expect they’re much of a muchness for our low pressure, relatively low flow systems. Boot board looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 28, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 Thanks mate! Good news about the filter as I have a load of them this size! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted July 28, 2022 Report Share Posted July 28, 2022 I use the smaller type of replaceable filter but it has a right angled outlet which makes for tidy installation pipework Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted July 29, 2022 Report Share Posted July 29, 2022 The small filters are fine for flow rate when clean. If you've got crud in the system then they clog up faster, but if it's in good condition that still takes several years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted July 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2022 Thought I'd tackle the coolant again, and this time drain the block too. I had to wade through 12 pages here before someone mentioned the bolt on the engine also has a 'tap'. I had seen this but it was too stiff to move by hand. Liberal doses of WD40 yesterday seems to have worked, I had to use a grease gun rod to act as a slightly larger lever but LO! The tap opened and clear water/coolant came out, and quite rapidly too so the water ways aren't gummed up with any debris. I let the water drain then refilled 3 or 4 times to be on the safe side, did the tap up and the one on the rad and refilled. Job's a good 'un! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted August 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 Last week I had a call from Don's Hoods and he asked if I'd prefer a soft top with a zip up window in it, if so I could get it this week. I said yes and it arrived today with no extra costs so I am very happy. I think I can fir this myself but according to the instructions I need a rubber moulding retaining channel. Is this the case? If so I can order one, and I might just use Rimmers...they emailed me with a 50% off code for anything purchased over £250...and there are a few bits I want to get so now may well be the right time! Alex ps is that chalk line meant to be where the hood folds over the front of the frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 Alex - Somewhere on here is a guide to correctly folding the hood once fitted. If I find it I will add the link. It could actually also be on your previous pages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted August 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 Thanks BW. I shall go have a check. Ale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted August 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 I've found the folding the hood bit. Now need to find a fixing it to the frame and body bit! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 This is not the site that I was thinking of, but it's pretty much the way that I do it....but with a right hand drive!! https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=881688155208238&id=100001011850470&_rdr There is also this one but not filmed as close... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iMoiyVabWNk there will be others who may do it differently. The important thing is not to crease the windows in any way or stress the zip to much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piglet Posted August 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 I'm not on Farcebook! The YT vid was good though, showing where I had been going wrong all those years ago lol. Still need to find something about actually fitting the soft top to the frame. The search continues! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 Alex - I'm sure that between us all we can guide you through it. I fitted mine on my own just using the instructions that came with the hood but that was in the 80s and the memory has faded. I did find some written instructions from Prestige hoods if they might be any help. The main thing to remember is mark (use marking tape on the hood and mark on that) and measure. Measure again and make sure things line up before you make any holes. Assume nothing..like I didn't. My main mistakes were assuming that the poppers on the body were symetrical, they aren't. I didn't center the top windscreen retaining bar properly so it's slightly out of alignment. Others will advise, I'm sure. Prestige link.... https://prestigeautotrim.com/uk/triumph-spitfire-carhoods-1971-1980-original.html Go right down to the bottom for pdf link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted August 8, 2022 Report Share Posted August 8, 2022 Alex - I don't know if this will work.... 10990378_881688741874846_1381567633_n.mp4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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