Nautam Mistry Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Hi all... I have JY Classics coming to take her away this weekend for recommissioning so in readiness, I gave her a little clean while in the garage...still can't move her as I rear drum is still seized...I also got a Heritage Certificate and the car colour states it is Carmine Red...Anyway, discovered a few scratches on her plus I think she was painted and not resprayed judging by the pictures below...Is this colour Carmine or Damsen...I can't tell.... I also got a new battery from Halfords so I thought I'd check the electrics, lights etc...unfortunately, when I connected the battery, some smoke started coming from the alternator at which point I immediately disconnected the battery! I suspect the wiring will need to be checked/replaced and probably a new alternator but lets see what comes out of the initial assessment.... Ahh, the joys of owning an old classic!! Will keep you posted... Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Also, put a new spring on the clutch pedal, but the clutch pedal still seems limp...I can change the gears and I manually turned the rear wheel whilst in fourth gear and noticed the engine turned over as I could see the fan turning...I suppose this means that at least the engine hasn't seized...put some oil in her and manually turned her over again... I suspect the clutch system will definitely need an overhaul...amongst other things! Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Nautam, My alternator did that when my son-in-law "helped" me by putting my flat battery on charge. I reconnected it and the alternator went phut! He'd reverse charged the battery. I hope you've not put the battery in back to front or got the wrong one. It sounds like you've fried the alternator diodes. Easy and cheap enough to fix, if you're handy with a soldering iron. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Ah ok, thanks for that Doug I have a 41Amp, 360 Halfords 063 battery which I think should be OK...on the Spitfire, the shorter lead is the ve- isn't it? Will double check the leads to the battery...feel a bit Homer Simpsonish....Doh! Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Just checked the battery connections online...the shorter lead is the positive....Dammm!!! Ahhh the joys of being a novice mechanic....Doh! Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 The lead thats going to the body earth point is the negative impact unless you have a very very early positive earth car The battery posts should be different diameters to help avoid polarity problems?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Not sure on the width of the battery posts Pete but will check...I suppose its me getting overexcited and not thinking straight...owning a classic car is a serious distraction...better keep tabs on my marriage too! Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 The tapered terminal post is a bit bigger diameter on the pos than the neg The clamps on the cables should match so you cant put small cable end on big terminalpost And big cable end is sloppy fit on an small post Thats the plan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Thanks Pete....Will check tonight and see whether I fried the electrics or not...hopefully by putting in the battery the wrong way around, nothing too serious has happened apart from the alternator issue...will not start her as the fuel may be stale and don't want to cause more damage...lets see if the lights, radio, wipers work or not. Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 6 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: The battery posts should be different diameters to help avoid polarity problems?? Not on my car Pierre. (Lucky Pierre, always he is in ze the middle! An old joke too rude, even for here.) db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 2 hours ago, dougbgt6 said: (Lucky Pierre, always he is in ze the middle! An old joke too rude, even for here.) db The Woody Allen one? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Well this lucky Pierre tested the lights, indicators and radio and they all worked including full beam...Only problem was the indicators didn't flash...they just stayed on....I liked the green lights on the speedo and rev counter dials too..looked great!...will look better after a clean though...apologies for the blurred image but you hopefully you get the point... Nautam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Nautam, Yes, love the green light. Last year I bought a radio recommended by Colin which let you set it's facia light to the exact Triumph green colour. My gauge lights, although green, are a bit dim and I'm thinking about green LEDs. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 Hi all...well she's gone to be assessed....Im looking to get her MOTed for my peace of mind plus it will be the last time this happens after May of this year I think..lets see what comes back...fearing the worst regarding the chassis....will keep you posted on the next plan of action... Btw her colour is Damsen Red...will get her resprayed to Charmine Red as this was her original colour when she let the factory...Does anyone have a Charmine Red Spitty so I can compare colours at all?....will probably get the respray done when and if time and budget allows... Www its so exciting! Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 Nautam, Just type "carmine red triumph spitfire" into your browser and hit the images button. Dozens of them come up. To be honest I can't tell much difference between carmine and damson! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Hi all.. Well I have had the car assessed...floors and sills all ok and chassis is good which is a relief!...My main problem is the mechanicals so the following will need to be overhauled: 1. Front Suspension 2. Rear Suspension 3. Brakes 4. Differential Seals 5. Fuel Pipes 6. Clutch Hydraulics I suppose these are the most important things to sort out as they are all safety related when driving the car. I will be going to the garage on Saturday to get more details and the work involved to get her roadworthy again...pics to follow at some point. Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Nautam, Good news! All do-able by a beginner , except number 4. The diff may have to come off. But, do they just mean it's leaking? Everything leaks on a Triumph, that's why they last, everything's covered in oil! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Doug Yes diff and gearbox leaking too...I may get the garage to do all this as I don't have the tools, time or expertise to tackle this on my own and will get a quote. Will check out the forum on each point and decide whether I can do this on my own or not. Ideally what I want to do is get it running to MOT level, then tackle odds and sods as I go along...at least I can drive it over the summer when or if it comes! Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 all the diff seals can be done diy on the car , when they say suspension just what, are they talking trunnions, bearing bushes or what. find out fairly exactly what the hech they are worried about then ask here to fing if its easy ...most jobs are simple with a little thought . pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted March 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Hi Pete I will get a better idea of what exactly needs doing when I see him with pictures...will keep you all posted and get your views.. Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 (edited) Yes. Definitely worth about the details of what is wrong to post on here (even if paying someone to do the work). Lot's of inside info (tips/tricks) and younger folk in the trade seem brought up on replacing. rather than fixing if you get the work done. Also advisories. Usually on my vehicles, more than fails. Worth quantifying with yourself (will it be failing soon in my mileage etc/will it cause more expense, damage if not sorted soon/how dangerous is this etc). Iv'e had some advisories go on year after year, and also advisories never mentioned again. Also get more advice on fail stuff if not sure. A council Mot bloke admitted it can be subjective. I'm not saying it's a minefield out there, but worth looking into if your not totally sure. Cheers, Dave Edited March 22, 2018 by daverclasper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted April 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 Hi All Just a quick update on re-commissioning her....My diff is leaking so this has taken it apart for an overhaul so new seals and output bearings can be put in...I can't do this myself as its a bit tricky and quite frankly I don't have the tools either...looks a bit messy too with all the oil etc...plus the diff is quite heavy I believe... My chassis and sills are good so that's a big relief...plus the clutch has not seized so again a relief. Brakes, suspension and fuel lines will be checked as I want to get her to MOT standard especially after she has been sitting around for so long...The car starts so engine is not seized which is great. Over the years I saved up a bit of a budget but I want to do some bits and pieces myself...in that way I understand the car and will try and tackle stuff that's not too difficult... I'd rather keep her as original as I can rather than replacing stuff so once she comes back I will tackle, clean, mend, paint and try to do little bits and pieces as I go along. Saw the twiddle day which will be helpful for a complete novice like me but need to check availability to attend...ie will wifey agree...who knows? All looking good so far with her...(The car that is!) Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 3, 2018 Report Share Posted April 3, 2018 diff oil seals and output shaft brgs can all be done without removing the diff , so heavy doesnt apply as for twiddle day bring the wife theres plenty to see in the club museum Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nautam Mistry Posted April 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Just out of interest, what do you guys use to treat surface rust?...I want to protect the underneath of the car, chassis, anti-roll bar etc. I suppose the idea would be to rub down the affected area with a wire brush then treat appropriately but what would you use? I have seen stuff that you can paint on the rust and it treats it so it becomes hard and then you paint over with Hammerite. Does anyone have any recommendations? Regards Nautam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 5, 2018 Report Share Posted April 5, 2018 Hammerite is not what it used to be it is more friendly these days I prefer a wax product easy to clean off if later work is required underside There are a multitude of suppliers of treatments there will ne pleanty of suggestions Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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