kippermcflipper Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Hi, just another new member that thought id say hello. I am Mat; and have owned my Spitfire '79 for the last year. I wouldn't say ownership has been completely without its flaws; as I recall driving across a very fast roundabout on the A1 with petrol pouring out the overflows on the twin HS4's! Or less unenviable head gasket failure, and fan clutch problems. I seem delightfully to have found myself a money pit; whereby the pain and work is neverending! But thats all the negatives out the way. Being based in East Anglia; I am hoping to bring it out to some events at some stage, but battling with many historical bodges, and poor bodywork, I fear I may be holding my hat down in shame, for it is a little far from concourse condition at the moment! The question is; is it something people really want to see! Let me know! I am hoping to keep it slightly simple, with a rolling restoration project (im sure everyone is laughing intently at their screen!). Big Jobs: Door Gaps!!!! ?indication of maybe sill failures - or poor sill job in the past I think! Interior - seats/ foams most definately! Bonnet - strengthener has fallen off, near inner/ outer arches both sides - must learn to weld and paint. Numerous panel issues that need attention across the tub! Mechanical - differential slight whine on/ off load needs attention (oil checked), gearbox oil leak. Engine - needs a decoke (requiring 98ron to prevent overrun at the moment! Maybe electronic ignition and HS4 overhaul in due course (but ok at the moment). Full respray! At the list goes on! With a small garage you can barely walk around, the jobs will soon pile up - but its managed to get through an MOT relatively unmolested, runs sweat after many hours of blood and toil, and its a pleasure to drive in the sun! With a full time job, house to keep and a fairly inexperienced skill set other than a father who worked on these in the 70's is an uphill battle. But its all ok. Its a shame the Bedfordshire Steam Festival was cancelled this year, that was the date set to bring it into view but never mind. Any points/ hints or thoughts? Nice to join you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Welcome to the insanity we call the forum. Everything from full rebuilds to red leather (don't ask, just run a search on it). We are friendly and willing to help. Don't worry about the state of the car, just run it, enjoy it and, throw money at it!!!! Rolling restorations are great as long as you keep another Triumph going, I think everyone here will approve and help in any way they can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Welcome to the forum Mat, you will find it very useful and friendly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Welcome, Mat. As BW said, don't worry about how it looks, just enjoy it. If you're anywhere near Cambridge we'd certainly give you and your car a very warm welcome at our meetings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Mat, Welcome! Don't worry about how it looks, drive it! And yes, we want to see it. One thing, decoke? I assume the head's not been modified to run on unleaded fuel? Most on here think un-leading the head unnecessary if your head has what's known as "the memory of lead" supplied by years of deposits on the valves. Decoking will remove this and then you WILL need to un-lead it. I wonder if it's just your timing and mixture needs adjustment to prevent overrun? And remember the rules, (1) If it ain't broke don't fix it (2) It's only a bodge if someone else finds it. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 3 hours ago, kippermcflipper said: I am Mat; and have owned my Spitfire '79 for the last year. Any points/ hints or thoughts? Yes. Leave it alone. If it's got an MOT you're way ahead of any of mine; some of mine should have been on the road for years now EXCEPT that I looked at them and thought: That might need a check, or attention, or a new coat of paint... if only I'd have left it alone! Keep it on the road, enjoy it, and welcome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.vitesse Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Welcome to the forum which is both friendly and helpful. As others have said just enjoy the Spit and don't worry about it's looks. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Cooper Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 Welcome Mat, There are many of us with less-than-perfect cars who use them all year round and accept that this means an endless list of maintenance tasks. But whatever fails or falls off you'll find everything you want to know on here (and maybe some things you didn't want to know!) Take comfort from the fact that you can blame your car's dodgy paintwork on a previous owner, my Spitfire's collection of runs, sags, blisters, orange peel and overspray is entirely my own work. Go on, show us a picture, we love pictures. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 welcome! Drive it, Enjoy it, Fix it ..... thats all we need to do really ......Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted March 16, 2019 Report Share Posted March 16, 2019 I agree with Adrian. After 30 years of my ownership its far from concourse but it goes under its own steam, maintained by... well everyone on this site 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippermcflipper Posted March 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 Thanks for the very warm welcome. Well as the weather was nice today I decided to go for a little blast out and around. I am happy to report that it was a success in the most part, lots and lots of things id like to sort out but heres the plan I have in my head right now! Having had some teething issues getting the correct mixture (fouled a new set of NGK's), finally the plug health is looking a little brighter - maybe a little hot (see pictures). With a colortune, timing light and carb balancer everything is hunky doory!, and of course a few steep learning curves. I'm 27; so this really isnt my era of car, but patience and persistence and some friendly tips is paying off + the will to keep it not to far from original as a gentle road cruiser! No large speakers, racing or wheel spinning coming from this car! Next little issue id like to work on is the main jets. Having replaced them with non waxstat (using the well known conversion kit, much swearing was heard that day); ultimately problems with tick over when hot is a thing of the past. However; they do have a habit of sticking on choke which means going underneath and popping them back up when the engine is a little warmer than cold. I may replace the main jet bearings and see if that helps; or try and adjust the linkage, bore out the hole on the jet linkage so it isnt as 'tight' and therefore causing a slight angle that means they dont move as freely as perhaps desirable. Biggest jobs right now in this order are: Bonnet (repair/ paint and reweld a new stability panel in the front, - where is mine - why is there so much fibreglass!???) fit club bonnet lifters to assist in opening and closing Main Jets (as above) Squeak from front offside wheel bearing - replacement due Trunnions - already oiled - but investigate if any weaknesses. Get through is list and I think that's a good start! Ill keep posting; new bits - if there is a part of the forum I should move this post over too; (a bit of a blog type thing); then let me know and ill try and keep updates coming in! I nearly forgot - a new radio needs fitting, now a era classic would be lovely but for now; I have an old Pioneer that needs a home so getting out the junior hacksaw; fashioning some steel into a radio fascia with some black paint and then adjusting the wiring as necessary means that driving will be even more pleasurable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 the wax stat kits are pretty awfull , on one local spitty ended up with removing the kit which cost a fortune for whats in it , nothing lines up every thing sticks or binds , put the old ones back with the 2x1p mod to uncrimp the base ,remove the wax capsule and add the required 2x 1p keep the small spacer and its fine and would have saved a lot of £££ s many do this , not wanted by the owner but its a proven waste of money Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippermcflipper Posted March 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 2 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: the wax stat kits are pretty awfull , on one local spitty ended up with removing the kit which cost a fortune for whats in it , nothing lines up every thing sticks or binds , put the old ones back with the 2x1p mod to uncrimp the base ,remove the wax capsule and add the required 2x 1p keep the small spacer and its fine and would have saved a lot of £££ s many do this , not wanted by the owner but its a proven waste of money Pete Certainly would agree with you - this kit isn't very good. Worst part is trying to connect the jets to the linkage! Reason for changing them was actually because the rear jet tube was leaking and no amount of messing about would resolve the problem. Im very tempted to switch back; but with the effort changing the linkages over, ill have a little play with them first (nothing really to loose!). Apart from a quart of petrol maybe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 Getting all the return coil springs into their postions is another tease Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qu1ckn1ck Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 Hi and welcome from a near neighbour in N. Herts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 If you want to be added to what we get up to in herts and beds drop me a email Next at the raven hexton is 8pm march 25th Amd if you want s run its our blow the cobwebs on sunday 24th starts at the raven 10am Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted March 17, 2019 Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 Hi. That plug may look a tad lean. Not completely sure, as maybe modern fuels show a less brown colour on the plugs?, some folk say. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kippermcflipper Posted March 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2019 I think I’ll try and richen it up by a couple of flats and see how that goes - better to be slightly to rich than too lean. As for events; unfortunately work means I won’t be able to make March but any excuse to get the car out is always welcomed! So maybe a run or two could be good!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 I can get my Stromberg mixture adjustment pretty good using the test plunger on each carb but also I know when my 6 is too lean as it hesitates slightly when driving. If it does that then a couple of flats richer on each one cures it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Don't do anything drastic about the jets! I have a similar conversion on mine and had similar sticking issues at first. Enlarging the hole will only make it worse! The problem is that the bent steel rod that pushes them down is trying to twist the jet rather than push it straight. Often, you can fix that simply by bending the rod a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulfc Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 With a small garage you can barely walk around... Hi, I, too, have a small garage but have found the best way to maximise the space is to buy a set of wheel dollies. Just can't get over just how much easy flexibility it gives. Best £100 I've spent so far. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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