Chris Bracey Posted June 30, 2019 Report Share Posted June 30, 2019 Hi. In last few days my spitfire 1500 has been running near the 3/4 marker so not over heating but definately warm. Looks like the previous owner used just water so will give it a flush and new antifreeze but does the number plate position reduce airflow ? I see most 1500/mk4s with same number plate position so assume it doesnt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted June 30, 2019 Report Share Posted June 30, 2019 Chris, GT6s yes, Spitfires probably not. Spitfire radiator is much wider than GT6 so not so prone to number plate obstruction. If you've only been running on water a flush and new anti freeze is a great idea. Also it's been quite hot lately! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 1, 2019 Report Share Posted July 1, 2019 Hi Chris, how old is the rad, has it been recored recently? Even with the best flushing out (not tried caustic soda though?) Ive never managed to get them back to the performance of a new core/rad and Ive read that a recore is recommended every 20yrs. However those cheapy aluminium jobs available look great and do have good reports on here...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted July 1, 2019 Report Share Posted July 1, 2019 If the number plate is directly in front of grill yes. If attached to the bumper with the spoiler on no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 1, 2019 Report Share Posted July 1, 2019 How about mount it in front of the bonnet top to deflect flies over the windscreen Who remembers those bluish tinted plastic add ons of the late 50/60s they worked. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted July 1, 2019 Report Share Posted July 1, 2019 Plain water is a slightly better coolant than water/antifreeze mix, but not significantly so. However, it allows corrosion and that causes issues. I have had reasonable success with speedflush, but a good hose out first is a good idea. That means most hoses off at one end, and the block drain plug out. Press a garden hose, cut square, against the block drain and that can shift a load of crud, though a poke with wire to remove solid deposits may be needed first. Likewise flush the heater, both directions, several times. Then the rad. Top, bottom, keep going until no more deposits come out. Flush the pipe under the carbs. Then fill with water, run for a bit and drain. Then add a flushing agent of choice. No point in starting until you have the loose stuff out ... It may help. No promises. But the test of a rad is seeing what happens on a motorway as you increase speed. If it gets hotter the faster you drive, the rad is not up to the job. Temp senders and gauges are not really calibrated, so different combinations can give different readings. However, they are fine for comparing so in this case the warm weather has seen a slight increase in running temp. Not really unexpected, but worth checking all is well. Oh, re number plate, I have mine on brackets so it is over the spoiler and a bit of the grill. No cooling issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted July 1, 2019 Report Share Posted July 1, 2019 I use distilled water from a dehumidifier (not from a combi boiler which is acidic) along with antifreeze and have no problem. Some also advocate adding central heating system corrosion inhibitor such a fernox, but I haven't tried that. There are also numerous 'brews' posted here (do a search) including soda crystals and coca cola (phosphoric acid), to clear out the waterways. I have also dropped the numberplate down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 1, 2019 Report Share Posted July 1, 2019 I found my old rad had deteriorated externally as well with the thin copper fins rotting so not making good thermal contact with the tubes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham C Posted July 2, 2019 Report Share Posted July 2, 2019 With regards to the number plate affecting the airflow to the radiator. I would agree it does if you have the brackets attached to the bumper, when I had my Spitfire back in 1983 and used as a daily runner I fitted home made brackets to the front chassis rail and then had holes for two positions. One for summer, lower down and for winter which was higher to restrict air flow. In addition I would fit either a summer or winter thermostat as well. I forgot about this with a GT 6 and it would over heat until I moved the number plate, which resolved the problem, kick myself for this stupid mistake. So move the number plate, it will help. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 I bought a new full width rad for mine - and since putting in the correct thermostat, sits just under 1/2 way on my gauge whatever it would seem. My number plate is here: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 One can only guess they introduced the front spoiler to counteract blocking the air flow with the reg plate in an attempt to scoop some air up behind the reg. plate Pretty nuts really Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjit Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said: One can only guess they introduced the front spoiler to counteract blocking the air flow with the reg plate in an attempt to scoop Having fitted a 1500 spoiler to my Mk4, so driven it both with and without I very much doubt that's why it was added. Adding the spoiler makes a huge difference to the net lift generated over the bonnet and so at motorway speeds the steering's nice and firm, rather than rather quite light without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bracey Posted July 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 What is the temp range for a summer thermostat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Std uk thermostat is 82c for most of the range the 1500 went to 88c The temp rose to aid emmissions as you can run leaner Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bracey Posted July 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Pete, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpitFire6 Posted July 6, 2019 Report Share Posted July 6, 2019 Hi, Fit a self-adhesive number plate to the front of the bonnet. No shrouding & looks far better. Cheers, Iain. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.vitesse Posted July 6, 2019 Report Share Posted July 6, 2019 The normal approach with the 1500 Spitfire is to drop the number plate below the grill, fit a full length rad and use a standard 82 c Thermostat. After that lot it's all peace and light. Half way mark on the temp gauge. Over heating has always a problem with the 1500 Spit, standard, in hot UK weather. When we get some that is. The small rad was the same as used in the 1147 and 1300 cc engines and not really man enough for the job. Plus the later Spits had the number plate placed in front of the grill. Groan. The 88 c is normally used in the winter months and yes it does improve the heater just when you want it! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 Mines much happier with the 82’c stat and full width rad. Number plate position doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference that I’ve noticed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlubikey Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 I keep thinking about cutting a seal out of Viton sheet so I can pop in a warmer thermostat in winter and a cooler in summer, without having to use a new paper seal each time. Having a slightly warmer thermostat makes a big difference to the cabin heater! Cheers, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpitFire6 Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Hi, Just fit a 88°C thermostat. It will be toasty in winter & OK in the summer. I do not know why one would fit an 82°C thermostat. Both stats will be fully open at less than 99°C? A 88°C stat is going to warm your car up quicker. Very important for short trips. Cheers, Iain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 On 06/07/2019 at 14:53, Spitfire6 said: Fit a self-adhesive number plate to the front of the bonnet. That used to be illegal on road-going cars; has the legislation changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 30 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: That used to be illegal on road-going cars; has the legislation changed? I think there was an exemption for either/both e-types and elans. And if you squint a spit is like an elan, GT6 an e-type. Besides that, chances of getting into trouble is about zero. I have a set of letters (they are the rigid plastic type, as used on raised digit plates) paired silver. I intend fixing them, without a plate, to the front grill. It may actually be elans that did that too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlubikey Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 A bit like these Clive? Cheers, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted July 9, 2019 Report Share Posted July 9, 2019 Yep, thats the idea. Mine are dark silver now, colour is legal but not as obvious as white, nice and subtle. Just thinking about fixing method, probably small machine screws (the original plastic bits on the back are hollow, so should accept a 2.5mm thread..) and ally strips. Maybe a dab of epoxy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p7rider Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 I've had a stick on one on the spoiler for years including mot time . It's difficult to do with the double curvature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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