Tinkering with a Spitfire 1500

[Radiation Man]

Not really a restoration project as ongoing maintenance and tinkering. 

Bought my 1500 Spitfire at the end of the summer and its not a bad car at all from what I can see but hasn't been driven much over the last years/  Looking forwards to changing that in 2021 but springtime feels a long way off yet.

As bought.

I wanted to lower the car, I felt like the rear was sitting a fair bit higher than the front so a 3/4" lowering block was fitted.

In reality perhaps the front was lower than it should have been, the coils looked pretty tight and the compressed height measured about 7 inches.  Rubber bushes were looking a little tired on the dampers.

So some new GAZ adjustable dampers and shorter heavier duty springs courtesy of Father Christmas.  Will help to start tidying up the front of the car as well.  Always fancied some of these style of dampers and thought why not treat myself.

I think the lower ride height at the back and sortign the front out has made a difference.  Looks more sorted to me at least.

I managed to get hold of a set of Cosmic 2 alloy wheels from Ebay, had to rescue them from the guys front hedge!  He advertised them as 5 1/2 inch wide, turns out two are 6" wide.  I am not going to complain about that, his fault for not bothering to check what he was selling.  Spent some time polishing and painting.  Tyres fitted today and on the car at last.  I am very happy with the result.

Plenty more little jobs to do in January, February, March to hopefully keep me out of trouble. 

[Pete Lewis]

looking good .   just watch the rims dont foul on full lock but thats not going to be used very often , a tight turning circle puts a lot of extra loading all round 

have fun with adjustable shocks getting the bump and rebound balanced can be tricky 

Pete

[Radiation Man]

27 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said:

looking good .   just watch the rims dont foul on full lock but thats not going to be used very often , a tight turning circle puts a lot of extra loading all round 

have fun with adjustable shocks getting the bump and rebound balanced can be tricky 

Pete

Will have to check that, it was getting pretty cold so wheels on, quick picture and back in the garage for now.  got a couple more jobs on the front to do, want to rebuild the front brake callipers for piece of mind as much as anything else.  The car has really not done many miles at all over the last five years.

[Pete Lewis]

do a search on here here has been a good bit of problems with refurb kit seals and recon calipers backing off due to poor seal designs 

Pete

[rogerguzzi]

Hello Ian 

                Get a kit from Big Red (Worcester) 

I would go for Stainless Steel pistons the last set I bought for the Vitesse cost about £70

Roger

ps or they will rebuild them for you!

[Radiation Man]

Have heard a lot of good stuff about them in the past.  

[Peter Truman]

3 hours ago, Pete Lewis said:

do a search on here here has been a good bit of problems with refurb kit seals and recon calipers backing off due to poor seal designs 

Pete

Pete is the issue with reconditioned or new aftermarket calipers, I thought the issue was with new aftermarket calipers where the profile of the seal groove in the caliper body was different affecting the seal/piston operation.

[rogerguzzi]

Hello Ian

               Here you go

Triumph Herald Spitfire Brake Caliper Seal & S/Steel Piston Repair Kit BRKP33 | eBay

Roger

[Radiation Man]

Had a bit of a drive out now I have a refurbed diff that replaces the old one that sounded like hell.

[Paul H]

Did you buy a refurb diff or do the work yourself ? 
Paul

[Radiation Man]

1 hour ago, Paul H said:

Did you buy a refurb diff or do the work yourself ? 
Paul

Hi, I bought it from a guy who is local to me.  I don't have the skills or talent for that.

[Jase1969]

Car looks fantastic