Well blow that

[Kiajon]

Hi there guys! I hope you are all well! 

So, after last years amazing success at getting my 1981 spitfire back on the road (with major help from this forum) I find I must once more call upon your knowledge! Shortly after passing it's MOT the old girl decided to blow her back box (at this point can I clarify that I am talking about the spitfire and not he wife!?!). Anyhow it was happily bodged with tape to keep me going until a new part could be sourced and fitted! That was August last year..... I fitted the new back box today! Never one to rush into a job. All fitted and fastened and I started her up only to notice that there now appears to be a blow around the seal for the manifold to exhaust. As there appears to be no damage other than a mighty draft coming out of the join would I be right in thinking I should just be able to undo the bolts, clean up the surfaces and pop a new seal in? 

Next up, she doesn't seem to be running to well. I'd love to learn how to set up and balance the carbs but I don't know where to start. I've watched all the Youtube clips and I get the theory, I'm just not confident I've got the practical skills. Is there any one local to Rugby who does mobile tuning/balancing? 

That's all for now..... I'm sure there'll be more to follow! Cheers again

 

Jonathan

[Pete Lewis]

the flange triangle seal is common to blow  you may re tighten  no gorilla hands ,  you may need to clean the face up .

and balancing dont get paranoid about this 

slacken the clamp on the connecting shaft  undo the idle screws  turn them in to just touch , then screw in 1.5 turns   re clamp the connecting rod clamp

this sets the throttle plates all in the same place  (this is how carbs in the day were sent to the factory ) 

mixture  remove top cap and  the air piston  check the needle shoulder is level with the piston base 

screww the jet adjuster up to level with its bridge,  back it off  3 turns  that sets the jets in sync.

start car to running temperature and adjust each mixture nut the same way /same amount to find the best running idle 

reduce or increase the idle screws if needed equal amounts  

doing this keeps all the adjustable parts in similar balanced conditions 

you dont need a specialist or any equipment   just common sense and a pair or ears to hear whats improving or not 

have alook you may have wax stats on the base of the jet tube  they are best converted  this cost 2p  let me know 

 

Pete

[dougbgt6]

Wot Pete said, it's simples. Plus it may be that it's not running too well because the exhaust's blowing.  So don't start twiddling until you've fixed the gasket.

Doug

[Mathew]

The 1500 spit has a twin pipe joint at the manifold and can be a complete pain to seal. New good copper gasket and some exhaust jointing past.

[Kiajon]

Thanks for the help (again) I found one of the bolts on the flange was very loose! Tightened and hey presto no leak! That also helped the running. So all good! Time to get out and enjoy the open air!