Type 9 Gearbox Spitfire Mark 3

[SHawley]

I have a Mark 3 Spitfire that was upgraded by Jigsaw about 3 years ago to a stage 2 engine with a Type 9 gearbox (supplied by Frontline), amongst other mods.

 

It has had continual gearbox and clutch issues since day 1 and after the fourth return to Jigsaw and another big bill I lost faith and refused to return the car to them unless they undertook to honour their warranty for work done i.e. no cost to me. 

 

They didn't... we fell out - and I managed to kill the then horrible grinding noise with a clutch fluid bleed. It had been returned to me with a new clutch cylinder!

 

The old problem is happening again - clunking of gearbox under load - suspect probable bearing failure.

 

Has anybody else had this happen to them with this conversion?

 

Can anybody recommend a specialist to look at it - the car is gorgeous to drive when it works!

 

I am based in Berks but it can go wherever to somebody who knows what they are doing!

 

Simon

[Clive]

The box must have been terribly built for a spitfire engine to trouble it. usually good for about 200bhp, and I have heard they can cope with rather more (though no idea of longevity) However, not the first time I have heard of such issues.

 

BGH have a great reputation with the Type 9's, but they just recondition gearboxes. 

 

However, probably worth discounting other sources of clonking first. I would have a look at the prop, make sure it isn't touching the prop tunnel under load. And therefore also gearbox mount, exhaust and so on. 

[AidanT]

This person was recommended to me by Peter Burgess and I met him, Pete Gambles, whilst I was having my car Rolling Road Tuned there. Not used him yet but hes "old school"  which are now harder and harder to find

 

Web is http://hi-gearengineering.co.uk/  but give him a call 

 

Aidan

[SHawley]

Many thanks guys

The noise sounds just like the last time and the clutch was found to be mangled and bearing shot in gearbox.... but I'll have a look first.

Simon

[Clive]

I believe the clutch plate is a "special" made by frontline, or at least commissioned by them, and they are the only source. 

An alternative is possible, fitting the clutch from a ford, and having the flywheel machineed to accept the ford clutch. Sounds drastic, but probably cheaper than the bespoke plate! And spares far more easily available.

 

As to gearbox bearing, a friend stripped my T9, cleaned and checked it over, and decided it just needed gaskets and seals. He reckons they are a tough box, so I would expect a recon in a spitfire to last at least 100K!

[Pete Lewis]

worth dreaming about the throwout mechaism  is overstroking the diaphragm,  hence the noise and slave  history

 

Pete 

[SHawley]

Thanks again... I can't quite follow your comment Pete - can you explain in more detail?

Best wishes

Simon

[Pete Lewis]

I assume the throw out needs some modification to operate in the revised bell hsg and clucth cover

 

there was a excellant write up of all this conversion on the old lost unrecoverd forum by caroline

In cornwall, also in the courier

 

as there has been on going clutch problems , I wondered if there has been too much slave travel

which has wrecked the fingers or diaphragm hence crap selection and plenty of noises from a normally bullet proof unit

 

pete