Well I don't know what's up the the pictures that aren't working here; but it's been a while since I updated this. So, in a move that in-no-way-takes-all-of-my-posts-from-the-past-month-that-aren't-too-irrelavent-from-YGC-or-Popular, here's a rather large update!
What's wrong with this picture? No brake pads. Why not? Because the supplier that was absolutely certain that they'd sent the right pads were wrong - they do not fit! Shame as I was going to take it off to the FoS.
Front brakes bled; I just can't find the nipple for the rears...
:grr: :boohoo:
Just took it for a spin
Visited a white MkI GT6 and it's owner; who comfirmed that I hadn't made a massive mistake anywhere; noted that the exhaust was ridiculous; and I was back on my way; aviators on; radio on until it broke
Also; as I was having the car filled up (
proper service at Arnold's
) a red Vitesse convertible shot past; and then I saw this blue Toledo at the village hall! (I went there purely to have a look at the Toledo, you understand; having never seen one before).
Took the little thing to a mate's garage 'cos dad didn't believe I'd done it right:
They found it hilarious - "what size are the wheel nuts?" "Eleven Sixteenths" "Eleven six... I don't even know what that is... is that millimeters?"... "What torque do you want the wheel nuts to?" "48 pounds foot" "riiight..... *walks off*".
Thankfully the boss of the garage did his apprenticeship in an Austin Rover garage; so he knew what he was on about! It needs some welding to the floor and battery box and urgently new tyres at the front (and less urgently ones at the back). LHSR brake (as I suspected) is a bit suspect; needs a new flexi hose and a good going over - but, having said that on the rolling road each rear brake was holding (word?) 100kilos; which is (so I'm told) better than a Pugeout 206! Everything that can hold oil doesn't appear to want to hold it for long; and rather than leave the ramps what the Spitfire wants to do is have a quick burnout session; but
On the way back it was raining; and the little car excelled itself; good wipers, good heater, and it only leaks in one place! (Though I am now taking a "Triumph Towel" with me on journeys!).
Piccies:
Things just casually break on this car
The hood is; I'm told, original!
So that's what boot racks are for!
Someone's had a right piss up wiring this radio. I have no idea what they've done; mainly that they loved bullet connectors and couldn't crimp. They also didn't understand how to earth things, nor were they able to count; as it's wired for three speakers
I've patched it up as best I could; but it requires a look over by someone who actually knows what they're doing!
Any idea what these wires are meant to do?
Cruising about Haslemere 8)
But at least the radio works!
And door card on
Moar pitchers:
First time I've had the hood up but the rear window open (it started raining just as I got to my little brother's school). All that does is suck fumes into the car; so it's not really one I'd like to try again!
Also, a close up from inside and out of the minor damage to the drivers side hood
Okay so the Spit's a heavy drinker! On Sunday night I checked the Spit's oil; and it was just below the top marker on the dip stick - earlier today I checked it; and it was on the bottom marker! Only done 133 miles too!
So; firstly, how much oil (approximately) has dissapeared; and secondly, where the hell's it gone!?
Also I'm buying some new front tyres!
And check out the totally-a-genuine-brand of the rears....!
And it steamed up it's dials earlier - and as you can probably tell the steering wheel boss has fallen off.... I was going round a corner and it hit my leg; I pushed it under the seat - put it back on later when I'd parked and it appears to have broken and won't stay on
Also it needs welding, in the least structurally important place on a Spitfire, the sills...
Had it up at the Classic Jag garage today; now tuned up wonderfully (:D) (although we did notice that I have AAQ needles; whereas stock is ABT and the one I would have fitted is AEC; but whatever! Also one of the springs that puts the piston down (on the edge of my knowledge here; bear with!) is missing; so when you push that button the engine just dies. Also I have two LHS dashpots....) It's definitely coming out the back; I keep checking and just haven't seen it whilst driving but when it was sitting just in the workshop it was bloody obvious! New piston rings are being added to my next Moss order!!! (Yeah; I know, I get it on the road and within a week I'm planning to take it back off again! However; I would like to improve it's oil per gallon economy; as it would be ridiculous taking it to the Silverstone Classic like this!)
On the other hand; I have a mate with a GT6 with a spare 1300 engine that he doesn't need...
Decided to check that dodgy rear brake:
Really easy that! So I thought I'd check the other rear brake, just to be on the safe side... couldn't because one of the screws has been cheesed. So I'll add that to the shopping list.
Currently enjoying a good look through my 1993 Moss Spitfire Catalogue/Practical Classics' Spitfire Restoration/Haynes' Spitfire Restoration Manual/Haynes' Spitfire Manual/Spitfire 1500 Workshop Manual....
These, and the Triumph chaps, have led me to this kind of thing:
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID005527 and (my preferred one)
http://www.sportscarsupplies.com/produc ... 0406004101
First though I'm going to do a compression test, dry and then wet. I may also attempt to find a supplier of really, really cheap heavy weight oil!
Now if that doesn't make a massive amount of sense that's because it's stitched together badly.
Aaron
*
