Glad you liked my article George! That was a rather brief one too...
there's loads more stuff to put in that article - but space isnt infinite...
You'll have to get some photos when you're done...
Well done for getting it back on the road...
Wish I was coming to Watkins Glen! Thoroughly enjoyed it in 2002...
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Listers/NASSers,
Well, it's been a long time coming, but my Spit is finally back on the road. After
several years of tinkering, and some of not much tinkering, I finally broke down and
took it to a pro for some tuning. I played with it for a long time and just felt I
wasn't getting anywhere or learning anything, so.... Engine has been rebuilt w/ 9:1
pistons, Kent hot street cam, dual valve springs, dual SU HS-4s (used, rebuilt), Kirk
Racing header (4:1), electric fans on brand new radiator, etc.
Turns out the mixture wasn't set right (from too much tinkering, obviously). It runs
much better, but still seems to lack the power I thought it would have. Going uphill
in O/D just kills it, no matter how hard I step on the go pedal. Flick the O/D off
and she takes off, but nothing w/ O/D engaged. Would that be a cam issue or would
different needles in the SUs take care of it?
It also still has a bit of "run-on" when I shut the key off. Is that a mixture (too
rich) or ignition timing issue? Or something else entirely?
I think I still need to drive it (unfortunately, not to WG this weekend), but sure
wish I could get a more experienced opinion. Not that I don't trust the guy who did
the work - he seems very knowledgeable and has worked on, or restored, many different
(l)bcs, from Rolls to Jags to MGs to Triumphs to, well, you name it, and of all
vintages. But he said that mine was one of the best running Spitfires he's ever
driven, so I have to believe he hasn't driven *that* many of them! Not that it's bad,
I just think it can be better.
Anyway, I also had him install the new speedo cable. I believe I got it from SpitBits, and am
sure I would have ordered for a Spit w/ O/D, but the installer claimed it was too short. Anyone
else have this problem? I'm thinking that once my new shop is set up, I might try rerouting it
while I install a new trans tunnel. But it works for now (he got it in, but you can tell it's
tight). He measured it at 54", but it probably needs at least 60".
But it's back on the road and I now have the joy (and that's *not* meant to sound sarcastic) of
doing more "shakedown" work. It's been a very long time since she was regularly
driven and I'm sure I'll find other things that need attention. Not the least of which is a
very serious cleaning - thanks to James C for the great write-up in the OVTC newsletter on
cleaning. No doubt I'll be putting some of those techniques to the test. (And with the new
garage/shop, I'll be able to do most everything - including washing - indoors!)
So that's where we're at for now. At least now, I feel I can go drive it and not
worry too much. Oh yeah, and the new fans, new radiator, and new thermostat seem to
have cured my overheating problem. Just hope it *stays* cured!
--
George P.
'78 Spit 1500
Fredericksburg, VA
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