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Post by JonW on May 13, 2022 14:17:50 GMT 1
This one, the paint is probably a give away that it needs doing lol
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Post by panzermatt on May 13, 2022 17:43:34 GMT 1
I have a pathalogical almost violent hatred towards these cars, and my brother loves them! lord knows why, they are slow, made from dishwasher tablets, so disolve in front of your eyes, have truly awful brakes, handle like it has punctures of varying degrees in every tyre, steering is hit and miss, electrics look like a DIY fan did them, i could go on. i cant even bring myself to show my brother this thread, i know he would love it. anyway each to his own. enjoy
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Post by donkeychomp on May 13, 2022 21:34:59 GMT 1
Well that was chirpy!
I fixed the bonnet. It wasn't the bungs. I moved the catch that mounts into the footwell down a natch and that did it. But it took a lot of trial and error to figure that out! Took off the steering wheel and put it back on the RIGHT way up, sheesh. Found out the only electrical issue is the reversing light (an MOT failure but who gives a monkeys when she doesn't need an MOT) but it's just a bulb blown so no biggie. Carpets...Rimmers does various sets and the cheapest is about £450. Sod that. Then saw on eBay the exact same carpet for £135...MK3 seats are unobtanium but yep, eBay again, a set of almost replicas are there but that's £400. Yikes. I did order a new fuel tap rubber seal as the pervious owner clearly decided instead of spending £8 he'd use a bit of old inner tube. Tomorrow it's drain the coolant from the block and flush it all out then refill. And then go for another blat! I might up the tyre pressures a little as the steering with a 13" wheel is way too heavy. But as Jon said she's an old girl and they'll always need maintenance and new things to keep them happy!!
Alex
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Post by panzermatt on May 14, 2022 12:19:02 GMT 1
ah sorry alex, i think it s my brothers blind love of these cars that i could just never get made me hate them. you should see his eyes light up when he sees one, my eyes go to the heavens.
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Post by donkeychomp on May 14, 2022 21:17:44 GMT 1
No worries Matt!
The bloody squeak is back. I discovered the latch was rather wobbly so I fitted a small circlip in there and that seems to have done the trick. According to the Triumph forum my fuel cap is as it should be so my first purchase from Rimmer Bros was pointless! Didn't do the coolant as I only had a small amount left so I shall order some. Reversing lights and number plate light still not working. Earth? Switch on gearbox? Who knows! And the passenger door only closes with a slam so some tweaking there is required. Apart from all this I love it. Slowly getting used to it's foibles, and have to keep on reminding myself that gear changes should be slow and precise...otherwise it's crunch time. Also the tickover is a bit erratic. Normally 700rpm sometimes a tad higher sometimes lower and it almost stalls. Carbs might be out of balance and I haven't done that in 30+ years but I'll have a go!
Alex
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Post by JonW on May 15, 2022 14:58:12 GMT 1
Haha those squeaks are a labour of love Alex Sounds like lots of small jobs, most of them just fiddly labour things, they all make for a more enjoyable car when done tho. Ahh yes non synchro 1st on the Mk3, got to slip that in as you roll to a stop, or go 3rd to first at a standstill. Its all coming back to me now lol Sounds like it needs a good service, check for an airleak as well maybe? Dont listen to Matt... his brother is one of us tho! haha.
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Post by donkeychomp on May 15, 2022 21:11:37 GMT 1
There's a place just down the road from me that specialises in classic cars. I'll be paying them a visit basically just for them to check her over and assure me that all is well. The brakes are 'interesting'. They certainly stop the car well enough but need a hell of a stomp to do it. No servo...hey ho!
Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on May 22, 2022 22:37:21 GMT 1
For fecks sake... I think a small plate could be fabricated and welded in but it's another annoyance. Welcome back to the world of classic cars! On the plus side she starts, drives and handles very well. On the plus side for Rimmer Bros I am their new favourite customer. Bloody hell prices for these cars are ridiculous! Alex
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Post by veg on May 22, 2022 23:05:26 GMT 1
Feel your pain Alex I’ve still to sort the tiv it’s the time as much as anything. Small niggles but big giggles when right 👍
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Post by JonW on May 23, 2022 1:10:56 GMT 1
Ouch! Yep, small plate. Door is easily stripped and a plate welded in. That bolt is a joke tho, what the hell. Typical of the sort of repair when these cars were cheap. Im afraid you may well have to chase down a few of these kind of things, but once done the car will be better n better, as Tim says: Giggles indeed!
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Post by donkeychomp on May 23, 2022 21:55:51 GMT 1
When I drive her or look at her I am grinning like a loon. The amount of people who take pics of her and stop to chat about her keep on climbing. A car that makes everyone smile. And everyone lets me out of side turnings too.
I may have discovered the braking issue. She has new Greenstuff pads and the Triumph forum have all echoed in one voice that they are garbage. Use Mintex instead. So I shall order these (£44 a disc!) and swap them out. And Rimmers got another order from me too.
One thing that never dawned on me is all the bolts are Imperial! Deep breaths and order relevant sockets/spanners.
Alex
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Post by dusty350 on May 24, 2022 6:43:51 GMT 1
Hi mate Glen - the welder at BWB would sort that for you. Go to him direct to save £££'s over what Clive would charge. I've got Glen's moby if you need it
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Post by JonW on May 24, 2022 11:06:09 GMT 1
When I drive her or look at her I am grinning like a loon. The amount of people who take pics of her and stop to chat about her keep on climbing. A car that makes everyone smile. And everyone lets me out of side turnings too. I may have discovered the braking issue. She has new Greenstuff pads and the Triumph forum have all echoed in one voice that they are garbage. Use Mintex instead. So I shall order these (£44 a disc!) and swap them out. And Rimmers got another order from me too. One thing that never dawned on me is all the bolts are Imperial! Deep breaths and order relevant sockets/spanners.
Alex Haha, how did you forget that?! its the only reason I have imperial spanners and sockets lol. I should have sent them to you when you got this!
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Post by JonW on May 24, 2022 11:08:12 GMT 1
When I drive her or look at her I am grinning like a loon. The amount of people who take pics of her and stop to chat about her keep on climbing. A car that makes everyone smile. And everyone lets me out of side turnings too. I may have discovered the braking issue. She has new Greenstuff pads and the Triumph forum have all echoed in one voice that they are garbage. Use Mintex instead. So I shall order these (£44 a disc!) and swap them out. And Rimmers got another order from me too. One thing that never dawned on me is all the bolts are Imperial! Deep breaths and order relevant sockets/spanners. Alex Oh and re the brakes, paint the inside of the pistons with white paint to reflect the heat away... they did that back in the day. Somewhere i still have the old racing info for setups as it was a book that you could buy... i'll see if i can find it. I boiled my fluid in mine and fitted whole new rebuilt calipers for cheap, i bet theyre not cheap like that now.
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Post by donkeychomp on May 24, 2022 21:23:46 GMT 1
Hi mate Glen - the welder at BWB would sort that for you. Go to him direct to save £££'s over what Clive would charge. I've got Glen's moby if you need it Brilliant Dusty! Never thought of the engineers near you. Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on May 24, 2022 21:25:48 GMT 1
When I drive her or look at her I am grinning like a loon. The amount of people who take pics of her and stop to chat about her keep on climbing. A car that makes everyone smile. And everyone lets me out of side turnings too. I may have discovered the braking issue. She has new Greenstuff pads and the Triumph forum have all echoed in one voice that they are garbage. Use Mintex instead. So I shall order these (£44 a disc!) and swap them out. And Rimmers got another order from me too. One thing that never dawned on me is all the bolts are Imperial! Deep breaths and order relevant sockets/spanners. Alex Oh and re the brakes, paint the inside of the pistons with white paint to reflect the heat away... they did that back in the day. Somewhere i still have the old racing info for setups as it was a book that you could buy... i'll see if i can find it. I boiled my fluid in mine and fitted whole new rebuilt calipers for cheap, i bet theyre not cheap like that now. Great idea Jon. But this old girl has got heat deflectors fitted (I presume some after market thing). I have been told to bed the Mintex pads in properly, ie 70-30 then repeat. Might surprise plod doing that and my reasoning will no doubt be laughed at... Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on May 24, 2022 21:27:10 GMT 1
Oh...a kind offer on the tools mate but I shudder to think what the post would be!
Alex
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Post by JMW on May 25, 2022 17:19:16 GMT 1
So, just offering help on Spitfires. I’ve had a 1500 mk4 and a 1500 since I was 17 so that’s 34 years. just saying I know these cars inside and out but I wisely got rid not too long ago.
Should you want someone to look over a car or bits of anything Triumph then I’d be happy to help. Loads of things to watch out for and they are a non stop money pit but good fun. Tuning, anything more that 120hp and the chassis will tear itself apart if the trunions don't give up or the diff starts to whine.
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Post by donkeychomp on May 25, 2022 20:31:22 GMT 1
Very kind of you! I do know my way round these cars having owned 6 in the past, it's just taking me a while to remember it all!
Alex
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Post by JMW on May 25, 2022 22:45:26 GMT 1
I just hate the way they creak and groan all the time. I still have an X1/9 awaiting resto - another weird 70’s not so sporty sports car
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Post by donkeychomp on May 29, 2022 23:00:47 GMT 1
Well I love 'em. And they are sports cars, handle like a dream. Mine does. And (now) doesn't creak or groan.
Fixed a few issues today, the main one was the brake lights not working unless you really shove the pedal down. I managed to squeeze myself into the footwell and adjusted the little pointy lever thing so now the lights ping up when you just touch the pedal. Off tomorrow to the local classic place to get the old girl a checking over.
Alex
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Post by JonW on May 29, 2022 23:33:48 GMT 1
Always makes sense to fix the small things you know about before you take it to the pros to have a look at.
Fingers crossed for a good bill of health tomorrow!
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Post by donkeychomp on Jun 1, 2022 20:49:26 GMT 1
Not been to the garage as yet, the rain was incredible. However the brake pads arrived, only 6 days late... Hmm. Interesting to read that! Alex
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Post by JonW on Jun 2, 2022 0:14:46 GMT 1
Ive used 1144s before in a Subaru and they were fine, but that weighs twice what your Spitfire does. Mintex say those work well from cold, which will be super annoying if thats not the case. Driving track spec braked cars on normal roads is lethal as the pads need heat, which is often not there unless youre 'on it'. Worst was on the motorway as there is lots of cooling air, hit brakes....... wait for it.... oh there she is... starting to brake... working now! new underpants please....
Anyway the 1144s were ok for what i had em in, and if the Triumph forum guys recommend them then its all good i guess. Just be careful and bed em in properly.
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Post by veg on Jun 3, 2022 22:20:05 GMT 1
You weren’t up town today were you? Saw a nice red one when I was in a taxi central London.
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Post by donkeychomp on Jun 3, 2022 22:29:26 GMT 1
Haha! No mate. If I'd have know though...
At the moment she's limited to roads I know that have no hills, what with that handbrake. I was going to fit the pads myself, easy job normally, but as yet I don't know what I'll discover and the last thing I need is a car with no brakes at all. So when we have a nice day (Tuesday is looking good) I'll venture off to the classic place and get them to do it. And the pesky handbrake.
Alex
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Post by donkeychomp on Jun 7, 2022 21:55:42 GMT 1
The old gal is off tomorrow to have the handbrake looked at, and hopefully the new pads too. And I've been umming and ahhing about carpets. A moulded set is the ideal but close to 600 nicker is crazy. So I checked out all the carpets on eBay and the prices vary wildly...BUT...they are all identical! So I went for the cheapest and it turned up today along with some sound deadening pads. It's noisy in there! The carpets are very very good indeed and hessian backed so to get them to 'mould' around corners you can just heat them up with a hair dryer. Not that I own one. Hopefully the weekend will be a sunny one and I'll do it then. It's a seats out job so not done in a couple of hours...
Alex
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Post by JonW on Jun 8, 2022 2:23:42 GMT 1
Sounds good Alex, brakes are important so good to have those done.
The carpets is an interesting one. When did carpet become so damn expensive?!?!
The new carpet will defo lift the interior, but should only take a couple of hours id think. 4 bolts per seat and easily lifted out as no roof... should bang through that pretty quickly really, tho taking your time will get you a better job of course.
Dont bother with a hairdryer you'll never use again, get an electric heat gun from a DIY store. a cheap one will do, but get one with a set of nozzles and a heat dial so you can dial it down for this job and up high to heat other things. Dont put the gun down on anything that will melt as the steel nozzle will be very hot for a while after you use it. Ive seen people melt things they just worked on or burn themselves on them over the years.
I always found the Spit is very noisy with the roof up. The hood seemed to keep the noise in the car. In fact i used to leave the roof down on mine all the time and just drive it on good days.
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Post by donkeychomp on Jun 8, 2022 21:17:14 GMT 1
I have a pair of heat guns so all sorted there. But this carpet isn't a perfect fit, some trimming to do here and there and it all needs to be stuck down with that rattle can adhesive stuff. And the sound proofing material first!
The garage couldn't look at Lora today as they had a car up on the ramp already lol. Must be a small enterprise but I prefer that. So hopefully next week. Maybe.
And yes she's a noisy bugger. One day hopefully noisier as I'd love a twin exhaust set up. But that's not urgent at the mo...
Alex
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Post by JonW on Jun 9, 2022 0:14:04 GMT 1
Ahh well, worth waiting for good work I didnt think those stainless systems were that exy when i looked? I had the twin exit one with extractor manifold in stainless and didnt think it was that noisy for what it was.
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