Finally, it runs!

[mikecyc72usa]

Ok, so if you've followed my posts you may recall that I had no spark past the coil. Well, finally my friend Phil came over, we carefully went through everything, and found that part of a circuit was missing. Long story short, we made a new wire with connectors, etc, and voila! With starter fluid my 78 Spit runs. Well, except that we found that the fuel pump is now bad. So time to order a new one. After that, hopefully there's nothing weird with the carbs, and I should be on the road in time for Texas All British Car Days. Of course, if the rain is just beginning with El Nino, I guess I'll have to get a top sooner than later. Anyway, thanks to all of you who've posted advice. Guess I really need to finish my interior now. Then the next step...brakes...

 

[tdskip]

Good feeling, eh! Good going, and getting the fuel pump is easy.

Keep us posted!

 

[Brosky]

Nice feeling, isn't it?

Nice ending to the story too. Until you get to the brakes part....

Good luck!!

 

[ekamm]

Wow that sounds like a carbon copy of my tr3a story . Right down to the friend named Phil. mine is running now and It's great, I've also dealt with those brake problems. Congratulation!

 

[mikecyc72usa]

It is a great feeling. The brakes don't worry me, I've rebuilt the fronts, replaced lines, and will be putting new shoes and cylinders on the back. Then hooking up a brand new master cylinder and hoping my pdwa switch is still ok...

After that, I should have the last of the hardware I need to finish installing the new transmission tunnel I just lined with heatshield, put some heatshield on the firewall under the carpet I'm installing, redo the seats, hmmm, I need to get off the computer and onto the car...

Thanks, guys, and I'll put more pics up when I have something worth showing, hopefully in a few days or so.

 

[mikecyc72usa]

I got my new fuel pump in yesterday, and the Spitfire truly runs!!! However, it has a coolant leak at the return pipe junction with a hose. I think I can fix that easily. At least for now, but I will be getting a replacement pipe soon. The front carb decided that dripping gas is old hat, and did a great impersonation of Niagara Falls, pumping gas like a bilge pump in the Titanic. The leak is where the jet tubing goes into the bowl (SU carns), so in a few minutes I'm off to my friend Robert's house to get some parts. The front carb is missing an o-ring and a washer. Guess the previous owner forgot to put them in when he rebuilt the carbs. No big deal, as I got a great deal on them. Ok, some more work will be done tonight.

 

[mikecyc72usa]

Got my new parts, car runs fine now, no leaks, except the oil pan, but need to tighten the pan bolts, and it should all be good. Time to go down and do some more interior work. Whew!! Finally the engine is done.

 

[tdskip]

Good going Mike!

Any celebratory drives planed? Hill country near Austin has some great roads, no?

 

[mikecyc72usa]

I'm going to try to get to the TX All British Car Day this weekend in Round Rock, TX. My club puts it on, and now I'm down to cosmetic stuff and the driver's seat in the interior, and bleeding the brakes. Then a few shakedown runs in the neighborhood, and then a real drive sometime soon. I will have pics up on my picture page soon.