Finally getting to the point..

[tsefreeflow]

...where I can start my restoration of my Spitfire. Its a sad storry actually. We have had this Spitfire since 1983 and its a 1980. My dad had it forever and only put like 20k miles on it before I bought it from himlike 10 years ago. It was my daily driver and I was young and stupid. When I got the car it was mint. Perfect with 43k miles on it. Now it has like 80k and has deteriorated something feirce. It all started when the thrust washers spun and all sort of problems occured. I had done some stupid work on it in the past, like got the weber down draft carb, high lobe cams, headers etc.. But I really did not do a very good job I dont think because the timing was way off and it was running super rich. But I am a lot more mature now, and the car has been in storage for a long time, and looking at the car now after what has happened over the years to her makes me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/pukeface.gif and /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif. Well, I am glad I kept her, and very soon I will be restoring her slowly. I am going to be starting with the engine. When the thrust washers spun the crank was wearing into the block so it is groved pretty badly I believe. My question is, has anyone else had this problem and how did you fix it? Did you just get another block and replace it or did you take it to a shop and have them build up the worn parts? I want to keep the original engine but I will be completely rebuilding the entire thing. Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Darwin]

Welcome to the forum. You will find this a great place to learn about your car. I have a 68 Spitfire that I am planning to restore in the future.

Having a thrust washer spin on the 1500 motors was very common. If the block is not too severely worn a machine shop can clean it up and you would use shims and oversizr thrust washers to compensate. Of course a different block is always an answer but I don't think it would be needed in this case.

As you no doubt have learned, when doing engine work, clenliness, care, and precision are of paramont importance. It does no good to add all sorts of hi perf stuff and then not do a good job of assembly.