-
Hi Guest!
If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Spitfire junkpile spitfire build
- Thread starter frankenstang57
- Start date
Share this page
TheAssociate
Jedi Hopeful
Offline
Good work. Before I was not jealous of the condition of your engine compartment. Now I am jealous of the condition of your engine compartment.
Adam H.
__________________________________________________________
1973 Triumph Spitfire
Adam H.
__________________________________________________________
1973 Triumph Spitfire
OP
frankenstang57
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Note; some of this may be a bit of a repost, I just wanted to keep track of the whole build in one place...
Update! I keep getting sidetracked on my weekend doing other non Spitfire prjects, such as installing a trans in a friends Jeep, lifting another, and fixing my brother's Jetta after he ripped the front bumper off... Anyhow, the front suspension is done and I have the wiring and brake lines back in;
Biggest thing that was kicking my butt was removing the rear hubs from the axleshaft. First try I used a 3 jaw gear puller. Don't know where I got this piece of [censored] but I wish it would go back. Next I tried a garden variety peace symbol shaped puller. Even with a bit of heat, I mean alot of heat, the thing would not budge. I wish I could say that about the puller, I bent it up pretty good. Then I got smart and picked up HF's "Uber Puller" set. It took me about 20 seconds to wad up the center bolt. Needless to say it went back to where it came from and unfortunately the 3-jaw is still in my back room. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif Time to escalate this fight to DEFCON 1 and break out the big guns. After doing a little research online I came up with this;
It took me about an hour to make it out of 3/8" flat stock, a 3/4" grade 8 bolt and nut, and 4 3/8"X2-1/2" bolts. The pullers I saw on line used the studs and bolt flush to the hub. This would be fine but my hubs have a raised center. If I wanted to go that way then I'd have to cut a 2-1/2" hole in the top of the plate and relocate the nut up about 1" using tubing and more steel. Also read; the studs are too short and I'm lazy. I figure it would be easier and faster just to knock the studs out and put them back in at a later date. Anywhoo, I installed a pipe on the handle and began cranking on it. After several turns I wacked the head of the bolt with a BFH and the hub came flying off. Stupid thing must of been sick of being on the axles since it jumped about 6" when it came off;
Next job, get the axle out of the bearings. I made up this plate to press it out;
Now it's time to clean, blast, paint, reassemble, and repeat! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
Update! I keep getting sidetracked on my weekend doing other non Spitfire prjects, such as installing a trans in a friends Jeep, lifting another, and fixing my brother's Jetta after he ripped the front bumper off... Anyhow, the front suspension is done and I have the wiring and brake lines back in;
Biggest thing that was kicking my butt was removing the rear hubs from the axleshaft. First try I used a 3 jaw gear puller. Don't know where I got this piece of [censored] but I wish it would go back. Next I tried a garden variety peace symbol shaped puller. Even with a bit of heat, I mean alot of heat, the thing would not budge. I wish I could say that about the puller, I bent it up pretty good. Then I got smart and picked up HF's "Uber Puller" set. It took me about 20 seconds to wad up the center bolt. Needless to say it went back to where it came from and unfortunately the 3-jaw is still in my back room. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif Time to escalate this fight to DEFCON 1 and break out the big guns. After doing a little research online I came up with this;
It took me about an hour to make it out of 3/8" flat stock, a 3/4" grade 8 bolt and nut, and 4 3/8"X2-1/2" bolts. The pullers I saw on line used the studs and bolt flush to the hub. This would be fine but my hubs have a raised center. If I wanted to go that way then I'd have to cut a 2-1/2" hole in the top of the plate and relocate the nut up about 1" using tubing and more steel. Also read; the studs are too short and I'm lazy. I figure it would be easier and faster just to knock the studs out and put them back in at a later date. Anywhoo, I installed a pipe on the handle and began cranking on it. After several turns I wacked the head of the bolt with a BFH and the hub came flying off. Stupid thing must of been sick of being on the axles since it jumped about 6" when it came off;
Next job, get the axle out of the bearings. I made up this plate to press it out;
Now it's time to clean, blast, paint, reassemble, and repeat! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
OP
frankenstang57
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Still just plodding along, here's what new:
I just finished up the driver's rear axle and hub. I wound up buying new wheel cylinders since I couldn't get the old ones apart. Since I was placing an order to BV I decided to order new U-joints. NAPA wanted $22 for them and BV only wanted $14, so what the heck. Well for some reason or another they didn't make it in to my order. I was a bit miffed because of their (IMHO) steep shipping rates. Before I called to reorder/complain, I did a little research. I discovered it was a pretty common joint. Even though most places don't have it in their "database" they should have them in a book. I found them at my local Advanced Auto for $8.65 and they are made in the good ol' US of A!
They even have zirks! Next up was one of those nifty dash pad covers. Best $50 I've spent so far on the car. Just trim, clean and stick.
Voila, new dash board!
I will admit it didn't really fit the greatest around the defroster vents. I tried it on a couple of other dash pads and the allhad the same issues. I just gave it a good trimming. Next I was onto the diff. Made a rather crappy discovery, it was full of water!
I guess that's what happens when they sit for years without a cover or spring studs installed... I wanted to use the original from the car but wound up using the one from the donor yellow car. Here's a few shots from replacing the seals. I wound up making yet another attachment for my puller to remove the bearings from the stub shafts.
That's it for now!
I just finished up the driver's rear axle and hub. I wound up buying new wheel cylinders since I couldn't get the old ones apart. Since I was placing an order to BV I decided to order new U-joints. NAPA wanted $22 for them and BV only wanted $14, so what the heck. Well for some reason or another they didn't make it in to my order. I was a bit miffed because of their (IMHO) steep shipping rates. Before I called to reorder/complain, I did a little research. I discovered it was a pretty common joint. Even though most places don't have it in their "database" they should have them in a book. I found them at my local Advanced Auto for $8.65 and they are made in the good ol' US of A!
They even have zirks! Next up was one of those nifty dash pad covers. Best $50 I've spent so far on the car. Just trim, clean and stick.
Voila, new dash board!
I will admit it didn't really fit the greatest around the defroster vents. I tried it on a couple of other dash pads and the allhad the same issues. I just gave it a good trimming. Next I was onto the diff. Made a rather crappy discovery, it was full of water!
I guess that's what happens when they sit for years without a cover or spring studs installed... I wanted to use the original from the car but wound up using the one from the donor yellow car. Here's a few shots from replacing the seals. I wound up making yet another attachment for my puller to remove the bearings from the stub shafts.
That's it for now!
Offline
Been there, done that. And, thanks to cold winters here, I've even got one diff with a cracked case after filling up with water and then freezing! Needless to say it's of no further value....frankenstang57 said:
guzzul
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Too bad about the diff, but if its not totally rusted out you should still be able to use the ring and pinion gears - or save them for a future diff rebuild.frankenstang57 said:
I have had problems in the past finding those little spring steel circlips that hold the bearing in place on the stub axles. Did you find a place that sells them? Get some new ones in a kit? Or were you able to get the old ones off without bending them all out of shape?
Can you publish a photo? I'm going to take a run at making one of these tools in the summer. Hope you don't have a patent....frankenstang57 said:
You're making great progress.
Attachments
OP
frankenstang57
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Fortunatley the diff is not toast. There was a little bit of grease coating everything and for the most part it kept rust from forming. I would be very suspect if the bearings though. Dunno about the circlips, I re-used what I had. Where did you find yours? Gimme a couple days and I'll post detailed pictures of my homeade tool. No pat., just ripped off what I saw. Got the passenger side axle ripped apart today in about an hour. No struggling! Got everything blasted and painted and ready for assembly later today.(I work mids, so your today is my tommorrow...) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
bluemiata90
Jedi Trainee
Offline
frankenstang57, I was one of the original responders on this post, about the third post, but I got involved in other non-car projects for months and just got back to seeing your progress. I am very impressed. You do great work and are very creative in makeing and finding neede tools and parts. I look forward to seeing the finished product, keep up the good work.
guzzul
Jedi Warrior
Offline
I kind of thought the same - that is, the bearings I would not trust, nor the seals. But everything else should be salvageable, even if you have to de-rust it.frankenstang57 said:
When I took my diff apart I didn't think about these and just ripped one of them out with pliers. Silly thing to do in hindsight. I could not find them at any of the 'big three'. TRF had them listed (part number is 139532) and even had a price (30 cents each) but does not stock them. I found two from a parts supplier in Montreal for $5.00 EACH. I expect you could make some, but I was pressed for time.frankenstang57 said:
Good stuff!frankenstang57 said:
OP
frankenstang57
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Got a few updates from the last couple of weeks! I finally have the Spit back on the ground, with real working suspension! I rolled it outside for the first time in nearly 6 months;
It's starting to look like a car again! Here's a before and after of the rear axle assembly;
And a few from my adventures in rebuilding the front calipers;
I used air pressure to remove the pistons from the calipers. Just kinda easied them out, that is until I ran into a stuck one. I clamped the opposing piston and it still wouldn't budge. Needless to say, it got a little ugly about this time. I split the caliper, installed a clamp with a small piece of rubber over the balance hole, and hit with my shop air full on. After hitting it with air and then tapping on the piston, I nailed my 12' ceiling with the bugger!(bottom pic.) I'm sure there are better ways of doing this, but I didn't really see any other option that didn't involve destroying the piston. BTW, i'd like to thank bcliff for his time helping install the windshield. Fun couple hours that was!
It's starting to look like a car again! Here's a before and after of the rear axle assembly;
And a few from my adventures in rebuilding the front calipers;
I used air pressure to remove the pistons from the calipers. Just kinda easied them out, that is until I ran into a stuck one. I clamped the opposing piston and it still wouldn't budge. Needless to say, it got a little ugly about this time. I split the caliper, installed a clamp with a small piece of rubber over the balance hole, and hit with my shop air full on. After hitting it with air and then tapping on the piston, I nailed my 12' ceiling with the bugger!(bottom pic.) I'm sure there are better ways of doing this, but I didn't really see any other option that didn't involve destroying the piston. BTW, i'd like to thank bcliff for his time helping install the windshield. Fun couple hours that was!
OP
frankenstang57
Jedi Warrior
Offline
After long months and other projects it's back on! Also read, bcliff got his Junkpile B running first.
https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/380232/fpart/1 I guess it's time to get going on this again. the most comical thing so far has been the steering column. Some of you may have heard about my inheriting a truck load(literally) of parts from the guy I bought the Spit from originally. Couple that with the 2 other cars I parted out and I'm silly with Spitfire parts. So the aft most clamp on the column went missing. I figured I should have several. After about 6hrs of looking I now have a better knowledge of whats in all the boxes! No @#$%^%$# clamp tho. I found the bolts, nut, washers, lower clamp(several) but no sign of the allusive clamp. I finally said the heck with it and decided to make another just for now and track the proper one down online later. After modifying a lower I dropped it on the floor(it was pretty hot) and kicked it into the other room. Proud of myself for making my own clamp I put my welder away and proceeded into the other room to grab some pliers and grab my new part. What do you think it was laying next to on the floor? The missing one!/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif Oh well! Here's some updated pix;
More to follow!
https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/380232/fpart/1 I guess it's time to get going on this again. the most comical thing so far has been the steering column. Some of you may have heard about my inheriting a truck load(literally) of parts from the guy I bought the Spit from originally. Couple that with the 2 other cars I parted out and I'm silly with Spitfire parts. So the aft most clamp on the column went missing. I figured I should have several. After about 6hrs of looking I now have a better knowledge of whats in all the boxes! No @#$%^%$# clamp tho. I found the bolts, nut, washers, lower clamp(several) but no sign of the allusive clamp. I finally said the heck with it and decided to make another just for now and track the proper one down online later. After modifying a lower I dropped it on the floor(it was pretty hot) and kicked it into the other room. Proud of myself for making my own clamp I put my welder away and proceeded into the other room to grab some pliers and grab my new part. What do you think it was laying next to on the floor? The missing one!/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif Oh well! Here's some updated pix;
More to follow!
bcliff
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, beautiful Loveland Colorado, where dead LBCs come back to life. I think I am going to call the Junkpile B Lazarus from now on, it is no longer a junkpile. Time for a new name for the junkpile Spitfire!
Bruce (junkpile B co-builder, I have great help.
Bruce (junkpile B co-builder, I have great help.
OP
frankenstang57
Jedi Warrior
Offline
It's been a long time since this subject has been visited so I though I'd give you guys an update as to what happened to the Junkpile Spit! The last year, a photo history:
A guy showed up at my house offering me this:
But first I need to turn this into parts,
and turn this,
into this:
About a month earlier Phoebe arrived,
Did a bunch of work on the Corvette to make it go away. People make fun of British cars and their build quality, but this thing was a pile on par with a Yugo!
Didn't do enough of this,
and bought this,
The new Spit is a '63. I'm planning on throwing the 1500 from the JPS into it and getting it going for spring.(the motor that was removed originally, it was infested with mud-daubers. I used the motor/trans from the MKIV I parted) The Bronco is nearly done. I swapped a 6cyl/3on the tree for a 302/auto combo. I also located all the parts and funded most of it with the proceeds received from parting out the F-150. That's alot of work for a stupid Herald! I will add it is a personal export model, has 31k original miles, and is 95% unmolested. I'm hoping to be back on the JPS hopefully by June, we'll see!
A guy showed up at my house offering me this:
But first I need to turn this into parts,
and turn this,
into this:
About a month earlier Phoebe arrived,
Did a bunch of work on the Corvette to make it go away. People make fun of British cars and their build quality, but this thing was a pile on par with a Yugo!
Didn't do enough of this,
and bought this,
The new Spit is a '63. I'm planning on throwing the 1500 from the JPS into it and getting it going for spring.(the motor that was removed originally, it was infested with mud-daubers. I used the motor/trans from the MKIV I parted) The Bronco is nearly done. I swapped a 6cyl/3on the tree for a 302/auto combo. I also located all the parts and funded most of it with the proceeds received from parting out the F-150. That's alot of work for a stupid Herald! I will add it is a personal export model, has 31k original miles, and is 95% unmolested. I'm hoping to be back on the JPS hopefully by June, we'll see!
This post looks like what I started with. 71 Spit donated to me with "the tub piled w/ parts". Many parts missing, but the frame is blasted, painted, all hubs, brakes, etc rebuilt. Used the $100 "clutch/pressure plate/thrust bearing pkg kit" from Victoria British. Pictures to follow when I return home. Dono Missoula, MT