Spitfire junkpile spitfire build

[frankenstang57]

Well I've been collecting Spitfire parts for quite some time now and finally have gotten the itch to do something withthem. I'm going to make this live again!

It's a '76 tub I picked up about a year and a half ago from a neighbor. It had been sitting in a pasture for about 15years or so. This was one of his son's "parts cars"! Only rust is the driver's side floor board. Came with a clean Co. title and a big pile of parts. Here's the donor:

It doesn't look too bad in the pix but it's a rust bucket and then some. It's a '73 I picked up in Pa. a few years ago. It runs and moves but that's about it. Bondo city! A couple of questions for you guys.I'm planning on just swapping in the motor and trans from the Yellow car as is. I plan on installing a new clutch and replacing whatever seals appear to be leaking. I was wondering, since the donor motor has 80k on it,should I replace the timing chain and gears? They are cheap enough. My other question is since the mileage is unknown on the Green/Red car, is there an easy way to zero the speedo? I have a couple spares. More in the near future! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DNK]

The ol drill trick or rebuild the speedo and do it then.

 

[bluemiata90]

If your just planning on making it run again and then selling it, I wouldn't worry about the engine, but if you plan on keeping and enjoying it, rebuild that engine. With the work and time your going to put into this project, you might as well make sure the engine is dependable. It looks like a great project, I'd love to follow the progress. Try setting up a site, so we could follow the progress. If interested, I've been working on 2 TR3s that I've been documenting at www.cardomain.com/ride/816145/8 Good luck

 

[bcliff]

Well, if ya got a itch, ya gotta scratch it. Especially if the mustang is going to a new home.

 

[Geo Hahn]

[ QUOTE ]
...My other question is since the mileage is unknown on the Green/Red car, is there an easy way to zero the speedo?

[/ QUOTE ]

On the TR3 & 4 speedos there is a springy metal piece resting against the lower end of each number wheel. Gently 'lifting' it away from the number wheel should let it turn. A jeweler's screwdriver might be a suitable tool, you don't want to introduce a bend into the metal.

I cannot recall specifically if you can turn just one number wheel at a time or if they all turn in unison (i.e. turning 98765 to 76543).

BTW - I think there are a couple of Sptifires in Salt Lake City that are 'free to good home'. P-mail me if you want info.

 

[cjm]

the only way to establish if the timing chain needs replacing is to measure the slack.personally i would replace chain and tensioner regardless, with the best quality items i could find.the gears would need inspecting to clarify replacement. best of luck with your project.

 

[aeronca65t]

The thing you should always do with a Spitfire engine is replace the thrust washers.
My 1500 Spit-powered Spridget gets new ones every 25 hours or so.
A new timing chain is a good idea too.
And if the pan is off to do the thrust washers, I'd at least replace the rod bearings with same-size replacements.

 

[TheAssociate]

That's the spirit!


Adam H.
____________________________________________________________
1972 Triumph Spitfire.

 

[frankenstang57]

Got some more work on the project done today. I started stripping the red paint off of the green car. All was going well until the sun went behind the clouds/mountains. Can you say what felt like almost 70deg.to about 40. Lemme tell you, the stripper don't work well in the cold.

As for the yellow car, I started removing the rear suspension and dif., since the green car is pretty much missing everything.(hence the cool low-rider stance!) Here's a shot of everyone's favorite spring perch set up!

More tommorrow! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bcliff]

It's tomorrow, where are the pics?

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
It's tomorrow, where are the pics?

[/ QUOTE ]

You guys are hopeless. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif


Bill

 

[frankenstang57]

H'Ok Bruce, you asked for it;

I've been focusing on grabbing all the large parts off the donor. It's been too cold outside to go back to stripping the green car. Hopefully later this weekend. I'm planning on moving the yellow car back outside for good tommorrow and stack up all the parts so I'm not tripping over stuff. I ordered all new seals for the dif. and rear hubs, brake shoes and pads, and rebuild kits for the wheel cylinders and the calipers. Next paycheck I'll get all new hoses, master cyl. kit, and a clutch cyl. kit. Yeeeee-haw! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BTW, I'm suprized none of you guys didn't notice the skull on the floor in the green car...

 

[TheAssociate]

You know it's a REALLY used car when the windshield is missing, one of the doors is missing, it doesn't run - and oh, the dead previous owner is still laying in the driver's seat!

Sounds like a perfectly well rounded Spitfire to me.

Adam H.
____________________________________________________________
1972 Triumph Spitfire.

 

[frankenstang57]

Update, Sunday night! I'm finally finished with the Yellow car. I re-installed the junk suspension from the green car in it so I could push it around for now.(not pictured, duh)

So here's most of what's left of the poor thing;

Now for progress on the green car;

Before:

After:

It's starting to feellike some progress is finally being made. I can hardly believe it but the trunnions actually came apart! First time ever I didn't have to cut atleast one of them. Next up removing what's left of the interior!

Then it's onto fixing the floor...

 

[frankenstang57]

Got some updates on the Junkpile Spitfire. I haven't been getting as much done on it I'd like do to due to misc. malfunctions of my Jeep(driverinduced!) and all the snow we've been getting. Anyway, the floor is finally done. Though it is pretty barren, it is a far cry from it's starting point;

to this;

Next step is getting the firewall and frame ready for paint;

I figure I'll finish painting the car as a whole this summer sometime. I've found a whole bunch of hidden rust in the d-side qtr panel which is a bit of a bummer. I may just replace the whole thing,I haven't decided yet. I did finish completely stripping all the paint off of it though;

That's it for now!

 

[cyaker]

WOW. nice progress. Looking at the early pictures, I was thinking you were crazier than I was.

 

[John_Mc]

Wow, you really ARE Dr. Frankenstang! Now you just need an "Abby-normal" engine to put in it!

I just noticed the skull in the car! I thought when you park a car for 7 years, you're supposed to get out!

Very impressive progress on the restore!

 

[AngliaGT]

Man,you work fast!
Starting to look good.

- Doug

 

[frankenstang57]

Quick update;

Next up, bring on the Java green!

 

[frankenstang57]

Well it's finally painted;

I think it cameout pretty decent. Looks like Kermit the Frog explodedin my garage. Normally I would have painted it in the other room but figured it would have been a pain to move. Next up, putting it back together!