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DeltaAir423

DeltaAir423

Jedi Trainee
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Well after a small bit of half hearted looking, I took the plunge on a 1980 Spit 1500. Little rough, but should clean up nice. Currently on the list of parts to order for replacement are a new top (old one is shredded) and a new leaf spring.

This afternoon, I changed the engine trans and diff oil, and flushed the radiator. Now I've been reading up a lot on the thrust washer check, and it looks like I need to do that.

The big question I have is how many revs I should be pulling at 50-55 (currently 3000-3200), and possibly 70 mph (haven't ventured that far yet). It is a 4 speed without OD. Some ideas I'm kicking around are getting an OD transmission, and also possibly looking for a swiss spec ring and pinion. In my reading those were running at 3.27.

Any ideas?

By the way, the 70 mph figure is because I live in the Atlanta area, and if I were to drive it to work I would need to run at 70, and even then I'll probably get run over.
 
Good set of rear-view mirrors on yer parts orderin' list?

If I drive Interstates at 70 I feel like a traffic cone in an SUV autocross.

And welcome to th' fray, Rob, BTW. :savewave:
 
Did that one originally come from Troncalli Motors in Decatur? Those cars use to fly around I-285 but I suspect they did run at high RPM's. Look at the rear tires and state the size. I'm sure some one will have the answer.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Now I've been reading up a lot on the thrust washer check, and it looks like I need to do that.
[/QUOTE]

If the oil pressure is good you may have caught it in time. In the mean time, don't drive it until you get the thrust washer replaced. If its like a TR6 you could replace it on a Saturday morning and drive Saturday afternoon.
 
Welcome to the BCF! Lots of info and humor and support here.
Almost 9 years ago I moved out of Kennesaw to come to Central Tennessee.

Good luck with the Spit, I think it is the prettiest of the "smaller" British sports cars.

Tinkerman
 
vettedog72 said:
Did that one originally come from Troncalli Motors in Decatur? Those cars use to fly around I-285 but I suspect they did run at high RPM's. Look at the rear tires and state the size. I'm sure some one will have the answer.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Now I've been reading up a lot on the thrust washer check, and it looks like I need to do that.
Click to expand...

If the oil pressure is good you may have caught it in time. In the mean time, don't drive it until you get the thrust washer replaced. If its like a TR6 you could replace it on a Saturday morning and drive Saturday afternoon. [/QUOTE]

Well there is no oil pressure gauge, just an idiot light on the bottom of the speedo. I don't know if it's bad or not, I just keep reading that it is a check that you need to do.

I don't know where the car came from initally as I bought if off of ebay from a guy that runs a used motorcycle shop out of his garage. He took it in trade on a new dirt bike, and just got it up and running to sell. The guy he took it in trade from had it sitting outside for the past 14 years! It still had the 1994 tag hanging off of the rear.

I'm headed to bed, but I'm sure one of these morning I'll get some pictures taken and post them. My Dad is badgering me for pics. I think he wants some motivation to get his spits up and running.
 
Hi There DeltaAir,

"Welcome" from the Pocono Mtns of PA.

First; I surely would install an auxilliary oil pressure guage like immediately.

Secondly; The RPM range that your hitting sounds about right for a non-overdrive spit.

Best Wishes & Have a ton of fun here,

Regards, Russ
 
Welcome and congratulations on your new toy. I think I was running about 4500 at 70 mph. Kind of noisy but easy for a healthy engine. I second the oil pressure gauge. It's good to know what's going on in there.
 
Well here are some pictures of the new project.

DSC01168.jpg


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DSC01172.jpg
 
You will have lots of fun with her. Spitfires are very home mechanic friendly.

Do you have a good (Bentley) shop manual already?
 
Not yet, I'm looking for one, as well as a new top and a leaf spring. One of the guys at work is a MG nut, and told me about putting his new top on, and said it was a two person job. Bad thing is I don't have anyone to help me on that project. I may outsource that to a local upholstery shop that my local British parts shop suggested.
 
I'd put a manual on the top of to-do list personally. I've found that having two, each from a different source, is worthwhile since they cover items differently.

Diagrams at Mossmotors.com and victoriabritish.com are also a huge help.

I've already tried to approach repairs in the order of 1) Safety 2) Reliability 3) longevity/rust and finally 4) cosmetics and interior. As they say, your milage may vary and it is your car so what ever works for you once you've address Safety...

Do you know for sure the rear spring/springs are bad?
 
Congratulations and welcome to the form with you new car.

We're here all the time and will help as much as possible.
 
tdskip said:
I'd put a manual on the top of to-do list personally. I've found that having two, each from a different source, is worthwhile since they cover items differently.

Diagrams at Mossmotors.com and victoriabritish.com are also a huge help.

I've already tried to approach repairs in the order of 1) Safety 2) Reliability 3) longevity/rust and finally 4) cosmetics and interior. As they say, your milage may vary and it is your car so what ever works for you once you've address Safety...

Do you know for sure the rear spring/springs are bad?
Click to expand...

When I'm sitting in the car, the rear wheels are cambered in about 15 degrees. According to all specs that I can find it should be about 3 degrees.
 
You're just over the mountain from me! Welcome to the forum.
 
Welcome to the world of Spitfires! I have found three things vital to working on Spitfires: bandaids, advil, and Bass Ale. Seriously, enjoy your Spit, they are a lot of fun.

Also you can hookup an oil pressure gauge off the oil pressure sender unit on the lower left side of the engine. The gauge can be mounted to the left of the steering wheel. A straight forward setup.
 
Welcome to the forum and the world of Spits. I suspect if you are traveling around Atlanta on I-285 you are going to want an OD transmission. Otherwise you will be turning over 4000 rpms. The "Swiss" gear ratio you are referring to is actually 3.63:1. You should have a 3.89:1 unless someone has boogered around and put in a 4.11:1. I have put a 3.63 in my MkI Spitfire and its too tall for 1147. I'm going to put it into my 1500. The 3.27:1 only came in the GT-6 without OD. That is probably too tall for the 1500 motor, but I know people have done it. IT will fit fine. The 3.27 diff has a reputation of being prone to cracks in the diff carrier and they are hard to find in good condition. The carrier is unique to that diff and other diff internals won't crossover.

I agree with the advice to ad an oil pressure gauge. You may consider one of the dual oil pressure/water temp gauages that went into MGs.

Also check the thrust washers.
 
Well guys, thanks for all the advice. I stopped by a local shop (don't know the rules about naming shops), and I picked up a new leaf spring and the Bentley manual. This morning I did the thrust washer inspection as I read, and I came out with .003". Now the Bentley manual lists .004 - .008". Should I assume that .001 under the lower limit will still be good?



Thanks for all the tips guys!
 
Mostly to say welcome and I'm not experienced enough
to wax with assurance on this issue. From what I glean,
though, seems you're good. We'll hear from the real
pros here soon enough, I'm sure.
 
Thats a sweet Spitfire

Reminds me of the days of my GT6,

nothing quite like sitting on the front wheel and giving her a tune up!!!

Good luck with her!
make sure you drive your car!!!





gt6.jpg
 
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