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Spitfire New spitfire owner

Don_R

Jedi Warrior
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Hi all,

Just got a 73 spit 1500.

Trying to get it ready to use as a driver for the good weather.
 
Welcome, What condition is your Spit in and what does it need to be drivable. You might not believe it, but the good weather will be here soon, so get going on it now, so you can be driving it the first nice day. Can you post some pictures.
 
Welcome Don!

Any pictures to share (we <span style="font-weight: bold">love</span> pictures)!

Any punch list of things that you are planning to do?
 
Where in PA?

If southeastern, there are quite a few of us Spitfire owners already here.
 
Welcome. I hope your car is closer to being on the road than mine is.
 
Welcome to the world of British Sports Car ownership. The 1973 Spitfire is a beautiful car. I had one, French blue, with a black interior. As long as you have a high pain threshold, AAA towing, and a taste for strong beer you'll be alright. Good luck.
 
I am not a Spit owner but having worked on my TR8 I have lots of the common tools if you are in the south west. Lots ot Spits located around here so the advice should be easy to access and readily available. Advice on heree is always quick and usually spot on. Welcome
 
I am not a Spit owner but having worked on my TR8 I have lots of the common tools if you are in the south west. Lots ot Spits located around here so the advice should be easy to access and readily available. Advice on heree is always quick and usually spot on. Welcome
 
Welcome to teh forum. Do you have any pictures to post of your new car?

Where are you in PA?

Pat, time to delete one of the above posts...you got fat fingered on the Submit button, just like I do about ten times a week here.
 
Will get some photos soon. Tried to use one as an avatar but was too big.

Drove the car to Wilkes-Barre from Allentown. What a drive, no heat the whole trip.

Just got a new rear spring to help with the rear end sag.

The shift pattern feel quit. still has gear but you need to fine it.

looks like I need to check the trans.
 
Have a pic posted in the gallery for all to see.

BTW

Commis# FM 812 U

Eng # FK 29596 UE

MFG Date Oct 1972

Orig Paint 23 (sienna brown)

Orig trim 33 (new tan)
 
Don, interesting. Your commission number indicates a very, very early "Federal" Spitfire 1500. Oh, your engine number indicates a later 1296cc "Federal" low-compression engine; there's a very, very slim chance that's original, but it's far more likely your car originally had a low-number "FM" series 1493cc engine.

As for the shifter, not to worry. Odds are that a bushing kit and about 1.5 hrs labor (most in R&R of the interior bits) will fix that. Triumph part number 519770, currently about $38.

Sienna Brown is a nice color when the paint's in good shape, and the combination of that and the New Tan interior is a favorite of mine...although I now see it's no longer Sienna Brown. :blush:
 
Don,
Welcome and congratulations on your new Spit. That's a sweet looker.
 
The Engine # has me confused. I thought that the UE suffix was used on the 1500 only.

If it is a 1500 motor it should start with FM.

What are the chances that it is a early 1500 motor that happens to have a 1300 eng #?

This could be a problem when I get to buying tuneup parts.
 
Don_R said:
The Engine # has me confused. I thought that the UE suffix was used on the 1500 only.

If it is a 1500 motor it should start with FM.
Correct about the FM prefix. But the "UE" suffix commenced for "Federal" cars for the 1972 model year on FK series 1296cc engines with lower compression AND the recessed bore blocks.

Don_R said:
What are the chances that it is a early 1500 motor that happens to have a 1300 eng #?
Anything's possible, but it's very unlikely. But for what it's worth, those later FK series blocks can be used with the longer-stroke crank from the 1500.

Don_R said:
This could be a problem when I get to buying tuneup parts.
Not to worry: tuneup parts are pretty much the same regardless, but think of your engine as a '72 and you'll be fine!
 
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