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I have an opportunity to buy a 1975 Spitfire. The engine has been rebuilt but it has been sitting for 4 years without running. It's in mid restoration with new paint but needs new interior. I also would get a '74 spitfire that is complete for a parts car. What type of misery am in in for if I get this?
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Spitfire Sitting car
- Thread starter Geek
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dklawson
Yoda
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The Spitfire itself, especially coming with a parts car, will not be a problem. The problem is you are considering buying someone's unfinished project. They are likely to assure you that all the parts are there. However, if they did not bag and label things as they took them apart, and if they did not take photographs prior to disassembly and provide the pictures with the car... your work will be guided by countless referals to service manuals and posts to boards like this. And unless they kept track of every part they took off, you may find yourself hunting a few items you were not expecting to have to buy.
dklawson
Yoda
Offline
I would change most of those things and more on any car that has been off the road for a long time, especially one that has an unknown history.
As a minimum, change the oil and antifreeze. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, cap rotor, and probably the points and condenser. Replace all the flexible rubber lines on the fuel and braking systems. You must flush out all the old brake fluid and replace with new. Anticipate rebuilding or replacing the brake master cylinder. Replace the radiator and heater hoses. The carb diaphragm is probably stiff from age and probably would need replacing. The carb(s) themselves would certainly benefit from dropping the float bowl and hosing the bowls and jet tubes and needle with carb cleaner. You may find you need to drain the fuel tank and flush it out as well. When putting the fuel system back together, place a large, disposable, transparent/translucent fuel filter right before the carb(s) to catch all the debris that will become loose in the tank.
Waking a long dormant car and having it returned to daily use involves replacing a lot of parts and performing many steps. When you are done you will have the satisfaction of having done most of this yourself (unless you have deep pockets). Even if the car looks aged and worn this will give you a lot of pride in your car, something you won't have with a typical daily driver.
As a minimum, change the oil and antifreeze. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, cap rotor, and probably the points and condenser. Replace all the flexible rubber lines on the fuel and braking systems. You must flush out all the old brake fluid and replace with new. Anticipate rebuilding or replacing the brake master cylinder. Replace the radiator and heater hoses. The carb diaphragm is probably stiff from age and probably would need replacing. The carb(s) themselves would certainly benefit from dropping the float bowl and hosing the bowls and jet tubes and needle with carb cleaner. You may find you need to drain the fuel tank and flush it out as well. When putting the fuel system back together, place a large, disposable, transparent/translucent fuel filter right before the carb(s) to catch all the debris that will become loose in the tank.
Waking a long dormant car and having it returned to daily use involves replacing a lot of parts and performing many steps. When you are done you will have the satisfaction of having done most of this yourself (unless you have deep pockets). Even if the car looks aged and worn this will give you a lot of pride in your car, something you won't have with a typical daily driver.
Bob Claffie
Jedi Knight
Offline
Opposite point of view. Give it a SERIOUS inspection. Fix the OBVIOUS problems. Drive it (within reason). Repair what breaks. Continue restoration as time and money allow
Geo Hahn
Yoda
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Ditto the cooling system and soft fuel lines. Failure there probably won't kill you but can leave you inconveniently stranded far from home.
When I got my last two LBCs both had been sitting for decades. Replacing everything rubber was simpler when done all at once, cost was peanuts and driving became more enjoyable with a reasonable chance of arriving and returning.