I haven't updated this for ages! The Spitfire has been behaving itself rather well, so has required nothing more than the regular fluids and levels checked. However, a clonk has been coming and going on power take off for a while, but I've never been able to pin-point it. It suddenly got a LOT worse a couple of weekends ago, so I haven't used it since then.
So today after work I decided to jack the car up and inspect how last year's suspension overhaul is holding up. The paint used on the drum and vertical bracket was Halford's engine enamel, the drive shaft was POR-15 and the tie bar was Plasti-Kote. The face of the drum was kept bare, hence the surface rust. The wheelarch was sprayed with that Hammerite undercoat in a can. It has all help up superbly!
Annoyingly, the powder-coated wheels have started to pickle with rust in a few spots - looks like the coating was a little thin, and as only two wheels on the same side are effected, it must be the grit trucks over the winter. It's not too bad though! I've no idea who did the powder-coating as they were an eBay bargain win, complete with new tyres.
Suspension all looks fine, poly bushes all in place and all the bolts are done up to spec. Result!
Brakes all good, barely need adjusting. I think they need bleeding though.
Half-shafts to diff bolts all nice and tight.
And then I found the source of the clonking - the rear propshaft joint has a massive amount of play.. I guess some of the little roller bearings have made a bid for freedom..
Annoyingly to remove the prop it looks like you have to remove the exhaust as well as the gearbox tunnel! So a right faff..
I think it's going to be easier to find a decent secondhand prop as due to the parking restriction notices that keep popping up I can't leave the car disabled for too long!!
The sump is also dripping oil onto the exhaust again.. not a lot I can do about that. The engine still needs sorting as the bearings are clonking more and more on cold startup!
No detailed pics of the other side as aside the brakes that's the only corner I haven't rebuilt yet!
I haven't had a chance to check the front end of the car yet. Stay tuned
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1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (
project thread)
1966 Volkswagen 1300 (
project thread)
1962 Austin Mini (project)
1962 MGA 1600 Mark II
1965 Mobylette SP50 (project)
2001 Rover 75 2.5-litre V6