Anything and everything Spitfire.

General Spitfire messages

After letting my dear little spit 1500 sit in the garage from November until the last week of January, i decided it was time to get her out and have a little spin before the tax ran out (the plan was always to not re-tax her and begin the re-build not long after). But unfortunatley, she wouldn't start

So i set about diagnosing what was wrong with her, and discovered that both of the rubber pipes that connect the carbs together (via the metal type pipe that surrounds the air filter casing) had perished beyond function (i.e. had gaping great gashes in), so no wonder she wouldn't run, she couldn't get fuel pressure.

When i had recovered from my dissapointment, i thought i would set about sourcing some of the parts i needed to get her at least running again, and as time (and &163;&194;&163;&194;&163;&194;&163;'s) would allow, i would begin to do the re-build gradually, firstly by buying the parts, then installing them. (The major body off rebuild and re-spray will have to wait until later in the year due to financial constraints, like getting married next year!)

She needed a new radiator (the spit, not the missus ), so i sourced a re-con one for &163;45 in mint condition, got various gaskets, and other bits and pieces, and hopefully they will all have arrived before the weekend, when i can start putting some of them on.

The challenge for me will be removing the radiator, taking the kenlow fan off, then attaching the fan to the new rad, and then putting it all back together again. (any tips will be very, VERY, VERY greatfully recieved!!)

Will probably put some pics of the work up, and regular reports of progress, as they may help someone else in my situation (completeley mechanically inept!) that wishes to do some work on their spit.

Stu