Fixing Leaking Carbs & Fitting Temperature Sender

Finally some progress, the post finally came today and with it my SU HS42 carb overhaul kit, replacement temperature sender and fuel pressure regulator (not yet fitted.)

So out to work in the rain I go. I took the carbs off so that I could take them inside to work in the dry and warm. After taking the top half and all of the insides out of the first carb in order to replace the jet I realised on the second that none of that was necessary and all I have to do was take it out of the bottom.

I considered simply changing the washer an seals on the existing jets however as the washer and seals were so tightly fitted to the new jets I didn't want to disturb them.






After all was put back together and checked there didnt seem to be any leaks which is always a nice thing, installing the fuel pressure regulator should also help keep it this way for a while but I will have to get some extra fuel line before I do that.

Im sure you will agree they look nice and clean compared to the old ones.



Whilst dirty and under the bonnet I thought I would install the replacement temperature sender. Obviously this on looks alot more like the standard fitted one and miles more like it than the oil pressure sensor I was previously sent.







2 minutes later and it was installed, another job done.

Another thing for me to fix as you can see in the photo to the right is the blue overflow pipe from the rocker to the carb's. Yes your right it is cold water feed pipe from a washing machine. Needless to say that wont be on much longer.

Another Day, Another Job Not Completed

After starting with the best intentions even though the weather was a bit grim it dried by the afternoon so a coolant change was on the cards. In short this never happened, I decided to tackle the leading carb. After a closer look it seemed the carb was leaking from the bottom of the main jet where the pipe connects to the float bowel. Aluminum engine shield removed and a little touch on the pipe showed it had nothing holding it in apart from good will. It seems it wasn't catching the seal.
I took apart the other side to check how it went together but looking at that seal it looked very worn also. Not an issue you would think, apart from my carb kit hasn't come so I have no seals. Hopefully tomorrow it will arrive so I can get on.

On the upside I did fit my cover for the first time. More details of that later.

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More To Add To The List

Well it should be sorted with the temperature sender, it should be coming out in the post tomorrow, and I get to keep the oil pressure switch!

On the downside, after cleaning the float bowl I still have fuel coming out of one of the bowls, rather annoying really so that's to fix. I have been advised that my fuel pump looks like a replacement (not sure what the previous owners have fitted) so I have ordered an adjustable fuel pressure regulator to try and drop the pressure from 6-8psi to 1.5-2.5psi. Hopefully this will fix the problem.
The second thing is that the front left caliper seems to be binding a bit so I've ordered some caliper seals to replace when I replace the wheel cylinders and master cylinder seals.

Temperature Sender Replacement - Part 1

Part 1? How can it be so hard to replace a temperature sender? Read on.....

After an internet shopping spree I have most of the parts I need to complete the bits of work that need to be done to the car. As today it's raining I thought I'll start with something nice and easy, a 2 minute job, replace the temperature sender so the temp gauge in the car works.
Armed with the tools and replacement part I lifted the bonnet to see that the existing sender looks completely different straight away. Time to unscrew and investigate, as it turns out I have been sent an oil pressure switch which as you can see is quite a bit different.

Time to contact the seller and hopefully it can be rectified quickly.

First Post, First Blog, First Spitfire!

After many years of wanting and wanting I finally took the plunge into buying a Triumph Spitfire. After looking around and then at a car that seemed to be grossly overpriced I found myself a tidy little bargain in the form of a 1976 British Racing Green Triumph Spitfire 1500 with both a soft top and factory hard top.

Sure it may not look much but the body is there and there abouts sound with the only signs of repair to the boot lid in the form of a dent that has been knocked out and then skimmed over with filler (which is starting to crack a bit)

Problems to fix:-

• basic service
• drivers door is missing lock link rod (fixed straight away)
• lock barrels on both doors need changing as they don't seem to lock from the outside
• brake master cylinder to be overhauled
• rear wheel cylinders to be changed and brake fluid flushed
• cigarette lighter to fit
• CD player to fit with speakers (how can I be expected to survive with a cassette deck)
• paintwork to touch up (just a DIY job and I'll be happy for now
  
• carb float bowls to clean
• temperature sender to replace

It may seem like alot of work but I dont think it will be too bad, only time will tell.

Hopefully I'll have some better pictures soon and progress of any updates