I too got a lot of work accomplished on Huxley (the red Mk1). I decided
to replace the starter that was obviously on its last legs. I
overhauled one of the half dozen I have under my work bench and was
satisfied with its performance.
So I took the old one out and found that because of extra pieces I had
added, it was not all that easy to do anymore. I had to take off the
oil cooler adapter and oil filter as well as a "T" fitting and extension
for an oil pressure gauge and idiot light sender to gain clearance to
the starter.
I managed to break off the extension in the block but got it out with an
easy-out. A new one was only a buck at the hardware store.
The starter I removed has about 3/8" end play in the armature so I think
it was a good idea to get it out of there.
The new starter works quite well.
When I had the Oil cooler adapter out, I noticed that there was a lot of
fraying in one of the lines that goes to the cooler, That might be
responsible for a large part of my oil leak. Do I patched the hose and
trimmed back some of the metal in the shock tower that it was rubbing
against. I think it will be much better now, but time will tell.
At that time I felt Shipwright disease setting in and I decided to swap
out the steering rack for one that I had from a car I parted out a
couple years ago that only had about 5500 miles on it. The old rack had
a lot of slack in it and I could not adjust it out. While I had the old
rack out, I touched up the frame a bit and did some cleaning.
Now it is all back together, starts right up and the wheels are actually
pointing straight. In all, a successful weekend. Heck, I even managed
to make it to the driving range to hit a few golf balls.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: spitfires-owner@autox.team.net
[mailto:spitfires-owner@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Spitfire 1500
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 9:14 PM
To: spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: What a Spitfire weekend
Saturday: Get 4 new tires & alignment. How did I not see it before? I've
been running off of 3 radial tires & 1 bias-bly tire for 11 years! Guess
it serves me right for procastinating. Got a deal for for Firestone
tires for $160. Wanted Pirellis, but this is better than the existing
tires.
The difference is like night & day. Almost no brake squeal, the steering
wheel stays centered, and it's a much smoother ride.
I spend the rest of the day(7 hours) straightening out the hood. Where
did those 2 shims on one side come from? Either way, problem mostly
solved.
Sunday: Let's bleed the brakes! The bleeder screw on the left drum brake
go snap-a-roonie. Tried for hours to get it out, gave up. Guess I'll be
ordering from spitbits tomorrow.
On the lighter side of sunday, the rattle sounds from the ragtop pin
handles are gone, thanks to 2 big washers.
So, basically, an entire weekend devoted to the garage. Beats sitting in
front of a CRT.
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