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Low Mileage Mk1

To: Spitfire Internet Mail List <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Subject: Low Mileage Mk1
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 13:56:46 -0700
When I picked up the car that I am parting out, I looked at the odometer and 
saw that it indicated 5625 miles.  I recall wondering how many times it
had been around.

today, I took the engine out and decided to have a peek under the oil pan.  I 
did notice that the clutch had the original black paint with white
stenciled on lettering and there was very little wear on the disk.  Under the 
oil pan was an oil pump that on investigation had virtually no wear at
all.  

I decided to turn the crank to get the rear rod down so I could remove the cap. 
 I found it difficult to turn the crank using a breaker bar and socket
on the crank nut.  I thought, "Oh no it is seized!".  But with a bit more 
pressure I heard the sounds of compression and remembered that the plugs
were still in.  So the compression seems very good.

Removing the center main cap and rear rod cap, I discovered original standard 
bearings with virtually no wear at all.  The thrust play is minimal and
probably within original tolerance.

My conclusion is that the odometer is most likely correct and the engine for 
whatever reason ha very few miles.  So I suspect the diff and gearbox are
like new as well.  When I drained the oil from the gearbox, it was very clear 
indicating that it probably has little actual running time on it.

The car shows evidence that it was involved in a roll-over, so I wonder if it 
was rolled shortly after it was bought, fixed and then left sitting
outside in the New York weather where it developed the rust that it now has.  I 
guess I'll never know!

Joe

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