MadaboutKitcars

I see you have used the solid rack mount, how secure is the rack side to side? I tried a set but just couldn't seem to get it to clamp enough so swapped back to standard but wish polybushes that came with my polybush kit
Mac

I am a sucker for milled aluminium and stainless, and I think the solid mount was an unnecessary purchase. It grips well, but I may well switch to the original mount and the poly bushes that I have. I shall wait and see what the feedback (or jarring) is like along the wonderful (!) Oxfordshire roads.

Looks great, esp like the wheels - nice alternative to wires.

Thanks Oxford, will have a go with the electric cleaning bit.
:-)

Plus I love your industrial scale science project for cleaning parts.

I wonder if I could find something big enough to drop my 2nd hand Spitfire shell into?



Good luck, Paul.

Not much progress in the last month due to work, not being well, and an Under-14s rugby tour. But, I should get some more opportunities in the coming weeks. Tonight I had my first few hours in a long time and made a sump baffle. It was quite rewarding.

Good to see you've started again, why did you need to make one for... What are you upto?

Yep, it's got me baffled too. Looks pretty slick. Looks like you're surging ahead. Will it make the grade or will it be a flash in the pan? Etc, etc

I like your work , you are a clever man

Thanks, chaps. The baffle is a little indulgence that I couldn't resist - I wanted to cut, grind, drill and weld.

Once you start reading some of the Triumph tuning manuals you feel that you should have one. And, when you look at the location of the oil pump pick-up, it does make sense.

I plan to do some hillclimbs and sprints, and while the engine was in pieces it seemed sensible.

The funny thing is, there are no plans available online and you can't buy one off the shelf. I cut up a cereal packet to build my mock-up.

If you are interested in tuning the 4-pot - from mild to hot - this site is a good starting point -

http://www.totallytriumph.net/spitfire/engine_building.shtml#Golden

And, yes, I know that the 6-pot sounds better.

I feel like I am running through treacle at the moment. There is progress on the non-critical path (my pretentious name for small jobs that will be of value later in the build), but real advances seem to take forever.

I managed some time on the engine today. It's getting there - unleaded head now bolted down.



Next job is setting the valve timing. The new duplex system has no marks so I will have to do it "the Triumph way" which is more fiddly than any other engine maker's way.

Oh, and the engine is far too black........it will be green soon.

Morning O, did you rebuild the engine... Just getting the bits machined?

Just watch Paul D's youtube clip again to remind yourself that it'll all be worth it in the end -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGu50Nhwqv4

That (and Phil J's existing videos) are all the inspiration I need to go out and get on with it, even if it is taking forever.

Thanks, Mr T, I agree. I know it will be worth it in the end, and I can honestly say I enjoy every minute down at The Glade.

Gary - I bought a (very) short engine and head from Newark Engines / G A Classics just before the owner died suddenly and the company stopped trading. The block is now +40 thou. The head came with valves fitted and some mild polishing. I bought the rocker assembly new, and all ancillaries are new, e.g. water and oil pumps, cam, tappets, etc..

I can take no credit for the difficult bits, I'm just enjoying building a very big Meccano set......even it if takes a long time.

I think it is partly psychological; with bodywork, if you don't get it right, you do it again. With the engine, if I make a mistake, it will go bang. It's a few years since I put one together and it makes me nervous. And, I made a massive schoolboy error yesterday.

Go on tell us... (won't laugh - promise)

(it may save some other poor bu**er (me) who hasn't rebuilt an engine for a few years making the same mistake!

Well, I bolted-on the sump (gasket, sealant and 15 bolts) and put the engine upright. Shall I drop in the tappets or put tape over the tappet wells? No, I'll fit the head studs. And, I'll drop a nut down no. 7.

But, not all was lost. I could see it sitting on the camshaft. I stuck my finger in the fuel pump aperture and got the nut on my index finger. Phew. Then I started to withdraw my finger and clunk, clunk, ching. A nut in the sump. What a tw*t.

I did think for a moment that I could get to it through the drain plug but no. Too big. I did a Basil Fawlty and squatted down with my forearms over my head.

I shall whip off the sump when I have 20 minutes to kill.

As I said, schoolboy error.

Zank you fur being open und honest viz us today, mien Herr Oxford 1360. I'm zure sillier things huv happened to our esteemed 'threaders' on zis vorum.

Now, lie back on ze couch, take a deep breath and azk yourself: 'Vy did I vant to stick my finger in the fuel pumpf aperture?'

'..and perhaps you could elaborate a leedle on vy you vish to vhip the Zumpf to death..?

(sorry.)

dont feel bad spent an hour last night wondering why the battery on Mrs Mac's Mg wouldnt charge until i spotted the little lamp on the charger that told me i had the clamps on the wrong way round!!

Do it. Do it now. Or you'll forget, finish the car, fire up the engine and...

Don't worry, T, I have decided it is my next job. Fortunately, I have several thousand packs of gaskets that came with the donor spares package.

I know exactly what you mean.

But on the plus side, everyone on here thinks you will have built one of the nicest Sammios around when it is finished.

Good luck, Paul.

Crikey, is that an hour already? Can I come back next week? I have so much Sammio baggage to get off my chest.

..don't we all!

Mr T, here is the offending article........



But, but, but.........this little cloud had a silver lining. As I was undoing the sump bolts I noticed the dip-stick hole.......and I realised that I had not made a hole in the sump baffle for the dip-stick to pass through. So, much better that I realise now rather than when the engine and box are sitting in the chassis.

I had a good four hours today down at The Glade. The engine is together. Tomorrow it will get a coat of green and I shall add some pics.

Surely you could've just pushed a suitably long drill bit down the old dip stick tube and drilled the hole in your baffle without removing the sump. Sort of keyhole surgery for Sammios. Simple, huh?

What's that? Swarf you say. Hmm, hadn't thought of that...