I have had two experiences with broken timing chains, each years apart. Not
on a Spitfire, but on GM V8s. I am going to assume the Spit engine would
behave similar, until someone here tells me otherwise (and I hope they do).
What happened to me was this...
Driving along, engine is running smoothly. Then it just quits. Just like I
shut it off. It behaves like a complete electrical failure. So naturally,
as I coast along, I try to restart it. Mistake. As I understand it, by
running the starter motor with a broken timing chain, the valves are out of
sync, so you end up bending the valves all to hell, causing big repair bill.
This was the end of my 1972 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, 472 cu.in. I had to
choose between restoring the Spit or the Caddy.
So would the Spit behave the same way?
Terrence Banbury
Mk III
> ----------
> From: Jeff McNeal[SMTP:jmcneal@ohms.com]
> Reply To: Jeff McNeal
> Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 8:46 PM
> To: Spitfire List
> Subject: Strange gnashing clatters
>
>
> I've noticed upon starting up my car that the front end of the engine
> seems
> to be making quite a racket. Sort of an intermittent clattering that
> seems
> to dissipate somewhat (but not entirely) when the engine is warm. I can't
> figure out whether it's the timing chain or the water pump. In my old
> Spitfire Mk3 manual, there was a lubrication point on the water pump
> somewhere, but mine doesn't seem to have it. Is this a pretty typical
> noise
> to be coming from the engine? Or do I have a timing chain or water pump
> about to blow?
>
> Just out of curiosity, what happens when the timing chain goes? The
> engine
> ubruptly quits? Can a busted timing chain cause other serious damage
> while
> it's on the way out?
>
> TIA
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeff in San Diego
>
> '67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
> Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site
> http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
> home of the NEW Totally Triumph Auction
> "By Triumph enthusiasts, for Triumph enthusiasts"
> http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi
>
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