[Spits] 79 Spitfire with SU carbs

[mark.jones at exxonmobil.com]

I replaced my 80 Spitfire's original mechanical fuel pump last year due to
it leaking from several parts of it's body onto the starter motor.  I have
been suspicious for some time that it was sending too much pressure to the
carbs, especially at idle.

Your problem sure sounds like an air leak to me.  Did you replace the
exhaust/inlet to head gasket?

Mark

From: David Woerpel <dwoerpel at wi.net>
Subject: Re: [Spits] 79 Spitfire with SU carbs
To: spitfires at autox.team.net
Message-ID: <46834A87.5080102 at wi.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Thanks to all who have responded.  We've ordered some parts and made
some calls.  Joe Curto told me that he's had a few TR's come in with
after-market MECHANICAL pumps that are putting out too high a pressure.
Anyone else run into that?  We'll put the old pump back on or get a good
regulator and gauge.   The carbs are FZX 1258's which calls for a
standard metering needle of "ABT".  Also, I hate to admit I didn't
notice that there were no piston springs (I'm used to working on H1's
for the Bugeye which have no springs but I should have caught that
anyway...duh.)