From mark at bradakis.com Thu Jul 1 21:36:20 2010 From: mark at bradakis.com (Mark J Bradakis) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 21:36:20 -0600 (MDT) Subject: [Spits] List membership notes Message-ID: <20100702033620.2D4D12E06C@bradakis.com> For some reason it seems I've gotten more than the usual number of admin messages regarding posts by a non-member to a list. It has been happening on a number of the many lists I manage, not just this one. Basically what happens is this: People subscribe AddressA to the list. They get the messages at that address. They send messages to the list from AddressB. AddressA is a member, AddressB is not. The post from AddressB is rejected as non-member spam. Send messages from the address that is subscribed and they won't get rejected as non-member spam. If you aren't set up for digest mode, the address where you get the mail is listed in the trailer of each and every posting, right there below the donate link. Donate early, donate often! If you normally send messages from AddressB, then subscribe AddressB to the list. If you want messages to go to AddressA and not AddressB, then subscribe AddressB and set your mailman options to not deliver to AddressB. Hopefully this will assist some folks with managing Team.Net email. mjb. From spitlist at cox.net Fri Jul 2 09:12:13 2010 From: spitlist at cox.net (Joe Curry) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 08:12:13 -0700 Subject: [Spits] GT6 Body removal. Message-ID: <0825B1C4DB2A46C68E196A8F3B9FF413@joepentiumnew> I have been contacted by the owner of a GT6+ near Valley Forge, PA. He is wanting to buy one of my shock mount brackets but is not sure he is up to the task of lifting the rear of the body from the frame to install the bracket. So, I would like to know if there is anyone in that area who is willing to lend some expertise to him. Thanks, Joe Curry From mmilkevitch at yahoo.com Fri Jul 2 18:09:38 2010 From: mmilkevitch at yahoo.com (Matthew Milkevitch) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 17:09:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Spits] Rear Height Message-ID: <398779.4135.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Fellow Listers; This afternoon, I attempted to adjust the rear brakes on my '77 Spit. When I jacked up one side, I noticed that the wheel "tucked in" rather dramatically (i.e., the bottom of the tire angled in toward the center of the car...positive camber I believe). This was so dramatic that the half-shaft actually touched the frame and the wheel wouldn't spin properly. Is this normal...or is this the classic sign of a sagging rear spring? I have worked on the rear suspension recently (over the winter), in which I installed a used differential. While that was a long and involved repair, nothing untoward happened with that. Any advice/opinions would be appreciated. Thanks, Matt Milkevitch'77 SpitfireWillow Grove, PA From jimmuller at rcn.com Fri Jul 2 19:21:18 2010 From: jimmuller at rcn.com (Jim Muller) Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:21:18 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Rear Height In-Reply-To: <398779.4135.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <4C2E584E.1672.6C10B325@localhost> On 2 Jul 2010 at 17:09, Matthew Milkevitch wrote: > When I jacked up one side, I noticed that the wheel "tucked in" > rather dramatically... Is this normal...or is this the classic > sign of a sagging rear spring? I hate to tell you this, Matthew, but that is completely normal. It is doing exactly what it should do. You can worry if you want to but it won't do any good. :-) Not that worrying ever does any good anyway. The Spitfire rear suspension uses swing axles. The axle moves up and down through the suspension travel by pivoting at the u-joint at the differential end. The axle is a solid shaft and the wheel is always perpendicular to the axle, so as the axle drops down the wheel's angle changes along with it. The reason the axle hit the frame when you jacked up the car is because there is nothing to prevent it from doing so. The spring is meant to hold the car up, which actually means pushing the wheel and the car body away from each other. In other words, it pushes the spring down and the car up. When the tire sits on the ground the wheel pushes upward on the spring, and spring pushes the car up off the wheel. But when the car is lifted up by a jack the spring won't hold the wheel up, and in fact the spring is still pushing it down so it goes as far down as it can go. As for the sagging rear, that happens when the spring doesn't push the wheel and body apart hard enough. You wouldn't notice one way or the other when you jack the car up. -- Jim Muller jimmuller at rcn.com '80 Spitfire, '70 GT6+ From krhodes1 at maine.rr.com Fri Jul 2 19:36:35 2010 From: krhodes1 at maine.rr.com (Kevin Rhodes) Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2010 21:36:35 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Rear Height In-Reply-To: <398779.4135.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> References: <398779.4135.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <94.19.00166.0E39E2C4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com> At 08:09 PM 7/2/2010, you wrote: >Fellow Listers; >This afternoon, I attempted to adjust the rear brakes on my '77 Spit. When I >jacked up one side, I noticed that the wheel "tucked in" rather dramatically >(i.e., the bottom of the tire angled in toward the center of the >car...positive camber I believe). This was so dramatic that the half-shaft >actually touched the frame and the wheel wouldn't spin properly. >Is this normal...or is this the classic sign of a sagging rear spring? >I have worked on the rear suspension recently (over the winter), in which I >installed a used differential. While that was a long and involved repair, >nothing untoward happened with that. >Any advice/opinions would be appreciated. >Thanks, >Matt Milkevitch'77 SpitfireWillow Grove, PA Sounds pretty normal to me. It's a single-pivot swing axle, so that is what happens when you jack it up. You will get a bit less deflection when you jack up both sides at the same time, I think, which is why you probably didn't notice it previously. Kevin Rhodes Westbrook, Maine Freddy the Spitfire of many varied bits and model years, whose chassis is also a '77 - bought 15 years ago next Thursday, one of us is getting old! From mapper55 at hotmail.com Sat Jul 3 06:42:54 2010 From: mapper55 at hotmail.com (Charles Reid) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2010 08:42:54 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Rear Height In-Reply-To: <398779.4135.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> References: <398779.4135.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: It is normal for the swing axles to drop when you lift the car, and the wheels do normally 'tuck in' as you describe. I just replaced the rear spring in my Spitfire and the swing axles don't drop all the way to the frame, so your spring is sagging more than when it was new. Do you need to replace it? Not necessarily. I replaced mine because I'm doing a complete restoration, but also because the wheels displayed a slight negative camber when the car was empty and a pronounced negative camber when I sat in the car. I have yet to get to the point of setting up the suspension geometry, but this seems to be a good site for describing the variables and settings. http://auskellian.com/paul/links_files/performance_enhancements.htm Check out the Rear Suspension part of the page. Charles Reid 1980 Triumph Spitfire > Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 17:09:38 -0700 > From: mmilkevitch at yahoo.com > To: spitfires at autox.team.net > Subject: [Spits] Rear Height > > Fellow Listers; > This afternoon, I attempted to adjust the rear brakes on my '77 Spit. When I > jacked up one side, I noticed that the wheel "tucked in" rather dramatically > (i.e., the bottom of the tire angled in toward the center of the > car...positive camber I believe). This was so dramatic that the half-shaft > actually touched the frame and the wheel wouldn't spin properly. > Is this normal...or is this the classic sign of a sagging rear spring? > I have worked on the rear suspension recently (over the winter), in which I > installed a used differential. While that was a long and involved repair, > nothing untoward happened with that. > Any advice/opinions would be appreciated. > Thanks, > Matt Milkevitch'77 SpitfireWillow Grove, PA > _______________________________________________ > > Spitfires at autox.team.net > Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html > Suggested annual donation $11.47 > Archive: http://www.team.net/archive > Forums: http://www.team.net/forums > Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/mapper55 at hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID2832 6::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4 From tedtsimx at bright.net Sat Jul 3 10:59:07 2010 From: tedtsimx at bright.net (Ted Schumacher) Date: Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:59:07 -0400 Subject: [Spits] A good andHappy Independence day from TSI Message-ID: <4C2F6C5B.4090603@bright.net> Uncle Sam,.Spitfire adn his friend "hydrant" wish you all a good Independence Day. Ted -- Ted Schumacher tedtsimx at bright.net http://www.tsimportedautomotive.com 108 S. Jefferson St. Pandora, Ohio, USA 45877 Fax: 419.384.3272 (24 Hrs.) Phone: 800.543.6648 (US & Canada) Tech/ Gen. Information/ Worldwide: 419.384.3022 From s1500 at comcast.net Sat Jul 3 13:05:07 2010 From: s1500 at comcast.net (Ryan) Date: Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:05:07 -0500 Subject: [Spits] battery cable - a cheap fix Message-ID: <4C2F89E3.9000206@comcast.net> Well, chalk up another repair I was blind to for the past 10 years. My negative battery cable always had battery acid on it, preventing me from starting up after a short trip(gas station, etc). It was due to the fact it had a copper(or brass?) clamp to the terminal. Thus, making a battery in and of itself. I went to the parts store, bought another one that's steel of equal length, crimped on that smaller negative cable & I was done. 5 bucks compared to the $40 SpitBits was charging. This explains all the battery acid that has shown up in the battery box, etc over the years. Apparently it was finnicky with this battery moreso. From gastul at roadrunner.com Sun Jul 4 06:13:33 2010 From: gastul at roadrunner.com (Greg Stull) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 08:13:33 -0400 Subject: [Spits] A good andHappy Independence day from TSI References: <4C2F6C5B.4090603@bright.net> Message-ID: Ted, It was nice meeting you at Mid Ohio last Saturday. We'll going to have to come out and see your store. My son liked his T-shirt I got from you. Thanks for all the info. You have a great 4th of July too..... Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted Schumacher" To: ; ; "6-Pack" <6pack at autox.team.net>; "triumphs >> TR list" ; "Friends of Triumph" ; ; "Suzie" ; ; Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 12:59 PM Subject: [Spits] A good andHappy Independence day from TSI > Uncle Sam,.Spitfire adn his friend "hydrant" wish you all a good > Independence Day. Ted > > -- > Ted Schumacher > tedtsimx at bright.net > http://www.tsimportedautomotive.com > 108 S. Jefferson St. > Pandora, Ohio, USA 45877 > Fax: 419.384.3272 (24 Hrs.) > Phone: 800.543.6648 (US & Canada) > Tech/ Gen. Information/ Worldwide: 419.384.3022 > _______________________________________________ > > Spitfires at autox.team.net > Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html > Suggested annual donation $11.47 > Archive: http://www.team.net/archive > Forums: http://www.team.net/forums > Unsubscribe/Manage: > http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/gastul at roadrunner.com From gastul at roadrunner.com Sun Jul 18 22:31:17 2010 From: gastul at roadrunner.com (Greg Stull) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:31:17 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph Message-ID: <627C318A86E84B93A60C242A0D70F949@Stully> Hello, I have been having problems with my Spitfire sputtering like it's running out of gas above 50 mph on hot days after it runs for a while at that speed especially going up hill. If you let up and drop down in speed it runs fine. Also runs fine at lower speeds even when it's hot. Runs alright above 50 mph when the temperature is cooler. I have a Weber carb with a mechanical fuel pump with the factory heat shield under the carb. Anybody have any ideas? Fuel filter, fuel pump, carb, vapor lock? Can vapor lock happen at higher speeds? I'm going to start with new fuel filters. Thanks for any ideas. Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 From rbgosling at googlemail.com Tue Jul 20 09:53:11 2010 From: rbgosling at googlemail.com (Richard Gosling) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:53:11 +0100 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph In-Reply-To: <627C318A86E84B93A60C242A0D70F949@Stully> References: <627C318A86E84B93A60C242A0D70F949@Stully> Message-ID: My guess is that it isn't vapour lock - that's much more likely to happen when the car is stationary and there isn't a flow of air to cool the intake system. Sounds to me much more like fuel starvation, which could be down to an ineffective fuel pump, partially blocked fuel filter or carb, although I can't think of any good reason why it should be worse when it is a warm day. Another random thought - coil over-heating? But again can't see why this would be worse at speed, or particularly when going up hills. So not too likely. Sorry I can't be more definitive... Richard On 19 July 2010 05:31, Greg Stull wrote: > Hello, > > I have been having problems with my Spitfire sputtering like it's running > out > of gas above 50 mph on hot days after it runs for a while at that speed > especially going up hill. If you let up and drop down in speed it runs > fine. > Also runs fine at lower speeds even when it's hot. Runs alright above 50 > mph > when the temperature is cooler. > > I have a Weber carb with a mechanical fuel pump with the factory heat > shield > under the carb. > > Anybody have any ideas? Fuel filter, fuel pump, carb, vapor lock? Can vapor > lock happen at higher speeds? > > I'm going to start with new fuel filters. > > Thanks for any ideas. > > Greg > 1978 Spitfire 1500 > _______________________________________________ > > Spitfires at autox.team.net > Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html > Suggested annual donation $11.47 > Archive: http://www.team.net/archive > Forums: http://www.team.net/forums > Unsubscribe/Manage: > http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/rbgosling at googlemail.com From mmilkevitch at yahoo.com Tue Jul 20 10:13:43 2010 From: mmilkevitch at yahoo.com (Matthew Milkevitch) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:13:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <930297.32079.qm@web50907.mail.re2.yahoo.com> It could definitely be fuel starvation. But one question: Can you get the car above 50 mph at any time? The reason why I ask is that another thing to check would be the carb linkage. Make sure that the throttle plate can open all the way. Have an assistant hold the accelerator pedal to the floor and then look down the carb throat. Both throttle plates should be fully open (they should both be vertical). If this isn't the case, adjust the linkage accordingly. This happened to me once with my '77. The car would not go above 45 mph....seemed to run out of breath. It turned out the throttle cable slipped (mis-tightened nut) and therefore the throttle plate would only open part-way. Hope this helps,Matt Milkevitch'77 SpitfireWillow Grove, PA --- On Tue, 7/20/10, Richard Gosling wrote: From: Richard Gosling Subject: Re: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph To: "Greg Stull" Cc: "Spitfire Group" Date: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 11:53 AM My guess is that it isn't vapour lock - that's much more likely to happen when the car is stationary and there isn't a flow of air to cool the intake system. Sounds to me much more like fuel starvation, which could be down to an ineffective fuel pump, partially blocked fuel filter or carb, although I can't think of any good reason why it should be worse when it is a warm day. Another random thought - coil over-heating? But again can't see why this would be worse at speed, or particularly when going up hills. So not too likely. Sorry I can't be more definitive... Richard On 19 July 2010 05:31, Greg Stull wrote: > Hello, > > I have been having problems with my Spitfire sputtering like it's running > out > of gas above 50 mph on hot days after it runs for a while at that speed > especially going up hill. If you let up and drop down in speed it runs > fine. > Also runs fine at lower speeds even when it's hot. Runs alright above 50 > mph > when the temperature is cooler. > > I have a Weber carb with a mechanical fuel pump with the factory heat > shield > under the carb. > > Anybody have any ideas? Fuel filter, fuel pump, carb, vapor lock? Can vapor > lock happen at higher speeds? > > I'm going to start with new fuel filters. > > Thanks for any ideas. > > Greg > 1978 Spitfire 1500 > _______________________________________________ > > Spitfires at autox.team.net > Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html > Suggested annual donation $11.47 > Archive: http://www.team.net/archive > Forums: http://www.team.net/forums > Unsubscribe/Manage: > http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/rbgosling at googlemail.com _______________________________________________ Spitfires at autox.team.net Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html Suggested annual donation $11.47 Archive: http://www.team.net/archive Forums: http://www.team.net/forums Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/mmilkevitch at yahoo.com From elliottr at rmi.net Tue Jul 20 17:32:17 2010 From: elliottr at rmi.net (Roger Elliott) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:32:17 -0500 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph In-Reply-To: <627C318A86E84B93A60C242A0D70F949@Stully> References: <627C318A86E84B93A60C242A0D70F949@Stully> Message-ID: <4C463201.4020503@rmi.net> Hi Greg, Fuel filters are a good start. I would also check all of the rubber hoses under the car. My wife's 250 had gas problems - I chased it all over the place - New filter, new fuel pump. Finally saw one of the rubber lines had a kink in it. It must have been bent in the same place for years, but it finally got soft enough that when there was suction through the line it would collapse. I suspect it could be affected by heat as well. Roger Elliott Greg Stull wrote: > Hello, > > I have been having problems with my Spitfire sputtering like it's running out > of gas above 50 mph on hot days after it runs for a while at that speed > especially going up hill. > > Thanks for any ideas. > > Greg > 1978 Spitfire 1500 > _______________________________________________ From mkcaspian1 at aol.com Tue Jul 20 19:26:56 2010 From: mkcaspian1 at aol.com (mkcaspian1 at aol.com) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:26:56 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Door panels and dash plaque Message-ID: <8CCF68AF11C777E-1818-6103@webmail-m086.sysops.aol.com> Hello - I am replacing the door panels in my 78 Spitfire - that seems to be straightforward. I am also replacing the door finisher trim pads that go on top - can't quite figure that out. In what I am replacing, there is a small chrome strip, but no strip on the replacement pads. - how does this all go together and how is it all attached? Also, what do I use to put the dash plaque back on my refinsished dashboard, glue? Should the 78 have dates that go up to 73, or all the way to 78? And finally, where can I find a replacement dash plaque? John - 78 Spitfire From elliottr at rmi.net Tue Jul 20 20:27:24 2010 From: elliottr at rmi.net (Roger Elliott) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:27:24 -0500 Subject: [Spits] Door panels and dash plaque In-Reply-To: <8CCF68AF11C777E-1818-6103@webmail-m086.sysops.aol.com> References: <8CCF68AF11C777E-1818-6103@webmail-m086.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <4C465B0C.8060307@rmi.net> Hi John, If you are talking about the chrome strip at the top edge next to the window, that is the inner waist seal that is a separate part. Spit Bits part # Item #: 612806 . The finisher trim pads go on first, then the waist seals are held in place with clips that slide up from the bottom. It is hard to do with the windows in place, though I have done it. You need to either make a tool out of thin metal - I used the strips that cover the slots for computer cards or get a tool. A couple of places sell it now Rimmer Brothers for one They call it Weatherstrip Clip Fitting Tool part RX1562. Plan on dropping several of the clips into the dark recesses of the doors. Paul Tegler(I hope that is the correct name) has a wonderful site for Spitfire Info. http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/sccaplaques.htm has details about the plaques. There used to be some one on the list (Ithink) that was making and selling them. I did find this site that sells them http://www.collectibles-articles.com/antique/SCCA-Dash-Plaque-Rare-1978-and-later-Triumph-Spitfire_270504695246.html I know nothing about them, If I were putting one on my dash I think I would use thin double sided tape. Roger Elliott mkcaspian1 at aol.com wrote: > Hello - I am replacing the door panels in my 78 Spitfire - that seems to be > straightforward. I am also replacing the door finisher trim pads that go on > top - can't quite figure that out. In what I am replacing, there is a small > chrome strip, but no strip on the replacement pads. - how does this all go > together and how is it all attached? Also, what do I use to put the dash > plaque back on my refinsished dashboard, glue? Should the 78 have dates that > go up to 73, or all the way to 78? And finally, where can I find a > replacement dash plaque? > > John - > 78 Spitfire From gastul at roadrunner.com Wed Jul 21 05:22:14 2010 From: gastul at roadrunner.com (Greg Stull) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:22:14 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph Message-ID: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Sent this last night but I didn't know if it went through, I didn't see it. Sorry if you received it twice. Thanks guys, I drove it last night and ran great. Had it up to 60 mph for about 20 miles. Temperature was in the lower 70's. Maybe I didn't drive it long enough. When I have trouble is when the temperature is in the 90's. Let me ask another question, could oil make the car run hotter. I did an oil change and used Auto Zone brand oil. I usually use Valvoline oil. I still used 20 W 50 like I always use. Just trying to think of things I did since problem started. Also what is the reason for the spacer on the fuel pump? I heard two different reasons. One is that it makes the fuel pump run a little cooler and the other is you can use a fuel pump from a different model car (like a Chevy) that's more common. I'm going to put a 160 degree thermostat in to see if that helps. Also going to put a new fuel pump on but I can't understand why it only does it on a hot day. Unless the fuel pump acts up when it gets hot? Matt, you wouldn't happen to be going to the Vintage Grand Prix at Pittsburgh this weekend? I'll be there on Saturday but as of right now I wouldn't be driving my Spitfire there. Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 Ohio From gastul at roadrunner.com Wed Jul 21 05:24:34 2010 From: gastul at roadrunner.com (Greg Stull) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:24:34 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph References: <627C318A86E84B93A60C242A0D70F949@Stully> <4C463201.4020503@rmi.net> Message-ID: <84407A596E594612964338B984665217@Stully> Roger, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the tip. Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Elliott" To: "Greg Stull" Cc: "Spitfire Group" Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 7:32 PM Subject: Re: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph > Hi Greg, > > Fuel filters are a good start. I would also check all of the rubber hoses > under the car. My wife's 250 had gas problems - I chased it all over the > place - New filter, new fuel pump. Finally saw one of the rubber lines > had a kink in it. It must have been bent in the same place for years, but > it finally got soft enough that when there was suction through the line it > would collapse. I suspect it could be affected by heat as well. > > Roger Elliott > > Greg Stull wrote: >> Hello, >> >> I have been having problems with my Spitfire sputtering like it's running >> out >> of gas above 50 mph on hot days after it runs for a while at that speed >> especially going up hill. >> Thanks for any ideas. >> >> Greg >> 1978 Spitfire 1500 >> _______________________________________________ From rbgosling at googlemail.com Wed Jul 21 06:06:18 2010 From: rbgosling at googlemail.com (Richard Gosling) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:06:18 +0100 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph In-Reply-To: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Message-ID: > "I'm going to put a 160 degree thermostat in to see if that helps...." You cannot fix an overheating problem by using a lower temperature thermostat (unless the existing 'stat was faulty and failing to open, in which case a new standard temperature 'stat would work just as well). If your coolant is at 240deg, it makes no difference what 'stat you've got in there, a 180deg 'stat will be just as open as a 160deg 'stat. All that a lower temperature 'stat will do is open when the coolant reaches 160deg, delaying the engine getting to it's optimum operating temperature (more like 200deg), and allowing the engine to run cooler than optimum if conditions allow (i.e. travelling at reasonable constant speed with little load on the engine). If your engine has got a problem and wants to run hot, it'll reach that temperature regardless of what thermostat is fitted. Richard From spitlist at cox.net Wed Jul 21 10:59:30 2010 From: spitlist at cox.net (Joe Curry) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:59:30 -0700 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph In-Reply-To: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Message-ID: If the car does not already have a heat shield between the exhaust manifold and carb, I would start by installing one. Those things are easy to construct from sheet aluminum and are very effective at preventing the heat from the exhaust from boiling the fuel in the float bowl. Hopefully that will solve your problem. Joe -----Original Message----- From: spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Greg Stull Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 4:22 AM To: Spitfire Group Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph Sent this last night but I didn't know if it went through, I didn't see it. Sorry if you received it twice. Thanks guys, I drove it last night and ran great. Had it up to 60 mph for about 20 miles. Temperature was in the lower 70's. Maybe I didn't drive it long enough. When I have trouble is when the temperature is in the 90's. Let me ask another question, could oil make the car run hotter. I did an oil change and used Auto Zone brand oil. I usually use Valvoline oil. I still used 20 W 50 like I always use. Just trying to think of things I did since problem started. Also what is the reason for the spacer on the fuel pump? I heard two different reasons. One is that it makes the fuel pump run a little cooler and the other is you can use a fuel pump from a different model car (like a Chevy) that's more common. I'm going to put a 160 degree thermostat in to see if that helps. Also going to put a new fuel pump on but I can't understand why it only does it on a hot day. Unless the fuel pump acts up when it gets hot? Matt, you wouldn't happen to be going to the Vintage Grand Prix at Pittsburgh this weekend? I'll be there on Saturday but as of right now I wouldn't be driving my Spitfire there. Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 Ohio _______________________________________________ Spitfires at autox.team.net Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html Suggested annual donation $11.47 Archive: http://www.team.net/archive Forums: http://www.team.net/forums Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/spitlist at cox.net From doug at dougbraun.com Wed Jul 21 12:04:33 2010 From: doug at dougbraun.com (Douglas Braun) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:04:33 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph In-Reply-To: References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Message-ID: Did you ever resolve the potential fuel flow issue? If not, here is one test to do: Disconnect the fuel line at the carb input and route it to a jar or can. Disconnect the ignition so the engine cannot possibly run, Have a helper crank the starter for a few seconds. You should see a series of solid spurts of fuel from the end of the line as the engine cranks. Even at cranking RPMs, the pump should be able to supply more fuel than the engine would consume at full power. Also check for any crud blocking the input fitting on the carb. I think the Strombergs have a strainer there. Doug From gastul at roadrunner.com Wed Jul 21 15:32:10 2010 From: gastul at roadrunner.com (Greg Stull) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:32:10 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Message-ID: I have a heat shield between the carb and exhaust manifold. Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Curry" To: "'Greg Stull'" ; "'Spitfire Group'" Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:59 PM Subject: RE: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph > If the car does not already have a heat shield between the exhaust > manifold > and carb, I would start by installing one. Those things are easy to > construct from sheet aluminum and are very effective at preventing the > heat > from the exhaust from boiling the fuel in the float bowl. > > Hopefully that will solve your problem. > > Joe > > -----Original Message----- > From: spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net > [mailto:spitfires-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Greg Stull > Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 4:22 AM > To: Spitfire Group > Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph > > Sent this last night but I didn't know if it went through, I didn't see > it. > Sorry if you received it twice. > > Thanks guys, > > I drove it last night and ran great. Had it up to 60 mph for about 20 > miles. > Temperature was in the lower 70's. Maybe I didn't drive it long enough. > When > I > have trouble is when the temperature is in the 90's. > > Let me ask another question, could oil make the car run hotter. I did an > oil > change and used Auto Zone brand oil. I usually use Valvoline oil. I still > used > 20 W 50 like I always use. Just trying to think of things I did since > problem > started. > > Also what is the reason for the spacer on the fuel pump? I heard two > different > reasons. One is that it makes the fuel pump run a little cooler and the > other > is you can use a fuel pump from a different model car (like a Chevy) > that's > more common. > > I'm going to put a 160 degree thermostat in to see if that helps. Also > going > to put a new fuel pump on but I can't understand why it only does it on a > hot > day. Unless the fuel pump acts up when it gets hot? > > Matt, you wouldn't happen to be going to the Vintage Grand Prix at > Pittsburgh > this weekend? I'll be there on Saturday but as of right now I wouldn't be > driving my Spitfire there. > > Greg > 1978 Spitfire 1500 > Ohio > _______________________________________________ > > Spitfires at autox.team.net > Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html > Suggested annual donation $11.47 > Archive: http://www.team.net/archive > Forums: http://www.team.net/forums > Unsubscribe/Manage: > http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/spitlist at cox.net From gastul at roadrunner.com Wed Jul 21 15:55:35 2010 From: gastul at roadrunner.com (Greg Stull) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:55:35 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Message-ID: <45DE9DB2954E46639BD8C3E590C26F5D@Stully> Thanks Richard, I won't waste my time with a new thermostat. I changed the fluid last summer when I put new hoses on. Here's where the gauge runs. It might go up to the 3/4 mark but not above even in traffic. Is that running to hot? It was close to 90 when I took the picture. What in degrees are the marks? I was going to hook up another gauge I had but I didn't have the right adapter. Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard Gosling To: Greg Stull Cc: Spitfire Group Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:06 AM Subject: Re: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph "I'm going to put a 160 degree thermostat in to see if that helps...." You cannot fix an overheating problem by using a lower temperature thermostat (unless the existing 'stat was faulty and failing to open, in which case a new standard temperature 'stat would work just as well). If your coolant is at 240deg, it makes no difference what 'stat you've got in there, a 180deg 'stat will be just as open as a 160deg 'stat. All that a lower temperature 'stat will do is open when the coolant reaches 160deg, delaying the engine getting to it's optimum operating temperature (more like 200deg), and allowing the engine to run cooler than optimum if conditions allow (i.e. travelling at reasonable constant speed with little load on the engine). If your engine has got a problem and wants to run hot, it'll reach that temperature regardless of what thermostat is fitted. Richard [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg which had a name of 100_9604a.jpg] From gastul at roadrunner.com Wed Jul 21 16:01:48 2010 From: gastul at roadrunner.com (Greg Stull) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:01:48 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Message-ID: <1A802F25CE7C41A383ADE2380625E335@Stully> I have a Weber carb. Do they have a strainer? I'll have to check. I'll do your test as soon as I find a helper. Thanks. Greg 1978 Spitfire 1500 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Douglas Braun" To: "Greg Stull" ; "Spitfire Group" Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 2:04 PM Subject: Re: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph > Did you ever resolve the potential fuel flow issue? > > If not, here is one test to do: Disconnect the fuel line at the carb > input and route it to a jar or can. Disconnect the ignition so the > engine cannot possibly run, Have a helper crank the starter for a few > seconds. You should see a series of solid spurts of fuel from the end > of the line as the engine cranks. Even at cranking RPMs, the pump > should be able to supply more fuel than the engine would consume at > full power. > > Also check for any crud blocking the input fitting on the carb. I > think the Strombergs have a strainer there. > > Doug From growe58 at hotmail.com Wed Jul 21 19:59:20 2010 From: growe58 at hotmail.com (Greg Rowe) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:59:20 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph In-Reply-To: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> Message-ID: Not a perfect fit for the evidence, but easy enough to check - possibly your vapor recovery system is partially blocked? Eventually a vacuum builds up in the tank making it impossible to pump enough gas. You check for it simply by popping open the gas cap when the symptoms occur. If you hear a whoosh of in-rushing air, then yep, you have a blocked vapor recovery system. Good luck! "Other Greg" Rowe > From: gastul at roadrunner.com > To: spitfires at autox.team.net > Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:22:14 -0400 > Subject: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph > > Sent this last night but I didn't know if it went through, I didn't see it. > Sorry if you received it twice. > > Thanks guys, > > I drove it last night and ran great. Had it up to 60 mph for about 20 miles. > Temperature was in the lower 70's. Maybe I didn't drive it long enough. When I > have trouble is when the temperature is in the 90's. > > Let me ask another question, could oil make the car run hotter. I did an oil > change and used Auto Zone brand oil. I usually use Valvoline oil. I still used > 20 W 50 like I always use. Just trying to think of things I did since problem > started. > > Also what is the reason for the spacer on the fuel pump? I heard two different > reasons. One is that it makes the fuel pump run a little cooler and the other > is you can use a fuel pump from a different model car (like a Chevy) that's > more common. > > I'm going to put a 160 degree thermostat in to see if that helps. Also going > to put a new fuel pump on but I can't understand why it only does it on a hot > day. Unless the fuel pump acts up when it gets hot? > > Matt, you wouldn't happen to be going to the Vintage Grand Prix at Pittsburgh > this weekend? I'll be there on Saturday but as of right now I wouldn't be > driving my Spitfire there. > > Greg > 1978 Spitfire 1500 > Ohio > __ _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL :en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 From rbgosling at googlemail.com Thu Jul 22 01:24:30 2010 From: rbgosling at googlemail.com (Richard Gosling) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:24:30 +0100 Subject: [Spits] Gauge photo In-Reply-To: <92DDE86BC0564E48BA79CAB050FA30E9@Stully> References: <19E2EAD6AB8C4CE79175625D19458469@Stully> <92DDE86BC0564E48BA79CAB050FA30E9@Stully> Message-ID: Daffy (my Spit) passed away several years ago, but as far as I remember my gauge tended to read at or just over 1/2 once warmed up, and would go up to about 3/4 in stop/start traffic on a warm day, so this level of reading wouldn't unduly worry me on it's own. I'd be wary of putting too exact a number on the gauge positions, I suspect both sensors and guages vary somewhat from one to the next, so they won't be consistent. Only way to know for sure what temperature it is at is to remove the radiator cap (carefully!) when hot and stick in a thermometer, or use one of those fancy infra-red temperature sensor thingys. Unless it's faulty, your thermostat will have opened long before your engine gets to the temperature shown, whether it's a standard or low temperature 'stat. One question - how's your fuel gauge behaving? If it's over-reading (beyond 'full' when just topped up) then your engine isn't overheating at all, both gauges are over-reading because your voltage regulator has packed in. I'd also be tempted to try running one of those radiator flush products through the engine, there's likely several decades of crud that could be blocking the passageways and impeding proper coolant flow. But I'm still not convinved that your poor running problem is caused by overheating, or at least not only by overheating... Richard On 22 July 2010 00:51, Greg Stull wrote: > Here the picture of the gauge. Don't go through on the list. > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Richard Gosling > *To:* Greg Stull > *Cc:* Spitfire Group > *Sent:* Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:06 AM > *Subject:* Re: [Spits] Sputtering when hot above 50 mph > > "I'm going to put a 160 degree thermostat in to see if that helps...." > > > > You cannot fix an overheating problem by using a lower temperature > thermostat (unless the existing 'stat was faulty and failing to open, in > which case a new standard temperature 'stat would work just as well). If > your coolant is at 240deg, it makes no difference what 'stat you've got in > there, a 180deg 'stat will be just as open as a 160deg 'stat. > > All that a lower temperature 'stat will do is open when the coolant reaches > 160deg, delaying the engine getting to it's optimum operating temperature > (more like 200deg), and allowing the engine to run cooler than optimum if > conditions allow (i.e. travelling at reasonable constant speed with little > load on the engine). If your engine has got a problem and wants to run hot, > it'll reach that temperature regardless of what thermostat is fitted. > > Richard From StagByTriumph at triumphstagclub.org Sun Jul 25 14:13:47 2010 From: StagByTriumph at triumphstagclub.org (Glenn A. Merrell - TSN) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:13:47 -0600 Subject: [Spits] Stags at the Kastner Cup Races in Topeka Kansas USA August 19-22 Message-ID: <4C4C9AFB.8050905@triumphstagclub.org> Hi All, I am wondering how many folks are going to the Friends of Triumph Kastner Cup Races in Topeka Kansas August 19-22 ( featured race info http://www.heartlandvintageracing.com/) where Triumph is the featured Marque? This is a convenient day's drive from a lot of places in the Central USA, and across a weekend too! I'd like to see a strong showing of ALL Triumphs including Triumph Stags show up in the Heartland as there has not been a good gathering of "the herd" in several years now, certainly not one exceeding a count close to 24 Stags !! It is well past the time for new things to happen in the long term support and enjoyment of our cars. There are easily over 100 Stags within a days drive of Topeka (not to mention many hundreds of other Triumphs) ... so it would be a very convenient gathering of the herd, we could coordinate a spot in the race paddocks reserved just for Triumph Stags smack dab in the middle of FoT, maybe have Uncle Jack as the center piece with all the TTA stickers ?? How appropriate!!! If you are planning on attending, want to talk Triumphs, Triumph Stags, coordinating new Triumph Stag support in North America including herding options, please contact me off list and do actively continue this discussion on the Forums! Cheers! -- Glenn Merrell TSN Admin http://www.triumphstag.net mailto:StagByTriumph at triumphstagclub.org From fpspitfire at comcast.net Sun Jul 25 19:06:03 2010 From: fpspitfire at comcast.net (fpspitfire at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:06:03 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Spits] spitfire rear valence trim needed Message-ID: <1542073874.508208.1280106363690.JavaMail.root@sz0072a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Anyone out there have chrome rear valence pieces sitting around on a parts car collecting dust.B I really just need the centre lower piece, but would take all of them.B These chrome ones are forB a 72' or so MkIV or 1500.B The car is black so the black ones aren't what I'm looking for. amazing how mangled they get when a car is backed into the tire barrier Aaron Johnson #87 HP Spitfire1500 Southern Illinois Region SCCA From mkcaspian1 at aol.com Mon Jul 26 19:08:36 2010 From: mkcaspian1 at aol.com (mkcaspian1 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:08:36 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Spitfire speaker - original location?? Message-ID: <8CCFB3F60059E47-12F0-4380@webmail-m094.sysops.aol.com> Hello - I have a 78 Spitfire in the final stages of reconstruction. I have new parcel shelves to install, and I believe the single speaker came from the right parcel shelf. How is that installed? Do I have to cut a hole in the back of the parcel shelf to make room? How was it done originally? John - 1978 Spitfire - Soon to be "On the road again" From lgriffinnc at bellsouth.net Mon Jul 26 19:31:41 2010 From: lgriffinnc at bellsouth.net (LARRY C GRIFFIN) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:31:41 -0400 Subject: [Spits] Raleigh NC Classic Car Show 7/31/10 Message-ID: I learned of this show through a friend that works with the realty company that developed North Hills. The show is open to all makes of classic cars and has no entry fee. I was specifically asked to share the news with all my Triumph friends. If anyone wants to attend, I'd love to get a contingent of Triumphs together. No financial interest, etc.. Show information follows below. Thanks, Larry Come join us for the 1st Annual Bruegger's North Hills Classic Car Show taking place on July 31st 2010 from 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM. The parking lot adjacent to Bruegger's North Hills will be ground zero for some of the best Classic Cars in the city. Admission is free and any Classic Car owner is welcome to show off their ride at no charge (tell your Classic Car friends). Awards will be given in several "Best of" categories and a DJ will be on site spinning favorite songs from the 60's and 70's. Bring the family for a day of fun and great cars. For more information call Bruegger's North Hills at (919) 781-5733. See you there. http://www.brueggersnorthhills.com/ _________________ From bberger720 at sbcglobal.net Tue Jul 27 04:29:09 2010 From: bberger720 at sbcglobal.net (Berger Bob) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:29:09 -0500 Subject: [Spits] Spitfire speaker - original location?? In-Reply-To: <8CCFB3F60059E47-12F0-4380@webmail-m094.sysops.aol.com> References: <8CCFB3F60059E47-12F0-4380@webmail-m094.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: The single speaker in the parcel shelf was mounted vertically in the outside corner of the shelf. You may have an angle bracket mounted to the sheet metal above where the shelf rail mounts. The speaker was attached to a separate square piece of the same material the shelves are made out of. I think the mounting board was bent at the end where it attached to the fire wall with one of the same screws that hold up the back of the shelf. I don't have the speaker but I can take a picture and point out the mounting points if you want me to. Berger Bob 78 Spitfire St. Louis, MO NASS #627 http://web.me.com/bobberger/Site/Photos/Photos.html On Jul 26, 2010, at 8:08 PM, mkcaspian1 at aol.com wrote: > Hello - I have a 78 Spitfire in the final stages of reconstruction. > I have > new parcel shelves to install, and I believe the single speaker came > from the > right parcel shelf. How is that installed? Do I have to cut a hole > in the > back of the parcel shelf to make room? How was it done originally? > John - 1978 Spitfire - Soon to be "On the road again" > _______________________________________________ > > Spitfires at autox.team.net > Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html > Suggested annual donation $11.47 > Archive: http://www.team.net/archive > Forums: http://www.team.net/forums > Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spitfires/bberger720 at sbcglobal.net