I Found A Russet Brown Triumph Spitfire 1500
Its Amazing What Some People Throw Away...
Triumph Tune block..it had been stored in a garage for
about 7-8 years..(later found out in sw20)
The same day got blown out on a sale of a spitfire, girl pulled
put and wanted to keep the car,..someone gave me a
handful of dvds he found in a bin with no covers..came home..found/
rescued car got a mate to elp wheel it in to my garden
one was on triumph sports cars??!!! totaly true and some what
freaky!!..anyway..
dosnt fire up..i bypassed the fuel tank via a petrol can into
the fuel pump to try to fire her up..i also took the pie pan
covers of the twin su set up and sprayed 'easy start' into
them..which made her fire up, back fire ..big puff of blue
smoke from the carbs..(which had a smell of burnt
oil?)..and then just turning over again and no firing up/
backfiring ? it seems the pump wasn't sucking in the
fuel..so im assuming that, its a pump i need?
buying new stuff. i did take the pump off and check the
suction, made sure everything was tight and it seemed ok? the checked the timing, points plugs ect..
I have named her 'Sienna' as she's very sexy and gets about a bit!!
going to tackle the clutch..the pedal is very soft and light to
pump..i did ask a triumph shop for a clutch disc thinking it
was this that was the problem..he wouldn't sell me one
until i had checked the whole clutch system, at this point
my head went all fuzzy and i couldn't understand what he
was saying other than "pah..you triumph owners!!" ..so i contacted Jim, who is a very friendly and wise man old man who lives in a shack in the USA made from old Triumphs, via the Triumph questions web site..(see link below) and this is what he said
"Marc, The clutch on the Spitfire is hydraulically controlled. When you step on the clutch pedal you pump some fluid from the clutch master cylinder (right next to the brake master) through the steel tube down to the clutch slave that's attached to the transmission release arm.
What typically happens is that either you get air in the system or the hydraulic seals let go. There are two methods to remove air from the system.
The first is to remove a seat, the front carpet and the trans tunnel to expose the clutch slave. There's a 7/16" bleed nipple on the slave... what works best is to put a piece of 1/4" inner diameter clear tube (vinyl) onto the end of the bleed nipple so you can watch the fluid come out. If you have a RHD Spitfire you may need to get a friend to help out by pushing down on the pedal as you open the bleed nipple. Close the nipple before letting up on the pedal. Keep checking the fluid level in the reservoir as it's easy to bleed the system dry... then you have to start all over again.
The "American" method is to top up the fluid reservoir then prop the clutch pedal against the firewall using a piece of lumber we refer to as a "2 x 4". Let it sit for several days... gravity tend to send most of the bubbles up to the reservoir. Sounds crazy... but it's how I get my race car clutch working after sitting for the winter.
If that doesn't cure the problem or you notice fluid leaking then it's time to rebuild or replace the master and slave. If you do one, do the other as it's likely about to give out also.
If that still doesn't cure the problem and you verify that the clutch release arm is being pushed in but the clutch action is still not satisfactory then the problem might just be with the clutch mechanism itself.
That's a discussion for another day.
(see update below)
Cheers,
Jim ..
So I set out with good intentions..but first thought i would just check the fuel lines of blockages before starting as it was bugging me...i undone all the fuel lines and cleared some plastic bag from one pipe (?) and replaced them all, turned her over, but still no fuel from the tank..so a full strip down of the tank and lines is required. Hmmm...Even though the car is overall in good/fair condition i expecting some trouble. But this is to be expected...More Soon...April 2006
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP RESTORE THIS CAR PLEASE DONATE TO THE 'I FOUND A RUSSET BROWN SPITFIRE 1500 RESTORATION APPEAL' VIA PAYPAL TO BONGOBEARDY2005@YAHOO.COM. THE KIND PEOPLE OF TINTERNET HAVE DONTATED A WHOPPING £386.79p. SO FAR AND I THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH..I AM NOW IN THE MIND SET OF WHEN THE CAR IS COMPLETE, I SHALL LIST IT ON EBAY AND GIVE THE MONEY TO HELP SAVING LITTLE MONKEYS OR GOATS...OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT...ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL ME AT INFO@BONGOBEARDY.CO.UK
HISTORY OF THE CAR AND MAKER
Two years before the end of MkIV production, Triumph had already introduced the 1,493cc engine in MkIV's for the US market, albeit with a single Zenith Stromberg carburettor. Changing the design to conform with US emission regulations had robbed so much of the old engine's power that an increase in swept volume was badly needed.
In December 1974, the 1,493cc engine was also introduced on other markets, in a mildly reworked model called the 'Spitfire 1500'. The engine, which was basically a stroked version of the old 1300cc engine, produced 71bhp and mated to a simpler 'Marina' gearbox, turned the Spitfire into a genuine 100Mph (161km/h) car for the first time. Fuel consumption was no higher than before but the car was much more flexible to drive, thanks to improved torque.
Throughout its production life, many detail changes were made to the 1500. The main visual upgrade happened in 1976, when - in keeping with the fashion of the time - the bright stainless steel windscreen wipers, chromed door handles and door mirrors were replaced with matte black items. In 1977 the old steering column switchgear, which still stemmed from the days of the Triumph Herald, was upgraded to more modern TR7 column stalks. A few months later, the all-vinyl seats were replaced with cloth-vinyl seats.
Apart from minor changes, British Leyland did not invest in the Spitfire. BL originally planned to keep the Spitfire in production until 1982, but in 1980 it was quickly discovered that the old Triumph 1,500cc engine could not possibly meet new Californian emissions regulations. Since around half of Spitfire sales at that time took place in California, this meant that production halved and became uneconomical. Besides, the car was an old design after 18 years in production and could no longer compete with more modern offerings like Fiat's X-1/9 and BL's own TR7.
The last Spitfire 1500, an Inca Yellow specimen with hardtop and overdrive, rolled off the assembly line at Canley in August 1980, bearing commission number TFADW5AT009898. It was never sold and is still in the British Motor Heritage museum at Gaydon today.
Aftermath
The end of the Triumph story is not a happy one. In the eighties, British Leyland was troubled by bad products, bad management and a less than motivated workforce. New products like the Triumph TR7 suffered from underdevelopment and mediocre quality. Production of the TR7/8, the last true Triumph sports car, ended in 1981. The Triumph name appeared for the last time on a saloon car named Acclaim. This was little more than a rebadged Honda Ballade, which was in itself based on the Honda Civic platform of the second generation. The Triumph brand name is today owned by BMW.
Removed Ignition Barrell and Steering Lock!
BRAKES AND HOSES NOW BEING REPLACES+SHOCKS.CANT UPDATE WEB SITE JUNE 2006
BRAKES AND HOSES NOW BEING REPLACES+SHOCKS. JUNE 2006
TIME OFF FOR ROOF BUILDING WORK..
DEC 2006 ROOF DONE...
HAVE NOW REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE DISCS (RENEWED) AND RUBBERS..SPRINGS WAITING TO GO ON...GEAR BOX REMOVED AWAITING A OVERDRIVE BOX TO BE DELIVERED AND INSTALLED BY BOB AND MY SELF. RENAMED HER SIENNA AS I'M IN LOVE!!
(I saw the real Sienna Miller in a small shop in west london...such a little cute elfin babe, Jude was giving me dirty looks..whooaaahahahahaha - (Evil Laugh) WELL!..she was taking so long to choose a dress, what else am i gonna look at!)
More Tales Of Grease n Monkeys..
DEC 2006
TOOK OUT GEAR BOX..AND ALL SEEMS FINE; THE GEARS WE NOT SELECTING WHILE IN THE CAR, BUT OW SEEM TO SELECT? WEIRD? TOOK OUT CLUTCH PLATE AND THE ARE I FAIR CONDITIOIN THE LAST OWNER UPGRADED TO FERADO (?) PARTS..WE ARE GOING TO PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER AFTER WASHING THE GEAR BOX IN PARAFIN AND SEE IF SIENNA WILL DO A LITTLE BACKWARDS FORWARDS DANCE..? I HAVE DECIDED TO KEEP THE GEAR BOX IF IT WORKS INSTEAD OF GETTING A OVERDRIVE BOX AND REPLACE. I WOULD RATHER NOT SPEND ANY OF THE MONEY DONATED ON 'UPGRADES' AS THERE ARE OTHER VITAL PARTS NEEDED.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS MORE IN THE NEW YEAR.
ALL THE BEST
BONGOBEARDY & BoB @ GLEDWOOD TRIUMPHS 2006
If you have any comments or advice you could share with me please email me, as I dont know my "Arse from me Elbow" when it comes to restoring a classic car! (ITS A GOOD JOB BOB DOES!)
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WOW..MARCH 2008...AND SHE'S STILL NOT READY...I GOT MADE EDUNDENT AND ALL MY CASH IS GOING INTO COLLECTING RUBBISH FROM EBAY...BUT SIENNA IS DOING OK...
SHE'S HAD A TANK STRIP DOWN...(OOOH ERR MISSES!) ...NEW BRAKE LINES.. AND IS GOING INTO BoB's GARAGE THIS SPRING FOR ALL THE WELDING TO BE DONE...
NOT MUCH THOUGH...FLOOR PAN AND A SEAL... I WILL POST SOME VIDEOS SOON ON PHOTOBUCKET :
MEMBER NAME: BONGOBEARDY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OF YOU FOR YOUR DONTATIONS.. THEY ARE BEING SPENT ON THE CAR..HONEST!
I WOULDN'T SWINDLE ANY OF YOU...
THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE CAR!
REMEMBER BUY BRITISH!
MORE SOON
BONGOBEARDY MARCH 2008
So one whole year later.. and now the engine has been removed.. and a new clutch plate put in place.. to solve the problem of the gears not selecting.. after replacing the engine.. we noticed that the cutch slave cylinder has broken from its housing and was letting in air... so after alot of hunting in the gargage.. BoB found one and put it on.. and as if by magic.. the gears are now selecting.. so now we gonna test it down the alley..I CANT WAIT!..
As for funds.. well it being credit crunch time.. not so much as a penny has come into the Spitfire fund.. which is ok.. but thanks again for all your support.. Seinna Loves You All.!
More soon as i have remembered my password.. and hopefully some pics too..!
Stay Well everyone..
BongoBeardy Feb 2009.
SO ITS NOW THE END OF MARCH 2009 - BOB AND MYSELF HAVE TESTED THE CAR AND THE GEARS WORK..
WE HAVE ALSO WELDED THE EXHAUSE BACK TOGETHER (SAVE ON COST - SEE PICS) WHICH MAKES THE CAR SOUND NORMAL.. NOT LIKE A MUSTANG ON HEAT!
THE BATTERY BOX HAS BEEN REPLACED AS THE OLD ONE WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR.. WE ARE NOW WAITING FOR THE FLOOR PAN TO ARRIVE AND WE WILL THEN PEPLACE THIS..
TODAY WHILE FITTING THE PIPES.. I FOUND ANOTHER HOLE IN THE REAR BACK PANEL UNDER THE BOOT LID.. WHICH WILL NOW HAVE TO BE REPLACED TOO.. SO A BIT MORE EXPENSE AND TIME BEFORE SIENNA WILL BE ON THE ROAD.. BUT HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE SUMMER SHE WILL BE !
A BIG THANK YOU TO BoB .. FOR ALL HIS HELP SO FAR.. (IN FACT HE HAD DONE EVERYTHING..ALL I DO I MIMICK BUNGLE FROM RAINBOW.. AND THE MEERKAT FROM THE ADVERT..! SIMPLES!)
BONGOBEARDY MARCH 2009
