Shorrock Trial Fit

Here's the Shorrock unit trial fitted to the engine to ensure alignment with the manifolds, carb, pulleys, etc. The inlet manifolds have been bead blasted and the HS4 SU has been rebuilt by Andrew Turner.

Now the crank and Shorrock pulleys are in position I can measure the distance and order the right size belts. The Shorrock is driven from two 'V' belts. The length of the belts is critical as there is no means to tension them. I have been considering a belt tensioner or jockey wheel, but I hope some decent belts of the correct size will do the job.

The full width radiator is currently away being re-cored.

Round the other side of the engine, the 123 distributor is now fitted along with a set of Magnecor KV85 HT leads.

Roof On!

I go away on holiday for the week, and come back to find Paul has got the headlining in, roof on, windscreen in, sills on, brightwork on, bootlid on, rear lights in, fuel tank in, exhaust system on, wheels on! It looks gorgeous! Just need to get the radiator and plumbing sorted before firing it up.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine and gearbox are finally back in the car.

The engine now sports a modified 4 branch stainless steel exhaust manifold. Modifications were required to clear the Shorrock inlet manifold on primaries no. 2 and 3, and no. 1 needed pulling in to clear the Shorrock unit itself. Underneath, the Y piece exits at 1 5/8" running all the way to the back with a single silencer just clearing the towbar bracket. The front of the cylinder head has been drilled and tapped out to accept a bigger stud to handle the weight of the Shorrock unit. On my previous Shorrock installation, the original bolt broke and I'm hoping the bigger stud will alleviate the problem.

The 3 rail gearbox internals are now housed in a new aluminium gearbox casing from Canley Classics. The bell housing is an original aluminium item sourced many years ago from Bill Davies at Rarebits4classics. On the back of the box is a D type overdrive unit.

It's coming together really well, and I can't wait to get it on the road!

Spitfire MOT Passed

After a minor issue with the handbrake, I'm glad to report Sarah's Spitfire passed the MOT. After being sat in the garage for a couple of years, I'd forgotten how quick and nimble the Spitfire is. We've had a couple of enquiries, but if you're looking for an example of a nice MkIII this one ticks many boxes.



Further photos and details at -
http://9700vc.blogspot.com/2009/05/spitfire-mk3-anyone.html

We Have an Engine!

It took longer than originally expected, but on Saturday I collected my engine. The basic spec is as follows -

BORE : Plus 0.040"
STROKE : 76mm
SWEPT VOLUME : 1183.6cc
COMPRESSION RATIO : 7.76:1
CON RODS : Lightened, balanced and shot peened
CRANKSHAFT : Shaped, nitrided and balanced
FLYWHEEL : Lightweight and balanced

Here it is hanging on the crane after receiving a few coats of paint.

Load Adjusters

A job I should have done a while ago, but have only just got round to, was ditching the shocking "Load Adjusters" on the back of the 2000. Any caravan-pulling 2000 owners want them (!) let me know before they go in the bin.

Hopefully the rear end will now settle down a little.

Just Another Set of Minilites?

It's amazing what you can pick up on eBay. Here's what looks like a really tatty set of Minilites a previous owner decided to paint red. However, these are magnesium Minilites that have spent the past 20 years or so on a TR6 down Salisbury way. The seller had owned the wheels since 1985 and was told they had come from Abingdon Special Tuning Department. Apparently they'd come off a car that had "competed in a Monte Carlo Rally" or something. When I suggested it was maybe the World Cup Rally, he said, "yeah that's it". The tyres aren't bad either. Ho hum...