I am so far behind this spring.
If I get to drive by late May I'll be impressed.
Anyone else wishing they could trade sleep for garage time?
I am so far behind this spring.
If I get to drive by late May I'll be impressed.
Anyone else wishing they could trade sleep for garage time?
Behind on car work or behind on driving?
I'm not doing so good with wrenching... but partly because I've been trying to keep the Spit6 driveable for events... I'm guessing I have about 400 miles on the car so far this season.
I have a meet this Sat, but then hope to put it up on the lift to finally get the GT6 front brakes installed. I just have to make sure it's back together for the drive out to Carlisle on May 14.
Got the ZXT out of storage - and moved to the home garage...but have been sidelined since with chores that seem to mysteriously appear...like the 10 yards of topsoil that's still not spread.
Haven't even called the insurance to put road coverage back on...
Maybe next week??
GWGarrard
Same here! I had to fix my Toyota pickup - head gasket - before I could even think about other garage projects.
Then there is the garden my wife want me to get tilled.
Then there is the fixing of some of the outbuildings.
Then there is...
Actually, I will pick up the injector pump for the Landy today or Monday. So that will get that old guy up and running again (touch wood). So I guess I will have one of two running before the middle of May.
Tad
I had the 72 spit out a few times the past week but I started to hear a bearing type noise in the diff so I parked it Tuesday. I have both garage bays taken up right now. The 63 spit race car is in the final stages of prep for the first race of the season next week at Pocono. The new engine/tranny/diff combo is mostly sorted out but the new alternator isn't working. I need to find out why there's no voltage to the field coil.
The GT6 has been on jack stands for 3 weeks now. I put a complete exhaust system with headers and dual exhaust but ran into quality problems. I was able to spend a few hours grinding parts to get the headers to fit but now I'm waiting for missing parts in the hardware install kit. While it was on the jack stands, I noticed the brake master cylinder was leaking. I did a rebuild but it didn't last long enough to finish bleeding the system. Put in a new one so at least I shouldn't have to worry about the brakes on this Triumph for the season.
The good news, the kids come home from college for the summer next week and if they want to drive a Triumph, and they do, I'll have some help.
I'm having fun, right?
mike
I've been driving the J-H most of the week, the Jensenator is coming along nicely, the Abomination is ready for the next autocross and for a short while I have no LeMons car to bash on. 
But tomorrow is Chore Day. 
I was getting my '80 MGB ready for the summer, and the headlight switch came apart in my hand, so I can't drive at night until I find another switch. Moss doesn't have them listed in their catalog, does anyone know where I can get one?
I got the Jaguar XJ12-C back from the painter, and have yet to finish final assembly, basically just the bumpers and side glass left to do. I guess I'll concentrate on the Jaguar, until I find a switch for the MG.
The Jaguar was gone so long, I think I'll paint the MG TD myself, it needs it. Maybe next year.
Dave
Did all the winter maintenance, but you never know what'll happen. Last Friday night while prepping for a Saturday outing, I noticed the clutch slave cylinder dripping. That's been corrected now and went for a nice drive yesterday and have a trip to Williamsburg Winery on tap for tomorrow (rain in forecast though).
Next week I'm going to drive the car to San Diego to see my Grandma and aunt for mother's day. Part of the reason I like doing it is I get to put another 1000miles on the beast, but when I get back I'm going to have to do the rear suspension bushings, rear shocks, and transmission service so the car is going to be down probably 2-3weeks if I can get it done. Not quite as intesive as you folks, but we all have much work, not to mention I still have to do plenty of work on the house.
Dave,
For your switch, if all else fails, try here: Vintage Motor Spares
The BDA swap is complete, I just need to wrap up the loose ends, run it up, knock out a leak check, and do a couple of test flights. I should be good to go after that...Of course thats the abridged version.
The local club has a run planned for the 9th.
I'll have to hammer through a few more hours of setup time and then do all my checks.
Might be time to use one of those cashed OT days this week.
GT6 was out for a run tonight.
Not too bad at all with the new ignition.
I will have to check over the carb settings.
Smells a bit too rich.
Mine always runs rich (same Mk I engine)... of course, it runs and starts easily... so I'm hesitant to fiddle with the carbs too much... but they will definitely need a rebuild eventually... MPG seems to average in the mid-upper 20's, so I'm not complaining too much.
I did a nice 225 mile car show round-trip on Sat... and then yesterday completely tore down the front suspension... Hopefully, my new (used, but not broken like mine) LCA will arrive today or tomorrow.
Calling Spit Bits in a few minutes to order more stuff... 
Uhh, let's see... '80 TR7 Spider- Awaiting engine/gearbox reinstall, '72 'B- Waiting for the cherry picker to come free so it can have its very tired lump to be rebuilt. '80 Fiat Spider- Looking for a new home (Cheap parts or project alert!). '78 Z-28- Maybe this winter. '78 Mazda Cosmo- Maybe next winter. So many projects, so little cash. Cheers, Scott
I've been working on the ignition and re-did all the carb gaskets last winter.
So was a little surprised when I light up the back end by ancient.
I will run out that current tank of gas before I start on the carbs. Need to clean the filters too.
Progress at least.
Can't wait to install the new interior.
A.
Ian, were you at the car show at the Dutchess county fairgrounds this weekend? Saturday was for the rods, Sunday, when I went was for classics and muscle cars. I drove the 77 Mercedes 450 SLC for the first time this year. I didn't show it but in the spectator parking lot I was next to a 2010 Camaro. Behind me was a 60's Porche speedster and next to him was an Aston Martin. The view inside was pretty good too. Lots of cars for sale in the car corral, many at reasonable prices.
In order to keep this post on topic, I finished prep on the race car this weekend. I'm off to Pocono for a regional double header next weekend which means I'll keep falling behind on what I need to get done, but it'll be worth it.
mike
One day Mike one day :)
I was just watching some friends in the UK having fun at Cadwell this past weekend.
I have to behave and resist the temptation to work the GT6 up to a track day car.
I mean I could do it, but that's taking money away from the "race car" fund.
Waiting and being patient sucks :)
A.
Could not leave well enough alone.
Was not happy with the new bracket for the remote oil filter.
So I ripped it off.
Alt is off. Oil cooler is off. Will remove the rad, carbs and intake while I'm in there.
Need to grind the frame... So while the rad is off I'll swap in the new ported intake and SU Heat shield. Clean up a few odds and ends.
I guess it will be a few more weekends before I put her on the road again.
Always improving.
A.
I took a vacation day yesterday just to work on the TVR. Behind? Always, it seems.
Yep just looked in a few more days off mid May.
I am always impressed how much I can do with a full day off. Asked my wife really nicely if she did not mind...
Its one of those well if I'm doing this job might as well do this job.
All small stuff, but it does add up.
With the long weekend and extra few days off I should be running the last week of May. Might even have time to do the interior trim!
Work list Drain & remove rad. Remove carbs, lines & links. Remove heater valve & hoses Remove Intake. Remove fan. Clean trigger wheel welds and paint. Clean water pump pulley and paint. Paint EDIS sensor mount. Paint rad shroud. Grind, clean and prep frame for welding. Weld remote oil filter mount to frame. Paint and clean frame. Clean and install ported intake. Modify and install SU carb heat shield. Clean and reinstall SU 1.75" carbs. Cut and paint throttle cable bracket. Wire loom EDIS sensor and MAP hose. Reinstall heater valve and hoses. Locktite oil pan bolts. Hunt for that silly leak. Reinstall fan, rad, alt and so on. Install oil cooler and remote oil system. Remove exhaust & drive shaft. Drain trans, use 75w90 Redline oil (GL5). Swap 1/2 shaft with new brake cylinders & studs Inspect, adjust and install 389 diff. Fill with MT-90 (GL4) from Redline. Change oil and drive.
I have been driving the Fiat regularly. I replaced the fuel lines and battery since they both 10 years old. Now to check again the fuel clamps since one always seems to be found loose after a few warmups.
Cheers Ron
OFracing wrote: Ian, were you at the car show at the Dutchess county fairgrounds this weekend?
No... I was at a little local show in York on Sat. One the NASS guys lives nearby and was trying to get as many local Spits to show up... I was the only one to brave the weather (my car is ugly enough that a little rain doesn't worry me). Actually turned out to be a nice day and was able to drive the rest fo the day with thte top down... including the drive back east across the PATP... and I even got a trophy! Not bad for an ugly little Spit 6... 
On Sunday I started in on rebuildign the front suspension and installing GT6 front brakes. Everything is torn down... some parts installed... rear stainless hoses... some poly bushings... currently waiting for new 'sport' springs and Spax shocks from Spit-Bits which will (hopefully) arrive on Thursday. My new(used) non-cracked LH LCA arrived and that will go on tonight...
Having done much of this work on my ex's Spitfire on jack-stands, I can't explain how much easier the work is with the car 3+' off the ground on my lift...
There's a glimpse of hope the car may actually be drivable again by the weekend. 
I'd love to do a few shake-down runs prior to driving out to Carlisle next Thursday.
I found a headlight switch at:
http://www.northwestimportparts.com/
It came the day after I ordered it!
Well now I have to put it in the B.
Dave
ok so I was able to grind, clean and weld without removing the rad.
So most of the above list is on hold.
The excitement from last night was trying to grind with my 7" grinder. A little too big and powerful. (4" is on loan.) And then I had to switch the spool on the Mig. Ran out of gas so I swapped over to a gas-less wire. Damn coil exploded off the spool... Wire everywhere. It was comical to say the least, but I managed to weld the bracket on solid. Will put the GT6 back together and should make the weekend run...
Yeah.
Revised list.
I will have to go over those welds when the smaller grinder comes home.
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