1973 Triumph Spitfire - Done - Collected

Don't know but its good job the vicar wasn't calling in for morning coffee as there were some pretty longish expletive's uttered 

Just wondering about the gloves you are wearing in previous update Chris, have tried the medical variety (in plentiful supply due to Jayne being in that line of work) but they usually last 30 seconds before they're ripped and useless. I'm sure you will have cracked the question of a robust glove that still allows the required level of dexterity?

Most nitrile gloves are useless - the black ones though are the best I have ever come across and great for paint / greasy jobs - 'Starchem' is the brand 



A hunt on the internet should find a supplier - if not please advise and I'll get you a box from my paint supplier and send them up to you 

For most other uses I use a thin polyester / pvc faced glove like this 



Available here 

www.zoro.co.uk/shop/personal-protection-and-clothing/mechanical-hazard-gloves/2400250-perfect-poly-palm-side-coated-grey-gloves/f/82205?query=honeywell%20gloves 

Looking good, I love the screenwash button on these. Like a little water pistol

Looked at the washers & wipers this morning - no action from either of them - washers are manual pump but part of the wiper switch - removed the switch and disconnected the washer pipes - used the blow gun to send air down them - managed to sort the washer bottle to the pump and once primed had water to it - pump to washer jets still nothing - cleaned the jets - still nothing - ok take the pipes apart then 



This section had become really stiff and was blocked at one end - replaced with a new section 



That's washers sorted - now no power to the wipers - blown fuse - replace fuse - switch on wipers and it blows again 




Checked the gang plug out first - a burnt earth had melted part of the gang plug and was making a connection to one of the switched circuits - soon sorted with cleaning & new insulation 



Net result working wipers on the first speed 



And the second speed - great - now lets just hope that they self park 



Full house 



Oil & filter next - draining the oil was easy but the filter was stupidly overtight to the point I couldn't budge it - couldn't get anything on to the lip edge either to tap it round - a visitor resolved the issue - moglite called in to collect a part that I had for him and flexed his muscles and got it to turn - new filter fitted - new gasket on the rocker box cover too - and the fresh oil could go in 

 

Nearside rear wing mid way through a flat & polish 



Completed and the badge & flange trim refitted 



Likewise for the offside 



Then lots of masking 



Followed by 



4 litres of Dinitrols 4941 underbody wax 



Applied to the chassis and the new floorpans 



Front outriggers 



Front chassis & valance sections 



Front wheel tubs 



Along with the rear wheel tubs 




I'll give it check over in the morning to ensure that I've not missed anywhere prior to removing the masking 



Now working to a completion list and not too much to do - I've located a pair of door window regulators but it will be several days before they arrive - they need to remove them from the door shells and get them posted off to me but there's a queue of other orders in the front of mine - more tomorrow 

Checked the underbody treatment for anywhere that I may have missed (only found one really tiny spot) which got sorted and then the car could be demasked 



Wheels back on along with the wheel trims 



Rear bumper refitted - cleaned up & the number plate lamps checked 



Which now allowed for the boot trim to be refitted and the spare wheel to be stored - Jack & wheelbrace also checked & stored 



Drained the gearbox & overdrive oil - magnetic sump plug has been doing its job 



Had to get inventive with the gravity filling method - you would not have stood a chance with 1 litre bottles and squeezing the oil up the straw game 



Brackets made - new leads made up and a battery isolator switch fitted 



Loads of other minor stuff done - sill step trims fitted, anti freeze & water filled, nearside engine splash cover fitted, door check straps fitted, all the grease points lubricated  etc 



Car now back off the stands & on the floor, wheel nuts torqued & tyre pressures done - I'll add some fuel to the tank in the morning and check the engine for starting with the new ignition components before servicing the carbs 



A few items added to the list but a good number crossed off - I have a little running around in the morning to do but should see virtually everything off the list tomorrow - just a few items that I'm waiting on then to come into stock before its complete - more tomorrow 

Remember balancing those linkages only too well!

Looking great, if I may say so. Tip top...

Cheers

M

Cleaned up a few rusty areas around the master cylinders where someone had spilt Dot 4 brake fluid which had eaten into the paint and allowed rust to develop - treated with few dabs of Hydrate 80 



Brushed some colour in over the areas once they were dry - I'll give them another coat and then spray the area with a transparent wax coat before the car returns to its owner 



Most of the studs had gone missing on the center hood hoop which would allow the hood flap about against the frame hoops 



I managed to replace the studs instu - another job off the list 




 
Checked the antifreeze strength 



Then the car could see daylight again 



Ran the car up to temperature - put the trade plates on and off to fill it with petrol 



 Then ran it out for a decent road test - pulls nicely - handles well and stops in a short space - a few rattles but nothing of any concern - it is after all a 47 year sports car that was built by British Leyland 



The door glass regulators are on order but probably several days away yet - my workshop is small & I need the space so the Spitfire was loaded to the trailer and is now tucked away in the barn - a few minor jobs to complete once it returns for the regulators to be fitted then it can be returned to the client 
 

I was going to make a comment about the trailer, but restrained myself.