After only 6000 miles, my rebuild of the 1500 spitfire (1980 model) engine
is all shot to hell. The compression across the board
is 110-115 psi dry and 155-170 wet (oil squirted in the
cylinders). I don't know what's going on, I suddenly started
getting blowby and decided to re-check the compression. The following
is the essentials of the rebuild carried out a year ago:
1. rebuild done at 60K miles using haynes manual
2. no new pistons since they were in spec.
3. rings changed
4. crank cut to .020
5. new cam, stock
6. oil pump not changed
7. block not boiled out since no overheating was seen.
8. cylinders honed as there was no ridge at the top
9. connecting rods not machined
10. no engine bolts changed
11. head rebuilt
12. freeze plugs not changed
13. all gaskets changed
14. new cam followers
15. webers instead of cd4t carb.
I before starting the engine I squirted a lot of oil in the cylinder
which I suspected was a mistake but I hand cranked the engine several times
before starting and also it did'nt start for a long time. I figured all
the oil had drained out by the time it started.
Before I tear the dadgum thing apart again, could any of you tell
me what I did wrong? I am thinking about going .020 oversize on the
pistons this time, will I need to run on octane if I do this?
best wishes
Zahid
ps: you can mail to the list or to zahid@mozart.sps.mot.com
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