Rich,
Your idea of doing streamlined head lamps ala Le Mans is something I have
always concidered for my MGA. For my taste, I've always thought the design of
the A was pretty darn perfect, with the exception being the boxy design of the
front fender leading edge/headlamp. If you ever figure out how to do the
perspex design please let me know, I'd love to see a solution.
Mike
57 MGA
----- Original Message -----
From: rlmossholder@comcast.net
To: North Bay British Car Club
Sent: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:07:32 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Re: [Nobbc] TRs and big engines
Hi Greg,
B That Busa V8 was what I'd do to the spitfire if I win the lotto. Did you
watch the video of the dyno test? The sound of that engine is astonishing!B
B Well, I found the main problemB with the Spitfire that kept me from
participating in any of the rides. The stupid previous owner installed a bolt
from under the car in the transmission. This bolt served as the fulcrum for
the clutch throw-out yolk. Since it was installed from underneath with a
standard nut, over time, the nut worked loose and the bolt fell out. I
couldn't see the bolt location because the exhaust pipe blocked the view. I
found this after removing the engine, of course. Since I had the engine out I
decided to rebuild it all. All the engine bearings were shot as well as the
pistons and cam. The head had an unusual burn pattern. cylinders 1&4 were
running rich, 2&3 were lean. I thought this was strange since I only have one
carb . Maybe it's a function of the intake manifold? I purchased a
J-typeB overdrive transmission for $400, not a bad deal. I will tear that down
next time I go up to my Dad's shop. The engine block and head have been taken
to the machine shop. We are going to useB .030 overB European spec flat
topB pistons. That will bump up the compression ratio from 7.1 to 9.1 and add
a little HP to the mix as well.B The main goal is to build a reliable engine
with a little more power. We are balancing everything and adding roller
rockers too.
B John Kenner has given me aB bonnet which I am modifying. I always thought
it would look good with a hood scoop, so I've cutB itB out andB will be
weldingB that soon. I also want to move the headlights back farther in the
fenders with the perspex lens covers like the Le Mans Spitfires of the
'60s.B Not sure how to do that yet. I want to fill in the seams and smooth
things out a bit too. The fender seam has always looked odd to me. It just
dies into the door with no continuity to the rest of the body. B I will also
be removing the bulky side marker/reflectors, and replacing them with 3/4"
round LED markers with chrome bezels.B I am , however, keeping the original
bonnet in tact.
Have a great ride this weekend. Hope to see you all soon.
Rich
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