Reminds me when I had my 1973 TR-6. I was heading home on I-10 with a
co-worker, and I noticed a sudden change in engine speed. I also noticed
that I couldn't accelerate worth a %^%%&, but once up to speed, I was able
to maintain 60 miles perhour.
We stopped just outside of Mobile Alabama, and I popped the bonnet. I
checked the Dizzy, and all seemed ok. I decided to look further, and I
removed the dizzy base plate. I was surprised to find one of the small
springs that is supposed to hold the centrifuge advance system weights had
broken, and the weight had slammed outward into the outer dizzy casing under
centrifugal force. This knocked a fair-sized hole in the case, and bending
one arm of the centrifuge advance system cross bar upward about 30 degrees
from horizontal.
Perplexed, but with plenty of tools, I removed the wayward weight, took a
1/2 in socket and placed the socket over the center of the centrifuge
advance system cross bar. I hammered the cross bar down into a flat
position. I repositioned the weight on the little cross bar pin, and
stretched the spring back over the little pin on the weight. I took a
little Duck Tape and taped it to the outside of the dizzy body to cover the
hole. She cranked right up and ran like a champ.
My co-worker, also an engineer, was impressed. I sold the car a couple of
months later. As far I know, the field repairs are still there.
Dan Parrott
Savannah, Ga
-----Original Message-----
From: spitfires-owner@autox.team.net
[mailto:spitfires-owner@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Kirk Crawford
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 12:33 PM
To: Spitfires
Subject: Morning Spitfire Adventure
BlankI own a 1968 Triumph Spitfire that I have had since I was 14. (I am 40
now) It is a daily driver, and this morning on the way in to work I notice
some steam or smoke coming from under the hood. A little smoke is normal
just after I start my Spitfire, since it leaks oil a lot, and that gets on
the exhaust and thus smokes for a little while after I start it. So, at
first I didn't think much of it until I realized it was steam, and it had
been quite a while since I started it, so it wasn't oil smoke. I looked at
the temperature gauge, and indeed it was going into the hot zone! I pulled
over just before I got on the freeway to have a look at it. It turns out
that the heater hose that goes from the engine block to the heater valve had
a hole in it and was now spraying coolant/steam!
As I waited for the engine to cool down a bit, I looked for my tools that I
normally carry in the trunk (boot for you purists). It was gone! I had
forgotten to put it back after taking the toolbox on my last four wheel
drive adventure. Oops. Fortunately, I had pulled over across the street from
a small used car lot that was open. I walked over there and was able to
borrow a pliers and a phillips screwdriver. The hose clamps call for a
standard screwdriver, so the phillips was no use, but I was able to use the
pliers instead. I cut off the hose leading to the heater, and just doubled
it back the return to the source so my heater was eliminated from the
circuit. I had a water container in the trunk but this wasn't enough, so I
was able to get some more water from the used car lot. All in all, it was a
pretty quick repair. When I got in to work I was only 20 minutes late!
I guess it is time for some new heater hoses!
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