Barry --
Welcome to the Spitfire! Your ı74, like mine, will probably take a little
while to get to where it is running and looking as you would like. Iıve had
mine since last spring, and Iıve done a lot of work on it so far, but it is
certainly coming along. This list is a PRIME resource, with some very good
and knowledgable people -- Iıve also gotten a lot of help from a British car
shop in my area, which is more like a ŞclubŞ than a garage, with a lot of
interaction between customers and mechanincs.
For your turn signal and gauge outages, I must ask if you have you checked your
fuse box? I know it sounds simplistic, but the little copper ŞpincersŞ that
hold in the Spit fuses will splay over time, and unless they are making
absolute, firm contact with the fuse, you will get function loss. Start with
the top fuse, which should control your signals, brake lights and fuel/temp
gauges (there are three fuses altogether, plus space for a spare). Jam
something non-conductive in the side of each pincer, and see if your gauges and
blinkers come back. This was the problem I encountered when I had symptoms
such as youıve described. Iım not yet very familiar with the relays system --
but in my engine compartment, there are separate relays for the signals and
horn (horn relay on right as you look at it), and the hazard flasher probably
lurks elsewhere. Sorry for the ignorance, but someone else on the list will
know. (Relays, incidentally, can be opened up and inspected. Water can enter
them and corrode con
nections -- just resolder and reseal with Permatex or some such ... )
Having just gotten your new/old Spitfire, you will no doubt start with all the
simple things -- by changing or topping up your tranny and diff. lubricant
(standard hypoid gear oil), changing fuel and air filters, getting a tune-up,
adjusting valves, etc. Use Castrol LMA brake fluid for both brake and clutch
systems. If your carb. needs an overhaul (mine did), this is a full Friday
nightıs job for the uniformed (I was). A Stromberg rebuild kit is about $20.
As for a manual, I use the one by Haynes -- cheaper than the Bentley, though
not as good. Consider, too, that your brakes, tie-rod ends, front trunions
and such will likely need replacing. This is messy or expensive work, but
should be done for fun and safety. I had my LBC shop basically replace my
front end shortly after I got the car, and my calipers and pads were shot too.
If braking requires a lot of pressure on the pedal, suspect your calipers/pads
or drums. Rear leaf spring may have the car sitting a little low, too, but
thatıs no big
deal -- the part is about $150 and a three or four hour job to install, if you
care to do it at all.
After that, you can start to get down to the little stuff. Keep me apprised!
Martin Secrest
ı74 Spitfire 1500
FM18943
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