spitfires
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Re: my turn to ask for help

To: "Donald H. Locker" <dhl@mrdog.msl.com>
Subject: Re: my turn to ask for help
From: Andrew Mace <amace@unix2.nysed.gov>
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 23:21:48 -0400 (EDT)
On Fri, 25 Jun 1999, Donald H. Locker wrote:

> Bothers and Spitsters!

I can't help you with all your questions, ESPECIALLY after a pun like 
that, but....

> - Where does the ignition switch mount?  Looks like one might fit in a
>   hole that is to the lower left of the instrument panel, but I don't
>   remember that on my other '69 Spit (that I sold about 22 years ago.)

Assuming this is a "Federal" '69 Spitfire, the switch goes next to the
choke, lower right part of that section of the dash on the left side of
the car -- the section with the speedo and tach. Is that a bad enough
description? :-)

> - There exists another hole in the IP at the lower right, where I
>   thought an ignition switch would have been, but the hole is the
>   wrong size.  What lives there?  Wipeshield winder switch?  Choke?
>   Throttle? (This is getting violent.  Gag.)

That one sounds like the hole for the choke cable.

> - A wierd one -- The engine currently in the car has serial number
>   y23298he.  Any info about what kind of specs this motor might have
>   been built to, and for what vehicle, would be appreciated. (I also
>   have the block and all parts, I think, for engine fe48180e, which is
>   correct for this body, I think.  Eventually I plan to rebuild it.)

Weird indeed. Two generations of engine earlier than it should be. The 
"Y" motor is a 948cc Herald motor, originally built for dual carburetors 
(albeit smaller 1 1/8" ones as opposed to those 1 1/4" carbs used on a 
Spitfire). A willing little motor, to be sure, but a far cry from the 
correct 1296, which is what the "FE" engine is.

> - It looks like a mk-2 exhaust will fit the installed mechanicals, but
>   I would like to know where on the mk-2 the header ends and the front
>   muffler pipe connects.  Distance to the joint fore or aft of the
>   bellhousing front face and from centerline of vehicle would help a
>   lot.

I'd like to help here, but the only car of mine with such a header is 
still rather buried in my barn at the moment (better dig it out soon if 
I'm to take it to Portland for the VTR meet). As I recall, though, the 
header "ends" and exhaust pipe begins pretty near the bellhousing.

I don't know where you are, BTW, but I'd be interested in talking to you 
about buying that "Y" motor should you decide to build up the correct "FE" 
motor someday.

--Andy

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Andrew Mace, President and                *
*   10/Herald/Vitesse (Sports 6) Consultant *
* Vintage Triumph Register <www.vtr.org>    *
* amace@unix2.nysed.gov                     *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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