Update by Tim Suddard to the
Oil might just go away with a set of valve stem seals. On that head, an air hold and a no-remove valve spring compressor and voila.
While we drove and were impressed with this Spitfire in Connecticut. Once home, after checking fluids and tire pressures, we took it on a proper 75-mile trip through the curvy back roads of nearby western Flagler county.
What we found was a very tight little Spitfire. Sure, there were a few niggling, typical Spitfire problems like a little oil smoke and a third gear synchro that had seen better days, but overall we are pretty impressed with the car and truly love the overdrive that still seems to work well.
One thing we will have to address immediately is the alignment. The car pulls to the left despite absolutely no evidence of damage. And it just doesn’t handle the way a Spitfire should. A careful alignment will be early on our list of updates.
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Oil might just go away with a set of valve stem seals. On that head, an air hold and a no-remove valve spring compressor and voila.
When we get a bit of time, we will dive into this one a bit more.
Jerry From LA wrote: Oil might just go away with a set of valve stem seals. On that head, an air hold and a no-remove valve spring compressor and voila.
The 'rope trick' also works well on Spitfires, vertical valves & flat top pistons.
Valve seals are problematic though, not fitted as stock, so there's precious little clearance to spring retainer with stock valve guides.
Folks fit seals, and then wonder why they get pounded to s#%t.
Some vendors do offer guides and seals as a set, e.g. Wishbone Classics (NFI):
http://www.wishboneclassics.com/content/hp-bronze-valve-guide-viton-seal-kit-mg-midget-1500-triumph-spitfire-1500
Of course, the head has to come off to replace guides, but that should pose no challenge for this group.
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