Matt306 Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Today I replaced the rear bearings on the TR7 and changed the rear cylinders to the earlier 4 speed/TR8 type which are considered better. The Wheel bearings hadnt lasted long at all, but i managed to source some Timkin Bearings so hopefully these will last longer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt306 Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 Took TR7 out with the earlier rear wheel brake cylinders today... what a change! Much better firmer at the back. I had rubbed the shoes down with 400grit wet and dry and cleaned but not sure this is the sole reason! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 Yesterday/today, stripped the dash out of the Dolomite to fix the heater, also removed bonnet, rad, headlights and bumper in preparation for tackling the rust on the wings/front panels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPearce Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Spent the last week driving it around Yorkshire. SWMBO thought it was a holiday, the car thought it was a shake-down for RBRR 😄 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Replace the reversing light switch - a few months back I was told that the reversing lights were flickering whenever I changed gear, so finally got around to removing the access cover to sort out the problem. Aside from the insulation on the wires having cracked leaving exposed copper just ready to create a short circuit, the pin on the switch was stuck, but have managed to track down a NOS replacement on Ebay which should be here later this week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVD3500 Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 (edited) I picked up "Bitter Lemon" in Belgium last week. It's a Californian Spec 1500. Not sure of the year .... I spent over 4 hour trying to get the ugly front under (over?) riders off but apparently the bolts have broken of on the inside as they just spin and nothing changes.... I will try to cut the bolts off soon... Even though I told the guy about 3 times I don't need the engine he left it in... So if anyone needs Californian/US 1500 parts let me know! They are yours for 1€ plus shipping (I live in Germany...)! Edited August 9, 2021 by DVD3500 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 Spent some time on the front suspension on my Saloon: Replaced the boots for all for ball joints using Chris Witors polyurethane items, fitted a new set of progressive front springs and stripped and painted the inside of the wings with Bondaprimer and Gravitex. Next up, some underfloor rust! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iani Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 I've had a couple of weeks on gardening leave so: GT6 - Fitted new auntosparks loom, this included fitting a modern 10 way fusebox. Have also fitted ambient temp & vacuum gauges, I'm having a four gauge centre dash section made and will relocate the gauges there when it arrives. Replaced the headlining, it's not perfect but I feel confident I'll do a better job next time. Fitted moulded carpet set, it's certainly moulded but I'm not entirely sure what vehicle it's moulded for, more trimming that I'd have expected at the price. Refitted radiator mounting brackets that the PO had removed, welded on seatbelt strengthening plates as they were loose, fitted new seatbelts. TR6 - I thought I'd best spread the love a bit so the TR got ball-jointed lever arm drop links & handbrake improvers, I've also got a pair of ally hubs & new stub axles to fit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPearce Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Took the Spit out this morning (to go get my hair cut!) so it was nice and warm for the oil to be drained. Then I intend to fit the cooler that's been sitting in my loft (and previous storage locations) for nearly 15 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVD3500 Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 2 weeks' of vacation to tear "Bitter Lemon" ('75 1500) apart and figure out how to make one car out of two. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteStupps Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 6 hours ago, iani said: Fitted moulded carpet set, it's certainly moulded but I'm not entirely sure what vehicle it's moulded for, more trimming that I'd have expected at the price. This is interesting, i've been idly wondering about getting a moulded set for the Spitfire. They all come from Newton Commercial don't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Hutchings Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 I started to attack some leaks & crust around the rear hatch today: Took the opportunity to remove the filler cap etc to clean up. Absolutely caked in crud! Annoyingly ran out of time to finish the job, so now it’s all cleaned and rust neutralised (as best it can be for now) I’ve covered it with this really REALLY useful masking sheet roll from Toolstation. Only found out about this product a couple weeks ago, wish I’d known about it years ago! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxter Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Took my sump off to finally get round to fixing the drip from the front. All the hole surrounds are raised and the front is bent downwards, so there's a bit more reshaping work than I was hoping for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxter Posted August 15, 2021 Share Posted August 15, 2021 I just fitted new foams and covers to the mk3 seats in my GT6 mk1 - treating a bit of rust on the frames and repainting them along the way. Very happy with how they've turned out. I'm going to recover the padded thing below the handbrake next. Then I think I'll need to do something to my steering wheel. I don't like everything looking new and shiny in my old car, but it's getting quite rough. Any tips? And is it leather? I'm pretty sure it's the original mk1 wheel, but have heard talk of them just looking like leather. Too many miles away for me to pop back for a closer look now! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPearce Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 7 hours ago, Baxter said: And is it leather? I'm pretty sure it's the original mk1 wheel, but have heard talk of them just looking like leather. I'm not certain but the Vitesse wheel I have in my Mk3 Spitfire is peeling badly at one point and the loose flap certainly feels like leather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 Those seats look GREAT @Baxter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxter Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 5 hours ago, yorkshire_spam said: Those seats look GREAT @Baxter Thanks @yorkshire_spam Nice to share and get comments. My first attempt at seats and I had to backtrack a couple of times, following the helpful advice from Owen at Park Lane: take time to get it right and be rewarded each time you sit in the car. I showed a friend who was very impressed by my upholstery skills; so I explained the nature of the foams and covers and am now told it's about the same expertise as putting a jumper on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, Baxter said: Thanks @yorkshire_spam Nice to share and get comments. My first attempt at seats and I had to backtrack a couple of times, following the helpful advice from Owen at Park Lane: take time to get it right and be rewarded each time you sit in the car. I showed a friend who was very impressed by my upholstery skills; so I explained the nature of the foams and covers and am now told it's about the same expertise as putting a jumper on! Owen is a gentleman and produces great product. I have his foams in my seats, but wish I could have bought the covers at the same time. (Couldn't afford it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iani Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 On 13/08/2021 at 16:02, PeteStupps said: This is interesting, i've been idly wondering about getting a moulded set for the Spitfire. They all come from Newton Commercial don't they? I believe so Pete, I wouldn't say they're great quality for the price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted August 17, 2021 Author Share Posted August 17, 2021 Oliver, Owen does a recovering kit for the armrest, involves a placcy bag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxter Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 16 hours ago, Tim Bancroft said: Oliver, Owen does a recovering kit for the armrest, involves a placcy bag! Thanks Tim (thought I replied last night but now see it not) - I will look into that kit, but not for a while as I've been spending a lot of time and money on both cars lately. I wanted to let you know that I'm borrowing some MGF seats for the Vitesse for RBRR. I'll get on to sorting steel bars to fix them just as soon as I've got the engine back in. Sump now pancake flat so hope to do that on Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVD3500 Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Dash fascia off "Bitter Lemon"... taking exhaust off as the local skip is open today and they take metal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadzooks Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Refreshed the entire front suspension and steering rack as well as fitting a new front valance to try and stop rattles, gave myself a week for it and its now nearly 3 weeks later... oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPearce Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Received some hoses and fittings this morning - the ones supplied with the oil cooler kit are too long for where I've mounted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted August 18, 2021 Author Share Posted August 18, 2021 Have a few new items of work to do to my Saloon to get it ready for the RBRR: New Steering rack Re-build struts including new inserts Fit Stag brakes All needs to be done before the RBRR and time is limited, so going to take the car to my ate James Cooper's place for him to do for me. Otherwise the car is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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