Martin Wood's Project - Spitfire 1500

June 2008

Well, 100 miles later a valve siezed open and dislodged a pushrod.
No serious damage done though. Seems my eBay bargain restored head was not quite a bargain.
They (Newark Engines) had used stainless steel valves and steel guides. My local restorer Terry Hird says this combination will produce excess heat. He has now fitted bronze guides, re lapped the valves and re skimmed the head.

I will fit it today and hope to be at the meeting on Friday evening!

May 2008

My Spitfire 1500 now has 500 miles behind the new recon engine (eBay again!) and is going lovely with lots more power and less exhaust noise. I have torqued doewn the head bolts and changed the oil and filter (Fram/Penrite 20/50) today though I recieved 10 original MGRover filters for £19 (eBay) so that will do me for a few years, saved money and be more likely to change oil twice a year rather than once!

You might be interested to know that inspired by Classics Monthly's article I have booked a ferry and hotel package for 16th July for a few days and am taking her and a mate to Normandy to explore the D Day beachesand hinterland.

Getting to Portsmouth to me will be an adventure, but France and all......