Tom2000 Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Looking at ordering a full service kit for the brakes, new mirrors, several hoses and bits and bobs that are missing or need replacing..My lights need replacing (or one of them does).. Halogens? How easy are they to install (the conversion from rimmerbros) and also there are about 17 different options including "pilot light, without pilot light etc etc" which one do i choose? how do i know which one to use?I ran my tank empty and put 28 litres in, I managed to do 186 miles! that's 29MPG.. not particularly good (driving her sensibly!): (Ivor Searle Unleaded head, 4-1 manifold, twin sports system no K&Ns)Which is better to do:Buy a set of reconditioned HS4s or buy a "service kit" and get someone who knows what they are doing to do a proper service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I drove mine to a well known specialist before the last round britain and he set my carbs up for me...they were/are in good condition.I averaged about 40/45mpg and it pulled really well, I think he charged me about £40 and he told me what needles I needed and ordered them in ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willcolumbine Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Tom2000 wrote:My lights need replacing (or one of them does).. Halogens? How easy are they to install (the conversion from rimmerbros) and also there are about 17 different options including "pilot light, without pilot light etc etc" which one do i choose? how do i know which one to use?I've just ordered some for my car so I'll let you know how easy they are to fit in a week or so! Normally on a spitfire the sidelights (pilot lights) are mounted lower down under the headlights so you need the normal ones without the pilot lights. You want RHD ones too, this will mean they'll dip to the left which is correct for a RHD car.Unless you're rich I'd look on ebay or at mini suppliers rather than Rimmers. They're 7" headlamps and the most popular brand is 'Wipac Quadoptic'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil866 Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Tom, I recommend that whilst fitting the new halogen headlight units you also fit new headlight bowls.http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/prod/nest-assembly.htmlIn this way you can change the bulb easy peasy from inside the bonnet without having to remove the headlight surround. Headlight adjustment does not rely on the spring at the back of the bowl with these units. Well recommended!I also get 40+ mpg from my spit with lots of hard driving. It's easy enough to overhaul the carbs, but first check for fuel leaks and make sure the fuel pump diaphragm is of and not letting petrol leak into the engine block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferny Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Should be dead easy to change the light units. They fit exactly the same as sealed beam units. Go for the ones with pilot (side) lights if you can. Run a wire from your existing sidelights to the ones in the new lights. It just makes you that little bit more visible for little extra cost. The only downside is that you might have to shave an area off the bowls to fit the sidelight bulb in. If you want better bulbs which are legal try Osram Silverstar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2000 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 phil866 wrote:Tom, I recommend that whilst fitting the new halogen headlight units you also fit new headlight bowls.http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/prod/nest-assembly.htmlIn this way you can change the bulb easy peasy from inside the bonnet without having to remove the headlight surround. Headlight adjustment does not rely on the spring at the back of the bowl with these units. Well recommended!I also get 40+ mpg from my spit with lots of hard driving. It's easy enough to overhaul the carbs, but first check for fuel leaks and make sure the fuel pump diaphragm is of and not letting petrol leak into the engine block.Where do I find the fuel pump/diaphragm so i can check if it's not leaking?Also would you recommend that I service my carbs myself or get someone to do it for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil866 Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Remove the pump (unless it has a lever on the side which manually works the pump), disconnect the pipes ensuring you have a handy sized object to push into the feed pipe to prevent petrol going everywhere), place a finger tightly over the inlet of the pump and work the pump. You should feel the suction on your finger. Stop working the pump and the suction should not diminish. If it does it indicates the diaphram has a hole in it. This will allow fuel to leak into the engine oil where it will boil off and be wasted.As for the carbs, it depends how confident you feel and how much time you have. Only you can make that decsion. They are not that difficult but the first time is always a worry. If you go for it take lots of photo's before you start. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desperate Damson Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Hi TomWhen i had my spity 1500, i fitted a pair of Halogen lights, i think i got them from TRGB they advertise them on flea-bay quite a lot. I got them with Xenon bulbs, made a big difference and i think i paid about £35+p-p. You coming on the treasure hunt on June 22nd?Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2000 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Doubt it Paul,She's stripped at the moment, got to finish off cleaning up the bulkhead :)Finished: Prepping all the body - properly, now replaced all hoses, cleaning up engine bay, cleaning up bulk head (also stripped), cleaned any bubbles or surface rust, treated, primed and ready to be painted, new door hinges and door locks fitted, doors realigned.Need to: Fit halogens, service brakes (mainly drums), put a new speedo in, get a new spring, replacement hose, K&N air filters + stub sacks, either replace or service carbs as i'm doing between 20-29mpg and it's costing me a fortune, fit electronic ignition, chrome head lamps, oil cooler.Oh and get some paint on it :) - Got some House of KOLOR paint coming for the final top coat ;) then get it professionally lacquered..Driving a 2 Tonne Volvo 340GL at the moment so looking forward 2 when its finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieB Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Tom2000 wrote:K&N air filters + stub sacks........Consider getting the slightly thicker K&Ns, 56-9093 I think.There actually cheaper as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2000 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 whats the advantage? and where can i get it from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Tom2000 wrote:Doubt it Paul,What do you doubt?If its the cost of the halogens I didnt pay very much for mine either!Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willcolumbine Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Just bought a halogen conversion kit the other day for £38 all in. Thats from ebay and is for a set with sidelights built in. The set without is a bit cheaper!Nice tip for the headlight bowls! I've just discovered everything behind my headlights is caked in rust so it couldn't have come at a better time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieB Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Tom2000 wrote:whats the advantage? and where can i get it from?Bigger the better with filters, more air, don't clog up so quick.Did I mention they're cheaper? :)http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/ type in 56-9093 (std is 56-1390) I think they're 55mm instead of 45mm but best check.Regarding fuel consumption, what needles are in your carbs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2000 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 absolutely no idea how do i check? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2000 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 CharlieB wrote:Bigger the better with filters, more air, don't clog up so quick.Did I mention they're cheaper? :)http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/ type in 56-9093 (std is 56-1390) I think they're 55mm instead of 45mm but best check.Regarding fuel consumption, what needles are in your carbs?56-9093 comes up with:160 J SSS 1.6 73>82orAustin Morris 1300 1.3 67>73No spitfire.. : /Also Ignition leads whats the difference between getting 6mm/7mm/8mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieB Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Tom2000 wrote:absolutely no idea how do i check?Needles? Unscrew & remove carb damper (black plastic on top of carb) Undo three screws & lift off dashpot. Carefully lift out piston & spring, needle is sticking out the bottom held in with a screw. There will be three letters stamped on the wide part of the needle. There's oil in the piston, careful you don't pour it over yourself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieB Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Tom2000 wrote:56-9093 comes up with:160 J SSS 1.6 73>82orAustin Morris 1300 1.3 67>73No spitfire.. : /But they all use SU HS4 1.5" carbs.http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=KN-56-9093&PID=349411http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=KN-56-1390&PID=349502 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2000 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 well i didnt know that did i! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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