SteveJP

76Spit wrote:Car 69 ran well to Gaydon and back until just leaving the M26 when the engine started misfiring. Have traced the fault to a slight leak on one of the hoseclips on the Header tank bottom feed (Mercedes tank) which was playing on a couple of the spark plugs. Probably caused by me 'stretching' the engine on the M26 after being held up on the M25. Spent today completely repositioning the Header tank with new hoses and clips courtesy of Car Builder Solutions resulting in less joins.  Also discovered an O'ring on the plastic tee piece in the Top Hose was weeping slightly so have renewed that and am carrying a spare! Been out for a run in the rain and shine this afternoon and all seems OK (touch wood!)

Car 69 ran well to Gaydon and back until just leaving the M26 when the engine started misfiring. Have traced the fault to a slight leak on one of the hoseclips on the Header tank bottom feed (Mercedes tank) which was playing on a couple of the spark plugs. Probably caused by me 'stretching' the engine on the M26 after being held up on the M25.

Stag is ready, all fluids checked/replaced, wheels balanced, spares loaded, proving run to Gaydon tommorrow. One final decision to make closer to the Start - Hardtop or Soft top? The last RBRR was very wet in places and I well remember rain getting in through the hood, mind you, that was the Spitfire!  I think a close watch on the weather forecast is needed especially as the top down motoring from John O Groats last time was great fun :)

Now working on the interior comforts - wiring in the multiplug charger adapter for the phones, Sat Nav, and electric cool box when I noticed the interior lights were not working, easily solved, I had left the interior lights switched on when I last used the car on Monday evening resulting in a Flat Battery!! Doh!! :(

Alex wrote:Had a productive night..... Fitted my new disributor and coil and the car fired first click of the key......should I look at end float? Changed fuel pump due to a seep on the old one leaving an oily trail on the starter. Pads arrived today so I need to do the wheel bearings and change pads,oil trunnions etc then I can test the dizzy 8) Fixed a fault on my wiper linkage this week too. My map light arrived today :'( I asked for a 12" switched light and got told that all theres have switches but an 18" has arrived.Having now checked the website they dont appear to do the 12"......18" is just to big for a spitfire so now need to call them and see what they say :( Alex For the last RBRR I bought a couple of stick on battery operated circular LED lights from B&Q and stuck one on the top of my Spitfires windscreen, and one inside the bootlid.  The windscreen one was ideal as a maplight and didn't interfere with the drivers vision. The bootlid one was also handy at night. Just take some spare AAA's for them although I didn't need to replace them during the run I've just had a weeks holiday in Centerparcs with the grandchildren, now looking forward to the RBRR for a rest!! ;D ;D ;D

Hi Mikey The only reason I suggested Aaron ring the TSSC is that he has been active on their forum in respect of his insurance renewal as a young driver (19 years I think) and has had some good advice over there from the Insurance panel members in the past. I believe his policy is with one of the recommended TSSC insurers for young drivers (unless he changed on renewal).  However I agree that the first phone call should always be to the broker, but if necessary use the club to intervene if necessary, it should not matter that the event is a CT one.

Aaron Don't worry about ringing the TSSC, their insurance line will be just as helpful, they won't get iffy about it being a CT event, many of us belong to both clubs and have no problems in this respect.

185/80X14 is the closest to original size, if you're in easy reach of Faversham Classics they have a good stock of Hankooks in this size. Faversham have managed to secure a supply direct from Hankook as they are not supplying them to major tyre suppliers now through lack of demand!

Glad to be of service ;D ;D ;D Anyone know where I can get Antifreeze that has that nice green almost fluorescent colour? I've tried all the usual places and all I can get is Blue which I don't mind using its just that the green is handy for spotting leaks!! My supply has now run out. Steve

Just ordered a couple of 5 Litre cans of VR1 from Eurocarparts in readiness for the RBRR - using the discount code 'oilspill30' brings the cost of  5 litres down to a very reasonable �20.99 with free delivery No doubt someone will now tell me of a cheaper supplier!!!

Andy had this fuel vapourisation problem with his Toledo on the passes as well. I didn't experience it on the Stag, despite the carbs being in the centre of the V, but I did drive most of the passes with the bonnet cracked open, the only problem with this was that all the released hot air from under the bonnet went straight down the cabin fresh air intake - Doh!  Well at least we didn't need to use the heater ;D

I can also see Andy and Di Copas' little Toledo 1300 there  - car 48- . Amazing little car,slow but sure on the hills and always kept up with me in the Stag on the flat. 🙂   We were long gone by the time the photo was taken.

I used the VR1 on the run, oil pressure was very good throughout despite the knocking from the main bearings/bottom end that occurs when the engine is under load. I ended up topping up twice, once at JOG, and once at Scorrier, each time adding a half litre, but then the engine does deposit a fair bit on the chassis! It's pure supposition that the VR1 contributed to the success of our trip, all I can say it gave me a bit more confidence that I was giving the engine the best chance of survival by using it. It still looks very clean so will leave it in the car at least until the sump is dropped to inspect the bearings.

I've been following a thread on the SOC Owners forum about the benefits of using Valvoline VR1 20/50 in the Stag engine. As I am going to change the oil in the Spitfire before the RBRR, I just wondered if anyone has had experience of this oil in the 4cyl engines. I normally use either Halfords Classic or Total 20/50 whichever I have to hand at the time. I did find during the climb up the Spanish mountains on the 10CR last year that the oil pressure dropped about 20psi below normal when the engine was very hot and under stress. Whilst I realise the Scottish mountains will not be quite as hot, I just wondered whether there is any benefit in using VR1 Thoughts?

Some 2009 10CR video's posted here on youtube taken by my brother in Car 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tyoj4Hwi2c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnpadXNNOts http://www.youtube.com/user/MrRichski#play/all/uploads-all/2/nTMH-ge8Ydo http://www.youtube.com/user/MrRichski#play/all/uploads-all/1/_yXif3AOG-g http://www.youtube.com/user/MrRichski#play/all/uploads-all/0/OSuak7dAvuA Steve