Dannyb

Just talked to Dave at the Spitfire Graveyard. He says the brackets are riveted to the springs. So I'm now thinking of taking the spring off to refurbish it and weld the split on the bracket. Danny

That's what I am worried about. Just got the car sitting right when I change the front suspension. I'll try the graveyard for the bracket. Danny

I have a metallic rattle coming from offside rear suspension (Spit 1500). Got the back up on axle stands wheels off. First thing its done me a favour as I notice rear Flexible brake pipe is weeping. Back to the rattle. I noticed the offside inner U clamp around the rear sping is split in half so suspect this is the noise. Can you buy these clamps or do I have to make one. I'm thinking of rebuilding the spring or should I just replace. Spring is 20 years old. Danny

Thanks John, I had an eye test 6 months ago. I don't need distance glasses yet only reading. I think led light are causing problems for many drivers of all ages. I believe it's something to do with the blue light. I find the yellow of the night glasses soften oncoming lights. Danny

Hi Bruce, Not prescription, I got them off Amerzon. I think they were under £10. They really do make a difference. I believe you can also get them to fit over prescription glasses or clip on. Danny

I find the lights from modern cars coming towards me are worse, especially on our low down cars. I use night time glasses that filter the blue from the led lights. Danny

Thats unbelievably disappointing to be so close to finishing and probably totally knackered. Danny

Hope you got home OK. I know the feeling as 2018 RBRR I had to be recovered from JOG. . Which took 15 hrs to Essex. Danny

Phoned the machine shop for update as its been a month. Crank has been re-ground and now waiting for rebore. They will supply new pistons and put it back together. With my credit card at the ready 😰.

For peace of mind. Why not remove sump and check big end bearings. If they are worn then order new bearings. I did the same with my Spit. No4 was well gone and suspect the crank has gone oval. Changed them and running the car while the original engine which was stored in my garage is now with the machine shop. Danny

With the important hole for the split pin 👍 Danny

Does the Herald have a drain tube like the spit from battery box down inside the passenger footwell. Maybe this is leaking. Or getting in the air vents and coming through the heated box. There's a drain also to the Bulkhead. May be worth pouring water over the vents and seeing where it's getting in. Danny

Another update. I am now using an old mobile without any sim card or WiFi. I have downloaded my music to the internal memory and using a music app to play via the radio. I have fitted a powerful magnet to the back and it sits near the hand brake. Using it as a touch screen. If I need to play live stations I can just sinc my main mobile instead. Danny

I have now junked the internals and fitted a bluetooth reciever and a stereo amp inside. Nos I can play wireless stations and Spotify from my phone and still keep the period look.

That's interesting. Especially the comments on shocks. Danny

Rubber grease applied and all good. Very easy with the short springs, just jacked it up and let the suspension hang, then remove nuts from top of shocks to get to the rubbers with the grease. 20 minute job. Danny

Today I finally got round to arranging rebuild of the original engine thats been sitting in my garage for 18 years. Already stripped down to component parts. Block, crank and pistons were wrapped in cling film after spraying everything in oil. I was surprised how well they were when removing the cling film. I have just got back from delivering to the engineering works for checking. They will contact me to let me know what needs doing and discuss next steps. Danny

I now have 2 budgies squeaking. It is coming from the rubbers on the top of the shocks. Should I have put some copper grease on them. Apart from that the ride is great. Dann

Sorted. I went for the uprated 330lbs springs with standard shocks. I had to make some 15mm spacers as it sat too low. It now sits 23 inch. Wheel arc to ground on all four corners. Noticed straight away the exhaust does not scrape on the sloping drive. Didn't find the driving harsh at all. I suspect my old springs were bottoming out as the car sat very low and lop-sided with the coils very close together. I drove the car hard into bends and it has transformed the handling, but most of all when hard braking it stops in a straight line. Danny

Does any one know the difference between standard springs and uprated. Danny

The ride height was OK and could adjust with spacers under the turrets. The bit I'm concerned with is the spring compression under the car weight compresses to just 7 inch and the coils are too close together you can't see the shocks. I've looked at other spit 1500 and their springs you can get your finger in between the coils. I've counted the 13 coils on my springs which I believe is too many. Looking at some suppliers they sell standard springs that fit all marks. But I know they are different for the 1500. I'm wondering if I fitted the wrong springs 20 years ago. Danny

Just tested the spring pressure. I placed the spring on a set of bathroom scales with a screw jack on top. Placed under the staircase in my garage and compressed the spring by 1 inch. I did this a couple of times and the result was 184 lbs. So now I'm thinking I need a stiffer spring. Danny

Just another thing. Don't throw your old brake discs away. Make a spring compressor from them by drilling four holes and two lengths of threaded studs.

That's what I will be upto tomorrow. Think I'll wear boots and a crash helmet as my safety record since I retired isn't too good. I'll report back. Danny