Chasj

My '72 Mk. IV doesn't use the fan belt normally supplied, too short. I use part no.  10A1100C. Charles  

Hi. Not on a "proper"car but my Skoda has both water temperature gauge and, via the computer, oil temperature. The water soon gets up to 90 and stays there however driven. I always bring up the oil temperature read out, not pulling too many revs until the oil heats up. Running temperature being 95/98 and can take 10 miles to get there. Always careful not to rev. too much until oil hot for the sake of the turbo. On a classic I have always driven on the oil pressure gauge when starting off, keeping revs down until oil pressure doesn't go too high, ie,until it reaches running temperature. Not a believer in loosing oil pressure too much above standard. In the late 60s to 80s use to run and race Morgans with both crossflow and Lotus twin cam engines. Instead of fitting a high pressure oil pump I used a high capacity pump but I swopped to a standard spring, result 45psi at all times, also with some 40% more flow available didn't need an oil cooler. However did run a slightly larger sump and larger spin off oil filter, prior to which, using a paper/felt filter a Wooler aluminium ribbed casing.

Personally I prefer the thinner rimmed, Moto Lita, with holed spokes, looks good as well. Bit of an issue with left hand thumb joint, old age I guess, that wheel more comfortable for me than the moderns. If need a bit of padding why not try leather driving gloves, there, giving my age away again! Charles.

How old is the fuel? Went around to try to start a neighbours Porsche 356, seems it hadn't run since the owner passed away 6 months before. After trying everything asked if there was a can of petrol, the gauge almost on empty, the gardener had a can in the shed, put in and pumped it through, the car started. Chas..

If you do remove the steering lock it can be a MOT fail, to get around this you must fit another device to protect the car from theft. Steering wheel lock and ignition cut out should be acceptable. By the way you cannot remove a brake servo if one was fitted as original spec., this is a MOT fail. Charles.

Re. snake oil additives. I used to use Valvemaster Plus, but have now changed to Millers as it not only covers lack of lead and octane boost but also combats the ethanol issues. Engine, Mk IV, runes better. Charles.

Hi. Always put the fuel filter before the fuel pump stops problems with that unit. On my Mk.IV just as fuel pipe emerges into the engine compartment. easy to check than by the tank as well. In my experience do NOT use the cheaper all plastic units. When I used them with Tesco 99 octane, found out they got to 99 with more ethanol, they were eaton away. Should have been good quality as came from Holdens. On switching to BP 97 and glass type that can be dismantled and cleaned, no problems. Charles.

Hi again. Have just been checking my library, the articles I referred to were in Classics magazine starting with the May 2002 issue, Project Spitfire Part 1 Inspecting Our Car, through to Part 27 Striding the Final furlong in the May 2004 issue. Cheers, Charles.

Hi. Remember a magazine, Classics from memory, ran for months, 12+ issues?, a full resteration from buying to completion. About 10 years ago. Charles.

Agreed,however 2.1 Steering Control,states that; It is acceptable for a steering lock to be removed if there is an alternative,permanently installed immobilisation device fitted which acts on either;the steering;gear shift;transmission;or prevents the engine from running. I have known of cases where an earlier car than 2001 has failed its MOT, nothing is 100% sure so much rests with the MOT tester. Another funny example being hazard warning lights, fitted to later Spitfires but if an aftermarket fitment must work. Mine didn't, a very discrete push pull red switch hidden under dash, so discrete that for 8 years the MOT tester didn't see it. This year he did and warned it was a failure, looked away whilst I unscrewed and removed the red knob,instant pass! Anyway back to the first point,whatever the MOT legality, should you remove the steering lock I suggest you tell your insurance company and fit an ignition cut out switch and use a steering wheel disc or similar. Insurance companies don't need much excuse not to pay up these days. The most simple things can cause a problem with insurance, an old friend of mine was a police vehicle examiner,after an accident had to write reports,even having non standard size tyres gave the insurance a way out. eg 165/70 R 13 instead of 155 R 13s on a Spitfire. Not as bad as a midget that had a fatal,all 4 wheels were from different models never mind the tyres. Charles.

Please note if you remove the steering lock and go for a key on the dash you must use a discloc or similar on the steering wheel to comply with MOT regs, and, of course to keep your insurance company fitted. On another point, not Spitfires, I know people who have removed the brake sevo on older cars, this is also an MOT failure, also insurance as well. Mentioning WD40, I have had success with Ferrosal. Charles.

Have you checked your inline filter? I had flooding due to debris, very small black bits, getting under the needle valves. Seemed fuel system didn't like Tesco 99 octane, how did the bits get to carbs.?. dissolved the plastic filter element, twice. Changed to glass type filter and use BP 97 octane problem solved after 2 tanks and filter cleaned. Use the latest needle valves, better tip I think. Chasj

Suggest you put the filter between the tank and pump this way prevents debris going through the pump. Also, more in favour of the glass type of filter with the cleanable element, much better than the throw away plastic jobs. Charles.

Hi. Only a thought having had a similar flooding problem on my Mk.IV Spitfire. The first occasions were cured by new needle valves so fair enough. Later on I got more problems and found tiny bits of black in the inline filter and float chambers. Removing and blowing through the valve cured things for a short time. I then found the throw away inline fuel filter was being dissolved. I was using Tesco 99 octane fuel and on investigation found they achieved this rating by increasing the bio levels beyond 5%. Changing to BP 97 octane, a new glass cleanable filter and a couple of tanks later no more problems. Charles.