Whilst I don't have a bottomless budget, I would rather spend a few quid more now and not regret it later! The best currently available bearings are King Tri-metal which most suppliers (e.g. Shifts well, stops well. The Spitfire has headed over to the garage where the brakes and suspension components have been stripped, sandblasted and painted and have started to be fitted. An adjustable cam gear is really worth it if your budget allows. Rebuilding A Triumph Spitfire Engine Reading time: about 1 minute | Written by Ben Branch | August 25th 2013 11 Months, 3000 pictures and a lot of coffee. Line boring insures that all crank journals are in perfect alignment and properly sized. This information does not touch on replacing the Piston sleeves(Liners) and the figure 8 gaskets. The intake will have receded. Triumph - Engine Swap Depot Crankshaft grinding is a very skilled part of the machine shop phase. Remember, these parts may be nearing their 40th birthday, so go with a reputable dealer. Manganese bronze guides are also available and I almost always use them because they are very long wearing. My spit was a 79, and when I compare it to the other tech available at the time it just looks sad. Harlow Private 4,500 TRIUMPH Spitfire Spitfire I start with the #1 piston. Install lifters, pushrods and cylinder head. As JohnD mentioned, you can optimise the pump to minimise clearances between the body and rotor, see:http://tr6.danielsonfamily.org/OilPump.htm. Ideally, youd also get carburetors that arent worn out. The vehicle was based on a design produced for Standard-Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. I have a lot of experience in building engines, I even put together a current class record holding engine at Bonneville. But there were some problems. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 Moss Motors, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Do both methods and you will see the dial indicator method can lead you astray by a couple degrees. Install and torque the main caps one at time. Have them measured by your machinist. On some crankshafts the area where the seals ride can wear over time and new seals alone may not insure you wont have leak. | Alfa Spider vs. MGB vs. TR6 vs. Miata. I'm also probably going to get another engine and after a bit of general inspection (The one I'm going to look at has already been largely rebuilt) and replacing the oil and water pumps - which haven't been done and then swap engines over - it also has a twin exhaust and a 4-2-1 header which is almost new. You get extra points for completing this task if the engine in question is British or Italian of course, along with a tidy little bonus point if the engine is pre-1980. 21.49. For about $400, we sourced a set of these carbs, the proper intake manifold, a factory European exhaust manifold and a downpipe from Quantum Mechanics. TR6 four speed gearbox with J-type OD base rebuild pricing is $2999. Still slower than my prius, these are tractor engines from the 50s. If you have a single row chain I suggest you upgrade to a double row chain if available. Paddocks) sell. I have only ever torqued up to the factory spec, and never had any issues. Is your favorite classic car properly insured? Lifters (tappets) are always replaced with a new camshaft. Many parts are available for this engine from aftermarket suppliers. REBUILT ENGINE UNITS The Roadster Factory offers its own factory rebuilt engines and cylinder heads (see p. 6), and we believe that these units are the best solution available to most enthusiasts who need an engine overhaul. I think that they are 3.67 to 1. Please comment on anything from main studs to cams to roller rockers to engine machining procedures, to compression ratios, to carbs, etc..Please post any good links on this topic as well. The dual HS setup appears to be the best way to go, either the HS2 set-up from a Euro 1300 Spit or the HS4 set from a Euro 1500 Spit. This may take several minutes. Follow the same process with the rod bearings as we did with the crankshaft and plastigauge each journal one at a time. Engines & Engine Component Rebuilding Services The weber downdraft is basically the same carburetor that was used on early German Capris and Ford Pintos (1970s). I'll be making sure that my new one is as good as it can get to the "best" end of the specs. Having trouble posting or changing forum settings? Need someone to fit steel main caps to your block and line bore for the proper fit? Once the studs are installed (if applicable) then install the head gasket. If the surface isnt flat, have the deck resurfaced. You'd hopethey'd have put them back for the sake of a few pence if they reduced engine failure rates That's interesting, I wonder why they are on my late GT6 mk3? Rpm 5000 12.67 14.58 Frequently bought together. Anyone know anything about the downdraft Weber carb and aluminum intake kit being offered by englishparts.com? During break-in, check for leaks. Triumphs and Jags back in 1972 (58k scanned image of an official price sheet) Building an engine test stand Assorted first hand tech rebuilds Rebuilding Seats Windshield chrome Trim Oil Cooler Installation New Pistons and rings Grinding Rings New Dashboard Front Spring lowering Stainless Steel Brake Lines Rear axle tricks Interior Trim Many British engines have cam bearings in the block. The std stamped on the shells should mean std size. Rod bolts I recommend replacement. Check the straightness of the top of the blocks deck where the cylinder head attaches. If you feel any resistance, make sure the ring compressor is tamped square against the block deck, and if you still feel resistance, you may want to look in the bottom of the block and make sure your connecting rod is not interfering with the crankshaft. WHAT YOU CAN CLEAN YOURSELF Because this CNCengine center also bundles multiple machining operations into one piece of equipment, we no longer have to worry about different individual machines introducing any deviations in tolerances between machining steps. Maybe Moss Motoring can find a engine builder that specializes in these engines to do article on them, I know I would read it with great interest. The Birth of the Modern Sports Car: Datsun 240Z, Porsche 924, Triumph TR7 and Mazda RX-7. For about $200, we had a local muffler shop fabricate a new system. and have never used new bolts for any bearing caps. Flywheel Be sure to use engine oil with 1200 ppm of ZDDP to insure long engine life. Apologies, confusion re std. Is a lighter flywheel right for your classic? If you want to uprate the big end bolts but don't feel like splashing out on ARP, you can also use Cosworth (YB?) So, if not Vandervell, what other makes are recommended? It includes the crankshaft, bearings, pistons; it excludes the sump, oil pump, camshaft, cylinder head. My engine is very user friendly around town and on the highway. Installing new piston pins and pistons require a rod heater, where the rod is heated to about 1200 degrees and then the piston and pin is installed on that rod quickly before it cools. This engine is almost a direct bolt-in. It was beautifully designed by the legendary Italian car designer Giovanni Michelotti, and it also surprisingly sold in greater numbers than any of its rivals between 1962 to 1980. Double and triple check this to make sure you are at TDC. Follow the advice of the head gasket manufacturer in regards to coating. Inferior steel in the crankshaft, narrow bearings and thrust washer inadequacy posed issues for the 1500 and on top of that the single carb is a negative, as your test showed A competitor in my race group used to refer to his 1500 as "Mr Floppy" (referencing the crank, which precluded using high rpm). We also redid the air cleaner with the original black crackle finish. Magnafluxing typically involves applying a fluid, or powder to the crankshaft, then viewing it under a black light. Austin Healey, MG or Triumph we can build it better than original and to any performance level. Add to Wish List. Triumph Spitfire 1500 LHD Completely body off restored Triumph Spitfire 1500 LHD. The 1500 is a stroked 1300 and like all stroker engines, they make torque down low, but do not like higher RPMS. The Webers are 1 step up from the stock ZS carb, but suffer from a lack of tuning experience and info on this side of the pond. You dont want anything to be bent or stuck, as this will affect your cars operation. To truly rebuild SU carbs, you must send them to an expert; replacing those throttle shaft bushings requires specialized equipment. It might be suitable for some situations but the Spitfire (MG Midget) configuration is not one of them. Third, install the main bearings in the main capsbut dont install the caps yet. All engine parts are cleaned, prepped and machined or new. If the margin (the vertical part of the valve just below the seat sealing area) is ground away during refacing it could leave a sharp edge that can lead to a burnt exhaust valve later on. Dealer 3,695 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500cc in yellow, has been dry stored. The CNCblock machining center is a major contributor to the high level of quality and performance on our engines. But all the above are expensive and competition related. Crankshaft replace your pilot bushing. item 3 Triumph Spitfire 1500, MG Midget 1500 Rebuilt 4-Speed Transmission, Original, !! You will want to ask around for the shop that has the best reputation for crankshaft work. Make sure to lube all points of contact. $4315. Now that you have found TDC, move the dial indictors outside bezel to reflect zero at the needle point. What you are looking for is the point the dial indictor needle quits moving as the piston comes to the top of the block. Larger and the vital internal parts should be cleaned by professionals in an industrial parts washer. I know I was able to replace the thrust bearing in my TR-6 by dropping the pan and removing the rear main bearing cap, but can't remember if it the same on the Spitfire. Finally the machinist will use a special tool to chamfer (angle) the tops of the bores. The mean piston speed will be 26.5m/sec. The MG motor was incapable of being enlarged, just getting itto 1275 had required engineering handsprings (offset conrods? Hardened exhaust seat inserts are a must for the hotter burning unleaded fuels used today. 1980 1500 Spitfire, I just added new cap, rotor, wires, pertronix ignition and flamethrower coil. This should enable even 'inferior' bearings to be long lasting. MG Midget Triumph Spitfire Rebuilt 1500 Engine About this product About this product Best Selling in Engine Blocks Speedmaster Pce286.1049 Aluminum Engine Block Ford 351w Windsor 9.500 In. Exhaust valves A piece of angle iron drilled and tapped with a small bolt installed across the bore is easy to make. , Perhaps our biggest issue was simply the original setups drivability. In some states, this kind of modification is a no-no. Some enthusiasts opt for a WeberDGVdown-draft or single side-draft 40DCOEsetup. A trip to the machine shop requires a plan. Use new gaskets and properly clean all mating surfaces. Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars for Sale - Classics on Autotrader Spitfire/GT6 TS Imported Automotive, 108 South Jefferson St., Pandora, Ohio, 45877, USA Tel 800.543.6648 (USA & Canada only) 419.384.3022 (Tech / General Information) They are still relatively cheap, but are usually in need of new throttle shafts and waxstat to fixed jet modification. Transmission & Overdrive Rebuild Services | Wishbone Classics Bolting on the new carburetors is easy, and since this is a factory setup, the throttle cable will perfectly join the existing system. Altering the factory cam timing can be done in one of two wayseither by using offset camshaft keys or with an adjustable camshaft gear. I highly recommend Moss uprated valve seals. It will be your main point of reference. But this is for high revving engines, not road use. Engine gasket sets I prefer Payen brand gasket sets when I can get them. They don't appear on any of the Canley GT6 diagrams, but they were certainly there the first time I took the sump off in 1979, or there abouts. Cut a small piece of plastigauge and place on the #1 journal. 7500 19.00 21.88 The chap who created this stop motion film is one of the few chosen ones who successfully completed a full engine rebuild without throwing in the towel and marching down to the pub, the engine in the film is a 1500 4 pot from a Triumph Spitfire one of those cars Ive always sworn Ill buy. You may have seen them at county fairs the vertical velodromes were originally built from old grain silos, leading to the name "silo-drome.". Mathew Members 4.2k Posted March 30, 2021 I think these carbs were also stock on 70's era Fiat 124 sedans and roadsters, but I may be wrong. The following is a list of new parts I typically include in an engine rebuild. The 123 ignition(distributor) is a modification that employs spark balancing, like used in formula race cars. It should come around the outer edge of your degree wheel, preferably on the top side. The OEM guides are cast iron. The carb is a two stage design, so it's essentially a one barrel with a secondary that comes on at full throttle. Which Engine to use - Teglerizer I use .005 before and after maximum camshaft lift. Degree wheel ASSEMBLY Oil pressure regulator parts They are inexpensive, so replace them. The machine shop should magnaflux your crankshaft to rule out any cracks. Does the backfire come from timing, or carb? A bead blast cabinet is ideal for this job; however a wire brush on a drill, or bench grinder with a wire brush will get the job done. Manganese bronze guides expand with heat at a different rate than your cylinder head and require more clearance than cast iron guides. For the earlier 4 cylinder engines we always fit upgraded rear oil seals, an . If you find excessive wear your machine shop can reface them. Is there a howitzer story there? I've seen talk of 100HP from some out there, but I have to admit that the 3 main bearing crank arrangement scares me pretty badly. As of March 2007, all of our engine block work is carried out to the extremes of perfection on a CNCengine machining center. If you build a 1500 properly and respect it then this much maligned engine can be as dependable as any other Spitfire engine. 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle This is very important, because if you are not on TDC, all your readings will be wrong. - I think there is some end float issues amongst others!). (Not for racing, just to bring them into the 21st Century and to get my little Midget screaming down the road). do make sure you stick to 97+ or better fuel, **95 ul was for side valves and mowers when these cars were born.