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Spitfire Advice

  • 26-01-2017 11:16pm
    #1
    Quigs Snr
    Registered Users Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭


    My dad has a spitfire 1500.. its been fully restored.... was a driver when I bought it for him 15 years ago... now.. can get it to start but not stay going as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator.

    Changed fuel... done timing, sparks, leads, filters etc... played with the carbs... but realistically I think it has to be the carbs somehow.

    At this stage I am not willing to watch it rot in the garage for another summer... does anyone know of any specialists in the South East who would basically take this thing away on a trailer and bring it back in working order ?


Comments

  • #2
    Bigus
    Registered Users Posts: 4,938 ✭✭✭Bigus


    Any mechanic over 50 can sort that , it could be drawing air though a perished hose or just a blocked jet .


  • #3
    The Red Ace
    Registered Users Posts: 1,365 ✭✭✭The Red Ace


    the most likely thing wrong with it is that the jets in the carb are clogged up because of all the additives they are putting in the fuel, I have a few vintage bikes and its the same story, if I forget to turn off the fuel and let them run until they cut out next season they need stripping and cleaning again, its usually the idling jet that's clogged


  • #4
    Silent Shrill
    Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭Silent Shrill


    You've got twin su carbs on that. They're notorious little b'stards to get right. Rover had them also. If anyone's been tinkering with them, and didn't really know what they're doing, chances are they need tuning. Make sure the correct amount of oil is in them. They have to be balanced. Get a mechanic to do it that can. It's just a carb tune-up, shouldn't cost ott.

    Where are you in the S.E.?


  • #5
    Quigs Snr
    Registered Users Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭Quigs Snr


    Silent Shrill wrote: »
    You've got twin su carbs on that. They're notorious little b'stards to get right. Rover had them also. If anyone's been tinkering with them, and didn't really know what they're doing, chances are they need tuning. Make sure the correct amount of oil is in them. They have to be balanced. Get a mechanic to do it that can. It's just a carb tune-up, shouldn't cost ott.

    Where are you in the S.E.?

    Waterford.


  • #6
    Silent Shrill
    Registered Users Posts: 151 ✭✭Silent Shrill


    Quigs Snr wrote: »
    Waterford.

    Ahh, I'm in Enniscorthy. I'm sure someone in Waterford can sort it for you. The Haynes manual gives all the info you need to do it yourself. If you have no balancing gauges you can still get it quite close by ear, but it won't be perfect. Both carbs need to be set together, starting with idle.


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  • #7
    Quigs Snr
    Registered Users Posts: 4,128 ✭✭✭Quigs Snr


    Didn't get very far with this. Tried a few local lads who turned up, said they'd have it running in no time... nope. Half thinking of just buying a new pair of HS4 carbs (from rimmer brothers), but not sure if that will help, I am not mechanically minded, but reckon they must still need to be set up and are not plug and play... and I am not sure if the ones in it are borked or not.

    Any idea's on anyone who specialises in this ? Tried to get in contact with the Triumph club who want me to join, so I will try that, but it doesn't appear to be a join online thing... envelopes and stamps will likely be involved.


  • #8
    Mc-BigE
    Registered Users Posts: 1,033 ✭✭✭Mc-BigE


    try these lads over on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/890954024340291/?ref=bookmarks. might be able to help.

    ive tuned my twin su's  using tips from this guy on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nvGLgO6pj0  and this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ush9Zc-hNIA and this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASeMfXfjNpw use a piece of tube to the ear to listen to the suction noise of each su and try to get them to sound the same. im in cork, if she cutting out, then maybe getting too little fuel, what she idling at when warm? , should be around 800-1000rpm. that guy is mainly MGs not truimph, but the carbs are pretty close. also have a look here: http://sucarb.co.uk/technical-hs-type-carburetter-description-adjustments
    after youve done this, report back if its still cutting out

    edited: , is your choke cable working? .ie when you pull the choke the Red (or grey on some models) stem under each su will drop down, this allows extra fuel to get in, but will flood if left open for long (basic choke stuff, sorry if this is insulting) sometimes the red stems will not drop down, even if the choke is fully out. this would make the car stall or not start when cold


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