Yet another project....The uncrashed spitfire
- Thread starter Mattius
- Start date
Project has stalled just now as the engine is getting on my ****, cant get it to run at all and looks like i might have a warped block. Head has been replaced 3 times now with a new gasket and yet i still have zero compression in 3 cylinders.
Block is flat when i put a steel rule accross it, and the head is definatly flat been checked by the machine shop.
Valves arent sticking and are closing and sealing properly:
Bubbles are just from filling and chamber stayed full for 2mins before it started to evapourate.
It was originally thought to be head studs bottoming out, but i swapped them out to a better set and nuts which definatly arent, head is def torqued down to 55lbs.
Piston rings are good, bores are good.
Im of the opinion it was the cam timing off but i took the rocker gear off and did a compression test and still no compression.
Checked valve clearences 10-15 times slightly more and slightly less still noubt.
Only thing else that has changed appart from the stem seals being fitted (which def arent fouling), is fit a 1mm spacer in beneath the rocker gear to compensate for the skim but that valve clearences were done after so it shouldnt affect.
It must be something massive to cause compression that low.
Valves arent sticking and are closing and sealing properly:
Bubbles are just from filling and chamber stayed full for 2mins before it started to evapourate.
It was originally thought to be head studs bottoming out, but i swapped them out to a better set and nuts which definatly arent, head is def torqued down to 55lbs.
Piston rings are good, bores are good.
Im of the opinion it was the cam timing off but i took the rocker gear off and did a compression test and still no compression.
Checked valve clearences 10-15 times slightly more and slightly less still noubt.
Only thing else that has changed appart from the stem seals being fitted (which def arent fouling), is fit a 1mm spacer in beneath the rocker gear to compensate for the skim but that valve clearences were done after so it shouldnt affect.
It must be something massive to cause compression that low.
Well it must be the block, there is nothing else it can be, we checked the valve timing today and still nothing. Uber gutted here means a new engine as machining costs on this one would be more than a new short engine. This is gonna seriously hurt the respray fund, looks like im gonna have to paint it myself.
the cam hasnt been changed since it last ran.
i get compresion but nothing near enough, im round about 20psi. It is exactly as you would think when you put your thumb over the hole a little bit of preasure but not nearly as much as their should be.
i get compresion but nothing near enough, im round about 20psi. It is exactly as you would think when you put your thumb over the hole a little bit of preasure but not nearly as much as their should be.
none of the coolant system is linked up just now so as to eliminate that, i only have the bare minimum connected.
ok here is the plastacine test to check for block warping, made a bloody mess and doesnt seem to show anything.
Funky colours
i think they should make head gaskets this colour
Squish out
Squish in
Block
Head
Im confused there doesnt seem to be any problems
Did a compression test again just before i took the head off
1. 20psi
2. 16psi
3. 110psi
4. 5psi
ok here is the plastacine test to check for block warping, made a bloody mess and doesnt seem to show anything.
Funky colours
i think they should make head gaskets this colour
Squish out
Squish in
Block
Head
Im confused there doesnt seem to be any problems
Did a compression test again just before i took the head off
1. 20psi
2. 16psi
3. 110psi
4. 5psi
Yeap it is a recessed block gasket im using.
all 1500 spitfires use a recessed block, 1300s all use non recessed, you can however put a 1500 fwd engine in the spit and then you have a 1500 non recessed which will be my next engine.
all 1500 spitfires use a recessed block, 1300s all use non recessed, you can however put a 1500 fwd engine in the spit and then you have a 1500 non recessed which will be my next engine.
different makes of stud is the answer to the last question both have the same amount of thread down to the same height so it doesnt make any difference.
I am using new gaskets (been through 4 so far) you are right once you use them the firring rings compress making them impossible to seal again.
I am using new gaskets (been through 4 so far) you are right once you use them the firring rings compress making them impossible to seal again.
right given the engine problems i've had to come to the conclusion i wont be able to get the car re-sprayed till next year, so i started the one day respray, no pre, no sanding just a light key, only had a day in the warm garage before the vette comes back so had to be quick and its just to protect from rust so i wasnt too fused. But it came out pretty good, few runs, but really just needs a sand and a cutt.
Check this out
Totally gob smacked when i took the covers off it quickly this morning, it looks stunning, only noticeable when you look close are the runs.
Check this for a one day re-spray, you can tell the old and new old is darker.
Totally gob smacked when i took the covers off it quickly this morning, it looks stunning, only noticeable when you look close are the runs.
Check this for a one day re-spray, you can tell the old and new old is darker.
Finally got the engine out today, impressed by how easy it came out with the crane, did it all myself only needing help to swing it out the way of the bonnet.
Car back together.
And engine out now, in the shed now ready for dissasembly.
Car back together.
And engine out now, in the shed now ready for dissasembly.
Right here is the bores, flash makes them look more scratched than they seem in real life.
This is one i am worried about though, if you see there is a kinda horrizontal scratch.
Pistons not very pretty
Bearings are showing signs of usual heavy wear but nothing major
Should the timing chain be this loose? and am i missing a core plug i.e. the hole just above the chains.
i dont have any specialised engine tools to measure wear on the bore.
This is one i am worried about though, if you see there is a kinda horrizontal scratch.
Pistons not very pretty
Bearings are showing signs of usual heavy wear but nothing major
Should the timing chain be this loose? and am i missing a core plug i.e. the hole just above the chains.
i dont have any specialised engine tools to measure wear on the bore.