martin wood

Jun 27 2008, 08:06 AM

My Spitfire 1500 now has 600 miles behind the new recon engine.

(I bought this as as recon head and a recon block from Newark Engines in 2 eBay sales. I also bout a NEW Stanpart camshaft from them for £10 plus all the gaskets timing chain and tensioner and oil pump from them. They told me they have lots of engines and are just reconditioning them and putting them on eBay.
I am informed that they did the reconditioning for Rimmer Bros. Also I just learned that Rimmers are no longer selling recons so this might explain why they have a lot.)

It was going lovely with lots more power and less exhaust noise. I had torqued down the head bolts and changed the oil and filter (Fram/Penrite 20/50) recently though, I recieved 10 original MGRover filters for £19 (eBay) so that will do me for a few years, saved money and be more likely to change oil twice a year rather than once!

Well, having said that, last Monday, a valve siezed open and dislodged a pushrod while steaming down the LB bypass.
No serious damage done though. Seems my eBay bargain restored head was not quite a bargain.

They (Newark Engines) had used stainless steel valves and steel guides. My local restorer Terry Hird says this combination will produce excess heat. He has now fitted bronze guides, re lapped the valves and re skimmed the head.

I will re fit it and hope for the best!

Thought this might be of interest to some.

You might also be interested to know that inspired by Classics Monthly's article I have booked a ferry and hotel package for 16th July for a few days and am intending to take her and a mate to Normandy to explore the D Day beaches and hinterland.

Getting to Portsmouth to me will be an adventure, but France and all......