Triumph T6 Spitfire Gt Build Chris Sherrington.

[CHRIS211083]

Well today I was very tired again. We have just started a new training cycle and boy is it tough. So when I got home I struggled to get myself out to the car but I made it eventually as my energy returned. First up was to finish the center dash so out the dials came.

 

 

I then applied glue and placed the vinyl and metal together and compressed them between two haynes manuals. Which I then stood on for a few mins.

 

 

I then rolled and glued the edges and fitted the dash. Then I cut the holes and then fitted the dials and switches.

 

 

 

Have to say I'm really chuffed with this and how it completes the look of the hole dash.

 

 

Next I thought I'd fit the new LHD column switches.

 

 

I like these as it puts the indicators on the same side as the mini and other cars so neither me or the wife will accidentally hit the wrong one. They are brand new and cost a small fortune but actually came in cheaper than the RHD type ones. So I saved a bit too.

 

After that it was the heater valves turn. I fitted the two screws and then had to file down the knob as it touched the screw heads as they didn't sit flush.

 

 

 

 

I have a label writer and will label all the switches and the heater position etc once everything is in to finish the look off.

 

After that I decided to fit the last rubber fuel hoses and tank breather.

 

 

 

With that done I refitted the steering column plastic shroud and the steering wheel. I also fitted the key ring from the old car to the new keys.

 

 

Really looking forward to driving this. It's gonna be a beast but there is plenty left to do.

 

Chris.

Edited October 10, 2012 by CHRIS211083

[CHRIS211083]

I've ordered the exhaust tips today. I love the look of the Monza Pacesetter exhaust but no matter where I look others don't look as impressive. However the system is very loud so Im told and not the correct size. So I'll be getting a custom exhaust made with these tips on the end.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400301530443

 

These are 2" with 2 1/2 tips, ideal for my 2" system and will give the correct look I'm after.

 

I don't think much will get done over winter. I just don't have the enthusiasm after the big push and now the cold weather is here I dont think progress will happen until my enthusiasm returns.

 

Chris.

[pomwah]

C'mon Chris, reading about your project is half the reason I'm trying to make my Spit as good as it can be. Never seen anyone put as much solo effort into something like that before.

 

I know it's going to be dark, wet, miserable and cold for the next few months so put up a tent around the car and install a heater. Just be careful when grinding or using a gas axe. Luckily we are coming into summer and the warm weather and long evenings are perfect for some extended hours with a spanner.

 

Did I mention it was going to be cold, wet, dark and miserable there for the next little while, LOL.

 

Have fun,

J2

[JohnD]

Chris,

Two 'aircraft' style covered switches?

Both ignition?

Redundancy? I had one fail on me, stopping my race rather abruptly, so I have two in parallel.

Is that your purpose?

JOhn

[Spit131]

In your own time time Chris .

If my grandson is the first to have my car on the road , so be it .

Enjoy the time you spend on the car and look no further .

I think you have MORE than enough on your plate . M .

 

[twincamspit]

"I don't think much will get done over winter. I just don't have the enthusiasm after the big push and now the cold weather is here I dont think progress will happen until my enthusiasm returns."

 

The restoration is (supposed to be) as enjoyable as the driving. No point doing it when it's a chore, give yourself a break and come back to it when you're going to enjoy it.

 

I came to a similar conclusion about the winter a couple of nights ago in my garage when my fingers were so cold I couldn't feel what I was doing.

So I went inside and got my 'fix' by reading articles like your blog.

 

One mistake though was that I went on ebay.. and found bought some great bargains. So there goes the plan of not doing much over winter ;-)

 

You made so much progress Chris, you deserve a break until you're going to *enjoy* working on it again.

[pomwah]

Almost 01:00 and still 23 c. Even in the depths of winter you can still feel your fingers here.

 

Kick back and relax guys, stoke up those log fires and settle in. Plan your spring campaigns and when the sun returns come out fighting.

 

Cheers,

J2.

[pomwah]

Sorry mate, meant to ask how you went in Brazil.

 

J2

[CHRIS211083]

Two 'aircraft' style covered switches?

Both ignition?

 

Hi John,

The EFI/ignition system has it's own wiring loom which has its own relay and the only connections that need to be made are switched feed and perm live. The two switches on the dash are for the heater/blower motor and the rear heated screen. Both switches are 30amps and were not cheap so should be fine.

 

J2, Brazil went ok for me but it was a team event and the rest of the players were not the first team. We were doomed from the outset.

 

Arrived today was a second hand starter motor and some silicone pipes and reducers to connect the heater blower motor to the dash vents. I've known for a while now that you get better flow through a solid pipe than the stock flexible ribbed type so now I'm transferring this to the screen demister vents. Fingers crossed it should be better.

 

Chris.

[James]

I never knew the heater/blower and rear heated screens were such critical items

 

Are you sure they're not for the pin tacks and smokescreen Chris?

[CHRIS211083]

All critical stuff is on the stalks now, so I used them to add a bit of colour and break up the dash appearance.

 

Chris.

[CHRIS211083]

Ok so the exhaust tips turned up today, they look very big yet the inner size is not too bad but we shall see what they look like once fitted. Here some pic's.

 

 

 

Tomorrows job is to remove the single box exhaust and rap it up to get a postage cost for Doug. Then I might attack the wiring a bit more.

 

Chris.

[spitfire6]

 

Next I thought I'd fit the new LHD column switches.

 

I like these as it puts the indicators on the same side as the mini and other cars so neither me or the wife will accidentally hit the wrong one. They are brand new and cost a small fortune but actually came in cheaper than the RHD type ones. So I saved a bit too.

 

Chris.

 

Hi Chris,

Looking Good!

 

Where did you get the LHD windscreen wiper stalk from?

Is the steering column plastic shroud/cowling the same for LHD/RHD?

 

Cheers,

Iain.

[CHRIS211083]

Hello mate wiper stalk came from Rimmerbros(new) and the cowling is sided because of the ignition lock position. However the spitfire grave yard has loads of lhd and rhd cowls.

 

Chris.

[spitfire6]

Thanks for that. Checking it out now. Cheers,Iain

[martinholmesuk]

Hi Chris.

 

Where did you get the GPS gauge? I saw on another forum about yours. I would like the GPS gauge and maybe the rev counter. Do they fit the standard makr 4 dash sized gaige holes? Cheers

 

Looking good too!!!

 

Martin

[CHRIS211083]

Yes mate they do fit the holes but you must select the type you want from Speedhut.com they are nice and can be completely customized.

 

Chris.

[CHRIS211083]

Took a LOTUS EVORA out for a test drive yesterday. I was hopeing to not fit in it and be put off but the quality of finish, however the car was spot on and the quality was very very good. This is now my favorite lottery winning car. The handling and perfect steering were amazing, There was also alot of room in the cabin and I even had the seat forward two clicks from the furthest back setting. Very impressed, this will definately be one of the cars I own in the future.

 

But for now the Spitfire GT has alot to live up to.

 

Chris.

[pomwah]

L.O.T.U.S.: "Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious"

 

Win the lottery though and you could have another Evora for the times when the first is being fixed. I'm with you Chris, it's the perfect car for the UK.

 

Cheers

J2

[GT6MK3]

There was also alot of room in the cabin and I even had the seat forward two clicks from the furthest back setting.

 

So that's you're Judo secret huh? Long torso, short legs!

 

C.

[CHRIS211083]

No mate, I've got long legs that are like tree trunks yet still fitted in. The Torso is long but not compared to some of the more "silver back" type/related players. Ha Ha.

 

As for trouble with the Lotus, these are the things of the past. The parts can be a bit pricey but as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty it's all doable.

 

Chris.

[CHRIS211083]

Well day 7 of the Christmas holidays today and for the past three days my want to finish the T6 has grown. So today I went out to do a few things, not enough to seem like work but just enough to make it feel like i'd done something. So what did I do???? Well I found there to be water in the foot wells. So first thing I did was drill a 5mm hole in the deepest part of the water and let the water out. Haveing no door seals and the T6 having no roof guttering means that the water came in. I also hadn't fitted the door weather seals either, this means the water falls into the doors. Where I had not drilled the drain holes. So I drilled two 5mm holes per door. One at the front and one at the rear. This will let the water drain from the doors and not overflow into the tub! Next I thought I'd wire up the engine........Only to find that the coil pack connector is wrong!!! the air inlet temperature sensor connector(IAT) was wrong and so is the coolant temperature sensor(CTS). So I connected the others and will neaten the wires up later.

 

That was all for today, I'm off to call up ATpower to find out what sensors I need as these will be easier than rewiring the loom, and so the work begins again.

 

Chris.

[CHRIS211083]

Ok so I looked at the coil connector on the mini (a Specialist Components kit same as co that made the Atpower loom)today.

 

 

It's got a Bosch coil pack on the mini and the connector turned out to be the same so the two coils I have don't fit as they are Motorcraft(standard early Zetec Se fittment) ones. So I either need to get a new connector for the coil or a new Bosch coil pack like the mini one. I then looked at the coolant temp sensor which was the same as the one on my kit so I can get another like that, unfortunately the Air temp was a different connector so I'll need to call SC and find out what the options are.

 

 

I also need to order some more coolant hose so I can finish the coolant system off. Then next up is to wire up the fuel pump to the Engine wiring harness and we can attempt an engine start. Will post more once it's been done.

 

Chris.

[CHRIS211083]

Ok so the correct coil pack connector arrived yesterday and I went to the local scrappy and picked up another coil pack connector with wiring attached and a temperature sensor connector so I can use the OE temp sensor. I've also ordered an aftermarket IAT sensor which should arrive today. So yesterday, I went out into the -1 temp to fiddle with the car. I filled the engine with oil and fiddled with bits and bobs. I tried to tidy up the wiring but just made it look more messy(epic fail). I also tried to find the final position for the coil pack. After much deliberation I think it will have to go on the front of the engine. I thought I'd manage to fit it next to the original spot but this wont work and just looks messy. So hopefully today I'll make up the coil pack mounting bracket and fix it into it's new place. Then I'll need to see what size of ht leads i'll need as the stock length ones wont fit. Will post tonight how I go on.

 

Chris.

[CHRIS211083]

Well it was all back to square one. I've found a better place for the coil pack and the HT leads fit perfect. The compromise was the header tank must go. I've sent my spec's to Tim W so he can work his magic again and make me a header tank to fit in the space i have. Here is my rough sketch.

 

 

And here is the most recent arrangement.

 

 

Here you can see the only space available is in between the coil pack and the washer bottle.

 

 

The original header tank is just the wrong shape but the custom one will work fine.

 

Here are the connectors I got from the scrappy.

 

 

I fitted the coil pack connector but had to nip to the chiropractor so that was all I managed today. I't amazing how easy time slips through your fingers when you have design problems. More tomorrow.

 

Chris.