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Hi I'm building a close ratio gearbox for my spitfire Mk3 using a Spitfire MkIV casing and a gear set from from a Dolomite 1850. I have instructed my machinist to shorten the 1850 shaft to the length of that of a Spitfire shaft, however he pointed out that the 1850 shaft tapers and is narrower at the root. He said that at the desired length, the daimeter will be too small for the 1500 clutch disk and wont work. He said that he can cut the 1850 shaft and remachine the splines to the narrow type 10 spine of the spitfire Mk3. On the other hand i have read on this and other fora that the 1850 input shaft can be made to fit the spifire1500 clutch disk. I must be missing something and I wish to keep the 20 spine setup so as to use a the larger 1500 clutch disk. Does anyone have any info on this? Thank you so much Nicky

I have a problem with my spitfire MK3 FD engine that is lightly tuned with twin HS4 carbs. electronic ignition and a tubular exhaust manifold I use the car in the local classic car grand prix: http://www.vallettagrandprix.com/EN.Mdina_GP_2013_by_Matthias_Kundt.aspx. Briefly as soon as the engine approached 6500rpm i can hear a change in pitch coming from the engine, more like a knocking or rattling of sorts. It does keep pulling nonetheless up to 6800rpm. I need this rev range to avoid changing gears very close to some corners of the track. The bottom end was rebuilt about 3000miles ago out of which 30miles under racing conditions What could it be? Regards Nick

Seems this is the place to be for hot-rod british cars. Also on some other forums but few get into details of older Brit cars and how to improve them without essentially dropping the body on a new chassis. I'm modifying a Triumph GT-6+ with a Buick V6 engine, T5, and custom IRS. Currently looking at Merkur rear suspension components and custom "A" arms. Big project, should be fun. Also restoring a Marcos 1600 GT wood chassis car. Returning it to near original, last engine was a Mazzzzda rotary, and a horrid fit. Finally located a 711M 1600 cross-flow for it. My only major mod is fitting an ex-Merkur T9 trans. Have a few others, '68 El Camino hot rod getting Jag IRS, four speed, HOT engine. 1969 Land-Rover 88" with quaif diff's at both ends, Fairey OD, roll bar, etc. Have taken it all over and back. Been playing with British cars since I was 12, first car I ever bought was a Jag XK-140 MC drop-head. Lost it to flood damage before the restoration was complete, many years ago. Have had about every sort of Triumph, several Jags, Alfa, Morris, MG, Thames, really too many to list. Have done several kit cars, from old 50's "You build it" body shells to Noble P4's. Currently have the molds to the Tatum Crusader, plan to build one with a big bike engine. Have a fairly well equipped machine shop, may make more than one of certain items I need. Main project of the moment is the TR GT-6+. TRIumph + buICK = "Trick-6". Major issues are front and rear suspension redesign.