engine resurrections

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:56 am

I am taking delivery today of a â€œlost treasureâ€. A â€™69 Triumph Spitfire. The vehicle has been stored indoors for approximately 10 years. There are conflicting reports as to when the engine was last run, however, the best case scenario is at least three years.

I need your best how to procedure to resurrect this engine. Success or failure of this initial stage of the project will determine if it becomes a family restoration project vehicle, or a parts car.

Please email me at mbouse@chartermi.net with your suggestions.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:29 am

First, I'd remove the spark plugs and squirt atf into each cylinder and let it sit for a few days. Then turn the engine over by hand several revolutions. If it feels tight in any spot, reverse rotation and add more atf.
Once the engine is turning over freely, then I'd replace all of the fluids (gas, oil, water) and fuel hoses before attempting to start it

Can you find out why the car was parked in the first place? I always think it's curious that someone would take a car that is running fine and leave it sit. Seems to me that usually there was some type of operating issue, and that's why it was ignored.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:59 pm

I know the current owner. he's the bosses brother. the price i am paying is basically parts car price, so i firmly believe that worst case, i will get my investment back.

the car was a project to save his sanity during a divorce. 1st and only project car for him. he said he completely rebuilt the engine, and ran it on the road for a while. when he remarried, the car slowly lost priority in his life. actually, everything was complete except the interior, which resto was started, but never finished. his parents live nearby, and the car was parked in the mom's six bay pole barn, with cement floor. it was actually parked in the MIDDLE of the barn, so there is little chance any foul weather (other than cold) reached the vehicle. no rain, no rust, no snow, no crud.

so, my question is....after reading several varieties of the same procedure (thanks by the way) HOW MUCH atf should be added per cylinder? one ounce? as much as the cylinder will hold? does it really matter?

I trust that the idea is the atf will seep past the rings and lube the pistons and cylinder walls.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:41 pm

yes, the atf will lube the rings and walls, and maybe break down any rust that has formed. The reason for atf is that it will burn rather than foul the plugs like oil.
How much? that's a good question! Enough to coat the walls all around. With a small inspection light, look down the spark plug hole once the plugs are out and try to get a feel for cyl condition. If the cyls look clean, an ounce or so is probably enough. If you fill the cyl completely, you'll have a mess when you turn the engine over since the atf will get pumped out the plug hole. If you reinstall the plugs, you may hydraulic the motor.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:09 pm

thanks mark.

didn't think about the mess i'd be making with "too much" atf. only makes common sense IF you've been through it before.

i'll letcha know as soon as I have results.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:03 pm

one other note, be prepared for LOTS of smoke once the engine starts. The atf will burn in the cylinder and take a few minutes to clear up. Have a fan ready if you're doing this in a garage

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:26 pm

at this point, that is wishful thinking. too bad it is not mosquito season here.

post poned delivery until tomorrow evening. pictures posted very soon afterwards.

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:30 pm

Mike, whenever a person tells me the engine was"rebuilt" I ask alot of questions. This could mean less than we might expect. Do this car at your leisure, it needs to be fun. Cool car!

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:42 pm

Dave,

Fortunately, it is at the end of the season, and I have two road worthy Spiders at the beck-n-call.

I have no intention of breaking my neck, my pocketbook, or my back on this one.

I'll letcha drool on it next month. I should know by then if it'll be a fixer-upper or a parts car.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:35 pm

those early Spits with the metal bumpers are pretty desirable, and if it's got the dual carbs they're as fast as a stock Spider

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:58 pm

A note on the dual carbs. SU carbs have a small damping cylinder on the top. Remove the small cap and make sure there is oil in the cylinder
(grade of oil varies depending on the model). Getting the carbs dialed in makes a lot of difference. I have had several of these come through my stall while working in the used car side of the business. They are great fun. Enjoy !

...J.D.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:08 pm

Here they are:

http://webpages.charter.net/mbouse/triumph/

the plugs are out and the A T F is soaking in the cylinders. Didja count all six? dual carbs too. Oh, my!

Got to sit in it today. Makes the Spider look a lot bigger! Wonder what that six cylinder is gonna do to that little bitty car?

so, who knows how far i gotta tear the front end apart to get to the crank nut? is there a crank nut? which way to i gotta turn the engine by hand once i find the crank nut?

Mark_vaughn · Post by **Mark_vaughn** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:18 pm

Doesn't look like a parts car to me!!

Congrats on the new toy.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:35 pm

oh my! somebody stuffed a GT6 motor in there! That car will be a kick to drive!

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:08 am

Wow, Mike! That sure is a keeper if the engine is good. If not, you shouldn't have a hard time selling the car.