spitfire 2 hurricane

Long time no reports.

2007-12-08T20:20:00.000Z

Well it has been some time since I made a report on MLE 302D (affectionately known as Emely.) The last report being in June 2007. Just after she had passed her mot and was on the roads. We were soon to be enjoying drives locally and 'Emely' got herself noticed attracting a lot of attention as well as having her photograph taken regularly. Which of course made us feel very proud and pleased after all the hard work re the building of her.

I then naturally wanted to try a longer journey so it was on 1st July we went to Sawston to meet Toby Cowper who had ordered a Vincent Hurricane kit to rebuild his elderly decaying Triumph Spitfire. Toby was impressed with our MLE, photographs were taken etc.
Also in July we took MLE to Croxley Green in Hertfordshire this was her second long journey being some 200 mile round trip from our home.

A week or so later while out cruising the engine started making a funny noise. We returned home at a slow pace to reduce any serious damage to the engine.

On investigating we found no2 big end had started to pick up on the crank luckily the damage was not too serious and a new set of big ends were ordered from Canley's and duly fitted.

We then started a slow running-in period not over revving the engine and covered a further 350 miles at this point an oil and filter change were done in readiness for Duxford.

MLE had been invited to Duxford earlier in the year for the August anniversary of the Spitfire fighter plane. The Hurricane was also used during the 2nd world war although not mentioned as much. MLE 302D was of course a Spitfire and is now a (Vincent) Hurricane.

On 5th August we left home at 7Am so the trip would not be too much of a rush and it was already promising to be a hot day. Having met up with Colin Wake in Colchester we then made our way towards Duxford via Earls Colne and Halstead continuing on through to Great Yeldham, all was going well we were making good time and it was getting hotter by the minute.
We left the village of Ridgewell heading for Haverhill then on approaching New England we developed a misfire and loss of power so finding a safe place to investigate the problem.......Up came the bonnet.......A quick check of coil and plug leads revealed nothing I restarted the her and she seemed happy firing on all four cylinders so off we went. By this time Colin had realized that we were no longer following him so had turned around to look for us. We now passed each other travelling in opposite directions Colin did a U turn and now of course he was behind us which was very fortunate as MLE soon started to play up again we pulled in to take another look, Colin had pulled in behind us. This time we decided to change the points and condenser.
Now restarted once again and were running sweet this seemed to have cured the problem. THEN as we were going down the Haverhill By Pass power was lost once more and again we pulled into a lay-by at this point another Triumph Spitfire passed and on seeing we were having difficulties turned around and pulled up to offer some assistance. Colin had offered me the spare coil he carries, this was soon fitted and once again the engine started all was well ........Or so it seemed!
One mile down the road and it was the same old story at this point I told Colin and the crew of the other Spitfire to continue on to Duxford as the cars were expected to be on display to the public. We had all been asked to arrive by 9.45am this was looking increasingly unlikely for us and we were running out of ideas fast. There was no sense in several cars arriving late because one couldn't behave herself! At this point that we thanked Colin and the Spitfire crew for their help and we hoped to see them all later. Having played mechanic for a while longer we eventually arrived at Duxford on a wing and a prayer...........Several prayers.

We had a very enjoyable day at Duxford and were given a lot of advice from many very kind and helpful people. But of course at the end of the day we had to get back home with the problem remaining unsolved. The journey back home was a stop/start event but we were able to get home under our own steam.

Since Duxford various parts have been removed and cleaned with some parts being replaced but the main problem was that the fuel tank. It had possibly got some rust in it as it had been unused for many years. The fuel tank in MLE is the older type having the pick up at the bottom. I have now been informed that the later fuel tanks have the pick up coming in from the top....... Hence on filling the tank to capacity for the first in many years the rust etc. would have been disturbed and then settled at the bottom making it easy to enter the fuel line. I have now modified the fuel line and have also fitted an in-line fuel filter at the tank end this has now cured the problem. MLE is once again well and happy and we are still enjoying getting out as often as we can with warm scarves these days! Perhaps it is time to think about a hard top especially as my wife is thinking about taking a hot water bottle on our next outing.

Increadible hand puppet talent this is a MUST SEE!

2007-09-13T20:39:00.001Z

On the road

2007-06-24T19:42:00.000Z

Well it has now passed its Mot and we have been out on the roads clocking up some miles.

Just a few minor adjustment to make but nothing serious.

Very pleased with the way it all went the Mot was my biggest worry but the car passed first time.

The chap who did the Mot was very impressed with the way the car was put together.

He also like the stainless exhaust system and the clamps i used to hold it all together.

Finished.

2007-06-10T21:48:00.000Z

Well it seemed like it was going to take for ever to finish but today the Hurricane it finished.
Have been out for a small test drive and all is well.

Mot is booked for Saturday the 16th june 9.30 am.

The complete car.

2007-05-28T19:30:00.000Z

Both doors are refitted.

The engine has now been run up for the first time in 12 years.
Well the oil pressure was instant and did not smoke.

More pictures/more progress

2007-05-24T22:21:00.000Z

Rear interior panels are all fitted in.
Exhaust system is now fitted.
Rear number plate and light also now fitted.
The hood is fitted and suit's the car colour.

windscreen fitting complete

2007-05-16T21:25:00.000Z

windscreen fitting complete.....A good tip for fitting the plastic chrome insert is to spray a little WD40 along the insert groove aprox. 12" at a time then gently tap insert into rubber with a rubber mallet. This idea came to me after the wife had struggled for some time! with a crochet hook and various other instruments including a rug hook!

Windscreen in.

2007-05-14T21:00:00.000Z

Fitting the screen was the easy bit the wife has the hard task of fitting the chrome filler strip.

More pictures

2007-05-12T20:49:00.000Z

Parts on order.

2007-05-10T20:34:00.000Z

Well have done the final order for parts to complete the Hurricane.

Canley's have confirmed the order has been dispatched.
Also have ordered new headlamp bowls from SVC.

Soon very soon

2007-05-09T20:28:00.000Z

Front grille fitted and lights. Just need to buy new headlamp bowls.
Chassis plate fitted.
Bonnet securing locks.
Just a few more weeks and we should have her running.

seats are in.

2007-04-30T20:30:00.001Z

Well the seats have been cleaned and are now fitted.
The next thing is to sort out seat belts then once that is over come the fitting of the interior trim panels can go ahead.

2007-04-29T21:52:00.000Z

The side grille's that i have made are now fitted.

The radiator grille that I have made today will be painted then fitted this week progress has been good this weekend.

Bonnet is now painted.

2007-04-28T22:14:00.000Z

primed with high build.
Then 3litres of top coat.

2007-04-27T22:56:00.000Z

2007-04-27T22:53:00.000Z

Whoop's

2007-04-22T21:22:00.000Z

Don't know what happened yesterday but my post didn't get published.
So the last two postings are back to front.

Painting the rear end

2007-04-22T21:13:00.000Z

Above in etch primer.
Now in high build primer.
Now applying top coats.
Finished top coats.
Above are also the bonnet side grilles that i have made. Also in etch primer.

2007-04-22T21:03:00.000Z

Above is the grilles that I have made for the bonnet side vents.

At last the rear end is finished.lights fitted boot lid and fuel filler fitted for good.

Fine weather and more paint.

2007-04-14T21:59:00.000Z

Well i have take advantage of the warm weather.The windscreen fame is now in colour and also are the door shuts and the top part of the bulkhead.I am using cellulose paint,acid 8 etch primer and high build primer.

Bulkhead is now painted

2007-04-09T21:37:00.000Z

Well this has made a lot of differance to the progess of the car.Now that we have colour in the engine bay.

Good progress

2007-04-07T22:23:00.001Z

Temporary fitment of soft top so as I can fit the frame in place.

Fitment of the windscreen frame.

Well the last few days has made a lot of difference to the car in the rebuild.

Progress can now be seen as the days go by.

radiator mounting

2007-03-25T20:47:00.000Z

Well the radiator is now mounted and the kenlowe fan is fitted.

The radiator mounting brackets are my own design.

Gear linkage modification

2007-03-24T22:36:00.000Z

The gear linkage mod is one that has been done before.I used a 1/2'' drive universal joint from a socket set.It now feels more positive and not having any nylon bushes to replace in the future i feel it was worth doing.

The wheel rims a before and after shot lower pic is the after shot. I have used a scotch pad and Tcut to remove the build up of film that has stuck to the rims over the years.

2007-03-18T21:25:00.000Z

More pictures

2007-03-18T21:19:00.000Z

More progress

2007-03-17T21:39:00.000Z

Well the weather has been kind and we have made great progress since the last posting and today we have cleaned the wheels with paint stripper(the wife has been doing the wheels).

Also the hand brake and pivot point is now all fitted in and working.

Engine and gearbox is fitted also the exhaust manifold and inlet manifold are fitted.

Made up two new studs for the rocker cover as the new gasket is much thicker then the old one and the nuts would not reach the threads.

Front and rear brakes are all back together including new pads and shoes.

The paint on the boot lid has turned out really well I am pleased with the finished.

Will post more pictures soon.

Back to the grind

2007-02-26T22:20:00.000Z

Well after a poor start to 2007 I've only just got back to working on the car again after illness.
But I have made good progress and have now got the engine and gear box back together.
Fitted new clutch ass'y and new seals to clutch slave, replaced fuel pump gaskets, fitted new alternator.

I am now going to purchase a new starter motor as the one that came in the boxes of bits is the wrong one for this set up.
The thermostat needs replacing but will do that when the engine is fitted back in the car.

Also today I have started to deseam the body most of the grp mould is seam free only the joints on the front wings and rear quarter panels need attention. There is also some gel repairs required to the rear section of the boot /rear panel I hope to rectify this in the next few weeks.

We have now chosen the colour after a lot of looking and searching it is going to be painted in Royal Blue.

So as we now have the plan of attack (not set in stone) we have sorted out who is going to paint the car and I have decided to do it myself.

I know what you will all say but I feel that I can.

So this will be the next big expense costing it out at £300 for paint/primer/etch primer/thinners and any other bits and pieces.

parts

2007-02-13T21:10:00.000Z

Well went to stoneleigh and found myself a few goodies.
sound proofing.
wiper blades S/STEEL.
manifold gasket.
Carb gaskets.
carpeting.
And some very useful Diy idea's that was the best find of the day.

Body Paint

2007-02-10T21:46:00.000Z

Well have had a nice surprise this week whilst on holiday.
Found a company that will do a full respray on the hurricane for under £1000.00.
Well impressed with the quote.
Going to book it in for early May time.
Now we have to choose a suitable colour for it.

back to work

2007-02-03T23:33:00.000Z

Well the weather has been kind today so the cover came off of the hurricane.
Reshaped lower bonnet panel so as it will tilt far more so as the bonnet stay can now be used.
Looking to dig out engine and gear box tomorrow and mate them up.
New clutch assembly will be fitted then unit will be fitted to car.
All mountings are new and the prop shaft UJ's have been replaced.
Will now post as progress is made be it slowly.

exhaust system s/steel

2007-01-05T22:28:00.000Z

New stainless steel exhaust system that will fit the Hurricane just so.

Bonnet and doors

2007-01-01T17:02:00.000Z

just a few more shots.

body tub.

2006-12-28T22:48:00.000Z

Well it is now starting to look like a car body is bolted to chassis and the bonnet is to be fitted next. Also the doors are now trimmed and fitted.

One job only

2006-12-02T23:44:00.000Z

Well only had time to do the odd jobs on Gladys today.
Running sweet,also she started first time since i haven't started her for 2 weeks.
Anti freeze renewed and replaced alternator.
Must now find the time to get her Mot ready for 2007.

seats

2006-11-29T20:25:00.001Z

Just purchased a pair of front seats from a GT 6.
And will be collecting the said above on Sunday.

Jobs this weekend are to drain Gladys radiator(1500) and refill with new anti freeze,and replace the alternator.

Fit drivers side door lock and outer handle to the hurricane,fit boot lid and hinges and possibly the lock and handle.

nothing to report

2006-11-23T23:40:00.000Z

Have been unable to work on the hurricane this week.

And Gladys the new addition is all up and running the only thing that needs attention is to drain the rad and refill with anti freeze and replace the alternator.

Which will be done as soon as the v5 arrives back so i can then MOT and tax her.

New toy 1500 triumph fwd

2006-11-17T21:07:00.000Z

Well it seem's to be coming a triumph home.

just collected this little gem.

more pictures

2006-11-11T00:01:00.000Z

The begining.

2006-11-10T22:14:00.000Z

Well the chassis has been shot blasted.We have 1 coat of red oxide and 2 coats of satin black.
All items that will be reused will be stripped to bare metal.

2006-11-09T23:06:00.000Z

The begining one bare chassis.