1968 Triumph Spitfire MK3 Restoration Project - Part 13 - Camshaft, timing gears and piston rings

Someone is a little upset in this video, but that's OK. He will be fine. So the front engine plate is on, along with the camshaft and the timing gears. The rings got measured in the cylinders and installed on the pistons. So I told you what is the video about and you don't need to watch it anymore :)

[@borayurt66]

My lessons learned on buying parts from a parts store: 1) Always call ahead to check if they have the part you need in stock. 2) Checking from a computer screen rarely works, tell the guy to get up and visually check the shelf. 3) Always take the old part with you when you are going to the store. 4) If the new part is in a box, open it and check with the old one before you leave the store.

[@RustyBeauties]

Yep, good lessons. With this store though.... I don't know what to say. Last year I called them to ask for a head gasket for my 1147 engine. They had it. So I sen't my wife to pick it up. Guess what - 1500cc. So I had to go myself and the same guy kept insisting this was the correct one until I brought my old one from the trunk of my car. Anyways, I am not even going to try them anymore.... I am really upset with them.

[@jamcdona]

What is it about watching someone else put together an engine that is entertaining? Only to me, it seems. Everyone else leaves the room!! :D Thanks for showing the ring/piston assembly, and measuring the gap. It's pretty cool that the rings came pre-gapped.

[@RustyBeauties]

Well I wonder what is it about watching someone else put a make up on their face that is entertaining, but my wife is so obsessed with that :) Everybody has different interests I guess. Yeah, it is pretty rear to order standard size rings and get the gap bang on :) I still do not understand how the inside of this engine survived intact for 49 years.

[@StevesProjectCarGarage]

Hey Elin! Thanks for this video series, it has been a huge help to me. So at 9:35 you noted that the shim was to large. I am running into that same issue. Thankfully I still have the old shim which fits the crank perfectly. Did you ever find out what the deal was about this? I got mine from Moss. Cheer!

[@roundtailrestoration]

I feel your pain, Elin. I had the same gasket set for the front engine plate. I noted the thickness differences as well. But I also noticed the crankshaft cutouts were different and the number of holes in each were also different, so I assumed it was for the different models of engines so they could sell just one big gasket set. Never considered the shimming effect that your spoke of.

[@RustyBeauties]

I think the thin, yellow one is for a different engine. You are right there is a slight difference in the openings there. But the 2 grey ones are identical, just the thickness is different.

[@cabdriveruk]

Great video Elin, shame they didn't have the exhaust valves.I find it better installing the piston rings without that tool.Engine is looking good and coming along nicely now. Cheers, Jeff.

[@RustyBeauties]

Thanks Jeff!

[@corypride]

Hello from Canada. It must be quite frustrating getting an old English rust bucket back on the road. Still, my advice is---not that you're asking---to simply enjoy the process. So what if it ends up taking an extra year or two. HAHAHA!

[@RustyBeauties]

Hey, Canada! Well it has never been frustrating for me. This is a real pleasure, I take it as entertainment. The same way as some people solve crossword puzzles or sudoku, I like doing that and enjoy every moment. And about the extra years..... Hm, my first project took 9 months. The second one is a little slower, because it overlapped with the first and.... the third, but I am sure it will be ready within the next few month's, so 18-20 months altogether.

[@corypride]

Hi Elin. Thanks for taking the time to reply to a smart aleck. You are doing what I always wanted to do. We had a couple of Chevies from the 40's when I was growing up and I often hoped to restore one one day. I guess it was a false hope because I ended up buying a table saw to build a big trellis for my wife and I was hooked. I could cut straight lines! Happy Trails.

[@ArmySigs]

Do they not have telephones in Canada? :)

[@TornadoCAN99]

Should of just called them to check valves were in stock....Like the old advert said..."Let your fingers to the walking" and use the Yellow Pages to do your shopping.

[@RustyBeauties]

Tried that as well :) Once I called them asking for headgasket. Gave them the year of the car the engine model and everything. They said they have it so I sent my wife to pick it up..... Wrong gasket! So nothing works with these guys, I don't use them anymore!

[@bobadams179]

Elin. I'm putting a floor in my TR6.I found 1 video here on KZbin on the subject but it didn't go into detail. It looks as if I am going to have to separate the body from the frame. I was wondering if you have any advice for me.

[@RustyBeauties]

Hi Bob. Actually I've never done that before and I am also still in learning mode about it, because I have to change the floors in the 74 TR6 I am working on. It is actually in a sleeping mode right now, but soon.... Anyways. One thing is for sure - yes, you need to take the body off the frame. I asked around for advises and one of my followers (actually I follow his channel as well) gave me a full step by step directions, which are still a little confusing in my head, but I am sure they will start making sense when I start the work. His name is Randall Williams and you can find his detailed explanation in the comment section of this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH-5o2xuma94eJo I hope that helps!

[@bobadams179]

Hi Elin. Thanks for the response. Since I wrote the first inquiry above I have spot welded braces across the door openings and have most of the driver side cut out. I have unbolted the body and now have it suspended on saw horses about 3 feet above the frame. Fortunately for me the rest of the sheet metal in this car is in really good condition as it was a southern car and I do not believe it has ever seen snow or salted roads. The new stamped floor pieces are of good quality and extend down the inside of the rockers but do not include the bolt flange for where the transmission tunnel bolts onto. For this reason I am going to do one side at a time so I can bolt the trans tunnel in place when tack welding the bolt flange to the new floor so as not to distort the flange from it's original position. I wish I had video equipment then I would make a video about it. Wish me luck. Cheers!

[@RustyBeauties]

Good luck and keep us in the loop. Like I said I will have to do the same soon and I can use some advises from someone who has just done it.

[@cheftush]

Did you marinate the Pistons!

[@RustyBeauties]

Of course, in WD40 and garlic for 24 hours. That's why I left them for the next video.

[@ianabruce]

In addition to making your exhaust smell like a burning pizzeria, the garlic is useful for exorcising the spirit of Joe Lucas, the Prince of Darkness.