Spitfire restoration

75522 · Post by **75522** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:55 am

Hi All,

Happy New Year! New to the group... We got a 79 Spitfire for the kids for XMas. So far I have cleaned the carb twice, snapped and replaced the recoil starter, replaced the fuel lines and filter. I have a new carb on order, along with choke/throttle cables, fuel pump, gas pickup and grommet. Once I get the new stuff in, I am hoping she hums along... I have gotten it to run with the original carb, but it won't idle, the jets are all wonky, and the sled bogs down and dies under load. So, anyway, I think I am headed in the right direction... Will post pics when I get the new fuel system in... Quick shout out and thanks thanks to Don A for all the help so far... He has been terrific!

Looking for troubleshooting advice with the headlight and tailight, as neither work...

TIA,

Chris

croyturbo · Post by **croyturbo** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:06 pm

They are a great little sled. The only other thing that is strongly recommended is that tells crank seals be replaced, if they are bad a melt down is imminent. I Larned this yesterday because I had assumed the seals were done when the previous owner had told me the motor had just been done.

75522 · Post by **75522** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 2:15 pm

How hard are the seals to do?

croyturbo · Post by **croyturbo** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 2:40 pm

Not really that hard. You need a clutch puller and some basic tools. I am not real sure if you need to split the case halves on the Kohler or not, but there is a link to technical manuals in the tech information section on this site.

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:48 pm

75522 wrote:Hi All,

Happy New Year! New to the group... We got a 79 Spitfire for the kids for XMas. So far I have cleaned the carb twice, snapped and replaced the recoil starter, replaced the fuel lines and filter. I have a new carb on order, along with choke/throttle cables, fuel pump, gas pickup and grommet. Once I get the new stuff in, I am hoping she hums along... I have gotten it to run with the original carb, but it won't idle, the jets are all wonky, and the sled bogs down and dies under load. So, anyway, I think I am headed in the right direction... Will post pics when I get the new fuel system in... Quick shout out and thanks thanks to Don A for all the help so far... He has been terrific!

Looking for troubleshooting advice with the headlight and tailight, as neither work...

TIA,

Chris

Thank you for the business Chris!! Just want to see another smiling face on a child. (And not a frown on Dad's face for not changing the crank seals)

DA

75522 · Post by **75522** » Sun Jan 01, 2017 10:58 pm

So I got the motor out tonight... Will rent a clutch puller... I have new voltage regulator, CDI, gasket set, and coil on the way... My question is, should I crack the block and replace the head gaskets, etc? Or just do the crank seals? The engine ran prior to removal. However, now that the engine is out, the driver side piston looks pretty fouled... Can you even get new pistons, piston rings?

Also, looking for a new kill switch & cable, along with the light switch & cable... The prior owner wired around these... I'd love to get them working again....

Finally, what maintenance do I do with the stator once the engine is opened up? Can it be cleaned up? Or do I want to replace? If replace, where can I get a new one?

TIA,

Chris

75522 · Post by **75522** » Sun Jan 01, 2017 11:43 pm

Another dumb question... On the stator housing (drivers side of engine) there is a random hole in the housing... I can see inside the stator housing... What is the purpose of that hole?

75522 · Post by **75522** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:22 pm

Hi All,

So I have removed the 340 from my Spitfire and will be replacing the crank seals. It seems pretty straightforward, and I have done some homework on how to do it... My question is; do any of you more experienced people have insight or suggestions to make sure that I do it right? I would hate to do something dumb and mess it up... Thanks in advance.

Chris

Post by **Matt** » Fri Jan 06, 2017 7:59 am

Make sure you get the right (Anaerobic) gasket maker for the case halves. Clutch puller, & flywheel puller. JDRob recently put a video on Youtube on how to pull the flywheel.

75522 · Post by **75522** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:52 pm

Matt,

Thanks for the advice... I am not opening the case halves though... I think I meant that I am replacing the oil seals, which should just be able to go on over the crank. When doing this, do I need to use any assembly lube (oil? white grease? moly?)... Thoughts?

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:53 pm

Chris, you'll have to remove the flywheel to get to the mag side seal. It will require a puller.

DA

75522 · Post by **75522** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 6:31 pm

I thought so... Just got the cup and spacer off last night. I will be working on the flywheel in the next day or so... Would a generic/adjustable puller work?

Also, a friend of a friend is a self-proclaimed JD guy... He said the only way to do the oil seals is to crack open the bottom block... Not so sure about this... I can insert them (Carefully of course) without taking apart the crankcase, right?

CJA

tullybrewing · Post by **tullybrewing** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 8:10 pm

75522 wrote:I thought so... Just got the cup and spacer off last night. I will be working on the flywheel in the next day or so... Would a generic/adjustable puller work?

Also, a friend of a friend is a self-proclaimed JD guy... He said the only way to do the oil seals is to crack open the bottom block... Not so sure about this... I can insert them (Carefully of course) without taking apart the crankcase, right?

CJA

I did a 79 Spitfire last month and although I split mine, you don't need to split the case to pull out and tap in the new. Just use a good amount of white lithium grease on the inside and outside of the seal.
Here's our Spitty that I just finished:

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75522 · Post by **75522** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 10:12 am

Very nice... Did you have to replace the carb? I cleaned and cleaned the butterfly carb that came with, and finally purchased a new VM30 for it... Hopefully it does the job... All I have left is the oil seals, then the motor is going back in and we should be in business... Can't wait to get it running... The kids are asking every day when it will be done...

tullybrewing · Post by **tullybrewing** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:28 pm

75522 wrote:Very nice... Did you have to replace the carb? I cleaned and cleaned the butterfly carb that came with, and finally purchased a new VM30 for it... Hopefully it does the job... All I have left is the oil seals, then the motor is going back in and we should be in business... Can't wait to get it running... The kids are asking every day when it will be done...

Still have the original butterfly that was in good shape. Found a guy on here that had the oring for the bowl.
I've been completely through mine. It was a good learning experience for my 13-year old boy. We can get 30-35mph out of it, which at times is too fast for such a lightweight & tippy machine. Just keep an eye on your track. Feel free to message me if you need any guidance.
Dan

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