The Golden Rule For Engine Rebuilding

        I read this and it seems to me to be perfect, when building an engine assume NOTHING. Double and triple check everything, all measurements and dimensions. Do not assume that any factory produced item is accurate, "always check everything".

Remember too that Sods Law is always hard at work and likes nothing more than groundless (and possibly very expensive) assumptions on your part. Be sure to avoid Sod by following the `Golden Rule`.

Introduction:

        It is my opinion that intrinsically most Triumph engines were reasonably sound in design, it is also my opinion that they were not put together very well or machined to very fine tolerances.

        If built well and looked after there is no reason why they cannot be perfectly reliable and at the same time more powerful than they left the factory.

        The Triumph Stag is a very good example, most "down the pub" talk will state that it had a terrible engine that was good for nothing but overheating and blowing head gaskets. Indeed it did do that but only because it had aluminium cylinder heads, the dealers forgot to tell every one to put 1/3 antifreeze in all year round to stop the heads corroding.
The heads corroded clogging the radiator with silt, then the block overheats and a gasket blows, new gasket and a month later it blows again. It would have been fine if it had been looked after properly. The same goes for your Triumph Spitfire engine.

        As a rough guide I have included a price in GBP for most operations and tools. These prices are obviously just approximate and depend on which country you live in. They should give you a ballpark figure to work with.

Shopping For Performance Parts:

        I felt this to be an important section, looking at various parts suppliers (most notably ones in the USA) it is quite shocking the utterly absurd prices they get away with charging. There are three US based companies who are classic or Spitfire specialists who are particularly expensive. I shall not mention their names, their absence from my recommended suppliers list should suffice.

        When buying performance engine parts it can often be the best idea to purchase as much as possible from the same supplier. Parts incompatibility is a big problem and buy getting it all from one source you are making as sure as you can to get the right parts.

        Triumph Tune in the UK is the only place with a sufficiently big range to be able to offer this. Remember that for non Spitfire specific parts you should go wherever is easiest. Weber carbs & K&N air filters can all be bought the most cheaply from places like Rally Design.

        For all such things as ARP Fasteners, K&N Air Filters, Carbs, Heat Wrap, Alloy Radiators, Oil Coolers you should buy from one of the very big generic Motorsport supply companies and not a small classic car specialists. The price difference can be very substantial.
Examples of these bigger companies are RALLY DESIGN, DEMON TWEEKS & MERLIN MOTORSPORT.

    I know that might seem slightly short sighted as I do like to support small companies who help to keep our cars going.

        For non Spitfire specific products these small suppliers stock they do have to get their act together.
I can't go around bankrupting myself just to keep the local Spit parts supplier in business. Weber carbs are a good example, they are not for Spitfires specifically & are not made by anyone except Weber themselves. What excuse any company can have for selling them at 30% more than normal market price is beyond me. They are ready jetted and set up for Spits but any Weber distributor will do this free of charge if you supply the spec you require.