Eric O's Journal

I had some time to work on the Spitfire and MGB.

I spent some time just looking the MGB over and getting familiar with it. I made a laundry list of things I know I need to get it running. I also started working on getting some of the oxidation off the paint.

The Spitfire radiator and electric fan arrived so I decided to try to get it installed. The radiator fit fine, but the top pipe didn't line up well at all. I've seen several people complain about the same issue with the Champion aluminum radiators. The hose fits, but the thermostat for the electric fan fits between the top hose connections will not. There isn't enough room for the thermostat and the alignment problem is going to make it impossible to fit. If I intend to use this Revotec electric fan I am going to have to get the top pipe of the radiator modified by someone who can weld aluminum. I also tried fitting the mounting for the fan, that needed a slight reforming of the fan mounting brackets. Even with the modification, I had to offset the bracket one hole low. Since the thermostat won't work without modification of the top pipe, I decided to work on the paint oxidation on the MGB.

While doing that I figured out how to keep moving on the Spitfire. I had received the wrong water pump originally. Since I had a fan to go with it so decided the best use of this would be to (for now) abandon the electric fan and just use the older style engine driven fan. I pulled the radiator off and then pulled the pump off the motor. My gasket sealer had dried up so need to get more, but I have all the elements to get the pump and fan mounted, then remount the radiator.

Not the greatest of days, but I think I have a solution to get things running soon.