Flush or rinse in a 1980 Spitfire 1500?

[ryan2022]

Hi guys, I'm wondering about the advice given by a mechanic for the folks spitfire 1500. They've pulled it out of storage, and the valves can gum up after an offseason of sitting. Should they just change the oil, or should they do a rinse of some sort? The engine is prone to leaks, and I was thinking that a strong cleaner or detergent oil might give them headaches. Should they just change the oil and drive?

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[artificialist]

I have seen high mileage specialty oils do amazing things to clean an old engine.

Just run some good high mileage oil, and if the engine is full of junk, change the oil early.

Running an extremely aggressive chemical in an engine with major deposits can cause all the junk to break free simultaneously, and choke the oil pump pickup.

 

[bobfather99]

HDEO Diesel Oil, Maxlife, or you can always try A-RX.

Any of these three will help in your application.

 

[tropic]

I just do the basic trickle oil trick on the Spit if it's been laid up for a while. Check the hoses and fluid levels, take it for a decent spin, then change the oil filter and fill up with new 20w-50.

I'd let sleeping deposits be if you're not prepared to put a little work in. Often a good long run @ 50 mph will get her to purr first thing in the spring.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
The engine is prone to leaks,


If I recall my Brits, it's the machining. Not much you can do for that.

 

[ryan2022]

Thanks guys, not sure ive found a question that couldnt be answered on here!

 

[Johnny]

Alright ryan2022 and tropic, let's see pictures of those vintage Spitfires.

 

[ryan2022]

I sent this link to the folks, so hopefully they'll link a shot ro two!

Thanks again.

Ryan

 

[tropic]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Alright ryan2022 and tropic, let's see pictures of those vintage Spitfires.

Sorry I don't have any from the new digital camera, but here's a shot from this spring before I moved into my new house. Pretty much stock except for an overdrive kit and a Weber downdraft carb.

 

[ryan2022]

Very nice! looks great in that color

 

[JohnBrowning]

I run Motul 0W20 Flushing oil through it. Haveing that gum or deposits in this engine are not going to do you any long term favors! In fact those gumy deposits will make the seals dry rott faster not slower. After that I would a decent heavy duty disel engine oil like a 15W40 or such nothing exotic what ever conventional 15w40 diesel oil is on sale. Esso used to be decently priced and Total had decent priceing as well back inthe days I lived in Europe.

For my American friends before AUto-Rx and such it was common practice to use a Flushing oil. It came in what we yanks would call a gallon jug and was a fully formulated oil designed to clean out deposits with out resorting to adding Kerosen or other such things tot he crank case. Many people would run it for about 500 miles then drain and refill. Dureing the "Black Death" days of 20W20 in Adam Opels running the Autobahn it saved a good many Opels from serious death if caught soon enough. For a long long time after that 20W50 and 15W40 oils ruled the roost until serious synthetics started comeing on strong!

For those that do not know me I did my Automotive Technician Aprentiship in German int he late 1980's and early 1990's.

 

[tropic]

Originally Posted By: ryan2022
Very nice! looks great in that color

Thanks! Getting rid of the Zenith-Stromberg carburettor really added some pep, too. I'll be able to enjoy it for at least 18 months when it's up for another emissions check.

 

[Johnny]

Agree with John on the flushing oil.

Back in the day, I had a 1972 Spitfire that was British Racing Green. They were fun cars to drive. I've owned Bug Eyed Sprites, MG Midgets, MGA, Triumph TR-3 and TR-4, but my favorite British sports car of all time was my 1967 MGB.

That's a nice looking Spitfire you have there tropic. I agree with you, best thing you ever did was put the Weber on it.