Triumph V8 Engine Rebuild: February 2012

After much effort I found that I could not balance my crankshaft. My errors were so sever that once I found an expert to work on the crank the costs exceeded the success potential. So I purchased a used replacement which was 60 ever. I discovered too late that just because bearing are advertised as being available at 60 over the reality is something different! I sourced another crank and sent it to my rebuilder to be lightened.

In the meantime, I discovered that the heads were being scored by the camshafts. My vendor will also line hone the heads for me. Once this is done I can begin the process of removing the oil valley plugs and have the heads cleaned of the suspected glass beading.

I had an opportunity to see one of two heads that has been pre assembled and the joy of the project returned. In the mean time I've painted several parts.

Major activities to be done.

1. Painting of block may be directly related to what color I will paint the car. I am considering Sienna Brown to match my eventual paint choice. (Currently, the original #23 Sienna brown color is ahead in the polls, edging out Deflt Blue and British Racing Green.)

Earlier block colors included Orange to match the exhaust (it's so hot better get the gloves!, Black, Sienna Brown, White, Orange) I've seen Gothe landscapes at school and I am even considering a image of some sort.

Early contender

Sienna Brown

This Spitfire Color Chart is the best I've seen to date! Since the Spitfire and the Stag were both produced by Triumph and the color codes are identical, I'm comfortable using this as a reference point.

Colour	Colour Code	Spitfire Mk1	Spitfire Mk2	Spitfire Mk3	Spitfire Mk4	Spitfire 1500
White	19	’63-’64	All Yrs	All Yrs	All Yrs	’74-’77
Leyland White	NAF	-	-	-	-	’77-’80
Spa White	No code	’62-’63	-	-	-	-
Sienna Brown	23	-	-	’69-’70	’70-’74	-
Russet Brown	93/AAE	-	-	-	-	’77-’80
Maple Brown	83	-	-	-	-	’74-’77
Vermillion Red	CAE	-	-	-	-	’77-’80

Delfi Blue?

British Racing Green?

Emerald Green	65	-	-	-	’72-’74	-
Laurel Green	25	-	-	’68-’70	’70-’71	-
Conifer Green	25	’63-’64	All Yrs	’67-’68	-	-
Lichfield Green	45	’62-’63	-	-	-	-
Java Green	85/HAB	-	-	-	-	’74-’77
British Racing Green	75	-	-	-	-	’74-’77
Brooklands Green	HAE	-	-	-	-	’77-’80
French Blue	126	-	-	-	’72-’74	’74-’77
Powder Blue	No code	’62-’63	-	-	-	-
Royal Blue	56	’64	All Yrs	All Yrs	-	-
Sapphire Blue	76	-	-	-	’70-’74	-
Delft Blue	136	-	-	-	-	’74-’77
Pageant Blue	JAE	-	-	-	-	’77-’80
Tahiti Blue	146/JAE	-	-	-	-	’77
Valencia Blue	66	-	-	’68-’70	’70-’71	-
Wedgwood Blue	26	’63-’64	All Yrs	All Yrs	’70-’71	-
Mallard Blue	106	-	-	-	’72-’74	- (See Note 1