Steve P

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185253212758?hash=item2b21f3b256:g:sl0AAOSwlYRh3uK1

I would want to know where all that metal has gone in the box,do you have a magnetic plug? Steve

My Vitesse is the same, i suspect mine is the old rubber fuel pipes though. Steve

I passed my test in one of those in 1982. S

My Herald speedo used to wave about all over the place, until the O/D angle drive died and chewed the cable, a new cable and angle drive and it`s rock solid smooth at all speeds now, i was surprised. Steve

I`m sure years ago i researched my Vitesse reg. Starting PHT. Found to be a Bristol number,first owner in Wimbourne, Dorset, where my grandfather came from!. Might check out my Herald, GJH. Edit:just looked on here: https://www.car.co.uk/media/guides/number-plates/uk-number-plate-area-codes#DVLA_old_area_codes Reading apparently. S

Yes,adjustable spring seats,i want to raise it a little from where it is now with fixed height shocks on,don`t want it too low but probably lower than standard,i have Dunlop LP923 steels on it which fill the arches better. Steve

I planned to go to Brooklands, but they postponed it until April, went for a drive in the Herald anyway but missed the company. S

I had a modified 1293cc mini back in the day with an Avonbar Racing cam and head work etc. standard springs though, that would start valve bouncing at 6200 rpm. Regularly reached by a mad 18 year old me.And i killed loads of metalastic couplings trying to do wheelspins. Much more sedate now with my Herald and Vitesse, though they are both highly modified. Steve

Just mocking up the front suspension rebuild for my Herald, i have Avo shocks, they tend to eat bottom bushes because of the angle of the shock.I have converted the bottom bush to a spherical bearing, added 2 x 11mm ali spacers to take up the gap. Anyone used spherical bearings before?, just wondered what the difference would be with poly bushes. As you can see i have the Canleys trunnionless uprights, also 4 pot callipers ready to go on. Steve

I bought my Vitesse in 1985,on an industrial estate in High Wycombe,paid £700 for it. Didn`t look round it properly,it was a total shed, knackered outriggers, doors full of filler, no rear suspension to speak of. But i still have it, completely rebuilt more than once, now fairly heavily modified but i still have the original engine with 90k miles on it. It was a Bristol reg car, shows 7 former keepers. Around 10 years ago, i managed to get the history of keepers in the days when you could from the DVLA, i traced the first owner from 1970 through his unusual name and spoke to him on the phone, he was delighted it was still on the road. I told my family they can sell it when i croak. Steve

Out and about again in my Vitesse today,i thought i would make the most of the jetstream coming up from the tropics. Here on the Surrey/Berkshire borders it`s supposed to be 16 degrees and sunny tomorrow!. Got a headlight flash from a Tesla,weird. Steve

Maybe worth seeing what another gauge says if you can lay your hands on one,they don`t call them worry gauges for nothing. I have the same model one on my Herald and Vitesse,the Smiths full face one,(0-100 psi),the Herald one flies around matching the revs,the Vitesse one slowly builds and declines to the reading,never figured out why.Both cars use the same oil. Steve

Cant help with where to get one,other than speaking to Mike Papworth.(details in the courier). I have a modded 1500 in a Herald 13/60,with a single rail box with O/D, i think i used a Vitesse non O/D prop from memory.Definitely dumped the strap prop that was on there. I fitted a 3.63 as well, i find it a really good setup for decent acceleration and relaxed cruising. Steve

I had a 2500 that knocked out no 1 b/e shells in 100 miles after a rebuild,the machine shop had ground it slightly oval.Also skimmed unevenly front to back so that the no 6 piston protruded from the block at the top of stroke,had to scrap it and start again. S

25 psi running is low,at what revs is that,it should be 40-60 at 2-3k revs. 10 at tickover is a little low. I would always use a good anti drain filter,I use Mann 719/29,you need a thread adapter for these. More importantly,good quality oil,many opinions on this,personally I use Valvoline VR1 20/50,excellent pressure and high zinc. I would do a compression test and check the above,then use it and don't worry about rebuilds. I always spin it over for a few seconds without choke to get the oil going,never had a death rattle on any of mine. Steve

Always enjoyed Duxford,i was going to Brooklands next week for the annual new years day classics event,but its been postponed to April because of the covid BS. S

My 1968 MK 1 2 litre Vitesse has the six screw sender,i have owned it since 1985 so i have no reason to believe it isn`t the original tank. Steve

Sounds very much like my Vitesse after i converted from swing axle to roto and CV shafts,speeds above 70 saw the car trying to drive itself from the rear,it was toe in on one side and out on the other. Steve

That`s why a lot of people (including me with my 1500 Herald) went electric,small 2.5 PSi pump in the boot,no more flooding or leaks,modern parts,it seems wherever they come from,are crap. Steve

Nice Herald,is it Valencia?,it looks a bit metallic. Steve (Valencia Vitesse CV)

Well I'm not exactly young(56) with achey joints and a bad wrist from an old break,see from the out and about thread I was out in the Vitesse yesterday with the roof off in 2 degrees c,lovely. Went to put the hood up on my Herald in the garage a couple of days ago and it has shrunk and won't go anywhere near locking,thats how little it,s used.(the hood not the car). Make the most of them before they get passed on to the next keeper. Steve

I use VR-1 in the Vitesse,always really good pressure,ZDDP is quoted at 1400 PPM. When i fitted a new 1500 in my Herald,the machine shop recommended Joe Gibbs racing oil from the US,that was only 15/50 but high Zinc. It`s due a change now and i am inclined to put VR1 in as the Joe Gibbs was 1200 PPM when i checked and seems to go off quicker. Steve

I have a Facet Silver top pump on my Vitesse in the boot,fitted when i went to a 2.5 engine. Filter king pressure regulator/filter mounted on the engine valance. Works a treat although i think it needs new rubber pipes as think air is getting in somewhere. Steve

Top Tip: Don`t mothball it,use it.My cars start playing up if not used for extended periods. Steve