Paul H

Hi, preparing for MOT and noticed the steering rack gators are starting to perish - Just ordered some QH replacements . What grease do I use under the gators and secondly the grease for the grease nipple for the rack and pinion body assembly Thanks in advance Paul

From the accounts I think the shop just about broke even though to be a serious player the online shop software needed ditching and starting again . On line shop software has moved on leaps and bounds in the past few years and it wouldnt be too expensive to start again and maintenance and updating has been simplified so managing a modern day online shop is affordable . Overall my reading was that the club made an overall profit last year compared the big loss the previous year Garth's experience will be missed, and its disappointing that there hasnt been an official announcement . Paul

Hi just fitting new plastic bush kit to front trunnions - are these a dry fit or do i need lithium grease in the tube Any input appreciated Paul

Just checked the other trunnion and no oil so boiled it for 30 mins in a degreasing solution , wire brush and soldering the whole area this time Paul

Castrol EP90 is GL4 so safe to use Paul

Hi Stu - got the teashirt on this one even made a dedicated spanner, the spanner thickness has been ground down so fits the manifold nuts easier + the obligatory towel underneath to catch the washers - 30 mins to take off , and put back Paul

Hi John - I used the penny as it worked well as a heat sink , though will try filling the other direct with solder Paul

Opted for 1 penny approach plus borrowed the wife's Brulee gas gun - got to buy some more gas before she finds out ive used it I purchased the Trunnions a year ago from a reputable source at a premium price, not sure what I need to do to get products which last Just testing the trunnions to make sure they dont leak again Again thanks for all the advice Paul NB will i go to prison for disfiguring the queen's coinage

Put in new Trunnions last year - one of them is leaking already - looks like shoddy manufacturing - Can I solder or araldite - Looks like the trunnion will have to come off to work on it ie remove oil etc Any assistance welcomed , also noticed the next job , the bushes that came fitted to the new front dampers have started to break up Hey ho Paul

Hi I recently changed the water pipe and purchased a stainless version from canleys. The fitting was fine though the stainless pipe was too big to take the olive. Filing the first inch to accept the olive went ok and no leaks . I don't think the olive was included Hope this helps

Advice & best practice please Just changing Water Pump Housing & Thermostat Housing due to corrosion - The pic shows the corrosion on the thermostat housing , the water pump housing is not as bad but getting too thin in places for my liking - I have replacement gaskets and whats the best practice , gaskets with or without jointing compound ? Thanks in advance Paul

Hi Richard thanks for links , H1 Bulbs cost between £1.50 & £15 each . Which ones do you use Thanks again for valuable advice Paul

Hi Where did you purchase your crystal headlights from as my Vitesse has the existing sealed beams and looking to convert Paul

Thanks Pete , WBL281H fired up at last , a bit uncertain but 30 mins later started again which bodes well - so will get the strobe when shes outside in a couple of weeks . Im using the new fuel pump though totally unimpressed with quality . The sealing rubber ring has expanded by 20% already and is a pig to put back without it getting trapped . When I get a chance I will be reburbing the old AC unit and putting this back. The forward CDSE carb is still leaking by the choke assembly despite cleaning and reassembling with a new gasket yesterday - Ive attached a pic to show where its leaking - Its leaked since day 1 when purchased from Turner Carbs , returned for correction with no change - With start up with choke the leak is evident with fuel on a rag when wiped over . With the engine hot the leak is a minor weep and hardly noticeable - The pic shows the metal faces are dirty , could I clean this up with a fine grade of wet n dry or soak in fuel , acetone Again any advice welcomed and at last some progress Paul

Hi Doug and Pete . Thanks for advice , disconnected fuel pipe by carbs no fuel spurt when turning over. So removed pipe prior to pump , added a section of clear plastic pipe and sucked fuel eventually came through , plus loads of air bubbles so guess their was an airlock somewhere , reconnected and turned engine and petrol came out of the pipe by the carb and all over the engine , I had forgotten the jam jar So now I have fuel and spark, won't fire up at the minute so need to make sure timing is roughly right , will timing light work just on the starter ???? Then check carbs , float chamber, needle valves . I think it's likely to be timing as squirted carb cleaner direct in with no effect Thanks for advice - appreciated Paul

UPDATE . Followed all the tests , advice above and no spark . The coil is ok so logically the accuspark has failed . One possible explanation is that the gap had been closed when I repaired the earth plug . The accuspark hologram logo has changed colour at the edges indicating heat. I can't say this for definite as took the dizzy apart several times I purchased an accuspark distributor kit at stonleigh which included new Delco 6 distributor with electronic ignition, coil, leads & plugs . Fitted this today and I have spark so close to firing up . I have replaced the fuel pump which is smaller than the original so guess this is a modern aftermarket model. I have fuel in the pump but despite operating the petrol pump lever I can't get the fuel to the carbs , so guess there is an airlock some where . What's the best approach ? NB The fuel tank has been refurbished and new rubber r9 tubing replacing the original perished pipe. There is fuel in the tank and its visible at the filter I've added in the boot area . Just above the fuel filter I've added an manual switch which will act a increased security or making the fuel filter change easier Paul

Hi I have a bearing removal kit see pic , you can borrow if you want if you think its suitable . It has a hydraulic ram rated at 6mt We live in Pakenham just outside Bury st Edmunds - Ive only used it on small jobs so far and its been very good Regards Paul

Hi Dave thanks, when I get round to selling them at least I know the market for them Paul

Hi Pete , " a shade of brown showing " is this an indication of too lean or too rich Thanks Paul

Hi Just checked the needles are B5CF - I remember talking with Leighton Buzzard Carbs and they said the needles were ok , Leighton werent involved with the refurb as purchased from Turner Carbs Regards Paul

Hi Richard - thanks for your advice and cut my losses and will now actively look for the correct carbs - if anybody has a suitable set for sale im interested refurbed or otherwise . In the meantime Ill check the needle details and advise .There are no tags on the carbs . In the short term not too concerned about running with existing carbs as they appear to run well . a pic of the spark plug is attached - are they ok ? I know there is more adjustment Nb missed out on Facebook a couple of days ago as a guy was giving away a set of CD150's off a Vitesse MK 2

Hi Dave - thanks for info , what needles would you consider correct for the CDSE's fitted to my MK2 Vitesse ? Paul

Hi Dave the Accuspark is connected correctly so assume I must have fried it when I repaired the earth tag . Pretty sure I have a set of points & condenser to check this theory Paul

Hi Dave , thanks for your input there is no spark from the coil so following your theory the dizzy is the source of the problem This has been converted to electronic with Accuspark conversion before I purchased the car In my naivety I didnt realise the coil output was controlled by the distributor . This points ( pardon the pun ) to the electronic conversion failing - Does this logic make sense ? Thanks Paul

Hi - just reassembled fuel system after refurbishment of piping , tubing and fuel tank The only electrics work ive done is to reconnect the earth lead on the distributor face plate as it had broken free . The distributor has previously been converted to electronic with accuspark conversion The issue is there is no spark at the plugs , There is no spark from the main feed into the distributor ie no output from the coil . I have power to the coil . Ive tested the coil and with a volt meter using Ohms range between the positive and inner coil I got a reading of 9 which i think stands for 9000 something I have tried a spare coil and still the same ie no spark . What further tests can I do to identify the issue Any assistance appreciated Paul