Paul H

Hi all, many thanks for all input and advice I didn't tighten up rear brakes to lock on before bleeding , the shoes are on the correct way round , though they weren't when I got the car. I did jump on the brakes on a road test yesterday and the front end nosed though no skidding . The shoes could well have contamination plus I can't vouch for their pedigree so will renew these. New front discs are cost effective plus new pads plus proper brake bleeding should improve matters Regards Paul

Count me in please, for choice would like to learn about gear boxes though any training session would be welcome , if you need a MK 2 vitesse donor Regards Paul

Hi John , thanks for input . Forgot to add that I have added Goodrich stainless flexi all round from the Club . As to to discs , they have some minor scoring but no rust apart from outer edges , rear drum have some minor scoring . I will carry out safe emergency braking and report back Best regards Paul

The effectiveness of the brakes on my mk2 vitesse is poor and lacking confidence should emergency braking be required. The vitesse would stop but takes too long . At the mot I asked the mechanic and he said the brakes were fine plus handbrake was satisfactory . The front pads , discs and rears drums and shoes are original and haven't been changed for years with some scoring plus corrosion. Front and rear brake cylinders have been replaced , master cylinder has had new seals. i was looking to purchase new drums , disks , pads , shoes . Are there any preferable brands to buy ? Plus I note you can spend £40 or £14 on a set of pads . Any advice would be appreciated as looking to spend my monies wisely. The vitesse is used for daily trips plus longer holidays planned when I'm confident she will come back☺️ No track days or racing is envisaged Thanks in advance Paul

Another vote for Halfords though prices have moved higher since I purchased 3 months ago , purchased at £52 now £67 . Main reason for purchasing is that I can take back if battery fails within 3 years . One tip is to add receipt in plastic bag and leave under battery Hope this helps Paul

purchased a heat probe from Aldi recently ( about £12 ) . This probe was put to good use today - Ive been road testing the Vitesse as have done a lot of work on the rear - new rotoflex , ujs, bearings , shockers , brakes - Came back from a 20 mile trip and nearside rear temp was very high ( too hot to touch ) put the probe on and 60 c whilst the other side was 30 c - I backed off the brake linings on the nearside , then another 5 miles and checked with probe , both were 30 c - problem solved . I was able to check along the half shafts to see if temp varies at all , no issues here . Plan to use the probe to find hot spots in the footwell areas so I can cover up with sound deadening pads Hope this helps Paul

I use a 42w solar panel and regulator and this works fine all year . Regards Paul

Hi Pete - googled and found a video of the belt tensioner going off so secured in vice - connected the wires using extension and connected to a 12 volt battery outside the garage - BANG !!! the tensioner was forced out of the vice and flew across the room . at least its disarmed so ok to bin - Next one will be secured more firmly in the vice Second pretensioner discharged - stayed in the vice as better secured this time though on both occasions the plastic casing of the seat belt clip broke off and went across the room so stay outside Regards Paul

Next project is to replace my aging Vitesse seats with leather MGF seats and following an excellent TSSC forum article Just stripping off the seat belt clip assembly from the MGF seats which look like they have a pretensioner system - Is it ok just to throw away or should it be stripped down further . The barrel will easily unscrew . See pic Regards Paul

If you are ever in the North Wales area - there is a cracking remnant fabric shop which sells end of rolls etc - heres a link unbeatable prices Regards Paul

Hi Aidan. Pretty sure she id running rich.will check the plugs tomorrow.previously she was running weak and i think i over compensated Regards Paul

Took the Vitesse for its MOT today passed no advisories though headlights were too high so they adjusted them there and then When I switched off the engine ran on for a second or so - what is this a sign of ?? Regards Paul

I think green shield stamps would be in order , if I had any On another note , a neighbour heard the vitesse running and came across and mentioned he has a 1969 spitfire ( MK 3 ?? ) in his garage , been there for 5 years and it needs to be moved and probably for sale . I volunteered to help him to get it started , I think I've learnt quite a lot over the last year so should be able to assist. Currently the battery is on charge in my garage and looking to start the spitfire next weekend . The spitfire belongs to the neighbour's daughter who lives in New Zealand and the garage space is now required My list follows and not in any order, and some checks might not be necessary ie carb strip down Check plugs, clean and gap Remove air filters ensure pistons rise and fall , check diaphragm , remove float bowl, check needle valve , check float for holes, check damper oil level Check , clean distributor , rotor arm, points, plug leads Once engine has turned over, ensure there is a spark , ensure fuel is being delivered. Use carb start with the piston raised . The car was driven in so basic setup should be ok Have I missed anything ? If the spit is for sale , is anybody looking for a project ? Regards Paul

Thanks Pete , you were right, ticking over now with no choke now at 1000 revs , flick accelerator and no 'coughing' . Best regards Paul

Progress , engine is running though a little lumpy while getting hot , choke out and it's fine and running at 2000 revs , start putting in the choke too soon and rear carb "farts" and fuel mist comes out of intake ( no filters on yet ) . What does this mean ? Apologies for the description Paul

Hi Pete , I used a cutter like this https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accessories/d80/Holesaws/sd1530/Holesaw+Kit/p23014 Better to use a slightly smaller cutter than required and finish using a file as the varnished surface can fracture . Measuring your initial pilot hole is important and with the correct measurement you will miss the cross bar section. There will be a lot of dust so so put sheets down and wear a dust mask Good luck

Hi Pete - Ive reset the float level , see pic , just checking ive done this correct - I placed a steel rule on top of the float and measured from the ruler underside to the carb base and current measurement says 16.66mm When I bought my Vitesse the carbs were CDSE though not set up for Vitesse and were totally shot - Throttle spindles totally knackered - Just salvaged the float bowls which are a better fit + have a more pronounced raised rim all the way round - I guess I will have to get used to the fact they are not shiny !!!! Paul

That makes sense as thats how they were fitted so I marked them T for top , at least Turners got that right Paul

Hi Pete , you are correct as usual !! The bowls are different shapes so looks like a double gasket + turning over the floats and setting to 16 - 17 mm Paul

Hi Pete - dry fitted the carbs and there 2 areas which dont fit flush - ie I can slide in a feeler gauge all the way through . rear carb area where i know it has leaked in the past is 4thou and the area in front has a 2 thou gap - Next is to dry fit with the cd150 bowl ( with a higher ridge ) and measure for gaps . Turner Carbs refurbed these CDSE's Paul

Hi Pete , the raised groove all the way round is very low on the petrol bowl - Just stripped out the CD150's I have for rebuild and the groove is very noticeable - As the CDSE are refurbed the groove has been ground down with the cleaning process - does this make sense Paul

Hi Pete , just changed the needle valves and noticed the ones I took off were marked 1.75 and the spares purchased are marked 1.5 . At first glance they are the same though the orifice on the 1.75 is larger - Will this make a difference Paul

Hi Pete , heres a pic of the gasket in position , It covers all areas so no corners missing - Is it the correct one ?? Paul