NeilF

Steve, You might like to know that the Locks Heath Classic Car Club formed 4 years ago had a tunout of 90 classics at our August meet, and just over 100 at our September meet. Locks Heath is halfway between Portsmouth and Southampton and we meet just for a couple of hours on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Strawberry Fields in Locks Heath Centre. Great for a chatter and noggin. NeilF

This is a trip for 8 TSSC members. Hiring a minibus, a round trip of 340 miles. It is expensive, but hopefully the camaradie will shine through. I guess it is also supporting the TSSC and their stand. Will it be worth it? I will let you know. NeilF

Just booked tickets for the show using the Club discount code. The advert in the Courier states Single: £18.00* Look further down in the small print * and it says maximum tickets per member is 4, OK, and then 'All bookings are subject to a single transaction fee of £1.50. Perhaps someone can explain to me from this why the ticket price charged is £19.50 and then there is a single transaction fee of £1.50 added on. Total cost for 4 tickets £79.50. Either my understanding of English is not good, or this seems to be totally incorrect. Does anyone else concur. NeilF

Djpicko, Look on the web 'how many left - Classic cars' and you can learn more. If you work your way through to cars by years, it shows 1967 Licensed 12 Sorn 10, 1968 Licensed 15 Sorn 5 and 1969 Licensed 16 Sorn 11. With the Mark 2 hitting the market late 1968, you could surmise that the maximum Mk1 on the road is 27 and Sorn 15. However with all statistics these should be taken with a pinch of salt. Some of the 1969 cars may be Mk1 and some of the 1968 cars may be Mk 2. That is of course if the DVLA information is correct as for instance my 1968 Mk1 has a 1972 registration!! So the numbers give you an estimate. NeilF

I seem to remember that having released the head, I put the exhaust manifold back on, and then used that to lift by hand and shake the head to get it to release. It worked as I do not remember having any other problem. Worth a try. NeilF

Henry, we have a meeting at the pub with no name tonight.(The White Horse, near Priors Dean) I will put a pair of old jeans in the car in case I can be of help. NeilF

Eddie, I had the same problem removing the UJ, and also broke my vice. I finally took a dremel to the UJ and cut the problem flange off. With the UJ out of the way I was then able to remove the final piece with a sledge hammer, ever so gently. This resulted in no damage to the flange, and the new UJ went in OK. NeilF

Andrew, Normal procedure for the brakes is to bleed the furthest away from the master cylinder first, then the second furthest, third furthest, then the brake next to the cylinder. With our cars, and a right hand drive, it is nearside rear, offside rear, nearside front and offside front. Good luck, NeilF

John, You have me interested. Will email shortly. NeilF

Dougb, That is too complicated. John, keep it simple, like me - and GT4 says it all, but add lightweight when describing it. NeilF

John, I know I must join in the GT6 celebrations, but where? Santa Pod is probably a must, my local club (Locks Heath) makes a big thing about Silverstone and goes as a club, so I think I need to pencil that in. Isle of Man in early June (after the TT) has now been arranged with 7 couples going. Incidently, I did a photo shoot with Classic & Sports Car last month and that is due out in the March issue as a celebration of the GT6 50 years. Lots to look forward too. Neil

John, Do not bother with the crossed fingers. The car will be seen as what it is, a brillant design of a car and one that any of us would be proud to own. Neil

Could it be something that has been used to coat the inside of the fuel tank to seal any rust? NeilF

Cookie, Just to say the Photo Shoot for the GT6's went well, and the results should be in the March edition of Classic and Sports Car. Glad I was able to go and look forward to the results. Thank you for the headsup. NeilF

Sean, I fitted new? poly bushes to my Mk1 GT6 and did not like the movement in the rack. I then had further movement in the steering that I definitely didn't like. I had bought the bushes from the club shop about 5 years ago and had fitted most, but thought that it was time to change the steering bushes. Because of the movement I contacted Garth at the shop and he advised that approximately 2 years ago the steering bushes were changed for a much firmer bush. He willingly changed my bushes for the new ones. Once fitted they were much better, but I still had play, so I ordered a new rack. The new rack was similar to yours with no nipple. However I fitted it with the firmer bushes and whilst the fit was much better, I still had play. It was only then that I discovered that the steering clamp bolt was loose, so the new rack hadn't been necessary - what an idiot. As the new rack does not have the facility for locking the earth wire in place I used a jubilee clip clamped to the rack and that has proved OK. The pictures of your bushes look just like my original new ones. Hope this might help, NeilF

Talk to Garth at the club shop, he will advise you on the best bushes, and be able to supply them. NeilF

John, Enjoy your trip to Tours, I bet the French will be totally overwhelmed by the car. Will miss it this year, but I think it could well be back on the list for next year. Bon voyage, Neil

John, Congratulations - a new baby. Just back from our long weekend in Wales and catching up on your progress - the car is stunning. Will be in touch, Neil

Do not forget the legal bits that are required in France, and make sure you have European recovery cover. I had a guy with a breakdown that cost him 250 euro, and that was only to take the car from the breakdown point to a garage. www.rac.co.uk/driving-abroad/France Then put a big smile on your face and enjoy the experience. Have you checked out the Bonhams auction list to see if there is anything that you might like to bring back? NeilF

So, 11.59pm is 1 minute before midnight, and 1 minute later it is 12.00am. Simmilarly 1 minute before noon is 11.59am and a minute later is 12.00pm. That sounds daft to me. Still confused. NeilF

Darren, How do you get OVER 100% efficiency?? NeilF

It started with an email advising the the car meet was at 10.00am through to 12.00pm. Now I reconed that that was about 14hours and a long time to be standing arround. A reply from me said don't you mean through to 12.00am midday. Back came the reply 12.00pm midday. Now I thought that one us was wrong, and it was not me! Following a little discussion down the pub, look it up on the net was the answer and this followed my first 'I don't believe it'. So what do you guys think. Is 12.00am midday or midnight. My digital alarm clock at just after midnight showed 12.05am and now I am scared to have to set it for a midnight feast. What do you think? NeilF

John, There is no end to your talents. NeilF

John, Great to see the engine in place. It is realy looking good now. A couple of years ago I bought from my local motor bike shop a black spray paint for very high temperatures, it is called PJI Fast Black and is good for +800 degrees C. I used it on the manifold and it is only now beginning to fade. Surprising the difference it made to under-bonnet viewing. Keep up the good work, Regards Neil

Ben, Photos attached of my Mk1 dials. Hope this may help. NeilF