Gary Flinn
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Posts posted by Gary Flinn
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1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said:
i think all those apply to any wire wheels
great if you like wibble wobble handling
the worst part is the lack of spanner room to get a good torque on the adaptor to hub nuts ...often quite hopeless
taking wires off and reverting to steel or alloy really transforms the handling.
they look nice thats about the only thing going for wires
some love em some hate em all down to preference
Pete
Pete
Thanks for the reply, I think they look good on something like an Healey 3000, E-Type or Aston DB4/5, but not a Vitesse.
It was more the practicalities of keeping them clean and the splines and spokes staying in good fettle, I believe the spline area/size on the ones to suit the small Chassis triumphs is marginal and a weak point, so I've been told anyway.
I know they are very heavy and flex a lot compared with Alloys and even standard Vitesse Rims/Trims.
Gary
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Does anyone on here have knock on type Wire Wheels fitted on their Vitesse?
If so, I was wondering if you have had any issues with the splines wearing or spokes loosening.
Regards
Gary
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18 minutes ago, Colin said:
Which is not much of a help, it leaking when cold & not expanded under heated conditions! Choice:- trap swarf but lose oil when cold standing . . . and Gary, surely a rubber 'O' ring would burn off or harden, crack, then break away after not too long (back to oil loss when cold . . .🙂)??
Colin
If you get the right type of 'O' ring (Nitrile maybe?) it would be ok.
Think about it, there are 'O' Rings sealing the Oil Filters on our cars and they are fine, I don't think it would get that hot anyway.
Gary
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On 11/06/2024 at 20:29, Colin Lindsay said:
Nice looking Vitesse, but then I suppose it was new...
I've seen that video before on YouTube, I think it was filmed in the early 1970's
I always found it strange how it looks like a Mk2 Vitesse but it's on an 'F' Plate, possibly the Grill and Wheel trims added by the owner to give it the Mk2 look.
I've done an M.O.T. and Tax history check and it states a 1967 Vitesse, last taxed in 1999 so it may be stashed away in a garage hopefully
Gary
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Surely a tight fitting rubber 'O' Ring in conjunction with the copper washer would stop any oil leaks on the Magnetic plug if it's not a Tapered thread?
Gary
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Here's a link
https://shop.tssc.org.uk/category/rear-suspension
It would seem they are supplied with suitable GAZ Dampers, bear in mind the open and closed lengths need to be correct for smooth operation with these brackets
Regards
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To add to this debate on Ethanol in Fuel, a memo was circulation in Tr Circles with regards to the effects of Ethanol on Metering Units for the PI System, its dated 2016 so no idea if it is still relevant to Esso Synergy Supreme Plus petrol or the others mentioned nowadays, memo below:-
"Esso Synergy Supreme Plus unleaded petrol does not contain ethanol if bought from a service station in our region (Derbyshire).
To elaborate further, not all Esso filling stations sell their premium unleaded., and not all Esso Synergy Supreme Plus unleaded petrol is free of ethanol - fuel purchased in Devon, Cornwall, Teeside and Scotland being a case in point.
For anyone who has thoughts that all premium unleaded fuels from any of the major manufacturers does not contain ethanol, I can confirm that, at the very least, Shell and Texaco premium unleaded fuels does contain up to 5% ethanol. Tesco seems to be a mixed bag – some stations do, some don’t, and I am waiting for a reply from BP. In general some, but far from all, pumps in filling stations indicate the ethanol content of the petrol dispensed.
Furthermore, it is possible, but not as yet confirmed, that Total Unleaded (all grades) sold within our area does not contain ethanol!"
Regards
Gary
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19 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:
Was the Vitesse also fitted with coathooks? Or was that too girly?
Yes, I think they where on the Saloons.
They also had an additional interior light, and headlining material up the 'A' Posts on the saloon models compared with the Herald
I suppose the door capping's and these additions were considered luxuries back in the 60's
Gary
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3 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:
It was often commented on that the Herald, being beloved of learners and Driving Instructors, had a plain knob whilst the GT6 and Vitesse being sportier and therefore more suited to experienced drivers had the embossed version.
I've read that before Colin
I've also read the Vitesse was fitted with a larger Ashtray because Vitesse Drivers were Cigar Smokers😁
Regards
Gary
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It's awkward but you should be able to carefully undo the chrome lock nut and then reach up and ease the switch out to check it the spiked locking washer is present?
If not, again it shouldn't be to difficult to make something similar out of a bit of thin steel with a suitable sized hole in it.
Regards
Gary
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Johny Beat me to it!
Item 17 on the Canley Classic website, NLA though
Gary
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4 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:
It's a simple basic circuit - power comes in from the battery to the switch, along to the inhibitor, to the solenoid, and then to earth (My J-type has no solenoid on the bulkhead, but the concept is the same). It needs both switches, column / gearlever or inhibitor closed to work. Where did you get your inhibitor switch from? Is it possible that it's incorrect so that it makes contact when fully out, not depressed in, so your remote cam is actually turning it off not on?
Incidentally, weren't there some of the TR range that had overdrive on 2nd, 3rd and 4th whereas 'our' cars only had the latter two? How did that work regarding an inhibitor?
Colin
Yes, my Tr5 had Over-drive on 2nd, 3rd and 4th, I think the early Tr6's are the same
It's just additional Inhibitor switches I believe
Regards
Gary
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I've read the T&C's twice and still don't understand it!
There doesn't seem to be any help line or phone number you can call and I still haven't had a response to my E-Mail
Gary
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On 01/06/2024 at 08:00, trigolf said:
Never mind the cost of the car Gary, but you must be racking up the fuel bill travelling the country, looking at Vits!😟
Chalk up another 250+ miles travelling to North Wales and back to look at another car listed via the Vitesse Facebook group on Sunday
At least I managed to have a few hours in Llandudno and also visit a National Trust site before travelling back with her indoors
Although this car had been fully restored chassis wise and bodily to a good standard, there were far too many modifications for my liking.
The vender had constructed all new Outriggers and side rails in thicker 2mm box sections and it was better than new underneath chassis wise (These modifications I could live with), however all the Wheel arch lips had been ground off (Presumably because of rust) and 6mm round bar shaped and welded into position to join the wing to the inner arches.
The vendor had made a lovely job of it, but it just didn't look right to me, especially on the rear arches.
He'd also got rid of the Opening Quarter lights and put in fixed glass or Perspex because he said the new Rubber seals are too expensive!
Again this didn't look right in my opinion.
The car was a very late one with a steering lock, about 120 from the last one made.
The car did have a 'J' Type Over-drive and had also been fitted with CV Driveshafts and Telescopic dampers at the rear, but the ride was terribly hard with rattles galore and the usual Vitesse/Herald door slamming was required both sides even though the correct 'J' Profile door seals had been fitted.
It was offers over £12K for this one which I thought was a bit too much.
I'm still fighting with my conscious if to offer a bit more for the Car in Kent, although it may well be sold now.
Regards
Gary
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I've printed off the T&C's, I'll have a read tonight.
I actually made an offer verbally to the vendor that was rejected.
I'm presuming the T&C's are different if its an auction compared to a classified listing advert?
I know with the E-Bay classified Ads, you pay the £20 Fee and then are left to deal with any enquires and sort payment yourself without any further charges, this is how I sold my Sunbeam last Summer.
Gary
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On 01/06/2024 at 19:02, johny said:
Also you dont know the extent of the wear although noise level must be an indication. You could have damage to both mainshaft tip and laygear and this is expensive...
Johny
Ok thanks, I do know a mate who could strip and rebuild it no problem, its just the cost of the necessary parts.
The noisy gearbox was in a Vitesse I viewed last week, the vender was told the noise was the clutch release bearing!
I'm currently deciding if to make a slightly better offer, although there is no way I can pay the asking price
Link to the car below:-
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1731919
Gary
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Hi All
Anyone bought a Classic car via the carandclassic website from a Classified Advert?
I'm getting confused with there Terms and conditions, does the Buyer get charged a fee?
I can see wording stating a minimum buyers fee starting at £245, but is this if its an Auction only.
Any clarification would be appreciated
I've tried e-mailing them last week for clarification, but no reply as yet
Regards
Gary
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19 hours ago, johny said:
I think theres always going to be some noise in those as youre driving through gears while 4th is direct. Luckily the torque allows for very early use of top gear😁
Yes, I would expect some gear noise, but this was something else, worn laygear needle roller bearings or maybe a worn layshaft and Mainshaft tip/bearing too.
I do know someone who would rebuild it for me no problem but there's the expense of all the parts and the hassle of removing/replacing it.☹️
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On 01/06/2024 at 10:27, Steve P said:
5k on tyres and brake and hydraulic work!!
I don't want the number of the mechanic that did that.
S
I think the £5K also included some bodywork/respraying to the passenger door and a full service.
I'm still fighting with my conscious on if to make a better offer, but I just can't get my head around paying that much for a Vitesse?
I've been watching cars sold at auction and via E-bay and the only one to come close was a lovely concours/show car that was advertised on E-Bay and sold for slightly less than the advertised price of £17.5K apparently, although I believe that car to be better but I've never actually seen it.
I'm off to North Wales to view yet another Mk2 convertible that's been fully restored after sitting in a barn for near on 30 years, I've found that private restorations can be a bit hit and miss with regards to the quality of the work and the panel fit, so I'm not building my hopes up, at least I won't have to endure the M25 again.
I'm beginning to think I'm probably looking for something that doesn't exist, expecting good panel fit, paintwork and fault free mechanics
Watch this space, I will get one sooner or later folks, I promise.
Regards
Gary
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On 31/05/2024 at 15:48, Steve P said:
Not a fan of the wire wheels, Dunlop steelies would look better, how many owners?. Mileage?.
IMHO if I was in the market and it looked genuine I might get close to the price.
Steve
Its not a low owner or low milage car, I think Chris the owner said he was the 7th owner?
He did have a lot of history, receipts and details of the previous owners way back to the 1970's
The car had been subjected a very thorough and well executed restoration around 2009 to 2010 and as per the photos and is lasting very well.
The wire wheels aren't my cup of tea either, nor is the twin stainless sports exhaust, although it wasn't as loud as some that I've heard.
The only faults with it are a slightly noisy gearbox (Whining in the intermediate gears) a squeaky steering wheel, a shaky bonnet (Adjustment of the Bonnet cones may solve that one) and some minor stone chips to the front bulkhead.
As per the advert he's recently spent £5k on Tyres, Work on the Brakes/Hydraulics and some electrical items.
The car was a July 70 registered Mk2 Vitesse so I thought the Front Bulkhead may have been changed during the Restoration as it had the narrower spaced wipers, my old June 1970 registered Vitesse had the wider spaced wipers although I've read it was around mid 1970 that the wiper spacing got changed so it may have the original front bulkhead.
The colours also been changed from it's original Royal blue, but that's no big deal.
I'm keeping a record of all the Vitesse's I've seen listed for sale and viewed, a lot seem to be White with a black interior which must have been a popular choice in the 60's/70's for Vitesse and Herald convertibles.
I've told him to contact me if it doesn't sell for near his asking price but don't expect to hear back
It's a Shame as it is definitely the best one I've seen but I just can't afford it😔
Regards
Gary
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A question for you Gearbox Guru's
If a Vitesse gearbox is noisy (Whines) in the intermediate gears but is quite in top gear is this a worn layshaft or a worn Main-shaft tip or possibly both?
I've been to look at 2 Vitesse recently and both had noisy gearboxes, one was really bad.
Regards
Gary
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For anyone interested, I travelled down yesterday to view this lovely Vitesse
Setting off at 6.15am and returning at 7pm after negotiating the M1, M25, M20, A20 then returning via the M2, M25, A1 and A14/M1 never again!! It's a jungle out there.
It really is a beautiful car though, but unfortunately my offer was refused, the owner is holding out for very close to the asking price, which is eye watering in my opinion for a Vitesse.
I know all the usual quotes about "cars are only worth what some ones willing to pay" and "Try restoring one for the money"
But seriously £19K for a Vitesse?!!
I wouldn't be at all surprised if it does sell, I seem to be out of touch with Vitesse values even though I've been studying all the usual auction sites and E-bay, Etc for the past few years and thought Classic car values had dropped.
What do you guys and girls think.
Gary
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Can you cut a slot in the flat section that form's the hole in the curved guide with an angle grinder or saw, bend out the way, install the cable and then bend it back and tack weld it. I know it's all very restricted and awkward when your upside down though.
Preservation of hydraulic seals in storage
in Braking System
Posted
I've fitted a number of N.O.S. Clutch and brake components to my classics in the past with no issues, although I have seen people raise comments regarding fitting rubber components that are 40 or 50 years old.
Some of the new Rubber these days is frankly abysmal, a pair of Rear wheel cylinders fitted to my old Sunbeam failed within a couple of years of them being fitted
If you keep the components boxed, out of the sun and in a dry environment I don't see why they shouldn't last ok.
Regards
Gary