68vitesse

Yes gearbox very quiet except when I dropped it even then it did not whine. Regards Paul

The middle of the groove in the reverse gear is about 40mm from the back of the gearbox with the spacer at the back if you move the lever backwards to its fullest extent the groove is about 65mm from the back. Regards Paul

Used silicone grease on the polyurethane bushes and the stainless steel inserts I recently fitted to my Vitesse and copperslip on the bolts. Also found the wishbones moved fairly easily after tightening the bolts to the required torque. Having said that I also made an adaptor to fit the top of a scissors jack so I could lift each wheel in turn to tighten shock absorber bolts etc. Regards Paul

Just for information the three rail box with j type overdrive in my Vitesse has the fine, single rail, input shaft so is a mixture of three and single rail components. Reverse is up by first and just a single rail Dolomite 1850 clutch plate needed. Best of luck with your build. Regards Paul

Have an old gearbox I took apart years ago case number HC121 no guarantee dimensions are correct for your application. The plain tube I believe to be the reverse spacer has the following dimensions. External diameter 1inch 25.38mm Length 0.934inch 23.71 mm Int. Diameter 0.675inch 17.16mm The length and external diameter I measured with a micrometer and digital caliper (Aldi's finest). Hope this is what you are looking for. Regards Paul

Many thanks very helpful, have a half inch lowering block fitted which might account for the difference. Regards Paul

Trying to find out if the back of my Mk1 Vitesse 2L CV is low, mine measures 540mm or 211/4 inches from the ground to the highest part of the wheel arch in a vertical line with the centre of the wheel. Many thanks. Regards Paul

Been looking at this with a thought to getting new shocks for the rear of my Mk1 2L Vitesse it has the swing axle rear suspension with a half inch lowering block on the diff. The current shocks are 223mm compressed between mounting centres and 270mm at ride hight, I put a carboard collar on the main body of the shock and went for a 50 mile run of mixed country roads and dual carriageway, just myself in the car and the usual rubbish in the boot. The collar was moved about 25mm down the shock so one with a compressed length of 248mm would still be to long as extra people and or luggage would cause it to bottom out. Regards Paul

Didn't a recent repeat of wheeler dealers on a TR6 show this, think he had to run the car for a while with a water absorb ant in the system to remove the last traces seems a bit of a faff. Only problem I can see with standard glycol antifreeze is how do you dispose of it. Regards Paul

No significant other so can spend what I like on any thing I !ike, so ended up resurecting my old gunson eezibleed which worked suprising well. The thing you do not want to do is nock the container of old brake fluid all over, in my case front offside tyre brake caliper etc. and some on the new brake pads. Had a clean up and phoned Automec as I use silicone brake fluid, no comments please as I feel this subject has been done to death before, who tell me not a problem. Just about to have my medicine a bottle of Little Sharpie from the Humty Dumpty brewery so should be better soon. Regards (a still pi**ed of) Paul

Ended up buying a 3/8 drive norbar 15-75 ftlb, which also had the advantage of being on offer. So much nicer to use than my old cheapy one, have an old bendy bar one for the few higher torgue nuts i.e rear hub nut. Thankyou all for your comments. Regards Paul

I reassembled the spring shock units using a new polyurethane top bottom bush and an old top top bush and replaced it when the car was back on its wheels. this was to get around the problem of the polyurethane top bush not going through the turret hole. I'm sure you know not to remove the damper top nut without the weight of the car holding the spring compressed. Another reason not to throw away old parts as you remove them. Regards Paul

Have used the Gunson Eezibleed system in the past and wondered if anyone had used one of the vacuum systems either compressor or hand pump and their opinion of such. Many thanks Regards Paul

Also a well known make, also used superflex rear trunnion bushes as the standard ones I ordered the non threaded part of the bolt would not go through the tube although the threaded part would. I had some new old stock for the front trunnions which fitted perfectly, there seems to be a lot of sub standard parts out there. Usual reply from the supplier, we have supplied many kits without complaint etc. etc. All the best for your restoration. Paul

Superflex, as they offer different shore rating for different applications, i.e. damper or wishbone so some are black some red etc. Regards Paul

Recently did this job on my Vitesse had to cut three of the four bottom wishbone bolts, found the easiest way to refit the bottom wishbone, after fitting the polyurethane bushes, was to fit the fulcrum brackets then fit the assemble to the chassis. Also found that the top damper bush was to big when compressed to go through the hole in the turret, you will find my post about this and at least one other. Not driven car since fitting polyurethane all round as doing other jobs to leave what will be a brilliant spring and summer free to drive the car. Well thats put the mockers on it. All the best for your work. Paul

Twisted wire knot brush in an angle grinder or is that OTT?. Regards Paul

Do not forget the nylon plug in the rack which is held by the nearside? rubber mount, when l fitted alloy mounts some years ago had to use a jubilee clip and a piece of rubber hose to hold it in place. Just looked it up on Rimmers 145108 a very expensive bit of nylon for what it is £3.10 inc. VAT Regards Paul

Reading the above is there any advantage fitting air filter hoses to the MK1 2L Vitesse?, I believe the MK2 had them as standard. Regards Paul

Was thinking that I would assemble the unit with new polyurethane bottom bush and old rubber top bush fit to car and when back on its wheels change the top bush. Regards Paul

Thanks found your post same problem, have spoken to the supplier who stated that he has fitted them and the only way is on the car. Fit the lower top bush, cup washer and spring plate hold the spring in tension how ever you feel safe. Fit the unit to the car jack up under lower wishbone to compress the unit and fit top bush and cup washer. not in my opinion ideal working practice. Thank you all for your reply's. Regards Paul

Always thought the amount of compression was set by the length of the threaded portion of the top shock absorber stud. Regards Paul

The only way to fit as you suggest would be to use hook type spring compressors, I do not have any as have never trusted them. Refitting the shock absorber then jacking up under the bottom wishbone might push the top bush through the turret hole as it is above the spring top plate. Regards Paul

I have been changing the suspension bushes on my Vitesse to polyurethane, a well known make, all have fitted ok up to now. The front upper shock absorber bush as fitted is to big to go through the hole in the front turret. My option seem to be as follows. Fit it back and see if the weight of the car pushes it through, I do not feel it would be a good idea to try and pull it through with the three top plate studs as they are quite small. Remove the turret and enlarge the hole, there would be plenty of metal left to support the top plate. The number cast onto the bush shows it has been correctly supplied. As this is a common upgrade I do not feel I am the only one to have this problem, or is it a challenge these days?. Regards Paul

While out walking this morning saw a Vitesse saloon waiting at traffic lights then a few minutes later a Toledo went past. Most triumphs I have seen on the road in a month. Regards Paul