[Vitesse Heater Hoses]

Hmm, not so sure now you put it like that.  I'm sure I read that either here or on the CT forum before things there disappeared but must have been at least 4 or 5 years ago.  It kind of makes sense to me that putting water into the bottom and letting it come out at the top will ensure it's full rather than just trickling through.  And you don't really want to keep the hotter water in, you want the heat to be extracted from it, which is easier if the matrix is full.  But then that's the opposite of how the radiator works.  The workshop manuals that I've seen do all show the feed from the bottom though.  Whether that's for consistency or efficiency, I don't know.

Don't suppose there are any thermodynamics experts around?

[Vitesse Heater Hoses]

Robin,

As I replied on Facebook, the flow to the heater matrix should be at the bottom and the outlet from it at the top.  This will ensure the matrix is full of water and improve its efficiency although I don't know by how much in practice. 

Cheers, Dave

[Sump plug thread]

The heavier damper weights are available from Burlen at http://zenithcarb.co.uk/diaphragm-retaining-washer.html, part number B17243.  I spent several years scanning eBay to find a pair of weights, only to discover they can be bought new.  It's also well worth getting their catalogue at http://zenithcarb.co.uk/books-catalogues/zenith-cd-catalogue.html for the cost of postage alone.

[Roof Panel removal . Triumph Vitesse]

I'm fairly sure that's not the right profile as the door closes against the side of it.  I think I bought their DX73 profile and that worked a treat.

[jumping out of first gear]

I didn't need a dummy layshaft when doing the 13/60 gearbox which seems to be the same as the earlier Spitfire.  I can see how it would be useful for the needle bearings on the Vitesse and later Spitfire gearboxes though.  For the additional cost of £30, a replacement layshaft seems good value as they do tend to wear over time.

Dave

[Spitfire MkIV front brake discs seized on]

Hi Gary,

I had similar issues a while ago on the Vitesse and it turned out to be the flexible brake hose breaking down so that fluid could go into the caliper but not back out easily.  Of course, I only realised this after fitting the replacement caliper.

Dave

[TWIDDLE DAY 3 23RD SEPTEMBER]

Ah, a change of date.  Yes, I can do the 23rd.

[TWIDDLE DAY 3 23RD SEPTEMBER]

Ah, I won't be able to make it after all.  Looking forward to Twiddle Day 4 ?

[TWIDDLE DAY 3 23RD SEPTEMBER]

Depending on the chosen weekend, I'd like to attend seeing as I was on holiday for the previous one.

[Smith's heater]

I seem to remember mine taking about 5A, so I'd go along with Paul's 10A fuse suggestion.  It's probably taking its positive feed from the input to the stabiliser rather than the output, so it is "raw" battery power.

Dave

[Hello from an interloper]

Thanks Gully.

Believe me, I'm trying my best!  But a house move last Friday followed by it failing its MOT on the brakes on Monday means there are slightly higher priority jobs to do than getting the car fixed.  Or so I've been told anyway, but I'm not convinced.

Dave

[Hello from an interloper]

On the subject of interlopers, I'd better admit to having been lurking here for a few weeks too, having had my previous Triumph forum "fix" virtually dry up.

Despite the username, I'm the owner of a 1963 Vitesse 6 which is currently up on axle stands due to a leaky rear brake cylinder.

Dave