johny

hmmm our cars tend to be a bit lighter than equivalent moderns which normally list 30 psi tyre pressures so for me thats a bit too hard and I find with wider tyres than the originals I can get away with more comfortable lower settings.....

If you remove the calipers again and then push the pistons out using the brake pedal - put something between the pistons and do this very carefully or theyll come out too far and youll have fluid everywhere! You can then assess the condition of the pistons to see if theyre useable and whether it wouldnt be better to do as I did and just get exchange calipers.....

Mann filters have a great site for looking up different filters and using the required thread the best I can find is a W77. This seems to have all the same characteristics as the normal spin on item (including non return and bypass valves) but is only 59mm in length. Its also used on a couple of Maserati car models (as well as the Fiat Cinquecento before you get too excited)..... https://catalog.mann-filter.com/EU/eng/catalog/MANN-FILTER Katalog Europa/Oil Filter/W 77

well the manual shows different pressures but in general the front have a lower pressure than the back with the MK1 showing 22 front 26 rear for that size of tyre. I go with what it shows for the MK2 which is 24 back and front.....

that pressure reading is in bar right not psi?

Gary I assume its a single line system so are the back brakes locked on as well? If so as Pete says it could be master cylinder but if its only the front then its more likely to be a caliper problem possibly the pistons arent returning because the new pads have pushed them back further and now corrosion on them is making them stick?

get my Fram spin-ons from careuroparts at 2.63 delivered (including the usual discount code)

each to their own🤗

yes I reckon in a GT6 OD is probably worthwhile as its a more aerodynamic shape so at speed mechanical noise is more prevalent than wind. The Herald/Vitesse on the other hand is about as slippery as a brick so 60mph is enough for me😁

hmmm I knew the OD would be controversial! Ive done 30+ years without one in this Vitesse (had one previously with OD) and admittedly dont drive fast so noise is mostly wind not mechanical. Also I think our gearboxes are even less robust with OD fitted plus Im not convinced about improved fuel consumption because of the losses due to the OD oil pump and extra gear losses.....

Dont be put off by a lack of overdrive as although many swear by them Im not convinced and so far have resisted installing one. They certainly have pros n cons and your use of the car may decide whether to leave as is, fit one or reduce the diff ratio.....

out of interest did the new drums look the same as the old'uns and which supplier did you get these latest ones from?

well rust obviously is the biggy and although Im no panel beater I believe some areas are worse than others: for example chassis parts, if accessible, arent so bad as the roof leading edge or base of the C posts and valances as problematic as door bottoms. Mechanically suspension, brakes and drive shafts are all pretty easy to deal with but gearboxes are weak and expensive to replace. Its pretty limited as to what you can check on a test unless youre really going to go to town and get it up in the air and remember since May 2018 they havent needed an MOT. The engine might rattle a little on cold start up but hot oil pressure on tickover should maintain 15+psi and if the car doesnt have a gauge like mine (and the owner agrees) you could temporarily screw in a small gauge in place of the oil pressure switch to get a reading. This is useful as it not only shows the state of the pump but also the crankshaft bearings which as they wear cause a drop in pressure. Finally (again with the owners permission) you could try to lever the crankshaft back and forward on the front pulley. Its easier done hot and if theres more than a very slight click in movement the thrust bearings are worn which if left for too long can cause serious damage to the engine. Hope this helps and you might even find someone on here who for a beer would have a look at the car with you....

Hey I dont want to have anything to do with Dougs 'other' forums😵

+1 for a new pump at ~20pounds. Careful with petrol when testing the old one....

As Pete says the float chambers do slowly empty themselves but that cranking time is rather long to refill even completely ones. The mechanical pump has two non return valves in it and if either one doesnt seal well the pump loses effectiveness and its pumping flow rate is reduced which can also cause fuel starvation during high speed runs. The only way I know of testing the valves is by removing the pump filter cover and then sucking on the inlet and blowing through the outlet connections neither of which should allow air to pass.....

Ha I do hope the op gets the same result😉

Certainly make sure the handbrake cables are not under tension with the handbrake released (this should always be the case) before tightening up the adjuster. The handbrake lever should then only need to go 3 or 4 clicks to fully apply the handbrake. Dont forget to adjust both the cross cable AND handbrake cable to maintain the central pivot (which also has its own adjustments which may have been fiddled with.....) around the 90º position. Finally I would argue that although the brakes can be fine our handbrakes are always going to be on the weak side especially compared with a modern......

well I would adjust the handbrake as the manual says.... Also theres someone on ebay who sells custom made extenders for our rear drum handbrake operating levers so that shows how common it is for owners to feel their handbrakes are poor!

with that spark going from cap centre post to the lead terminals I dont think marigolds are going to do so its got to be a pair of rubber North sea diving gloves🤗

ok let us know how it goes...

As you say little chance of home machining success but with the Vitesse/GT6 drums at around 100 pound a pair incl delivery (and then they might later go oval) its probably worth a go! Good point on the flange running true though....

with the power Nicks system seems to be putting out hed better be careful doing tests like that😂

Somebody on another well know site has been running with a bolt in the drain hole with no problems. I think the drain was necessary as this inlet manifold isnt water heated and with a downdraught carb on cold mornings a considerable amount of fuel could condense out before the manifold warmed up sufficiently. Now that our cars tend to avoid cold weather its not such a problem....

my original drums have definitely benefitted from machining so it seems new and old all have the potential to be or go out of round.....