Dick Twitchen

Notwithstanding all the technical stuff in Pete's articles you only have to search 'Fake NGK Spark Plugs' as a starter to this widespread issue. However, this is not a new thing; Mark Fields (Jigsaw Racing) warned me of this 10 years ago and his suggestion then was 'look for the Made in Japan'. Not sure if this still holds true. I have had no issues with NGK in my GT6 from (re)build but I also but from my local car factors and not from the 'great value/cheap/unwanted stock/etc' on EBay. If it's notably cheaper than rrp than there is probably/possibly a reason. Dick

Fitting the new fuel tank in the GT6 had to wait, far too busy launching something historic and working frantically to get her ready for trials and hopefully the D-Day 75 activities in Normandy.

Put it on the Forum a couple of years ago but I eventually found a piece of neutrally buoyant plastic in the tank, size of a 10p coin that caused similar symptoms you have; I had recently refueled. The wait on the roadside provided time for it to float clear, drive, repeat. Dick

Followed by somebody asking the 'grease or EP90 trunnion question' without first going to Search Forum!

Chris, there is a thread just started in Bodywork on 'Stone chip paints' which may help. Dick

Like Clive I used Gravitex and a wax on top in the wheel arches on my GT6 during restoration and it has lasted well these past 10 years. All the underside and front bulkhead (and the interior but don't tell anybody) were done and apart from serious gravel chips to/from five Le Mans Classic all is well, touching up with Hammerite Stonechip aerosol is easy and a decent match. I also did the outside of the sills and the key is to allow lots of time for it to dry before top coating, and a gentle rub will remove any particularly high/sharp looking spots. Dick

Additional to that beware of thinking that if they are all clear then all is well. From practical experience last year following Le Mans Classic check the 'pipe' through the inlet manifold is not blocked. Heater valve and the hose at the front end off and a good prod with some brazing wire followed by a hose flush cleared much of it; being as the compressor was charged will not do any harm to give it a blow through. That definitely cleared any remnants of sludge, over the inside of the bonnet/radiator and driveway. Dick

Alistair, I had/have exactly the same problem on mine and used a piece of the outer weatherstrip trimmed to size and held in place with some black sealant. Seems to work and does not look particularly out of place, except to those who ........ Dick

Well that will be cheaper than my issue as I think I have a leak on the tank structure itself into the boot space. That will be no smoking the pipe whilst replacing bushes on the front suspension!

I can thoroughly recommend the structure that Pete is talking about, and more robust than the Titanic. Only recently sold mine on because they were being used less and less; which is probably tempting fate. Dick

Well the Massey Ferguson factory was only over the road from the Standard in Banner Lane!

Had exactly the same issue a couple of years ago with a Heritage Approved (whatever that is supposed to mean) radiator from a reputable supplier. The solution was to re-drill/open out the holes on the mounting plates to match the chassis.

And if you are very polite the not so young!

I think it is looking at the Home Page and The Courier, albeit with some additive and a filter thrown in.

That's the location I used on mine, with no attendant issues.

And therefore not far from Mike in Coventry!

Apparently they did; it came from Balmoral.

Unfortunately all you ever seem to hear, or sometimes read on here, is 'I found it cheaper at .....', '...save a few quid....', '...why is the club shop more expensive?' Reality is people do not seem to act on their own words. For what it's worth, for anything I think 'critical' I tend to source it from somebody who actually uses that item/spare in their line of business; using Jigsaw Racing costs a bit more for just that re-assurance. Got that of my chest!

'Agreed Insurance Valuation Certificate' pdf download on the Home Page has all the details required. Dick

Too cold to go and check on the GT6 but that bottle holder looks different to my 'original' one with that top plate longer. Consequently not by any chance making prolonged contact with a very hot cooling pipe or allowing it to bounce and touch the manifold?

New Year's Day Classic Car gathering at The Elsted Inn, Elsted March, West Sussex. Good turnout of Southern Area Triumphs, if overwhelmed by Morgans, with three GT6s (mine, Neil Fletcher's blue Mk1 and Dave Burden's) and entertained by Morris Dancers and a folk band. Happy new Year to one and all. Dick

Wayne, I had something similar several years ago. Cleaned the pistons, made sure the carb faces were flat with no edges around threaded holes and checked the air box was also true. Replaced all the gaskets and no problems since. Dick

Chris, Hopefully you are back home in one piece, therefore nothing too catastrophically amiss. Sure somebody in your local group would willingly put an experienced eye/ear to the noise and set your mind at rest. Steadily and methodically working through a service schedule would be a good start. Old classic cars do make different sounds to moderns, the trick is spotting them and noting when a new one arrives! Dick

That's correct, and if you are able/interested Adam Egeland-Jensen wrote a couple of articles for The Courier (Nos 302 & 303). He and I have the RN connection, and if I recall correctly he still has the car (Reg Nos 53 RPE). Dick

A person who makes or repairs something badly or clumsily/Bodgers were highly skilled itinerant wood-turners, who worked in the beech woods of the Chiltern Hills.