bfashbolt

Thanks guys for the great advice and reassurances! You really are a fab bunch!! I feel a lot better about this now, I'll try a fuel filter and I'll check the pump lever for the position before I prime and I won't worry about turning over until it starts, no throttle until it fires, check the fuel pipes and give it enough choke!

Sorry if any delay in replying, when it rains in my part of GrimUpNorth the broadband goes down (the hamsters lose grip ont the treadmill😉) all your responses are good information for me. So, any thoughts on how to tackle fuel drain/flow back? I'm going to see if there are options for this before we move on, as I said when my Vitesse is running there is no misfire, no hesitation just keeps going, so as a new'ish classic car owner (I owned an identical Vitesse in the 70s before it was a classic!) I really want to try and understand these issues and approach them logically and sequentially. Barry

Thanks dougbgt6, the building in the picture is the Midland Hotel Morecambe, superb isn't it? Restored to glory a few years back, not cheap to stay but what a view of Morecambe Bay and the Lake District! Is there a cure for the dreaded drain/flow back? You can get non-return valves can't you? Pete, yes the car had been stood a little before I took ownership. I will have a look at the fuel pipes this weekend. Where do you fit an electric fuel pump? Gully, the carbs are going to get checked over soon, and yes I thought the fuel pump might be OK as it runs well after starting. Just doesn't seem to want to get going, the priming idea is good as I didn't know it was dependent on where the camshaft was sitting.

ByThanks Pete, I didn't know the fuel pump lever was camshaft position dependant when you prime it! Good advice thanks, that fits with a recent time when I primed the pump and it started quite quickly. Jonny, slight smell of fuel when turning over, engine in good order when running. Previous owner appears to have looked after the engine properly. Re pump issue revealing itself under load Jonny, no issues at normal acceleration/speeds, at motorway speed 70mph @ slightly under 4400rpm there is sometimes a slight hesitation which clears when I lift off the throttle briefly. Could be carbs needing a little attention? Given that fuel pumps are not too expensive I might try a replacement? Sounds like it should be a fairly quick replacement job? Not too complex according to Pete. Thanks all

Thanks Pete, I didn't know the fuel pump lever was camshaft position dependant when you prime it! Good advice thanks, that fits with a recent time when I primed the pump and it started quite quickly. Jonny, slight smell of fuel when turning over, engine in good order when running. Previous owner appears to have looked after the engine properly.

Solar charger not cellar charger - damn auto-correct! The 500rpm thing is not normal tick-over, usually just around 1000rpm when warned up - the 500rpm happens after turning over for a while and it sort of tries to start, if it doesn't catch when I blip the throttle we go back to turning over with nothing happening.

Solar charger not cellar charger - damn auto-correct!

First of all, sorry re revs comment - meant it runs a little unevenly at 500 rpm not 5000!! Thanks Jonny for choke advice. In answer to Bfg re engine spin, starts off fairly fast, (I have a trickle cellar charger attached when it's standing at home) then it turns slowly then I'll get a splutter, then it might go back to turning or it will catch and run at about 500rpm until I rev it on the throttle. At the moment the battery is good enough to keep going until it catches, the whole process is usually 5 minutes of so.

Thanks Richard, the pump was rapidly becoming the prime suspect (no pun intended ☺) the advice re starting methods is good, thanks again. The carbs were balanced before I took ownership but it really does feel like a fuel issue as there is no attempt to fire during the process. Is it easy to fit a new pump? They are available from the usual sources. Barry

Well my Vitesse ownership learning curve continues to climb steeply!! After steering questions, bonnet cone issues we now have a long time turning over before it starts question. Am I doing it wrong? Is there a knack? The car is unfortunately out in the coldest the minute. I turn the key with the choke out, the engine turns, splutters but doesn't start. Then I have the engine cranking on the key but no attempt to fire, then there will be a brief 'catch' followed by a bit of a fire up but at low revs (5000) - if I'm quick I can catch the revs and away we go. Don't get me wrong it starts but in its own time, no rhyme nor reason either- sometimes quite quick to start, other times not so. I do the fuel pump priming as advised by the seller, especially if it has stood for a few days. Of course this might be totally the wrong forum, it could equally be an ignition issue? Electronic ignition and alternator though so not sure, really feels like fuel isn't getting through? Barry, proud owner of MEX 322H Vitesse Mk2 Saloon

I'll be buying some of the club shop heavy duty ones to fit soon, comments about them wearing/deforming quickly are taken on board it will be a good, easy job for the next decent weekend.

Hi all, many thanks for your advice. Due to the fact that my Vitesse came with a bootfull of spares I had sorted them out to the best of my knowledge and in the bag I marked "rubber bushes and hoses" there they were - two used but serviceable bonnet cones! Amazingly they are the original ones as the nuts had body matched paint on them! These are on now and bonnet catch popping situation much improved, holding firm on one side, slight adjustment on one side needed I think. Will order a pair of replacements from TSSC shop though for the future.

Thanks Richard I'll try them, away this weekend so I'll have to put up with bonnet catch loosening and order some things be here when I get back. Barry

By the way, just had a quick look at Club Shop - where do I find bonnet cones? Not finding them easily! Barry

Thanks all for your suggestions, adjusting the bonnet cones seems the obvious thing to try first. To be honest one is looking like the guilty party already - it has a sliver off one side!! Seems to be the smart money is on the club shop bonnet cones so I'll get a couple of those, looks like mine haven't been touched in quite a while! Barry

Hi you knowledgeable people, my Vitesse Mk2 bonnet catch 'unlocks' if I drive over even a slight bump in the road? Anything I can do to make it more secure? One side only does it so no danger of bonnet flipping forward under braking. Barry Ashbolt, MEX322H

Thanks all by the way, for my first dip into the TSSC forum you have been very knowledgeable, chatty and helpful! A little off the wall/left field on occasions - I like you all already😉

Thinking I'll wait for the next auto-jumble event near me, one in Clitheroe soon I believe, I may have an old tool bag with some Imperial spanners at the back of the understairs cupboard. I'll see if I can get in there! Yes, huge car boot still happens near Clitheroe, well remembered! I'll get over for a look☺ I really don't mind using Halfords, lots of small independents around Lancashire though. Definitely going to car boots and auto jumbles when they pop up. Going way, way back to the original topic, I have found two classic car fitms near me, one in Accrington one half way up Pendle Hill in Sabden. Both say I can drop in and they'll lift the front and have a look at the steering, both passed the test of knowing it was oil not grease for front trunnions! Ordered grease nipples from Rimmer's and will get some EP90. The plan is to watch his the guy checks the trunnions and learn how to do it myself!!

Thinking I'll wait for the next auto-jumble event near me, one in Clitheroe soon I believe, I may have an old tool bag with some Imperial spanners at the back of the understairs cupboard. I'll see if I can get in there! Yes, huge car boot still happens near Clitheroe, well remembered! I'll get over for a look☺

Thinking I'll wait for the next auto-jumble event near me, one in Clitheroe soon I believe, I may have an old tool bag with some Imperial spanners at the back of the understairs cupboard. I'll see if I can get in there!

I'll do that Pete, thanks. Now where's that 7/16ths spanner..... Yes I suppose I should get a set of Imperial spanners!! Small car shop looked at me like I was an alien when I asked for an 11/16ths ring spanner. Any recommendations?

I'll do that Pete, thanks. Now where's that 7/16ths spanner.....

Yes it is immediately easier when I am moving a little, already got 26psi in tyres as suggested. I'll get the front trunnions filled with the correct oil as per guidance. All other aspects of ride/handling seem fine, only had it less than 2 weeks. Thanks all, much appreciated, I'll get back with updates soon. More Weetabix and more PSI then! I have been spoilt driving my Jag for the last 3 years so might be right about Weetabix!! Barry Tried 30psi and it did feel a bit 'light' at the front, stick to around 26psi I think, just have to build up some more upper body strength 😉 ps - agree about the Jag tyres! 28 psi sounds worth trying as front tyres are Avon's. Once again can I say thanks for all your comments, what a great community I have joined!! Barry Hi all, had a close look at from end, as I said restoration/upgrades done by previous owner but no comprehensive list of replaced or upgraded parts. I can see new springs, neoprene bushes and I can see the trunnions, no nipples just a screw in blank? Wondering if steering feels stiff for obvious reason that I'm not used to it yet or is the newly re-assembled front suspension/steering is still a little tight? Anyway, found a couple of classic car garages near me in Darwen sonic it persist I'll let someone have a look at it. It isn't a major problem, the car is still very driveable!! Fantastic input from all, thank you!

Yes it is immediately easier when I am moving a little, already got 26psi in tyres as suggested. I'll get the front trunnions filled with the correct oil as per guidance. All other aspects of ride/handling seem fine, only had it less than 2 weeks. Thanks all, much appreciated, I'll get back with updates soon. More Weetabix and more PSI then! I have been spoilt driving my Jag for the last 3 years so might be right about Weetabix!! Barry Tried 30psi and it did feel a bit 'light' at the front, stick to around 26psi I think, just have to build up some more upper body strength 😉 ps - agree about the Jag tyres! 28 psi sounds worth trying as front tyres are Avon's. Once again can I say thanks for all your comments, what a great community I have joined!! Barry

Yes it is immediately easier when I am moving a little, already got 26psi in tyres as suggested. I'll get the front trunnions filled with the correct oil as per guidance. All other aspects of ride/handling seem fine, only had it less than 2 weeks. Thanks all, much appreciated, I'll get back with updates soon. More Weetabix and more PSI then! I have been spoilt driving my Jag for the last 3 years so might be right about Weetabix!! Barry Tried 30psi and it did feel a bit 'light' at the front, stick to around 26psi I think, just have to build up some more upper body strength 😉 ps - agree about the Jag tyres!