Nigel Clark

I can't imagine the size of the hose will have a significant effect on the pressure at the carbs. If you've recently changed the fuel hose, it's more likely there could be sliver(s) of rubber from cutting the new hoses, which have stuck on the float needle valves. This will cause flooding and very rich mixture. There was a similar problem with a GT6 here on the forum this week. I will try to find it and post a link. Nigel

Excellent explanation! Nigel

If it's very rich and fouling the plugs soon after starting, could the jets be staying down in the full choke position after you start to push the choke knob back in? I've had that problem on SU carbs and the plugs soon soot up. The engine only needs maximum enrichment for the first few moments of cold starting. Nigel

I've had the TSSC Club Shop gas struts on my GT6 bonnet for over 10 years. They work well and make lifting the bonnet easier. Lifting becomes a one person job but always lift under the wheel arch or trailing edge of the bonnet, never be tempted to use the catches as handles. Nigel

Looking good, bet you're pleased! Just wait until you can get out for a decent drive, you will notice the difference. Nigel

Yes, I've tried the old cap which fitted perfectly on the old distributor and it doesn't fit the new distributor body properly. The new cap is a good fit on the old distributor. There is absolutely no problem with the size of the cap. I won't say more at the moment, I'm in detailed communication with the supplier and will update after that's been resolved. Nigel

I've been having a problem with the new distributor I mentioned in my post above (last Wednesday). The distributor cap doesn't locate correctly on the body, resulting in around 2mm sideways play, enough for the rotor arm to hit the contacts inside the cap. I'm in contact with the supplier who is trying to help, and I will report back once this is resolved. Nigel

+1 That's my guess too. Nigel

I've used the two socket trick to remove wishbone bushes by applying pressure in a large bench vice. It also helps to give the bushes repeated soaking with penetrating fluid, Plus Gas etc not WD40. Nigel

The flywheel to crankshaft bolts don't have spring washers or tabs. I always put them back with Loctite and torque as per workshop manual. Nigel

Great spec for your new engine. Personally, I would wait until the end of lockdown is in sight before fitting it. You will want to be able to do a few decent trips to run it in. Just my view, but short trips to do essential shopping wouldn't be the best running in process. That spec deserves a better start in life! Nigel

Is the switch firmly attached to the dash? The 'start' position is spring loaded so the key should obviously return to the 'ignition on' position when pressure is released from the key. But if the switch barrel is loose in the dash, the pressure when starting will cause the whole switch to turn. The answer is to tighten the chrome bezel that holds the switch in the dash. Nigel

I reckon starting from scratch to make a new air box will be easier than trying to graft a filter on the front of the old air box. Mind you, I had no choice but to design my own in order to fit the short dashpot HS6 SU carbs. Nigel

Or... I made an airbox with K&N cone filter well forward to suck cold air, and stub stacks on the carb mouths inside the box. The engine will run better when sucking cold air from ahead of the radiator, as the original filter did. This project would use up more lockdown time than fitting K&N pancakes! Nigel

Well said, I don't do social media even when social distancing but forums, especially Triumph forums, are a great way of keeping in touch. Nigel

According to Mr Haynes, rear suspension vertical link to trunnion 48 lb ft for my Spitfire, should be the same for your Herald. Nigel

....And that would certainly cause judder. I would suggest removing the flywheel and checking the engine plate with a straight edge. I fitted a Borg & Beck 3 part clutch to my get last year. Very smooth so far with a light pedal too. Nigel

I lubricated the new bushes with Vaseline then used a wooden block and hammer to knock them into place. Nigel

I had to hacksaw and chisel the old ones out, taking care not to damage the casing. As Colin says, the new ones should goes in fairly easily. Nigel

Check the rubber seal on the cap carefully. As said in the above posts, the tank vents through a separate pipe running down from the filler neck. I've found the replacement rubbers for the cap don't always stay in place and seal properly, so check that the smell isn't from fuel leaking past the cap when the tank is fairly full. Have a good look at the cap seal and mechanism, does the spring on the cap operate properly and does the locking lever more freely without disturbing the sealing rubber. Nigel

I've just bought a Delco-style six cylinder distributor from SimonBBC, as there's a lot of slop in the shaft of the old one. The new dizzie looks pretty well made, the shaft turns smoothly and the centrifugal advance works nicely without any play. I've just bought the basic points replacement distributor, not the electronic one as my present set up includes Aldon electronic ignition and Amethyst programmable advance unit which will be connected to the new distributor. For the Amethyst to work, I will need to open up the new dizzie and lock its centrifugal advance weights, as the advance curve is programmed in the Amethyst unit. For £69.95 on eBay, it looks like good value. I will report more in Practical Classics after fitting it. Nigel

That shipping charge looks very high, really steep for a Northern Ireland surcharge I would think. Could there have been a mistake? Nigel

Prompted by Colin's Lindsay's remark about difficulty getting parts in the Vitesse radiator thread today, I wondered how we're all getting on. I've recently been building a store of parts to see me through the next 3 months, so I can play in my garage until with any luck coronavirus restrictions are lifted. My recent experience is as follows: - Rimmer Bros are still shipping web and phone orders very much as normal, I received a parcel of parts via UPS yesterday. - TRGB are closed to visitors but still shipping web orders. - Newton Commercial shipped as many outstanding orders as possible then shut down last week. - Frost Restoration shipped an online order I made on Friday, arrived yesterday. - Chris Witor is shipping web orders as normal. - Several eBay traders have sent me packages via Royal Mail, arriving yesterday and today. - TSSC Club Shop is closed until further notice and staff are working from home to provide other club services. How is everyone else getting on with obtaining parts? Nigel

+1... Dodgy bullet connectors are responsible for many unexpected electrical troubles in electrical systems that are now 50+ years old, and can be hard to trace. You can guess how I know this!. Nigel

I did change the oil, though the old oil hadn't done many miles. But the difference on start up is so pronounced, I've no doubt at all the new filter is a big improvement. Highly recommended for Spitfires, Heralds etc. Nigel