Paul Amey

Thanks Pete, I didn't take any photo's and it wouldn't show you much anyway. Do you know where I can get "cotton reel "mountings from other than Rimmers ? Yes I changed the rear support, it came with the gearbox and prop shaft. I've just had another look at it, having found the original "cotton bobbin mounts". I am now suspecting that someone has previously done a welding repair on the chassis in that area and used thick metal. I'm wondering if I can elongate the slot that the mounting rubber sits in, to get the back end of the box lower by a few millimetres. Paul.

Can anyone offer any advice please. I have fitted a non overdrive gearbox into a Mk1 Vitesse which previously had an overdrive gearbox in it (which looked like it was from a Dolomite). So, I have changed the rear mounting for the gearbox and fitted new (supplied from Rimmers) rear mounting bushes. Today I fitted the non overdrive prop shaft and it is fowling on the tunnel. I am suspecting the rubber mountings are too tall and raising the back of the gearbox too high. Am I correct it this assumption? As you can guess the original rubber bushes for the rear mounting can't be found and must have been binned. Paul.

OK thanks for the reply's. Yes, I have seen a six branch manifold with a depression in it, presumably for fitting purposes. So, basically I think it's personal choice as to which system to use.

I have a 2 litre Vitesse and am deciding what to do exhaust system wise. The standard manifold seems very heavy, but I am told the sports six branch manifold can be tight to fit. Does anyone have any experiance or thoughts on this please? Paul.

Well, that's how I've got it fitted. For some reason the rod is catching the brake light switch. I'm wondering if the rod is bent. Paul

Right , thanks for the photo's Pete. I don't think I'm far out actually. That diagram does actually help. Also the photo's that Dave 1360 sent help no end! Thank you. Paul

ok Pete, thanks for that advice. Anyway back to my existing linkage problem. Any photo's of how it should locate would be welcome. Paul

Hi Pete, mine is a rod linkage, I currently have Stromberg carbs, but I am thinking of putting SU's on. I didn't realise some cars have cable linkages. Paul

HELP! Some while ago I removed all the pedal assembly's from my Vitesse mk1 for refurbishment. Today I decided to put them all back on again. But I cannot for the life of me remember how the throttle linkage is routed. Every way I tried seemed to fowl on either the clutch pedal or the brake pedal. If any nice person with a Vitesse or I suppose a Herald could get a clear photo of their throttle linkage around the brake and clutch pedal area I would be ever so grateful. The manuals show the linkage but not with the other pedals insitue. Paul

Mathewson's Lot 292. I had a look around this car on Thursday. It's a bright and solid little thing, but with very limited MOT history etc. Any thoughts?

Thanks, yes it was the French Blue auto that I was looking at. Paul

Thanks for that, but your looking at the wrong car lol. It's a blue one near the end of the auction.. Thanks. PAUL.

Hi Folks, there's a Stag arrived at Mathewson's. Lot 414 I would appreciate some thoughts on it as a possible purchase. Thanks........Paul

I have a car in storage near Ripley. It's a big barn dedicated to vehicle storage. There are currently two free space's £60 per month each. Paul

Thanks everyone. The heritage cert. sounds the way forward, thanks Pete. Paul

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help me find some history out on my Vitesse Mk1 convertable please. It was manufactured in 1967 but first UK registration was not until 1978. The reg. is PPL 518E and the chassis no. is HC3984CV Kind regards Paul .

Very sad, but what a life. He was a real character and a true gentleman. he will be sadly missed.

Thanks for everyone's advice. No I'm not after super performance etc or intending as competition car. I just want to use the best components and turn out out a nice car mechanically. Paul

I've seen a Dolomite 1500 HL for sale at Mathewson's auctions. Did the 1500 HL have twin carb's as standard? I've looked at the MOT history on this one and it mentions corrosion around front outriggers but not excessive. Is this fairly normal and an easyish fix? Paul

Yes, I rectified all the holes in the floorpan earlier this year! I have an aluminium water pump housing and a hole in the old radiator, so can go alley on that. The engine backplate is damaged as some muppet has elongated the started motor bolt holes. Thanks for your help.

Are aluminium engine back plates worth the expense? Also I noticed how heavy the exhaust manifold is. Are tubular manifold's much better weight and performance wise? Paul

Thank you for the help and advice. Paul

I have read about various alternative gearbox's for Spitfire's etc. I am wondering if anyone has ever tried fitting a Mazda MX5 box in a Vitesse?

Hi All, right I have taken measurements and had an engineer around to check them as well. I suspect the measurements that Paul (68 Vitesse) quoted were for the I/D of the spigot bush. When we measured the bush I/D they were very similar. The measurement for the I/D of the crank was 0.752 in The measurement for the O/D of the spigot bush was much the same. As in it pushes in but has no resistance. Do we still think Loctite will hold this? The bush material I am told by my Engineer is Phosphur bronze, can this be tinned with solder as an alternative to Loctite? Paul

Thank you everyone for the hints. Yes I had thought about Loctite. The solder trick sounds interesting too. I will obtain the measuring equipment and report back in a few days. Paul