Nick Whitehead

After a lengthy (25 year) lay up, the speedo in my 2l Vitesse is not working properly. As I approach 50-60 it eventually wakes up and creeps towards the correct speed (compared to GPS on my phone). But at lower speeds sticks on zero or creeps towards 20-30. Any ideas? Is the disk rusty? Are the magnets weakened? I think the cable to the gearbox is ok and engaged properly because the odometer is reading accurately. Is it easy to service myself if I take it apart, or is it best to try and get a new/exchange meter. Thanks for your advice.

I love my Vitesse and it’s 6 cylinder engine. But I can see in the future - 15 or 20 years from now - it will become harder to pop out to my local BP and buy E10 fuel. And it will be expensive. And people will become increasingly unsympathetic to my smelly old petrol unit. Knowing that an EV conversion looks relatively simple - keeping the same gearbox, etc - as a DIY project and will over time become much cheaper (standard conversion for all Herald, Vitesse, GT6, Spitfire) gives me hope, to be honest. I’ll be in my 80’s, so likely my children or their children will be the beneficiaries. But still....

In the video, the guy said the weight was being kept to the original kerbside weight

Not home made Colin. However, where they came from is lost in the midst of time. Thanks for the advice. How can I tell what type I have? I guess Type 16 since on a Vitesse Mk 2 1969?

Hi Pete, Unfortunately the shims you sent are not compatible. The holes don't line up and they are too small. See picture comparing yours with springs and the ones I have fitted. THANKS so much for taking the trouble to send them to me to try. Much appreciated. Nick

Ahhhhh. starter motor just failed... I guess I'm taking another car to Somerset... Unless anyone has a spare to sell me near Bracknell!

Hi Pete, Can I put my hand up for these? Just confirming they are suitable for Vitesse Mk 2 2 Litre 1969. How much would you like for them?

Squeak resolved with lubricant. Thanks everyone for the advice. I have a 200 mile round trip to Somerset planned for the weekend and that squeak all the way would have driven me MAD!

Kit Kat, definitely

Thanks Pete. I’ve cleaned all components and applied lubricant. The squeak is solved! in the mean time I’ll source some shims with springs that you suggested and the next time I have to service the brakes I’ll buy pads without the goo on the back!

I've got the pads off. They are coated on the back with something, some of which has come off and is now stuck to the anti-squeal shims. Is that normal?

Thanks Pete, I'll check the bearing when I re-install the pads. The wheel spun freely by hand when I jacked the car up. But the fact that the squeak stops instantly when I touch the brakes suggested to me that it's not the bearing. Am I wrong?

Thanks Pete and Johny. When I say the pads are recently replaced, I mean in the last 500 miles or so. So they are well bedded in. Pads and callipers are standard supplied by Rimmer’s; I don’t recall the make. I’ll reinstall with some Ceratec though and see if that works. Before that I’m going out for a road test with my son armed with a long tube to act as a stethoscope to see if I can verify which wheel…

Hi, advice please. What’s my next move? I have a squeak on one of my wheels on a Vitesse convertible. While driving, the squeak is obvious and persistent but occasionally stops. Even with the roof down I can’t be sure which wheel. It happens at all speeds, frequency is speed related, but stops immediately if I touch the brakes. But not if I apply hand break (suggesting front wheel?). I’ve jacked up each wheel in turn and tried to recreate the squeak by turning the wheel by hand (front) and using the engine (rear). No squeak, and no play in the bearings. All brake callipers, pistons and pads have been replaced recently. Any ideas? What shall I try next to diagnose my problem? Nick

Thanks everyone. I have now fitter relays, following Clive and Pete Lewis' advice. I still would like more brightness, so intent to replace the sealed beam units with halogens. Please can you advise me what I need. I'm assuming H4s for the outer lights and H1s for the inner? Typically, do they fit within the original bowls used by the sealed beam units?