Straightsix

Dear Santa, l know you are busy this time of year, I have a sliding roof currently fitted to my Vitesse that needs recovering, however as another option l wondered if you or any of you helpers may have a nice saloon roof that I could possibly fit as a replacement? I realise it’s a large item and may not fit in your sack, but my son in-law has a van and maybe able to help out. I know you don’t normally expect payment Santa but I could make a small contribution if it helps. Best wishes and take care.....hic

Wasn’t running that even, but as timing wasn’t set plus plug issue was new. New HT lead fitted to no.1 and timing marks visible again 👍🏻 Idle a little uneven ,maybe the result of the cam that’s fitted as PO pointed out. Revs cleanly, didn’t take it out for a road test tho, salt on the roads plus a snow covering here this morning!

I have since discovered the plug terminal in No1 ht lead is defective, maybe this is the cause? Have ordered new, HT lead will report back when it’s delivered, expected early next week. 👍🏻 Cheers

Hi Sorry to re ignite this thread, pun intended 😏 Following on from earlier posts I discovered the position of my dizzy was incorrect, the vacuum advance unit being too close to the block. Especially compared to photo provided by @Ian Foster So, after checking tappet adjustment, I went about correcting the dizzy position. Firstly I connected strobe to no.1 ht lead to check timing as a reference before commencing work, all seemed well. Secondly, I manually turned pulley to tdc position. No.1 cylinder on compression, rockers 1&2 closed. Thirdly I removed dizzy checked drive gear orientation. I then re set drive gear slot as shown by @JohnD photo. Re assembled everything, rotar arm now in six o’clock position. Started engine with strobe connected as before, painted timing marks no longer visible! after a bit of head scratching I connected strobe to no. 6 ht lead and bingo timing marks re appear. I’m a bit stumped why this has happened. Any ideas? TIA

@micmakLittle did I know that all the fuel in the tank would puke all over the place, but I managed to get a piece of hose on to the line and stop the hemorrhaging. I lost lots of fuel onto the chassis and onto the floor of the garage. When micmak disconnected the fuel pipe from the fuel filter, as mentioned above. Sorry to butt in, What method do you suggest to prevent fuel spillage when disconnecting fuel filters? Would using a plastic bag between fuel filler cap and filler neck create a vacuum and stop any fuel flow? I plan to change my in-line fuel filter at some stage. TIA

Trigolf Well spotted re spring locations, I didn’t spot that. I didn’t disturb the brakes purely a visual check, albeit not that good 🤦🏼‍♂️. Appreciate your help with driveshaft issue. I’ll tackle issues again when time and motivation returns, probably in the spring sorry about the pun. 🤦🏼‍♂️

Thank you Pete for your explanation 👍 johny yes drag is felt on both sides, tried raising wheel hubs with another trolley jack so driveshafts not angled downwards made no difference. More Paracetamol added to the shopping list ! 🤬 I’m trying hard to love this car and not list it 🤞

Paracetamol are fast becoming an addition to my 5 a day 🫤 With my limited knowledge of the Vitesse, and understanding their differences, and quirkyness. mk1’s have swing springs? mk2’s have swing axles? I may even have that completely wrong 🤷‍♂️ While I inspected both rear brake linings, all appeared in good condition. However determining good brake adjustment wasn’t easy, when rotating the driveshafts there’s definitely a heavy drag felt (even with drums removed).* I’m not sure how long ago the CV shafts were fitted but understand have covered little mileage. The PO did say he felt the nsr wheel bearing needed attention. in my ignorance I dismissed that as an easy fix, but now realise it could be a bit more involved. * Is a heavy drag normal? I’m thinking not, but worth the ask. TIA

Very true, if CV driveshafts were fitted would that eliminate the sheared driveshaft threat? Just curious.

JD That’s useful to know, according to this chart, double valve springs should have been fitted too. I’m expecting I may have to readjust them if I find them overly noisy - following my first attempt. 🤞 Hot it is then, many thanks.

How crucial do you think it is to set valve clearances HOT? I’m wanting to check mine, the cam is a Fast road 83 with .022” inlet .024” exh. and states HOT. By the time I get down to checking/adjusting them on an unfamiliar engine the engine will be bloody cold again!. At the moment the tappets sound fairly quiet, my concern is have they been set to the std .010” ?? I would imagine they’d sound like a singer sewing machine given 22/24 clearances. If not I can imagine they will do ! 🫤 TIA

That’s weird 🙂 mine came with Wolfrace alloys, I feel 5.5 wide steels look cooler 👍 Beginning to think I made the wrong choice buying this Vit. 🤔

Love the colour I think your car looks great, with or without the bumpers, I’m sure I would have the same dilemma if it were mine. i’ve got so many splinters in my arse from sitting on the fence I should change my username to Woody! Wishing I had opted for a GT6 now.

Apologies Puglet1 genuine slip of the keyboard, trust it hasn’t affected our friendship between u and I 🙂 Wishing you the best with yours.

Hi guys I managed to take the car out today for a 20 mile run as weather was nice. ☀️ There was some creaking from the nsr suspension when car is bounced at rest. Came home removed nut from long bolt that goes through lower wishbone bushes as trigolf suggested, unwound bolt to expose as much as I dare, not wanting to extract bolt fully, greased bolt and reassembled. Bounced nsr suspension when all done, no squeaking! Thank you trigolf 👍🏻 As this car is new to me I seem to be following piglet’s foot steps in tackling various jobs. As he said ign. and carb’s next! 🧐

Hi trigolf Not tried that, but will give it ago 👍🏻

Puglet1 Interested to know whether you identified the creaking noise from the n.s.r? I have that issue on my mk2 too, so far all I’ve tried is spraying bushes and spring while getting new rear tyres fitted. (Some improvement). Just another job on the growing to do list, wish my hair would grow at the same rate 😄

Oh no!!! 😱 I’ve just popped out and checked the position of my distributor! I’ve not got around to checking the timing yet! Not sure I want to now. (Engine has a different cam fitted) nicrguy what have you started 🤦🏼‍♂️

Apologies for going off topic, my head is doing cartwheels following this thread, so when Minors got mentioned I got all dreamy remembering mine, Zetec powered! Thought you might enjoy the pic! Back to topic…….

That looks top dollar 👍🏻 I’ve noticed both yours and Paul’s have the slats exposed where mine are presumably inside. Mine being a ‘69 Vitesse. At the moment getting that sorted is low on the priority list.

Wow Jon! Scary looking phots, l certainly hope I’m not going to experience that. Note to self .....remember to leave those rose tinted glasses at home when thinking about buying classic cars!

Thanks for the reply Paul and photos I have the same wing nut style fastener as yours as opposed to the lever type shown in that eBay listing. Will need to check the size and will watch with interest. l will save this thread for future reference, as I’m just looking for ideas at this stage. Looks like you made a good job there too, and doable. Like most I have a to do list, and need to prioritise jobs. 👍

Having spent far too much time online trying to find out ‘how to do’ this and that, thought it best to ask the question here. I’ve been unable to find where or how to restore vitesse/herald vinyl top sunroofs. Mine is looking a bit tired and a replacement vinyl top wouldn’t go a miss. It’s another one on the To do list and as the weather is so miserable thought I’d try and do a little research. Cheers.

I have bought the neoprene gasket for when I get around to checking the valve clearances, is the gasket fitted dry or use a smear of sealant. TIA

Thanks Gary, more food for thought. Just when you think you have it sussed lol. Appreciate your replies 👍🏻