Straightsix

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 👍🏻

Thanks Paul, I hadn’t realised what a can of worms this suspension modification entailed. So just to clarify the original top suspension mount can be used, while leaving the extension brackets still in situ?

It’s so tempting to buy new things when we get our new toys, I’m pleased you fella’s are out there with your wise words to reign me in 😆 Do I need adjustables? Tbh no not really. When I’m ready I probably just go for the standard pre rotoflex telescopics. (After removing existing rotoflex extension brackets) I believe the GSA 385 dampers should do the trick via Tssc shop. Thanks again all, for your help.

Tried resetting the the damper adjusters to their softest setting today, one adjuster was seized solid and finally snapped off. 🤬 So will need to keep an eye out for another pair of adjustables , at least I have the option for rotoflex or non rotoflex types 🙄 As NC said

Thank you trigolf for that explanation would you know if there is any gain to be had to the ride by removing extension bracket and re attaching telescopic damper to the original top mount? or just leave it as is. TIA

Had to take a second look at the car and hope I’ve attached a photo to give you a better description*, the rear spring looks very original and rusty, maybe a wire brush up and applying a lube along the spring will help? The top extension bracket looks tight against the underside of the chassis, is that correct? Also it’s the bottom cone bump stop that looks to be redundant? so assuming that could be removed. The rear dampers are old Spax adjustables where the fronts have the newer Gaz Adjustables *Can’t find the photos on this outdated iPad so will try and add from the phone shortly🤞

Thanks for your replies, from memory I think it does have the Gaz shocks fitted.* So were later Mk2’s manufactured without the lever arm arrangement ? *l will check mine again when I get a chance, I remember seeing some cone bump stops on the rear and thinking they appear to be redundant??

Hi, in the past I’ve always been more familiar with old fords, MG and minis, never Triumphs. So I thought why not give a Vitesse a try? I bought myself a Buyers Guide to get some info and decided the mk2 Saloon would be my preferred choice. Now having recently bought one, is has had several modifications over the years. I am slowly doing bits and pieces. I read the mk2 had a revised rear suspension set up. The seller said it has new CV half shafts replacing the old rubber Rotoflex couplings and had some suspension work from a PO. My take on this was I could see it had adjustable dampers all round, however I am surprised to discover that rear telescopic dampers were not an original fitment, would or should a standard type leaf spring still remain? or how to tell what I have? Thanks in advance Steve.

Redrat l can remember as a young lad driving my ford Corsair I was convinced I had a fuel problem with the carb, on light load the engine ran fine as soon as I put any load on the engine it started miss behaving. I stripped the carb down at the road side thinking I had sorted it, only to discover the fault was still there! After ringing my uncle explaining what was happening, he said i’ll come out to you with a new condenser we’ll try that, no i’m convinced it’s a fuel problem uncle. Fitted the new condenser job sorted! back on the road ....... Nice one uncle.

Yes not an addition I would have chosen but something I’ve inherited. Best keep an eye on the weather I guess, but I’ve always been a fair weather rider. Answers on a postcard please 😀