Jump to content

TomL

TSSC Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    210

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    3

 Content Type 

Posts posted by TomL

  3. Mk1 / Mk2 Vitesse front seats.

    in Bodywork & Fittings

    Posted

    Hi Puglet1,

    I would say that there is no noticeable difference in comfort between Vitesse 2-litre Mk1 and Vitesse 2-litre Mk2 seats.

    IIRC, the earlier 1600 Vitesse had the narrower, Herald-type seats which possibly offer a little less padding, and are (of course) narrower.

    I suggest having a look at one of the books, such as Graham Robson's "...The complete story", which has photos of the seats.

    If you're looking for greater comfort, plus the advantage of headrests, then I'd suggest going for one of the popular replacements such as MGF or MX5.  

    Tom

  4. Garaged parts dilemma

    in General

    Posted

    Hi Steve,

    I am sorry to hear that things for you aren't going brilliantly for you at the moment.  I understand your dilemma with your parts collection.  There's a lot of good advice in the replies here and I'm not sure there's much I can add but you said you were interested in other people's experiences...  

    Like other contributors to your post, I have to confess to having perhaps more than a few parts in storage.  I try not to let the stash build up to a level where I don't readily know what I've got, so periodically I have a clear out, either by doing an autojumble stand, or by online auction.  Participating at an autojumble can be fun.  The online auction can be fun too, that is until you have to package up the parts, where I almost never have the right sized box etc.  In my experience, letting parts go to someone who's going to use them, plus regaining space in the garage, is cathartic and it seems to renew my enthusiasm for what is the actual focus: the car.

    Coincidentally, Steve, I have also owned my Vitesse since 1985.  Do come to one of the Surrey Area meetings. Always good to chat.

    Tom    

  10. Newbie ?

    in Electrical System

    Posted

    It's impossible to say exactly.  A lot would depend on whether they're using electrical things like lights, wipers, heater fan, plus of course the condition and capacity of the battery.  I expect if you weren't using lights etc, you might get an hour or so.

    Tom

  11. Door capping refurb Vitesse

    in Bodywork & Fittings

    Posted

    On 01/09/2021 at 22:11, Paul H said:

    Replacing the veneer will be a pro job because of all the contours of the capping ? 
    Paul

     

    On the capping, only the front face is veneered (American Walnut I recall).  The top face (with indent for the quarter-light latch) is the base hardwood.  You also see this harwood at both ends.  I think that Triumph did not stain the veneers. 

    • Thanks 1

  12. Fuel blockage?

    in Fuel System

    Posted

    11 hours ago, PaulBSpit1500 said:

    Cleaned out my Spitfire 1500 fuel tank and this was the result, the five pence piece for comparison purposes only. I am hoping this was the cause of my fuel blockage that brought me to a stop on the A40 after driving some ten miles. When I disconnected the fuel line after the fuel pump and turned her over no fuel came spurting out. Took the top of the fuel pump and turned her over and the diaphragm was pumping ok. Disconnected the fuel line before the fuel pump and got a little dribble of fuel then nothing, I can understand that due to the fuel pick up system from the tank. I’m thinking or is that hoping that the pick up pipe in the tank got blocked. Poked all the lines through with strimmer chord and they are clear. I have ordered some DEOX-C, £16.75, to kill any rust in the tank, a new tank £286.01. Why the penny ? Also going to change the old rubber fuel lines for the new barricade fuel lines. So after filling with some high octane fuel, a carb clean and timing check I hope there are no more breakdowns for a while. Any comments ? 

    Hi Paul,

    I have been experiencing a similar issue with my Vitesse; occasionally, shortly after start-up it will splutter to a halt.  It's done it three times now.  Initially, I thought it might have been an electrical issue but after a bit of investigation, it transpired that although the fuel pump was pumping, no fuel was getting through.  I assume that the delivery had stopped prior to start up, and the car had been running on the fuel in the float chambers.  It happened again on the way back from the TSSC Malvern event.  After a coffee-stop on the M4, it let me drive out of the services and back onto the motorway and then promptly stopped.  Fortunately there was a hard-shoulder and a grass bank, and I was able to pull off to relative safety.  I thought about calling for recovery but thought if I could fix it quickly, that would be the better option (thinking I could be waiting there for hours for recovery).  I took the fuel cap off, undid the supply pipe to the pump, got my head into the engine bay, drew a massive breath and blew down the pipe.  Even above the traffic noise, I could hear gurgling in the tank.  Checked the pump - now delivering fuel!  Started her up and quickly put the tools away and re-joined the Saturday evening M4 traffic.

    The car was then fine for the next few days.  I'd put a shot of Ethanol protector stuff in, as well as shot of Redex but the car did the same trick last Sunday, and of course it stops where it stops, which can put you and the car in danger, so I have returned it to its barn, with a view to taking out the tank and cleaning it.  I am expecting it to produce a similar pile of rust as yours.

    With regard to the internal coating products, I have seen a lot of bad reviews so I will start looking into a replacement tank.

    I'll probably change the rubber hoses now, using the ones the club sells.

    Tom

     

    • Thanks 1

  15. Tow bar fitting and pitfalls

    in General

    Posted

    Hi both,

    I, too, have the Watling one on my Vitesse.

    Originally I had the the Witter one but I prefer the design of the Watling.

    Fitting was quite straightforward but I do recall having to make up a steel plate for the part that bolts through the spare wheel well.  Other than that, it's been great. 

    B6994D51-0035-4B54-BDA9-770B28EB764B.jpeg

  16. Auto gearbox advice

    in Gearbox & Overdrive

    Posted

     

    Hi Alf,

    I second Richard's suggestion of Graham Whitehouse.  They did an excellent job on my ZF 4HP22 auto gearbox in the Vitesse.  Very knowledgeable and helpful.  My understanding of the BW35 is that although it's referred to a the "kickdown cable", it needs to be connected at all times as it governs up-changes as well as kickdown.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Tom

  19. Vitesse throttle pedal

    in Fuel System

    Posted

    On 31/12/2020 at 07:19, PeteH said:

    Only just noticed, The Vitesse appears to be full Automatic. Only ever seen (picture of) one before (in a 1980`s "Courier"), when some guy did a conversion with a 2000? Engine and Box.?  Is this the same one?.

    Pete

    Yes, I think it's the same one as I don't recall another Vitesse with an automatic gearbox back then.  It was in fact a Vitesse engine and although the gearbox was a Borg Warner 35 as fitted to the 2000/2.5, it was the Rover 2000/3500 version of the gearbox, as this had a shorter tail-housing, which presumably fitted better into the modified chassis.  The donor car (scrapped by the PO) ran it with 2500 and 3.27 diff.  It now runs with a 3.63 and a ZF 4HP24 gearbox, as fitted to the Jaguar XJ40.

    Tom

    • Like 1

  20. Vitesse throttle pedal

    in Fuel System

    Posted

    On 25/11/2020 at 18:40, 68vitesse said:

    In what way is it an improvement?, never had any problem with the original setup.

    Regards

    Paul

    A number of reasons - somewhat subjective probably - but I didn't like the engineering principle of the way the organ pedal pulls, imho, awkwardly on the cable.  The fixing of the organ-pedal to the floor can trap water and it is well-known place for rust on the cars (yes, my hood leaks, always has - I know it shouldn't but the reality is it does).  The hanging pedal eliminated this particular source of decay.  Also on my car, the throttle cable needed to be capable of operating a kickdown cable, which adds resistance, so it needed something a bit different to the original set up.  My car uses a Spitfire pedal and pedal-box below the bulkhead and, iirc, parts to receive a Triumph 2000 cable on the top of the bulkhead.  It worked for me but I appreciate it might not be of any benefit to others.

    Tom

  23. Dash cam advice required

    in General

    Posted

    I'm looking at getting a dash cam for the Vitesse but know very little about them.

    If anyone could share any advice. observations, what to look for, pitfalls etc. that would be helpful.

    There seems to be a considerable range in price.  I would quite like a discrete device and not have too may wires draped over the dash.

    Tom

  24. Roll bar for Vitesse Mk2 convertible

    in Bodywork & Fittings

    Posted

    The one you quite often see is made by a company called Aley Bars (I have one in my Vitesse).  I have no idea if they still make them but I doubt it.  There were two types of roll-over bars (not a cage) offered for the Herald/Vitesse, one being painted steel and one vinyl covered and padded.  I am sure one will come up for sale if you keep looking.  Good luck.

  25. Fan Always On

    in Cooling System

    Posted

    18 hours ago, watsona6 said:

    .... Might just stick with the headphones....

    Hi, 

    I would advise against using headphones when driving, and particularly a classic.  Apart from sirens from emergency service vehicles, you need to be listening out for any strange noises from your car's mechanicals. 

    Fitting a music system with conventional speakers to our cars is not a difficult job; in fact it should be an enjoyable project.

    I agree with Paul H that the AA Book of the Car is a very helpful resource (except for the section on bodging sills with chicken-wire and filler!).  

    Let us know how you get on.

    Tom

×
×
  • Create New...