John Bonnett
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Posts posted by John Bonnett
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Correct Pete. It is important that the rear mounts comress the rubber bobbins not hang off them. This not only will give a much better life of the bobbins but also will allow a bit more ground clearance.
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I know a race driver who is older than John, so genuinely wracked by arthritis that driver changes almost needed an engine lift, yet was at Classic Le Mans this year and setting better than respectable lap times!
It's not the age on your driving licence, it's how old you are in your head!
John (29 and 3/4)
Perhaps you are thinking of Barry Siddery Smith John. He is certainly an inspiration for me.
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Two possibilities. Faulty starter motor and faulty earth.
Can you give a bit more information. For example did the old battery just die and everything okay before that or have you just got the engine into a state where you can turn it over. Things like that would help.
John
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Another great holiday and a great read Roger, thank you for sharing it with us. It's quite inspirational to see how you organise your holidays and enjoy your Triumph. It bears out what I have always said. Use builds reliability.
Safe journey home.
Best regards
John
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What could be better than live music, a pub and a great atmosphere.
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Roger, a bit late in the day but I've just picked this up. Another odyssey and more stunning countryside and photos; absolutely stunning. Struck lucky with the weather too. Great stuff and a great read. Well done.
John
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This is typical of a lot of after market spares which are not in the same league as the the OE items. The same goes for the cap which fits over the switch.
My friend Jerry who has a MK3 GT6 got so fed up with the problem that he has changed the switch for the earlier column mounted one which he finds much more convenient to use and of course if the tunnel needs to come out there's no hassle with the overdrive switch. Along with the column switch, a new top cowling is available to suit.
John
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The horn(s) need a good earth. From what you have said everything is working as it should so it really only leaves the earth to the horn.
John
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Can you run a dedicated earth from the Kenlowe back to the battery? Never rely on a self tapper into the body or chassis in the hope that you'll get a good earth. It is a good idea to have earth It does sound as if you are earthing out the Kenlowe through the starter motor and you have a high resistance making it get hot.It's a very good idea to have earth posts at convenient points and run a single high rated cable back to the battery.
Just my thoughts but I hope of some help.
John
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Still love to know if John can remember what fans he used?
Thanks
Hag
I used Pacet. I've not tried them but I believe Spal are very good. Best to avoid Ebay "Cheapies".
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"from my understanding the standard set up in good condition is ok ish
I went down the re-core of original radiator (and original fan) route and so far it's been ok. The problem is I'll only find out if it's not ok when it's too late if that makes sense?"
Plenty of unfounded rumours that it's ok-ish, (plus no doubt the very occasional personal experience) but it's the silent majority with the standard system that speak volumes. I've never had any overheating problems in 21 years of GT6 ownership; I just kept the cooling system well flushed and had the radiator recored to an uprated core when the car was rebuilt about 2003. Even with the VW system, the only way you'll find out if it's not suitable is when it lets you down, same as the original system, but again a good pump, thermostat and clean core work perfectly well. When it does cause problems you'll find it's a failure in a component rather than the original design that lets things down.
I've absolutely no objections to owner upgrades but every time I read how terrible the cooling system is, or the brakes, or the suspension, it makes me want to jump on my soapbox!
I totally agree with you Colin. Manufacturers spend millions on developing and optimising so why change anything? In my case, I was faced with a very expensive re-core or a brand new Golf radiator for twenty six pounds delivered. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the standard cooling system and the only reason I deviated was for economic reasons. The Golf rad fits in so well that i don't think the chap who bought the car from me ever realised it wasn't standard.
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I fitted a MK2 Golf GTI radiator to my GT6 and found it adequate in most situations. If you take that route, you will need a header tank and I found that the MK4 Astra one fitted very nicely. I managed to install the radiator almost vertically and used two GT6 bottom hoses which was convenient.
Here are one or two pictures which I hope will help. If you need any help on the plumbing side let me know.
regds
John
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I've got a set in my 1500 which my engine builder sourced. If you are interested please drop me a PM and I let you have his details.
cheers
John
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Having just fitted a set of Minitlites I know from experience that the standard wheel studs are too short. As far as I remember you need the nut to go on 1.5 x the diameter of the stud which equates to at least 7 or 8 turns. So if less than that which i suspect is the case, please do not use your car until you have fitted studs of the correct length. Now is a good time to go over to Freelander M12 studs which are far more robust. John Brown Wheels will supply you with the correct nuts to suit.
Darren Groves wrote this up in a fairly recent thread.
John
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Hi John
I bought a copy as soon as it came out, and it is a good article. Imps were great fun, as long as they held together, but I remember a lot of issues with warping heads back in the day, and I think Rootes eventually changed the block design to try and improve matters. To be fair, the engine was more sinned against than sinning, as a lot of local garage mechanics back then were unfamiliar with all-alloy engines and torque wrenches, and they don't take ham-fisted treatment. In the right hands though, they can be made to go like a bat out of hell!
The G15 is a neat little car, but I also have a soft spot for the Clan Crusader, which was a really neat design among the many imp derivatives.
Good luck with the new project, and I am glad you are keeping the GT4 after all that hard work.
Regards
Steve C
Thank you Steve and good to hear from you. Yes I thought it was a good article very well written. True there were one or two glaring errors but considering he took no notes he did amazingly well.
I've made a start on the G15 and am at present tackling the rust issues on the chassis. And I'm delighted to see that the project will fit very nicely into the new category that Kevin has just included.
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I'd second basket weave.
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Hi Wayne,
Under bonnet temperature can be a problem with a GT6 but if your transmission tunnel and all the holes in the bulkhead are properly sealed that heat will not find its way into the cockpit and I promise you that you won't get out of the car feeling the way you describe. I've used both my GT6s in some seriously high temperatures and never suffered with the heat. And there have been many occasions when we've been glad of the heater.
I ran my GT6 without any engine valances which I believe helped the hot air to dissipate rather than being trapped. I never found any disadvantage by not having them. Certainly the engine bay stayed clean. I would however share your worry about the electronic module. Perhaps you could think about moving it to a cooler position.
John
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If mine failed I think I'd be very tempted to fit an after market switch for £7 with the benefit of an accessory position and not worry about the steering lock.
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I don't know if this is any help
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Hello John
I retired Friday the thirteenth! 2006 (and miss it every day NOT)
I have booked us on Siena line Hollyhead to Dublin and 2 nights in a poshish hotel and back from Rosslare to Fishguard 12 days later all for £378!(one of their deals)
I have booked what looks like a nice B&B with sea views at Rosslare as ferry is 9am sailing.
We just have to decide we're else we want to go (any suggestions?)
Roger
I should think Mrs Roger deserves a bit of TLC after subjecting her to the rigours of camping at Le Mans and it does look as if you are going to earn yourself a few house points with what you've planned. And a great deal to boot. Actually we've never been to Ireland so I cannot offer any suggestions. Some of our friends have and all say how lovely it is. Generally, for us the call of France is too great to ignore particularly living so close to our local port Plymouth. So mostly we go South for our breaks. Colin Lindsay may well be able to offer you some good suggestions.
John
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Building up for another epic trip then Roger. Ireland should be lovely in September. You are certainly right about the joys of being retired. I've been retired since 1997 and being able to do whatever we want whenever we want is still a novelty and very much appreciated. And how nice to have a classic car to help you enjoy it. They seem to bring out the best in people and are a good way to get a conversation going.
We are going up to Skye in September but at the moment I'm undecided about taking the Triumph. If I do I'll post a rival blog.
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Thanks for the insight, Roger. All I need to do now is persuade my parents to look after our 6 year old for a week or so to allow my wife and I to head off in the GT6!
All the best,
Gully
That's what we parents do
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Hello to those with staying power
Well we are back home after our trip.
3645 miles on the sat nav (speedo cable broke at 2158) we used about 1lt of oil and the clutch held out (has used a bit more fluid)
When we got to Classic Le Mans I was buying some drinks tokens from our Angie when I heard someone say that needed a starter solenoid (guess who had one in the boot? its a long story!) so he was one very happy bunny when I said I had one he could have it.
As I said before the TSSC organisation was excellent again! Thank,s to all the team who make it so enjoyable for the rest of us.
we made our way to the Normandy landing area to visit a few sites(we did not get to see that bit of old cloth as I was not up to speed on the Wednesday morning I think it may have been the whelks or cockles or the small? amount of wine I drunk the night before(the road to hell is paved with good intentions?)
We booked a cabin last minute as its a longish drive at night to home and just as well as they had closed the A34 half way up so had to do a diversion and added about 1 hour on journey.
Roger
ps a few more photos sorry if some are repeats
I forgot to say we got lost getting out of Le Havre but finished crossing on the ferry so a bonus and second photo I said to the better half can you feel the rain?
Great pictures Roger and some just crying out to be framed.
We are driving up through the Cotswolds on Friday 29th on our way to Silverstone. I may be wrong but I have an idea you live out that way so just wondered if we could meet for a pot of tea?
Hello from a Spitfire 4
in I thought I'd introduce myself
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Adrian, hello and a very warm welcome. Your car looks absolutely superb and a credit to you.
regards
John