daverclasper

I'm always dead slow over those drastic ones. Often there's a high speed/4x4 modern right up my a.... I do find a fair bit of intolerance, even bullying, driving a relatively small classic. I'm old, but I'm sure they are far more grumpy (sociopathic, even). Does my head in a bit really. Dave

Cheers Pete. It occur to me that maybe a Mk 2 shaft due to the blanking off and therefore use of pin. I had the rocker cover off today to compare lengths due to what you said earlier on in thread. bit hard to compare with the caps on. Looks like new could be up to 4mm longer, though not sure even if it is longer. Paddocks (where I bought it) show same pic for both shafts. On Rimmers, there's different pics and the pic for Mk1 has a groove a few mm from each end, Like my new one, though don't know if this means anything anyway, as what's it for?. What difference about in length are we looking at, do you know please. Cover is now back on and won't be able to see if shaft fit's inside cover. I will ring Paddocks just to confirm it's correct. Thanks, Dave

My new Mills pin/s measure 3.2mm/0.125984" if that's use for anyone in the future. The new shaft is blanked off at each end just inside of the pin holes, so split pins could be used I guess, if that's useful for anyone who has to do this job. Dave

If it's the diaphragm that's gone then they are in theory replaceable, though I couldn't obtain one. From memory there's also a rubber seal that seals the unit to the matrix. This is available I think, or possible to knock up an alternative?. I replaced mine with a standard one direct from a place up North that makes them (I assume supplies all usual suspects). Some folk have had problems with them failing in a year or so. Mine has been fine for 4 years though car is used all the time and I open up the heater regularly to keep it active. Also the supplier said to have the heater in the on position when not in use, as this prolongs life. Dave

One small/light item (along with a few kilos of other tools etc) that I do have in boot for longer trips, is a small telescopic magnet (£1.00 at local tat shop). Theory being, that much more likely to lose small parts when stressed/in a hurry. Also found that when you can't actually see the nut, etc, you can wave the magic wand in the general direction and it often picks it up. Where do you stop though?. Maybe best cleansing the boot and with it, the soul, forever. Dave

Cheers Pete. I thought as long as there was some reasonable friction on tapping in it would be ok. I have done some daft things in the past, so a bit cautious. Thanks, Dave

Hi. Have ordered new shaft and mills pins from Paddock's. Have replaced the split pins with the original Mills, with the shaft in situ until I have time to do it properly. They tapped in with lowish use of medium sized hammer, about the same as most roll pins Iv'e done before (wouldn't have gone mad in case of shaft/pedestal damage). Maybe hard to gauge unless you did it your self, but are they likely to stay in and if not what likely damage would it do. Will let you what the new pins measure. Thanks, Dave

Thanks. One of the mills pins was very tight to get out and I thought maybe new ones even harder to re-fit, so I was hoping for an alternative. Will have to bite the bullet I guess. Cheers, Dave

I noticed the horizontal shallow, scrolls? have worn down to non existance on most of front of shaft and the bore surface of one rocker had worn so much there is quite high relief area of the original surface in a shape that corresponds to the vertical scroll. A few more rockers are now not dribbling oil out of top holes but there is quite a fast dribble of oil running down from my split pins at each end cap where they are a tad small. Ok for now I guess?. I don't know if for the future, to buy just a new shaft and use some of the better rockers along with a few second hand ones I have that seem ok, or is this likely to muller the new shaft that may not be of good quality anyway?. I could buy a complete new assembly if they do them for Mk1's, though I am wary of possible dubious quality?. Any advice on this please. Thanks, Dave

I think Clive had a recent link for a Bosch coil, about £20 I think. Can't remember which thread it was though.

Apologies. Need to correct a bit of above. I mean't to say 11 rocker adjuster, ball sections have a slight flat edge. Not the top of pushrods. Dave

Quite surprised no threads since May about cooling, especially in this weather!. Dave

Thanks Pete. Old school (not that your old) experience and knowledge is hard to find and invaluable. Dave

Cheers Pete. Was hoping it was sludge, as not heard of worn shaft causing this before, though it makes sense. Tyres and brake discs are a priority at the mo, so a bit pushed to buy a shaft for a bit. There is some oil getting there and hoping the camshaft and followers will be getting enough through crank splash?. Will clean the parts with solvent anyway and fit back on for now I was thinking. Should be able address it properly in about six weeks. Should it be ok for now?. Ok to use that split pin I mentioned for now do you think and will look out for a couple of better fit ones for the near future rather than original (I always get a bit anxt tapping tight pins in), when get new shaft. Sorry if this is dragging on. Thanks, Dave

Hi. Have got one end cap off (which I'm assuming is enough to clean shaft) and stripped the shaft. The cap pin is disintegrating a bit and left some swarf behind, so I will not re-use. I have a split pin that when fitted, is not loose as such, due to the outward tension, though when the split is closed up it will wiggle side to side a bit (I'm guessing about 15 thou. Does it need to be a better fit than this? (going by, quite a bit of oil dribbles out of rocker holes normally, would this drop oil pressure much). Also, wear on shaft, on all rocker areas, the most is 9 thou. Would this affect efficient valve operation much?. The engine is quiet when running. Also, eleven of the push rods have a slight flat on the top ball, except one?. Any help great please. Cheers, Dave Ps. On further examination of of shaft/rockers (not cleaned yet), all oil holes appear clear. Could the wear on shaft, also possible wear on the rocker bores cause a loss off oil pressure, causing less oil passage further up the shaft?.

Just switched it on and showing 5A on my dash amp meter. Dave

Hi. I replaced clutch M/C on Vitesse after new seals repeatedly failing (the small one at the back) and complete loss of clutch. I bought a landy one for £10, delivered off Ebay which other Vit owners have used. This is a different size to original and gives for a bit for foot pressure needed, though has given me much better travel. the clutch now starts to engage about 1/3 travel, where as before it was just off the floor and used to grind at times getting reverse (worn clevis pins pins etc maybe). It looks the part, though angled different than original ones and has a plastic screw cover. Has been on for 3 years with no trouble. Having banged on about this, I don't know if suitable for Herald. Let me know if you want more ebay info for it. Dave

Hi. I have a petrol tap, which I was thinking of fitting in the boot of Vitesse, as an anti theft device. It is for 6mm (internal diameter) hose and the internal diameter of it's stubs, are 4mm, though the closing device internally, looks like it might restrict the flow slightly. Is this large enough?, do you know please. Thanks, Dave

Cheers Pete. Dave

Hi. Probably being over cautious here, though in the factory WS manual for rocker shaft fitment, it says something like. " Screw in the rocker adjuster screws fully before fitting, to avoid possibility of bending pushrods and tighten each pedestal nut a bit at a time". I assume to take load of the shaft?. Is this necessary?. Thanks, Dave

I smooth any bur/sharpness of the end of metal pipe, put a small smear of vaseline on it, try to keep rubber hose as straight as pos to metal pipe when I connect up. Not had this problem so far. Dave

It escaped me on canley site. I don't think it shows up on the parts diagram for 2 Litre ( or maybe it was me). Yes, it's on Vitesse 6 diagram. Thanks again. Dave

Cheers Pete. Dave

Hi gadgetman. Did your end caps come off easily?. If I need to replace them for any reason, then I can only see Vit Mk 2 ones, that are a different part no. Thanks, Dave

I bought one a while back from Canley (I think), that has been ok. Dave