daverclasper

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

Hi Paul. Where did you get your tap from please?. Dave

Hi. Are the toes of the cam lobes/contact with followers, lubed only by oil from the rockers running back down the pushrod holes please. Thanks, Dave

Mine has been working for miles now. It's like the middle picture, though with the spring only a couple mm proud of tip of the push rod. I wonder why mine has and Pauls, hasn't?. Dave

Hi. I assume the end cap seals the oil further in than holes for pin, therefore would the split pins used on the front wheel bearings be ok ?(Vitesse engine). thanks, Dave

Hi. According to a experienced member. If you remove the condenser, as suspect, then car will run ok, though will burn our points if left like this. Dave

Thanks Pete and non member. Very useful. Hopefully straightforward!. Dave

Thanks. Think I might attempt this soon, as don't have to use the car for a few days. Only ever worked on OHC heads before, so some questions please. I understand the pedestal nuts have to be undone a bit at a time, I assume because of valve spring tension. No mention of doing them up like this?. Also, can those end cap pins be tapped our from either end (of the pin) or are they tapered etc?. Was thinking, soak the rockers in petrol, then flush with brake cleaner, a bit of firking about with wire if needed?. Any snags I should prepare for as need to turn it over asap. Any help great, thanks Dave

Just a comment on my experience of breather tube into air filter box. It appeared to oil up the filters some. Dave

Cheers Pete. A sooner, rather than later job?. I have a few longer mileage trips planned in next couple of months. Thanks, Dave

Thanks a lot. Maybe a silly question, but could the mills pins be tapped out with shaft in situ, and shaft successfully cleaned?. Dave

Hi. Rocker cover off today to sort a noisy tappet (Thanks for feeler tip, with engine running Pete Lewis, worked a treat). I did notice that the first 6 rockers did not have oil dribbling out of the top holes (in the past there was none coming from 2,3 and 4 rockers, so this has got worse). There is oil between the valves and rockers and it pools in the recesses at the top of the push rod holes on the top of the head. Engine has good oil pressure, according to the gauge so assuming it's sludge in shaft. Should I be bothered by this as maybe getting worse and clean out the shaft. If so the end caps look like they a held by some sort of pin, that looks like the tops have maybe been peened, though a bit difficult to see. I gather engine flush not a great idea (and would it clean the shaft) on an old engine that appears to have some sludge deposits and can disturb and block passageways ?. Any help great, thanks, Dave

Thanks. Well. I wired in spare relay and switched O/D on. Didn't work and My amp meter in car went up to 30, or off the scale. Switched off straightaway. Realized I had wired it wrong. (poor eyesight). Didn't make a note of what I did wrong. Wired correctly, it now works, though wondering if I did any damage?. Cheers, Dave