dave.vitesse

Pete, I don't think it is possible to swap over the two input shafts i.e. swap a small wide ratio with a large close ratio. And the other way around. on any versions of the gearboxes. Having said that I don't know what the Morris Marina arrangements was! As for the ST competition department, well they had special stuff built for them. Lucky people. Dave

Pete - The 3 rail Dolomite 1850 (1972-3) gearbox was the same as the GT6/Vitesse. The Toledo/1500TC/Spitfire, up to 1974, used the 3 rail 4 sync version of the Herald box. i.e. small input shaft and wide ratio. The Sprint used the TR gearbox. 1974/5 onward the single rail gear box came in. The Toledo/1500TC/Dolomite 1300/1500/Spitfire all used the small input shaft wide ratio type. The Dolomite 1850/TR7 used the larger input shaft, close ratio type. Both types had a greater number of splines that the 3 rail. Dave

The six cylinder gearbox, GT6/Vitesse, is close ratio when compared with the four cylinder, Standard 8/10, Herald, Spitfire gearbox. A version of the close ration gearbox was used by the ST competition department in the Spitfire around 1964. I agree with Clive re the first gear and pulling away. Dave

Another option for extra gauge. Dave

Doug, bet you are glad you found it. If things had shorted out it would have tested out the earthing bridge wire across the steering coupler!

Dave, no just the impact clamp and then you should be able to pull the steering wheel up a very small amount. This should increase the clearance between the steering wheel and the top of the fixed section of the column. Undo the two bolts on the impact clamp by a small amount. Afterwords be very careful to locate impact clap against the flat of the inner/lower section of the column. Dave

Dave, Be careful as the impact clamp sometimes does not clamp up correctly due to not being square on the flat section of the inner/lower column. Dave

Pete, if the horn pencil is making noises its in upside down. Dave, I have attached some info. Basically the part of the steering column that takes the steering wheel fits over an inner column that goes down to the steering rack coupler. It is an early form of collapsible steering column, though I wouldn't want to test it out. If you undo the impact clamp the steering wheel can be moved up. Only move it a very small amount. When you do the clamp up make sure to get it engaged correctly against the flat of the inner column. Dave

Could be the steering wheel centre rubbing due to the centre section of the steering being set to low. Dave

Paul, There is a possibility of the nut laying between the bell-housing and the ring-gear. The nut then being picked up by the ring-gear and then flung in to the clutch cover. But, this is very much a worst case scenario. You may be able to use the starter motor aperture to remove the nut. However, have a good look around first. Look on the chassis rails for the nut as that's where most end up. I agree it is important to insulate the cabin off from the engine bay as its not just hot that can get through. There is the possibility of both engine and exhaust fumes also being present in the hot air. Dave

You did ask "What should Code 19 White look like?" I guess hence the response. Loads of white cars, you got to remember we are all proud of them hence any opportunity! I am glad you got it sorted as it can be a problem where a non Triumph colour has been used. Well done. Dave

Doug There is no room for an electric fan in front of the Vitesse rad. I had a back-up electric fan on one of my TR7's mounted in front of the rad and yes it did windmill. I thought of using it to supplement the electrical supply at one time! Dave

Richard, Its worth a go. When stuck in traffic on the M1 coming back from Donnington a number of year ago the outside temp was 85+ deg C. The temp gauge went up to three quarters. No boiling and no fuel evaporation. Both the gauge and temp sender were working correctly. The mod all came about when I replaced the rad and of course fitted new mounting washer. From then on I had temp problems when stuck in traffic. I put the original, well worn, rad back thinking it was the new rad. No, this gave similar results. Refitted the, also well worn, neoprene washers and the well worn rad, and I was back to where I was before I change the set-up. Next step old rad and metal washers, and temp goes down against the neoprene set-up when in traffic. Finally metal washers and new rad. Looks like you may have modified the mechanical fan mounting spacer to obtain room for the electric fan? Dave

Unfortunately under the Vitesse bonnet there is little room available for an electric fan. Mechanical Fans- I have tried the two version of the yellow fan and the large blue late 2000 saloon fan, and there was no advantage in any of them. They all gave similar results. Another option that has been used in the past is to fit a lower temp thermostat i.e. 74 deg C. GTS102. The Vitesse 6 for most of its production was fitted with a 71 deg C Stat. Dave

If it looks like you are going to be stuck in traffic for a long time then switch off. Unlike the Herald and Spit using the heater makes very little difference apart from over heating the people in the car! If moving slowly then yes keep the engine running. As I have found in the past the replacement rubber washers used to mount the rad to the chassis give to much heat insulation when compared with the original neoprene type. Therefore I removed these and used large tapered, to get the rad angle right, metal washers. This transfers the heat from the rad frame down into the chassis and does help with the cooling. No problems with vibration. But, if the weather is cool then engine does tend to run on the cold side. Dave

It does depend how original your car is to what colour, and how its aged, is present. However, Sebring White, 29, was an early colour and used from 1959 to 1961. The only white used by the factory on all Vitesse models was Triumph White 19. For some unknown reason 19 is called New White on the TR models. Dave

Triumph White or New White, 19, has a slight creamy look. BMC Old English White is darker, more yellow in it. Dave

The problem with finding the correct O rings for any application is there are a number of different standards in use. e.g. Imperial, US, Metric and Plumbers. I know its dangerous include the last one as it may invoke a response from Doug or Pete. Dave

Applying a small amount of rubber grease to the O rings and the working surfaces helps to stop the O rings from sticking and rucking up. Dave

Period radio mounting plate for Spit. Dave

Doug. Me, too much carb cleaner! Dave

Contact cleaner spray cans are also available. I concur with Paul, try this first before getting a replacement. Dave

Pete, I will refrain. Hmm it's those Orball 150CDSE carbs! Dave

Doug, You use a clear straw and stop sucking when the oil reaches near the top. I refrained from making are comment about sucking! Dave

The normal way of removing the oil from the dashpot, firstly remove the damper, is either to carefully suck it out using a straw. or remove the piston and turn it up side down and drain it out. The screw on the side of the piston retains the mixture needle. Dave