Rutty

On my Vitesse that pipe was blocked solid and caused all sorts of strange problems. I fitted a new pipe and the problems all cleared. Also the correct triumph thermostat does not have a bleed hole and the bleeding is done via that pipe.

Is the metal pipe that runs from the back of the water pump housing behind the exhaust manifold blocked or badly corroded. If it is the system won’t bleed properly.

Have we got a decision on the C2C date yet, as next year’s calendar is filling up so I need to get it booked in before something else takes the dates.

Hi Colin and Mike, thanks for putting on an excellent 12 car rally today. The navigation clues where just the right level, enough to get the grey matter working but not steaming. Some great roads if a bit muddy in places. Shame I couldn't stay for the bun fight at the end but great news to hear we came first. Hopefully you will post the full results soon. Thanks Mark

Hi Chris 24th/25th June for me. The best thing about Skeg is the road leading away from it, Clacton and Gt Yarmouth are close contenders for worse than Skeg but nothing beats Jaywick Sands. It is officially the most deprived place in the UK, it is a shanty town of burnt out cars and burnt out houses.

Bruce it’s quite simple. The provisional date is the 3/4 June. I have pointed out to Chris’s that this is the end of the may half term holidays and the end of a bank holiday week. Therefore the roads are going to be very busy and not good for a long distance road event. Chris has acknowledged this and is going to have another look at the date which may or may not change. Somehow Skegness is involved in the event but not at the start of finish so that probably means visiting in the dark which is probably the best way to see Skegness. Mark

Unfortunately I have to go to Skegness for my job once or twice a month and yes it will be busy in June I have never known it overly congested outside of school holidays. The main issue with getting to Skegness is the endless tractors, speed limits and speed cameras. And they are there all year round. Mark

The roads will be very busy that weekend as it’s the end of whitsun half term holidays week. Could I suggest you think again. Plus I can’t do that weekend as I will be away for half term week with my wife and son as it’s school holidays.

Pete Jackson is the man to ask he imported a very rusty and hideous two door Volvo from the states. I will message him to look at the CT page.

I know it's a year away but I will have to submit all my holiday requests for next year at the end of this month guarantee getting them. Is the The RBRR definitely Friday 6th to Sunday 8th October. Thanks Mark

TSSC have meetings in Wales have a look at their website. Most TSSC areas are happy for CT members to join them. Or you could start a new midwales area!

If you want to keep it looking original but want an alternator then you could go for a Dynamator. They do cost more but bolt straight on rather than having to buy or make conversion brackets for standard alternators.

I recently upgraded the fuses on my Vitesse. I found it useful to have two fuse boxes one for the permanent live circuits like lights, horn, etc and one for the circuits that switched on with the ignition l, i/e indicators, brake lights, etc.

European Low emission zones. Act now if you think this will affect you. Reading the handy hints for the 10CR on Thursday I became alarmed by the LEZs operating in Europe that I was not aware of and the fact we go on a two week European tour next Friday for our family summer holiday. On investigation unlike the UK zones that you can pay for on the day of entering the European ones work on a basis of having a certificate to take your car in and there for have to applied for before entering. In most cases this has to be done online providing evidence that you car meets the regs again another difference unlike the UK where you are effectively paying to take a high emissions car in to a LEZ in Europe if you car is a high emission car then you simply can not take it in. In most cases historic are exempt but still need the certificate. This can take up to two weeks to arrive so get them sorted now rather than later. I am now sitting here fingers crossed mine turn up in time though I have been informed Europe don't use AMPR to fine drivers but a manual process of stopping drivers. Also I have been told that just going to a garage in Germany to get you certificate as mentioned in the handy hints is not as simple as it sounds with a friend who recently having to go to 5 different garages before he found one that would do it. Cheers Mark

A few months ago I read an article by a chemist who works for the petroleum companies. The lady explained that washing petrol will not only take out the ethanol but it will also remove all the other additives, such as detergents and stabiliser’s.

I agree with Glang E10 as long as it is fresh is not going to cause the symptoms you have. Its most likely you have got debris in the fuel system after running out of fuel. Blow down the fuel line back to the tank incase its blocked. Check you float bowls and pump for debris and check you filters aren't blocked.

I was told that insurance companies do give you a few days grace beyond your renewal date. It could be worse a few years ago direct line decided they didn't want to insure my wife after a string of accidents and one write off. But they didn't tell us the first we new about it was when I said to my wife isn't you car insurance due. When we checked she had been driving around with no insurance for two months. When we queried direct line, they said we don't notify you if we are not going to offer you a renewal. Lesson learnt don't rely on a renewal notice to tell you your insurance is due.

A Vauxhall Viva HC. 1300 4 door SL version. I paid £30 for it from a bloke who worked with my dad who was going to scrap it as it had failed the MOT due to the exhaust rusting through. I put a new exhaust on and ran it for two years, then I sold it for £100 to buy and Austin (Agro) Allegro. The speedo on the Viva was poorly damped and would bounce around as you went over bumps and around corners.

Not sure where you got 180 days from. The UK government website says "You may enter Germany from the UK for any travel purpose if you are fully vaccinated" no mention of 180 days from vaccination.

Hi Tim I have looked up the 069 and according to a couple of web sites it should fit. Just need to find the best value. Thanks Mark

Hi, Can anyone tell me the correct battery number that will fit my Mk1 2.5 saloon. Its starting to get close to getting it back on the road but currently has a knackered tractor battery on it that is to big. Thanks Mark

Travelling in separate cars, one would think you don't like each other. 😉

If you are looking for an alternative we are at Premier Inn Oswestry Friday night, then only 1.5 hours to the start on Saturday morning.

Not like you Colin you must have too many Triumphs on you mind😉

Hi Jason Yes they are heat shields to try and stop the hot exhaust vaporising the fuel in the carbs when the engine is stopped. This is why it can take a good few seconds of cranking to start the engine even when hot as the bowls on the carbs need to be refilled. To be honest I don't think they make much difference. Mark