glang

This link goes to just about all the Triumph manuals available online: Triumph Car Service manuals - Vitessesteve

No arguments here just sharing thoughts n experiences as originally requested by Mark👍

Can you still pottle around town in 4th Dave or does it need 3rd?

Its only my opinion because theres far more suitable cars for racing and driving hard with numerous gear changes and also others much better for high speed cruising. Above I did say 'toodle in town' outside of that I like to use the Vitesse torque to get a move on preferrably using country A roads. I remembered why the Vitesse ended up with a 'close ratio' gearbox - not for sportiness but because the engine torque is that high a low first gear would be practically redundant. Triumph actually suggested using 2nd gear for all pull aways other than steep hill starts....

Hmmm the speed limit in towns is 30mph or lower so pootling is exactly what you should be doing! Then one of the Vitesse benefits is its relatively high and wide torque band so theres no need to be constantly switching gears. I think you have the wrong car if you want to race around....

Wow Im surprised you want to go that fast on motorways as I find the wind noise of my Vitesse prohibitive! I would have thought the OD sufficient to keep the revs low enough at any comfortable cruising speed... The main issue for me changing the diff ratio (and I dont have OD) is that I wouldnt be able to toodle round town in 4th as I currently do. I find this really good for extending gearbox life and also a relaxing way to drive.

What diff ratio have you got currently? Maybe its been changed to a 3.27 great for cruising but but not acceleration... Funny what Rutty says as I drive my Vitesse like a diesel using the low down torque so I can get into 4th as quick as possible and save my gearbox!

Promo back in the day was: Faster accelerating than an E type Jag!......0 - 30mph.

One thing with the solid type inserts: what stops them from unscrewing Amy, are they reverse thread?

Certainly you dont want the tang of a helicoil falling inside when you finish and snap it off! However a small vacuum cleaner modified with a flexible piece of plastic hose taped on the end could be used to suck out any debris in the combustion chamber...

What about the actual head unit, the most important, complicated and delicate bit, dont they look very similar?

Not sure theres much difference between the Powerspark and Accuspark units (and those from other suppliers) as they look very similar except maybe the plastic case colour🤔

Great thanks that helps a lot and yes the 13mm bearing does look very short. Real pity there isnt a 15mm version available...

Thanks for the update. Ive just bought a 16mm long race and 13mm bearing as looking at the drawing I thought the 17mm might get trapped between the two shafts...

How has the repaired mainshaft tip faired Banksy? Im in pretty much exactly the same situation with an OD box Ive just bought...

Yes even I got a bit twitchy using the small reservoir clutch mc for the brakes on my vitesse and now have an extender attached for more fluid capacity (and visibility)....

When fitting a 0.5" block to my Vitesse its original (80000 mile) non-swing spring still pushed lightly against the floor when released so needed two lengths of UNF studding to pull it down enough to fit the normal studs...

There some on eBay as the same item was used on sporty Ford classics and they make Rimmers price look a bargain!

I assume you have got the longer shafts fitted? Wouldnt be the first time theyve been mixed up and that affects spring deflection. Theres an inch difference but not sure what the actual measurement is... It might be unnecessary to undo at the ends but depends on the spring. With the wheels off the ground see how it relaxes as you undo the studs....

Its not really the height is it but the wheel camber that youre trying to achieve? Certainly a 1/2" spacer wont need longer studs...

So they had swing spring with short shafts? Take it the swing spring is the same length as the fixed type then so when used with longer shafts the upright angle must change? Vic, the biggest block will lower the car by 1" but you will need the 4 longer studs and then, as I say, later the car will probably lower itself more....

It could be true about the first mk4 but I dont think they would have had swing springs then. I think your spring will settle in time and use but needs a spacer block to really get it how you want it now. Its not a major investment and you might even get it in without removing the spring again...

Think there was only one length of swing spring for the Spitfire. However I suppose you could have got an uprated one or one for a GT6 - the latter was 6 leaf rather than 5...

Some people just dont appreciate works of art do they...

Meanwhile that should get centre place in the lounge surely!