Questions from a new TVR400SE owner please be gentle ;)

Questions from a new TVR400SE owner please be gentle ;)

Author
Discussion

Jack Valiant

1,894 posts

236 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
If this is the item then it will not fit as the locking pegs have nothing to grip / lock to .... I have one of these in my useless spares box!



The type we need is the one that has a locking ring that fits over the existing filler lip and then the cap fits to it but for the life of me I cannot find them now as I had one for my old 400SE. As said the search continues yes



ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Jack Valiant said:
If this is the item then it will not fit as the locking pegs have nothing to grip / lock to .... I have one of these in my useless spares box!



The type we need is the one that has a locking ring that fits over the existing filler lip and then the cap fits to it but for the life of me I cannot find them now as I had one for my old 400SE. As said the search continues yes
I think the above cap will fit only if you have a ridge on the inside of your pipe for the pegs to catch onto, which mine has. If you read my thread earlier, I refer to some 400SE's that have just a straight pipe and nothing for the pegs to catch onto as my previous 400SE. I'll let you know how I get on when the cap arrives.

I don't like the caps where you have to secure a ring onto the filler pipe for the cap to fit onto. These are available on the Bay from India designed universally for classic cars and only about £15

Tony. TCB.

Jack Valiant

1,894 posts

236 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Yep my old 89 400SE had a straight pipe as does the Gredge, I take your point about the locking rings as I recall the one I had did have a good rubber seal on it that worked on the rim (better than the stock cap!) The search continues!

mrzigazaga

18,557 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Jack Valiant said:
The top is right but the locking mechanism is not correct for the 350i or the 400's fella - I have looked everywhere for one without any luck. The same goes for the Norton and Matchless versions I am afraid!

The hunt continues along with the famous centre console ashtray yes

mrzigazaga said:
Hi Nick....The locking fuel caps were originally from a Triumph and Norton motorcycle and were made by "Ceandess" ..Apparently there are replacements but i haven't seen any yet...Here is an original..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PETROL-FUEL-TANK-CAP-2-1...

I don't have any fears of any one nicking my petrol...Think about it who goes round these days syphoning fuel???...And even if they did they can only get to one tank... smile

For this reason i used an oil filler cap...Non vented due to the open loop system used on a Wedge....Just remove the chain.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRITISH-STYLE-FUEL-GAS-C...

Yes keeping your car in a garage does protect it from the majority of elements however condensation happens in a lot of garages and without air movement...Well self explanatory really...I know mine is under cover outside and is exposed to the elements but "She gets a good blow up the skirt which helps to dry out any moisture"...Said the bishop to the cardinal....
Hi Chris...The top one fitted Delilah and the bottom one fits the 350i...I have it on there now....Ill take a pic in a bit...Just waiting for that yellow blob to appear so that i can replace my fuse holder....Cheers...Ziga


Jack Valiant

1,894 posts

236 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Yep there are a lot of non lockable caps available for the 350 / 400's its the lockable one that is the challenge. I did consider fitting a flap lock at one time but was loath to take the drill to the car yikes


ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
I am not actually worried about anyone nicking the fuel as they can do that quite easily by cutting pipes underneath. I am more worried about some little brat putting something in it without my knowledge and messing up the system.

The locking cap apparantly has already been shipped, so I should receive it soon. I can't wait, the suspence is killing me. Will it? Won't it?

Tony. TCB.

RayTVR

1,040 posts

143 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
[quote=Nick Brough]Thanks Tony, in the meantime I will stick my finger in my pipe and have a feel around.

Nick[/quote


That reminds me, I'm overdue my medical..

mrzigazaga

18,557 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
RayTVR said:
Nick Brough said:
Thanks Tony, in the meantime I will stick my finger in my pipe and have a feel around.

Nick
That reminds me, I'm overdue my medical..
Just make sure that when the doctor say's..."Okay drop your trousers and bend over...Now don't worry you will only feel a little prick" That he hasn't got both hands on your shoulders...yikes

Jack Valiant

1,894 posts

236 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
No more free consultations for you fella !!!!

mrzigazaga

18,557 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Jack Valiant said:
No more free consultations for you fella !!!!
Err..Doh...Err...."When did you want your wheels polished me ole matey".....getmecoat

adam quantrill

11,538 posts

242 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Nick Brough said:
One more question for the moment is the speedo drive off the gearbox easily accessible.
Underneath the gearbox on the passenger side, at the rear of the box.

There's a drive cable secured to the side of the box with a metal fork and a bolt.

Welcome on board!

gmw9666

2,735 posts

200 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
I remembered a chap over in the pre 80's area had done this as a solution for a locking petrol cap

Any use? http://www.ratty.homecall.co.uk/tvr-sprint-article...


Nick Brough

Original Poster:

380 posts

221 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
adam quantrill said:
Underneath the gearbox on the passenger side, at the rear of the box.

There's a drive cable secured to the side of the box with a metal fork and a bolt.

Welcome on board!
Thanks hope it's not a break.


ElvisWedgely said:
Although all the filler caps are 2.5 inches the thing to look out for is if it has a ridge on the inside, about 3cms down from the outer edge of the filler pipe. Without this, the locking mechanism of the cap will have nothing to catch onto and hence won't work.


There is a ridge where the arrow is but only about 1cm down so I guess this is a non ridge pipe?

Edited by Nick Brough on Wednesday 10th February 22:17

ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

165 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
Nick Brough said:


There is a ridge where the arrow is but only about 1cm down so I guess this is a non ridge pipe?

Edited by Nick Brough on Wednesday 10th February 22:17
Yes. From the photo it looks that way. I believe that is just the filler neck top join. The ridge I'm talking about should be further down, about 3cms or more. In other words, the filler neck should be narrow down to that level. I will take photos of mine of the neck and the locking cap when it arrives and post them. In effect I'm taking a chance too, but if my calculations are right it should fit.

Tony. TCB.

Number 7

4,103 posts

262 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
The topic of locking fuel caps was covered a while back:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

If it's any help, this is mine, as I said in the earlier thread, the brand is Farma:




Jack Valiant

1,894 posts

236 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
This is the one I had on my old 400SE but cannot seem to source them now unless you have the part number or type details? Have tried various outlets with no luck :-((

Number 7

4,103 posts

262 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
I'll have a closer look for part numbers tomorrow, but I don't recall anything obvious.

ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

165 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
quotequote all
This is the type you screw a ring on the filler neck. Something similar is available on the flea, universal fitting for 2.5 inch filler neck and it's from India.

My locking cap has arrived but I missed the post today so I'm going to collect it from the post office tomorrow. Then I will try fitting it to the Wedge, so tomorrow all will be revealed.

Tony. TCB.

Nick Brough

Original Poster:

380 posts

221 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Having owned a Griffith I took the “you have bought a Wedge, and as such you need to be hands on at all times” as an exaggeration, shows what I know.

Today’s little niggles, my suspicions about the driver’s window proved correct when after stopping for petrol and getting back in the car I noticed a distinct lack of said window, hopefully dropping to the bottom of the door has not broken it. Doing a night shift, explaining to people who keep telling me my driver’s window is open, that it’s a feature is wearing thin smile

Secondly I discovered the nearside rear and front tail lights not working, not sure what the common point is here, dipped headlight and brake light ok.

Other issues what do I use to stick the under bonnet padding back on with, and Timpsons told me today the blanks for the Ford square door and round ignition key are not available any more. Any advice on where I can obtain them gratefully received.

On a good note a new battery means it now starts without a jump, the engine still feels strong, and also an old boy stopped today after I had cleaned it to spend 20mins telling me how beautiful and immaculate the car was, he couldn’t believe how inexpensive they are. I promised him a trip in the summer when the sun is out.


ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

165 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
I am sure the square ignition key blanks are still available. Go to a good well stocked locksmith/key cutters and I'm sure they will have it. My 2005 Transit Van uses the same key and that has a chip in it and is still available. The TVR ones are not even chipped so will be even easier to get hold of.

You'll have to open the door panel to see what's going on with the glass. It's probably come out the runners. Taking the door cards off is easy. Three self tapping screws underneath and some pull out clips and the card lifts towards you first, then up. Putting it back is a little trickier as the black push in button keeps falling out of position. For this I wrap masking tape around it and make it into a long string, then pass it through the door card hole on the top. That way if it falls out when putting the door card back you can always pull it back up. Once the card is in position, the masking tape will pull off easily. Don't forget to lubricate anything in the door that moves, whilst the door card is off.

For the padding under the bonnet I use contact evo stick. Smear on both sides, wait for ten minutes then press them together. The trick is to have pressure on it overnight so as it sticks well.

I'm not sure about the lights. Sounds like wiring fault or earthing or maybe a fuse. Wiring diagram would be handy so you will need the Wedge Bible.

I was out one night in a previous Wedge I had, posing to my friends, and when I popped the headlights up, one of the sealed beam headlight pods fell out onto the road but miraculously survived. It was an embarrassment to say the least, so you have to expect a few mishaps, However, as you put things right, these will diminish in time and the wedge Will become more and more reliable as you iron out the faults. All the best and good luck.

ps. I will receive the locking petrol cap tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on.

Tony. TCB.