Alternative to brass header tank screw?

[RossMac]

broke the only tool (an old chisel) that fitted in the brass header tank screw slot after it was screwed down bloody tight after its last service

I've now damaged the slot and was wondering if there is a more friendly screw (!!) than the standard

[chris_chim]

See here: www.tvrextras.co.uk
I assume it is for the swirl tank (as shown in the photos) rather than the expansion tank (as the text says)...

>> Edited by chris_chim on Monday 25th April 07:37

[harrow_chim]

I found that it comes off more easily if you slacken it SLIGHTLY while the engine is still hot - then let it all cool down and Robert is your father's brother.
Mind you the Steve Heath replacement looks very nice and practical.
Nick

[shpub]

It is for the swirl tank. I'll correct it today.

Just done it.

>> Edited by shpub on Monday 25th April 07:55

[joospeed]

If it's down to your dealer's monkey overtightening it then get them to send you a replacement FOC .. no need to buy anythiing then .. just apply some coppergrease to the threads and tell them not to overtighten it next time. Job done at no cost

[Ribol]

RossMac said:

I've now damaged the slot and was wondering if there is a more friendly screw (!!) than the standard

How often do you need to open it then?

[victormeldrew]

The alloy hubs on Steves site look tasty! Having had an upright/hub assembly land on my foot I can attest that they are bl**dy heavy, so the reduction in unsprung weight should be worthwhile! Any chance of getting a matching alloy upright fabricated? You're surely not going to stop at half a job?

[RossMac]

Ribol said:

RossMac said: I've now damaged the slot and was wondering if there is a more friendly screw (!!) than the standard How often do you need to open it then?

Swirl tank level never really changed much until I had a new radiator fitted (under warranty ). Now, everytime I look it's an inch or so down from the top.

Cannot find any evidence of a leak or obvious coolant smell.

After a long ride the expansion tank rarely has any fluid even after topping up the swirl and putting 1-2 inches in the expansion tank.

edited to add - just ordered one of the TVRextras swirl tank plug, thanks

>> Edited by RossMac on Monday 25th April 12:05

[Ribol]

You don't need to find a better way of opening the plug, you need to find the coolant leak.
If you had it done under warranty I would take it back, if not I would get it pressure tested.

[shpub]

victormeldrew said:

The alloy hubs on Steves site look tasty! Having had an upright/hub assembly land on my foot I can attest that they are bl**dy heavy, so the reduction in unsprung weight should be worthwhile! Any chance of getting a matching alloy upright fabricated? You're surely not going to stop at half a job?

Currently have uprights in the pipeline. I'll have the Wedge one by the end of the month and next are the ones for Griffs Chimaeras etc. Will be able to offer a complete set of hubs with uprights and all the bits and pieces.

[jellison]

Take it off and file sides into 6 sided pattern to largest spanner size you can get whilst taking least amount of metal off - job done!

[victormeldrew]

shpub said:

victormeldrew said: The alloy hubs on Steves site look tasty! Having had an upright/hub assembly land on my foot I can attest that they are bl**dy heavy, so the reduction in unsprung weight should be worthwhile! Any chance of getting a matching alloy upright fabricated? You're surely not going to stop at half a job? Currently have uprights in the pipeline. I'll have the Wedge one by the end of the month and next are the ones for Griffs Chimaeras etc. Will be able to offer a complete set of hubs with uprights and all the bits and pieces.

Splendid! That should help get the best out of the Nitrons! Any ideas about cost?

[victormeldrew]

jellison said:

Take it off and file sides into 6 sided pattern to largest spanner size you can get whilst taking least amount of metal off - job done!

Its brass, not the hardest metal, hence the problems damaging the slot. Wouldn't be surprised if the carefully crafted hexagon turned rapidly into a smaller diameter circle!

[M@H]

victormeldrew said:

jellison said: Take it off and file sides into 6 sided pattern to largest spanner size you can get whilst taking least amount of metal off - job done! Its brass, not the hardest metal, hence the problems damaging the slot. Wouldn't be surprised if the carefully crafted hexagon turned rapidly into a smaller diameter circle!

I would be very suprised if this happened, if the ring spanner was a good fit.

[Marco]

I've got a mega tool for getting that brass cap off.

When I put down some laminate flooring last year I was left with the "puller" tool that helps you bang the last piece together. Its a sort of long Z shaped piece of steel that fits the slot on the coolant tank perfectly. Plus as you slide it lengthways into the slot, it doesn't chew up the brass.

You can do it when you B&Q it etc..



Marco

[shpub]

victormeldrew said:

Currently have uprights in the pipeline. I'll have the Wedge one by the end of the month and next are the ones for Griffs Chimaeras etc. Will be able to offer a complete set of hubs with uprights and all the bits and pieces. Splendid! That should help get the best out of the Nitrons! Any ideas about cost?

Not right now. Probably a bit more than a replacement steel set but it all depends on casting cost etc. I'll set up an interest button on the website so people can register interest and then I'll email updates.

Certainly should have the set up for the various growls/fests/love ins etc this year.

I'm weighting for them myself... (pun intended)...

[victormeldrew]

Steve

not sure where you are with the uprights, but I started talking to Creasey Castings back in 2002 about those. They were prepared to produce them but the set-up costs put me off getting a one-off set made, so I didn't follow it through. I'd seen some similar parts they'd made for another car on TV so they have relevant experience.

Let me know if you want the contact details.