News
AS ‘LIVE’ AS A DODO
Oct 27th
Soundproofing and thermal acoustic liners are very useful products for kit and specialist car use and there are some very good ones out there.
Heat soak can be a real issue as can rumbles and creaks within the cockpit and the problems can be exacerbated the faster you go and the revs rise.
The latest product range to arrive on my radar comes from Oxfordshire-based Dodo Mat. They offer a range of products but I think the ones that are of prime interest to totalkitcar.com readers are ‘Deadn Pro’ panels and the heat-reducing Super Liner.
A pack of forty self-adhesive Deadn Pro panels More >
CUTTING – VERY CUTTING!
Oct 27th
Cutting automotive battery cable can be problematic — it’s difficult to cut and even more difficult to get an even, professional-looking cut. Is there actually a way of doing it easily and above all, neatly? Well, there is now!
This handy cable cutter from Laser Tools (part number 6872) is designed to effortlessly snip through automotive cables of up to 70mm² in size. Just as easy as using a pair of scissors and it leaves a professionally cut cable.
Removing the insulation is just as easy and the tool also includes a handy insulated terminal crimper, which makes very neat crimps.
This is More >
THROW THE SINK AT IT
Oct 27th
The best-selling Clarke CW1D Floor Standing Parts Washer provides a simple way to clean components covered in oil, grease and dirt. An internal pump continuously circulates the cleaning fluid, delivering it to just where it’s needed.
An essential product for any garage or workshop, the CW1D has a tank capacity of 75 litres, fluid capacity of 45 litres and has a maximum pump rate of 90 litres per hour.
This model has a flexible link to automatically close the lid in the event of a fire. There is also an integral, replaceable filter.
The CW1D requires a 230V power supply.
This model is available More >
GONE GALACTIC!
Oct 27th
Yet another new product from Californian car care company, Chemical Guys. I think their range of brightly coloured, heady-smelling potions and elixirs features some 200 products.
The latest is Galactic Black Tyre Shine which if you like your tyres with a dripping wet black look then this is the product for you. It can also be used on vinyl, rubber and plastic.
The blue-green liquid has an intriguing smell and although I’m no expert on picking out around I’m sure this one is a mint and cucumber concoction.
It certainly gives the desired affection tyres and it lasted on my tyres for a More >
DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE SMELL, IT WORKS GREAT
Oct 27th
One of my favourite wheel cleaners of late is the foul-smelling Reactive by Auto Finesse. The majority of wheel cleaners smell as bad so it’s not the Auto Finesse product that is unique! It has that distinctive aroma of rotten eggs and peroxide!
What I like about Reactive is that it really does work and traps and grabs crud on your wheels and absorbs them into the liquid ready for wiping away.
Like an iron fallout remover, when it finds dirt it turns blood red and depending on the severity of the dirt may appreciate some further agitation with a soft wheel More >
‘RODS’ AND ROCKERS
Oct 27th
Just because your classic Mini has a rod-change gearbox doesn’t mean it’s immune from gear lever vibration. In time, the ball at the end of the lever wears allowing unwanted movement. The ball is not replaceable on its own; replacing the lever is the only answer.
Thankfully, Mini Spares can provide a complete new gear lever. The gear lever comes with a fitted dome washer, spring, rubber and a brand-new ball. It even has a smart chrome finish that will stay looking good for years in spite of constant gear changing.
Order as part number 22A1932CHROME at £115.20 inc VAT.
For more details More >
WINTER LIGHTING
Oct 27th
Ring Automotive is urging drivers to check their headlights ahead of winter, to ensure they are both working properly as the days get darker, and to ensure the safety of everyone on the roads.
Winter is approaching and with the clocks going back on 30th October, motorists will be driving in the dark more often. This provides challenges as visibility becomes limited, especially with bad weather conditions and driving on roads with no streetlamps.
A faulty bulb is one of the main failures in an MOT test – one in five vehicles is diagnosed with an issue with the lights. And this is More >
LEGEND! OVER USED WORD. APT IN THIS CASE
Oct 20th
One of my all-time motorsport heroes was the late Gerry Marshall and I was delighted to hear about RetroClassic’s new ‘Gerry-flavoured’ t-shirt range. An ideal Christmas present.
RetroClassic Clothing has created an official range of t-shirts celebrating motorsport hero Gerry Marshall. The larger-than-life Marshall began his career in 1963 at the wheel of a Classic Mini and went on to become one of the UK’s most popular drivers.
In a career that lasted over forty years, he contested more than 1400 races in all manner of cars and won 625 of them, while his flamboyant driving style – as well as his More >
JUMPING START
Oct 20th
Just in time for the colder weather, this Multi-function Jump Starter from Laser Tools (part number 7405) is an efficient and extremely compact emergency engine starting power pack. Surprisingly small but packs a powerful punch! Packed full of features, it also features a bright LED to illuminate the work area, (flashing mode can be used as an emergency beacon), two USB outputs (for charging mobile phones, etc), a Type-C input/output port and a digital voltage display on the cable clamp adaptor. The unit and accessories are supplied in a convenient and protective case.
The unit is charged from a suitable USB More >
BEEF UP YOUR ‘B’
Oct 20th
Here’s a way to extract some extra performance from the five-bearing ‘B’ Series 1800cc engine as used in the 1968-1980 MGB without making any modifications to the engine internals.
A Fidanza lightweight flywheel can easily be installed when you replace the clutch and will bring the following benefits:
- Faster throttle response and quicker acceleration • Additional horsepower to the wheels (reduced parasitic losses) • Smoother, faster shifting • Easier braking, better slowing (due to reduced rotational mass) • Reduced clutch wear and improved efficiency (from better heat dissipation) • Cost savings and longevity (thanks to Fidanza’s replaceable green friction plate – no More >