Mainly mirrors - and a couple of other questions!

Post by **Geraldine** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:22 pm

Hi, I have fitted two 4" round door mirrors, bought from GS Jones spares website so they are the proper ones, but can hardly see anything in the passenger side mirror, and have to move a bit to get a good view in the drivers side, can't just glance at it. I heard that the clip on ones weren't much good, but maybe would be better on the passenger side?
Also wondered about sun shades (not sure what the correct term is!)
, was quite dazzled when driving home the other evening, is it possible to buy them?
Lastly, although I'm using less choke after starting the engine, there's still black stuff coming out of the exhaust, it seems sooty rather than oily, does this just mean a clogged up exhaust pipe?
Thanks in anticipation of your advice. seem to have more questions than answers at the moment!

Post by **ASL642** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:57 pm

If they're the ones they sell (£25 per pair) then all you do is get someone to sit in the passenger seat whilst you are in the drivers sea and gentally "wind" the circular mirror in or out until you can see. These are the ones with the small screws on the back of the mirror.

Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:58 pm

you should be able to get a good view from the driver side without moving. trouble is positioning it correctly when the car is not moving.

for the passanger side.. tactful head on here... how tall are you? My wife uses the pasanger side more to know where the wing is than as an actual mirror.

do not worry to much about them any way you will find after a few weeks that people are continually moving them as they push past them in car parks etc.

I hated the clip on mirrors, the problem being when approaching a roundabout the mirror was exactly where i was looking for cars already on the roundabout. some people swear by them i just swore at it.

sunshades... not sure what you mean... no doubt someone will be along soon.

as for sotty exhaust.. have you gone for a run and then looked at your plugs? your plugs will give you a clear indication of what is going on now but i would not know how long it would take to "clean out" the soot from your exhaust.

Post by **LouiseM** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:06 pm

Do you mean sun visors, the things that you can pull down inside the car to stop the sun getting in your eyes? As your car is a '69 model it should have these fitted. If not, are there holes in the 'metal roof header' where these should be? Hope this makes sense

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:51 pm

Best place for the mirrors - is on the wings (see car above ^^^) which gives a superb wide angle view to the rear both sides.

Post by **mike.perry** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:04 pm

Are the mirrors flat or convex glass? Flat glass mirrors are almost useless, with a very restricted field of view. I agree that the best place for mirrors is on the wings. They also act as good markers for the edges of the wings. No more accidental dents!!

Post by **LouiseM** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:05 pm

which gives a superb wide angle view to the rear both sides.

Not on my car it doesn't

I've just removed the round ones shown above and replaced them with rectangular Desmo's (ebay bargain

) which has helped a bit, but not much. I think I must be too short.

Post by **mike.perry** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:13 pm

Round or square doesn't make much difference. It is whether the glass is flat or convex that counts. Convex glass will give a much wider field of view.

Post by **LouiseM** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:28 pm

I've got the same problem as Geraldine in that I can hardly see a thing in the passenger side mirror. The type of glass would make no difference. Going to try the rubber blocks that raise the seat to see whether they help.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:08 pm

Well - it's not the mirrors - because mine work very well - but then I can see over the steering wheel!

Post by **Geraldine** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:36 pm

Thanks everyone for replies.
The mirrors are convex glass and 4" diameter, will have another fiddle around with the passenger one to try and improve the view. I had wing mirrors on my traveller years ago, but can't remember if they were better or not! I can put these mirrors on the wings if I want to, will see how it goes. Also I am quite short and my seat sinks down further than it ought (new straps are on my shopping list!)
My husband says the sooty exhaust should sort itself out with a long run, haven't had the chance to do that yet.
I guess I would have to find second hand sun visors (knew there was a "proper "word for them, just couldn't remember it!), can't find them on spares website.

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:37 pm

New seat straps will certainly help.
Sun visors should be easy to find, new or second hand
Unleaded petrol tends to leave a black residue on the end of the exhaust pipe.
Your engine may be running slightly rich. You could try weakening the mixture slightly when the engine is fully warmed up.