Author: Facebook Posts

Mick dropped his MGF 120 mpi (paint code originally MNX but resprayed Rover to BRG 3) with us over the weekend.

Monday morning found us at the workshop bright and early to crack on and replace both the rear and the front subframes etc…

A timely change too, to preserve the life of this car as both subframes had certainly done their time. Galvanized ones fitted, plus all galvanized ancillaries.

Whilst we had the rear subframe out we replaced the clutch, freed off the release arm and replaced the clevis pin as it was a bit dented in, a dent here results in excessive play on the clutch pedal, so always a good idea to fit new when replacing the slave cylinder too.

We replaced the head gasket on the car a few years ago, so that wasn’t required. Full cambelt service carried out, with a bit of a challenge with the bottom pulley bolt! Eventually after some time and lots of grunting it came undone with a torque-multiplier. Once removed we found that the washer was missing on the main pulley bolt, this had allowed water to get in and seize the threads, also when the bolt came undone it had dragged the outer pulley shearing the inner pulley key-way, so both the pulley and cog were replaced.

On the front subframe new wishbones fitted, galvanized anti-roll bar fitted, too ball joints, track rod ends and forward mounts on both subframes replaced with stainless steel ones.

New clutch line and clutch flexi fitted as the old one was hanging on in there.

We should have finished the car completely today, but it’s been a bit of a challenge as everything was so corroded, which is expected of a car of this age. We’re not complaining of course (much, haha) but every nut and bolt required the use of the brilliant Irwin nut removers, and where they failed, and our stamina, the grinder came out!

Really good to future proof this fab car for Mick, thanks to him for sending it over to us for some TLC, which is always great to know that it’s another one that will live to tell more tales and bring their owners tons of fun.

Almost done, another half a day to finish her off next week ready for Mick to collect. So no glamour shots, just the nitty gritty ones!

Back on the road tomorrow in Wakefield and Sheffield with a few to get sorted. – https://ift.tt/GRNQDvT

Departed our really fab digs reluctantly at Hadley this morning, wish we could have stayed much longer.

We went over to Stockton, near Southam to see Mick again and his MGF VVC (in COF). He’d got in touch a few days ago, asking if we were in the area, as he was told by the recovery driver that the fuel pump had packed in and the car was on a main road and the MOT was due to expire, having a bad back he wasn’t in a position to move the car himself. So with a bit of easy start we managed to get the car off the road. Sure enough it was the fuel pump so we removed the cover to check out which connector it is on it, we know a man who has one so will return to fit it. There’s no point in keeping these on stock as they dry out and just end up failing, plus with having the two different connectors you won’t know until you remove the cover.

We decided to go to the MG & Triumph Spares day at Stoneleigh as we had missed going there over the past few years. Never seen the place so packed! I think a lot of people had definitely missed it too. Really good day to catch up with everyone from near and far and meet some new people too.

Too busy chatting to take any pics, but spotted this fab car in the car park as we left, so grabbed a pic, it looks even better in the flesh!

Mick and Steve drove over from to the workshop today to drop off Micks MGF that’s in with us for a few things next week… – https://ift.tt/8Dx7ecI

A short commute this morning from our digs along to Droitwich, where it was great to see Steve and his latest acquisition…

Having owned many MGs over the years, three of which have been LEs, he fancied owning another one to have some fun in again, and a few months ago he came upon this cracking example and wanted to get it fully up to spec to just how he wants it.

So today we removed the hoops and glass wind stop and replaced with a new t-bar and mesh wind break. The side windows were a bit scratched, Steve managed to find a new pair, so these were replaced. The grills on the front weren’t looking too good, so new black ones were fitted, which really suit the car. A few other things were done, a good check over and also a minor service.

Next up will be a full detail and then will be all good to go to enjoy runs out, club meets and events throughout the year.

An enjoyable day in Steve’s company, with a constant flow of welcome tea, and we look forward to catching up with him again at an event later in the year. – https://ift.tt/oDlR4YA

We headed off bright and early to Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales this morning, where it was great to meet David and his son for work on David’s TF 135 Sprint (in LEF), that he had bought in the summer last year, but when they were heading over to Castle Coombe a few months later, for a track day, the head gasket went.

All gaskets replaced this morning, including a new thermostat and housing, as it looked like it was leaking from there also, sure enough when we took it off, it was showing evidence of k-seal having been added, as had the expansion tank bottle. All cleaned up and everything replaced, resulting in a very smooth sounding engine.

Good to meet David, who provided us with a nice big garage, which was certainly welcome on a bit of a damp day and an endless supply of tea too.

Long drive down this morning, but a shorter trip to our fab digs tonight, near Droitwich, ahead of our visit in the morning.

We ventured over to Alsager, near Stoke-on-Trent on Monday, where it was lovely to see Paul again for some work on his MGF Trophy (in JFV).

The VVC plunger, of which we had previously tried to seal last year, having found at the time that the threads had been stripped on one of the bolt holes and left prior to us seeing it! We had made as good a seal as possible replacing the plunger gaskets etc, but the leak became evident again when at very high revs whilst Paul was out on a track day. We returned this time to drill it out and helicoil it and replacing the gaskets again for good measure. Hopefully this will have finally fettled it for Paul and he can have some fun on track again.

We had a couple of days off after that mid-week for Jon’s birthday, thought maybe he deserved a bit of a rest to enjoy some cake and steak! – https://ift.tt/oDlR4YA

Tim brought his TF 160 (in LEF) up to us from Cornwall on Monday afternoon for a few things, so we set to first thing on Tuesday morning to swap out the rear subframe with a galvanized one.

Whilst we had the engine out we replaced the head gasket, the clutch, slave cylinder, cambelts, water pump, tensioner, alternator belt, starter motor, engine bay fan.

New stainless steel subframe mounts fitted, all brake lines and flexis replaced, underfloor coolant pipes replaced, window mech replaced, fuel cap replaced. Then finally an MOT done today and she’s all good and ready for collection to return back to Cornwall.

Prior to the car coming to us Tim had replaced the front subframe himself and had the car resprayed. Now a really fantastic solid car to bring them tons of enjoyment.

Jon came over from Rotherham on Sunday to drop off his TF 160 (in NDJ) with us for us for head gasket replacement, cambelt service and underfloor coolant pipes replacement. We had to revert to our plan B on the cambelt service as the engine mount bolts didn’t want to come out! Full check over of the car too and advised Jon on things to be done next. We look forward to seeing him for collection.

Warren popped over yesterday from Market Weighton, whilst visiting the paint shop next to us, as he was having trouble with the battery losing charge due to the alternator voltage regulator not supplying enough charge on his TF 160 (in LEF). He left the car with us to fit a new alternator, and check everything else over. All sorted and good to go.

It was good to see Les yesterday who came over to see us for a chat and a cuppa, long time no see and a welcome brief distraction from an engine bay!

A full on productive and busy few days, with some really fab looking cars. – https://ift.tt/K6A5WIx

This week at the workshop found us with another of John’s fab fleet in for some work. His TF 160 in the ‘1 of 1 paint’ was dropped off with us on Sunday and we ran John back to Selby.

Full underfloor treatment carried out, brake flexi hoses fitted all round, and a service. There was a bit of a bigger list, but not as much of it required in the end. Gave her a bit of wash today for some pics, and now all ready for John to collect on Monday.

Great to meet Connor who had bought himself a Rover 25 1.4 to use as his commute car for his new job that he starts on Monday. A lovely looking and very low mileage car with only one previous owner, Connor wanted peace of mind knowing that the car was sound. The cambelt service was overdue, so we replaced the belt, water pump, tensioner, aircon belt and alternator belt, spark plugs, oil and all filters.

Connor also wanted to know the emergency access code, so we hooked up the p-scan and downloaded it for him. A real pleasure to meet him and have a chat.

We had prepped for a Rover 75 Tourer coming for a full engine swap, but this is postponed for now. So amongst other things, not the usual crazy full on week we’re used to, just a full on one.

Looking forward to a weekend off to spend with family for a special occasion, which will make a lovely change being clean and scrubbed up!

Then we look forward to seeing Tim again on Monday afternoon, when he delivers his TF 160 to us from Cornwall for a few things next week…

Weather was a bit kinder this week. Have a great weekend everyone. 😀 – https://ift.tt/keFBs1j

HELLO! 👋

For all recent enquiries sent via EMAIL could you please check in your JUNK or SPAM folder as it has become apparent that that’s where our replies have been dropping into! 😫

A tad frustrating for both parties! 🙄😲😵‍💫

🤷‍♀️🤷🏼Don’t know why, a peculiar anomaly it seems, so apologies for any seemingly long delays in anyone receiving their replies. 😮‍💨🧐 – https://ift.tt/UkAsh5w

Our last call of the week was in Darlington, yesterday morning, when we returned to get Nev’s 160 sorted, that we assessed a month ago, when we were in the area.

Nev had bought the car from a dealer that had intended doing it up, but then the cambelt went and subsequently had been left sitting for 3 years. Nev, having owned MGs in the past and currently owning a TF 135, spotted it and thought it was maybe worth a shot to see if it could be saved, despite not knowing the extent of the damage. It had 4 bent valves, and a heavily skimmed head, but fortunately no damage to pistons or liners etc.

So yesterday we fitted with a replacement 160 head, plus a new thermostat and housing as the one on it was leaking was a bit gunked up. All gaskets replaced along with all belts and water pump.

New flexi section fitted too as the old one had certainly seen better days.

The car fired up on first turn of the key. But, when running up to temperature there wasn’t any warm air coming through from the heaters. Traced back to the oil cooler being blocked, so a bypass was put it in, which solved that. What a great result in a very smooth sounding engine, definitely worth investing in. Nev will sort out the underneath and then next will get the bodywork done and he’ll have himself a pretty decent 160.

Great to see Nev and Carolyn as always. Big thanks to them for a steady stream of warming brews, along with butties, biscuits and muffins to keep us going on another long and nippy day. Another one saved, which is fab!

Lovely to see Bob today who came over to the workshop to collect his TF 135 and also John who dropped off his TF with us for work next week. – https://ift.tt/nFZbTwO