A busy and productive week, with a mix of days at the workshop and on the road…
An early start on Monday morning at the workshop to get cracking with the work on Julie’s 2004 TF 135 (in Royal Blue – JFM) that she’d had delivered to us over the weekend.
The car has been off the road for some time, as had failed the last MOT and Julie was deciding whether to keep it going, having owned it from new. So, after weighing everything up with us regarding the work and the subsequent costs, she decided to go ahead. Both front wishbones replaced, welding to both rear sills, amongst quite an extensive list, there’s still a couple things to sort next week and then finally to get it MOTd at the garage we use.
We had intended on going over to Crewe on Tuesday, but having heard the weather report with storm Chandra putting in an appearance, we contacted Ian, who fully understood that it would be in everyone’s best interests to reschedule to Wednesday, when the forecast was slightly less grim.
So Tuesday was spent at the workshop, with work continuing on Julie’s TF and an investigation into what had caused ‘Princess’s’ head gasket to go again. On pressure testing the system, found that the radiator hose clip had sprung a leak, both clips duly replaced and strip down commenced.
We eventually got to Crewe on Wednesday, following many delays on the M62, for work on Ian’s year 2000 MGF 120, (in British Racing Green – HFF) that he’d bought fairly recently to enjoy using for auto-solos. He’s been busy stripping it all out and making various modifications to get it race ready and asked us to come over to do a few bits. Head gasket replacement, cambelt service, hydragas pump up and a coolant flush all done. Great to meet Ian, we wish him well with the season ahead, and with his first event in this car in a few weeks time.
Thursday morning found us over in Marsden, near Huddersfield, where it was lovely to meet Mike and his 2004 TF 115 (in xpower grey – LEF) that his wife had bought him as a birthday present 10 years ago.
Full cambelt service carried out, along with replacing the throttle body for a 52 mm and installing a Kmaps remap. Interesting chats with Mike while we worked about his days spent rally driving and subsequently as a steward. Thanks to him for all the mugs of tea and choccy bics, very welcome on a cold drizzly day.
We then headed over to Emley for hydragas pump up on a 1998 MGF 120 (in Tahiti – JRJ) that has been in Mike’s family from new and is now going to be enjoyed by his granddaughter. The car was very low, and he was getting concerned, as the local garage, who used to pump it up, had got rid of their pump, sadly. Good to meet Mike, we’re pleased to have it back to the correct ride height again for them.
And that brings us to Friday again. Gary drove down from Teeside, in his TF 135 for some welding work to be carried out on the offside front sill, that he’d found when sanding down some rust spots. Great to see Gary as always and have a catch-up, we are pleased to hear that his son Liam has completed his apprenticeship at Porsche, can’t believe how that time has flown, doesn’t seem five minutes ago that Liam was telling us about starting it! Well done and congratulations to him for a brilliant career ahead. Shame about the foul weather for Gary’s drive back home in his car, that again can’t believe, was six years ago that he bought ‘Madam’ from us.
We’re also pleased to report that ‘Princess’ (year 2001 Mk1 MGF 120) is now back together again, having had a new head gasket, and a couple of other bits that we found whilst in there. She’s all ready for mum and daughter Leona and Laura to collect.
I’ve not looked at the forecast for the weekend yet, but here’s hoping it’s slightly more clement than the past cold and dismal grey days most of us have experienced. All the same, have a great weekend everyone near and far. It won’t be long until we have those sunny top-down days again! – https://ift.tt/Byk3dUx
