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Good to be back home in daylight after a successful week in the south…

An enjoyable morning in Brentwood today, meeting Neil, for work on his fab 1998 Rover Coupe that he has owned for the past 11 years.

Minor service carried out and investigation of a minor weep. Inlet manifold gasket replaced and the heater matrix hose had coolant seeping out under load, not evident on initial pressure test, turned out to be snapped jubilee clip, so new one fitted. New gear gator fitted as his was a bit on the raggy side. A very well cared for car and all in good order.

Yesterday was a bit different to what was planned, went over to Clare, near Sudbury, as we had been asked to investigate a few issues and undertake any necessary work on an MGF mpi 120, turned out he didn’t want any work doing as selling the car. Oh well, we got an unexpected day off and a drive through some lovely places!

Back in the workshop tomorrow to crack on there.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

On our way back to our digs on the M27, after a productive day, in Chichester, for work on Rod’s fab TF 135.

This car had previously been abandoned in a car park for about 4 years. Rod eventually took ownership and wanted everything putting to rights to make it a sound car, and therefore he asked us to carry out the following:

– Head gasket replacement
– Cambelt service including water pump and tensioner
– Full clutch kit
– Slave cylinder
– Clutch steel pipe section
– Alternator belt

Great to meet Rod and to have everything done and up and running, another really great car saved.

We had allowed two days to do it in,
as we all know that there can be awkward bolts etc, especially, as mentioned, it had been abandoned for a while. But, having got everything done today we get a day off tomorrow!

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

A short commute up the M3 this morning, to Sandhurst, for work on a MGF 143 VVC.

Great to meet Kevin, who had been experiencing issues with his car since taking ownership a couple of years ago, with various over heating problems and break downs.

This lovely car was really in need of some TLC.

We discovered an interesting arrangement with the coolant hoses, for which we put back to rights with our stock.

The VVC hydraulic plunger had a substantial leak, so we replaced the gaskets in this, resolving this issue.

The head gasket had leaked into cylinders 1, 2 & 3. So many missing bolts, that we replaced. New air filter, new alternator belt. Cambelt, water pump and tensioner replaced, as it was uncertain when these were last done.

A longer day than expected, but so worth it, giving this one a new lease of life. Regular visits in the camper to avoid the downpours!

Lots of cracking brews from Kevin, to keep us going, and our pack-up of carrot cake from yesterday.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

We do really enjoy continuing looking after these cars when they get sold on or passed down through a family…

Our first call this morning was in Romsey, and lovely to meet Andy who had taken on his fathers car, a very tidy TF 135. We had previously worked on this car when owned by Kent, his father a couple of times over the last 5 years. The cambelt was now due so we replaced this, plus water pump, tensioner and full service too. The HT leads had crumbled so new ones fitted.

We then went over to Ferndown, where it was really great to meet Dave and David. It so happens that they live just around the corner from Kent, who had very kindly recommended us to them some time ago, when a then 15 year old David was showing an interest in his TF 135.

After almost a year of searching for the right car, David found this TF 160, having previously belonged to Joe & Nicki, of which we had also worked on about 4 years ago in Ramsgate.

Dave then got in touch and asked if we could carry out the cambelt service when we were next in the area.

David has done so much to this car so far, with tons of passion and enthusiasm, it’s so good to see.

Lovely to see Kent who popped round to say hello, what an enjoyable day in great company. Big thank you, to Veronika, for the array of treats and especially the homemade carrot cake.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.