Year: 2021

A busy week and a fitting end to the year…

After enjoying a couple of days off for Christmas we got back to it on Monday, when Jon went over to Mundesley, in Norfolk to collect Allen’s TF 135. After previously doing some work on his driveway, the car was in need of some tlc at the workshop, having been caught in a flood some time ago.

Full underfloor treatment carried out, discs and pads all round, new binnacle fitted, courtesy of Jakobi Design, wing mirrors replaced for electric ones and all wired in, kudos to Jon, he has such patience. A rather large hole in the sill cut back and a patch welded in to the the sill. Few other things done on quite a bit of a list.

The next step is for Allen to sort out the bodywork, he’s in need of a bonnet in JRJ if anyone can help him.

It’s been really good getting this car back to rights and great that Allen wanted to invest in it. MOT booked for next week and then we will find a date to return it to Norfolk.

The other one we’re so pleased to have completed is Steve’s TF 135, in Celestial Blue (IAI), that came over to us from Carlisle. The car had been stood for 4-5 years, we had previously replaced the clutch and the head gasket, but Steve wanted it to come to the workshop for a few other things on the list to get her sorted fully as he intends having the car as a keeper…

Long (side to side) gear cable was replaced, new caliper to the rear, new PRT, subframe mounts replaced with stainless steel ones, voltage regulator fitted, full underfloor treatment carried out and a clean up inside the cabin and under the bonnet etc. complete with eviction of mouse and it’s mess, slightly less whiffy now too! MOT booked in for next week and then she will be returned back to her home. Looking forward to owner and the car being reunited.

Lovely to meet Kevin, on Wednesday, who popped over from Selby, with his TF 135, that he had fully renovated himself, over the past couple of years. He initially had continuous hot air to the heaters, then it switched to not having any heat at all, on investigation we found it to be due to the fact the outer cable on the heater control valve had become detached. Duly fixed and problem sorted. Very nice looking car and an absolute credit to him.

Lovely as always to see Noel, who popped over on Thursday morning in his LE 500, as the EML light kept coming on and off sporadically. On code reading it was found to have ones that are not known. Further investigation needed…

We also got a few more things completed on the TF 160 that the new owner is waiting patiently to collect. New slave cylinder fitted and release arm freed off, couple more things to do and she’s good to go!

A tiring week, not helped by the fact we both felt a bit grotty after having our ‘booster’ but it’s great to end the year on a very positive note.

Happy New Year to everyone! 🥳 – https://ift.tt/363HZbI

🎄✨🎄 “Happy Christmas” 🎄✨🎄

To all of our friends and customers old and new. What a year it has been and a challenging one for so many again. But, so nice to see, the good old human resolve shining through. Let’s hope 2022 sees some changes for the better for everyone.

Thank you, so much, for your loyalty and unfailing support during 2021. We’ve met some truly lovely people and have been made very welcome in your homes and workplaces and car parks alike! Plus we have been so lucky to have visited some amazing locations again, throughout the U.K.

🌟Our very ‘Best Wishes’ for the festive season and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2022 🌟

🎄⭐️🎄⭐️ Jon & Claire ⭐️🎄⭐️🎄 – https://ift.tt/363HZbI

We went back up to Kelloe, in County Durham, this morning for head gasket and cambelt service on this 1999 MGF 143 (in HFF).

Good to see Nick again, who had bought the car back in September. When we last saw him at the beginning of November we popped in to check over the car for a query head gasket failure. Nothing definitive could be found, but subsequently a week or so ago the car suffered from a split hose, this was replaced, but the car then overheated.

All done without any problems apart from the grotty weather 🌧

Good to have Nick’s fab car all back to rights again for him to enjoy once the weather brightens up. Thanks to him for a plentiful supply of tea and offers of food. ☕️ 🍕 – https://ift.tt/363HZbI

A local ish one in Swallownest, near Sheffield this morning, for work on a great looking Rover Coupe 1.8 VVC, where it was good to see John again in his new abode, it’s been a couple of years since we last saw him.

John had managed to locate himself a quiet set of VVC mechanisms, as he thought the ones on the car were too rattly, a common problem, and finding a decent set of secondhand ones these days is a bit of a rarity.

These were fitted, along with a new VVC hydraulic unit, including new gaskets. Cambelt service carried out too, both belts and water pump replaced, plus new alternator belt. New cam cover gasket fitted. Couple of other things checked over and all sounding really good! John very happy with the result.

A very chilly one this morning, with a beautiful sunrise, but a nice early finish to get some Christmas shopping done finally! 🎁 – https://ift.tt/363HZbI

Our last day in Scotland, we reluctantly left our fantastic digs, complete with Christmas tree, in Ayre and trundled up to a very chilly and very damp Blantyre…

Stevie had got in touch to see when we were next in the area for work on his two cars.

First up was his TF 135, (in CMU) for cambelt service, engine mount bolts all came undone nicely, but unfortunately, due to heavy corrosion one of the water pump bolts sheared off. Rather than risk taking anymore out, while it was still sealed, it was decided to just do the belts and tensioner and book a day at the workshop, so if the rest snap off it can be drilled and tapped. Stevie will use this as an opportunity for a trip to his relatives in Hull next year.

Next up was his MGF 143 (in MNX) which behaved very well. Cambelts, water pump and tensioner replaced. Alternator belts replaced on both cars.

Both electric windows had decided to pack up. In this case, on MGFs there are 3 fuses for the windows, all were checked and all were ok, however the side-lights fuse also affects the windows. This was replaced and everything working as it should again.

It was good to meet Stevie and his fab couple of cars and we look forward to seeing him again next year at the workshop.

A good run back home, despite a lot of fog in places.

As always, a really good trip to Scotland, meeting lovely people and their fab cars. Shame to leave, but it is nice to be home after 9 nights away and to see our lovely puss Binx 🐈‍⬛ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 – https://ift.tt/363HZbI

Another short commute from our digs in Prestwick to Dalrymple, Ayre for work on another great example of a 1995 MGF 1.8 mpi, again with loads of original features, and with very low mileage at 28k. The car had been purchased about 3 months ago through Mathewsons, and delivered to its new residence.

Really good to meet Mike, his wife Traute and their lovely woofer, Rufus. What an interesting day in Mike’s company, with lots of stories shared between us.

Work carried out today; head gasket replacement, cambelt service, alternator belt, hydragas top up, 52 mm throttle body fitted and health check. Also booked in was replacement of the underfloor coolant pipes, but stainless ones were already fitted, so a bonus for Mike. New stainless exhaust back box fitted, which really suits the car.

Thank you, Mike, for your great company, hospitality and keeping us warm with the heaters and lots of cuppas! What a beautiful location, thanks for the tip on the viaduct/sunset opportunity for a photo. We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Back to our fab digs for the last night here, and yes steak is on the menu for Jon again and the Strictly final! 😅 🥩 – https://ift.tt/363HZbI

We departed from Stirling this morning, what a great city that is, and headed over to Kilmalcolm…

Bob had got in touch to see when we would be next in the area, for some work on his very nice looking 1999 MGF 1.8 mpi. Having obviously been very well cared for with the previous owner, Bob wanted to keep it in the same way.

New exhaust back box, cat and exhaust flexi section fitted. Spark plugs and all filters replaced, gear box oil drained and refilled, new brake fluid bled through. We gave the car a health check/pre MOT check too and found a couple of minor issues. One of the top ball joints replaced.

Date booked in next year for a couple of other things, and we look forward to our return visit. Good to meet Bob, who makes a cracking brew! Our visit was made more special meeting Brodie, a very huggable Highland Sheepdog, what a lovely chap!

We then headed over to our next place to lay our heads in Prestwick. Bit of a detour on the way to Kilmarnock to pick up some brake pads for the camper, as they were found to be wearing a bit thin with all the hills. Essential running repairs carried out at the digs. Fantastic self contained place I found, so Jon’s happy that I will be cooking him steak this evening. 🥩 – https://ift.tt/363HZbI

Our first call of the day was in Coatbridge for work on Russell’s TF 1.6. We had last seen him in July for a couple of things and the plan was to come back and carry out the cambelt service on this visit. But, only a couple weeks ago we got a message from him to say that the car was losing coolant, so could we prioritise this problem.

On pressure test, we found a couple of leaks coming from the thermostat housing and the inlet manifold.

The bolt holding the thermostat housing to the block was completely corroded, so took a bit of persuasion getting it off, with the added fear of it shearing. The thermostat housing had broken off inside the back of the water pump, so this was all removed.

The inlet manifold was held in with all the wrong nuts, none flanged and incorrect sizes, so once this was removed and cleaned up the correct ones were fitted. Unfortunately, k-seal has been added to this car, we removed the expansion tank and cleaned that out, but it remains to be seen what with the other issues that nothing else major will come to light, hopefully not!

From there we went over to Polment, near Falkirk for work on a 1997 MGF 143.

Billy had got in touch a few months ago to see when we were next in the area as the car was due it’s cambelt service.

Both belts replaced, plus water pump, tensioner, alternator belt and all other service items. The Hydragas was pumped up too as the car was sitting a little bit low. The offside track rod end had gone, so this was also replaced.

Great looking car with lots of original features. Lovely to meet you Billy, thanks for a cracking brew and choccie bics!

Back to Stirling, for our last night here, and managed to get a passing quick pic of the Kelpies, looking amazing, all lit up. – https://ift.tt/363HZbI