Year: 2021

What a good day, great company, fab cars, beautiful location and clement weather…

We ventured a few miles up the road to Jim’s house in Cramlington, where we were joined by Mike and Steve (and Bailey the dog).

First up was Jim’s TF 135 that needed a new Lambda sensor, as it was throwing up error codes and putting the emissions warning light on. All cleared and car running nicely.

Next up was Mike’s TF 135, that also needed a new Lambda sensor, for the same reasons as Jim’s. Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless.

And last, but not least, was Steve’s TF 135 for replacement underfloor coolant pipes.

Such a lovely social morning, it didn’t feel like work. Lots of great chats and banter and many welcome cuppas.

Glad to have got them all sorted prior to their NC 500 trip in June. All three cars are absolutely stunning and very well cared for. They will look a very smart trio, traveling around the Scottish coast, we look forward to seeing their photos and updates.

Although, we do have a confession to make, we were supposed to be fitting a soft ride kit to Jim’s TF, but we silly beggars only left it in the workshop! 🙄I wouldn’t mind, we packed a couple of flexi exhausts, and a cat, as a contingency, knowing that sometimes the Lambdas don’t always come out the way you want them to.

From there we went over to Whitely Bay, to drop off our new overalls for lovely Susan at ‘Anne Thomas workwear’ to work her magic. Shame not to see her.

Great to make the most of the welcome change in the weather, and location, so I took myself for a walk along to St Mary’s lighthouse and back along the beach the the Spanish City, whilst Jon enjoyed a relax and a Latte by the sea.

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What an enjoyable first day on our north east trip…

Jarrow this morning, and great to see George again, for some more things on this fab TF 160, that is gradually getting to where he wants it to be.

Minor service done, plus carpets transplanted from his other TF, including the seats, steering wheel, door cards, centre cubby, radio, new aerial, ITG airbox fitted and new hood fitted. Looking really good!

Big thanks to chief brewer, Bradley, for a constant flow of tea!

We then went over to Gateshead, where it was lovely to see Rachael again. Rachael and Tony’s fab looking TF 160, ‘Katy’ (an award winner no less!) was in need of a new slave cylinder and underfloor coolant pipes replacing. The clutch release arm was very stiff, which is inevitable, having being forced to stay at home for so long, so this was freed off and clutch back to rights again. All in good time for their run out, to the Fat Lamb, with the Northumbria club.

Thank you, so much, to Rachael for your hospitality and the many yummy treats you sent us away with, of which we’re enjoying in our digs at a suitable venue in Gosforth. Baby George is settling in well watching the telly. 🐵

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Good to see Bob & Liz again this morning, in Beeford, for minor service and check over of their lovely TF 135, that had undergone some major works with us last year. The car is looking and sounding great and all ready for their holiday, to Devon, in June. Happy holidays to you both 😃

We were supposed to be heading to York for a head gasket replacement on a steppy, booked in a couple of months ago, but the chap changed his mind, said the head gasket was fine and wanted the cvt fluid and strainer replacing, but as we explained the strainers are on back order until May, (knowing this, as we have a couple on order) much as we would have happily gone over and done this we didn’t hear back.

So we made the most of the time and got over to the workshop, a bit earlier than expected, and got the camper restocked for the next few days away in the north east.

Really looking forward to seeing everyone up there. ☺️

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Bit of an update on one of the cars that came to us from Scotland…

Bill’s stepspeed was couriered back to Livingston a couple of weeks ago, having had a bit of tlc in the workshop, new drive plate, cambelt service etc, as mentioned in a previous post.

Bill has just been in touch, saying that he has just finally had chance to drive the car and it’s all going extremely well.

Prior to the cars return, we had the car professionally detailed with our fantastic neighbours, at Black Sheep Customs, as we were away when the car was being collected. Thank you to them for fitting us in at such short notice. Some shots of their fab work!

#blacksheepcustoms

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Well that was an easy day, up at the workshop for a couple of things…

Lovely to see Adam and his brother again, Jon fitted a new cat to Adam’s TF 135, that’s definitely starting to get there, as he ticks all the things off the list of things to do to get his car right. The new bumper looks very smart.

Richard dropped off the engine, that he wants us to transplant into his new car. Great to see him and his boys.

A nice early finish, time to relax and looking forward to a day off tomorrow! 😀

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What an enjoyable day in Gillow Heath, Stoke-on-Trent, for work on a very nice condition ‘54 plate TF 135.

Great to meet Ian, who had noticed a slow loss of coolant in the car, and after taking the engine cover off he had seen bubbles coming out of the engine over the gearbox.

Head gasket replacement and cambelt service carried out, few missing and corroded bolts replaced. The inlet manifold gasket was missing and had been daubed with sealant, so this was cleaned up. The engine mount bolts were seized solid, so rather than risking shearing them, we went to plan B, which was successful.

After clearing an assortment of error codes, on the ECU, the engine quickly settled down and now sounds nice and smooth.

R.I.P. to Prince Philip, who sadly passed away today, and who was a previous owner of an 1949 MG TC.

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Durham for our first call this morning, and good to meet Roger, for work on his lovely looking MGF 1.8 mpi.

The car had been losing coolant for sometime, with very little signs of head gasket failure. Though just recently, the coolant levels had fallen more significantly and the oil level had risen. On removing the cam cover it was clear that the oil was emulsifying with the coolant.

Head gasket replaced, and all other gaskets replaced, plus cambelt service carried out. Roger was so pleased to have his car back up and running again ready for the summer months.

From there we went over to Westerton, near Bishop Auckland, where it was lovely to see Mike again and his MGF 143 VVC, bit of an unusual one as it is running MEMS 3 ECU. We last saw this car about 3 years ago when we replaced the clutch. This car was bought, from our late friend Lucy, as a Father’s Day present by his wife. So it was great to see this fab little car again, which is now named ‘Merlin’.

The alternator had seized and the bearings in it had collapsed. On trying to remove it, found that the bolt was stuck in to the mounting. Finally, after various methods, it was successfully removed. Recon alternator fitted and voltages back to 14 with the engine running.

Another very chilly day, but spent in lovely company and lots of welcome warming cuppas.

On a very windy A1, but only an hour away from home now.

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We finally managed to get down to Bedford this morning and get the gear cable replaced on Dan’s MGF.

The short cable (forward to back motion) had snapped. So pleased to get him up and running again, thanks to a change in the diary and a slot opening up.

All running nicely again after Dan had a quick test drive.

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