Month: August 2022

Always good to have a local one, 5 miles along the road to Willerby, where it was good to see Mark again, and his MGF 143 VVC that we last saw quite a few years ago.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, spark plugs and all filters replaced, along with a new alternator belt, as his was a tad chewed and split, a very timely replace!

Great looking car with very low mileage that Mark has owned from new, which wouldn’t look out of place in a museum.

Back over to the unit afterwards to receive a visit from the lovely John Ponting. John had recently tracked down and bought back this fab TF 135 that he had originally owned from new and then sold on. Having owned a few MGs over the years John felt that he would like this particular one back in his life. So he asked us if we wouldn’t mind giving it a check over, and what a lovely example it is, it’s also one of the post LE 500 cars, in paint code 294.

Great to see John as always and have a catch-up over a cuppa before he headed back home, perfect afternoon for a top-down run. ☀️

Van then restocked ahead of our next trip to Scotland in the morning. – https://ift.tt/4I2QMjm

Busy couple of days at the workshop…

It should have been a weekend off away at a car/music festival in Cheshire, but sadly that was cancelled, so we filled our time getting stuff done. We did have Saturday off to visit family, which was lovely. Sunday found us in Filey for collection of a TF that is need of some TLC. We’ve yet to get the head off and see what’s going on there.

Andrew dropped off his TF 135 (in JFV), with us for minor service, pre MOT and subsequent MOT carried out round the corner.

AJ dropped off his MGF 143 VVC, (in JRJ), that he had recently purchased a couple of months ago. He wanted initially a minor service and check over, but had also developed a coolant loss.

The coolant loss was traced to be a leaking thermostat and a couple of hoses. All replaced and no more leaks. Nearside front wheel bearing replaced and track rod end. Couple of other niggles sorted and she’s good to go.

Roddy’s MGF VVC 143 that we’ve had in for a while now, as it’s been difficult finding time to fit it in, as it was brought to us as a none runner, having spent 9 months in another garage, with us giving them advice along the way, is now running smoothly we’re pleased to report, although it is now evident that the internal heater pipes are leaking.

A local call in Hull tomorrow and then back to the workshop where we’re looking forward to greeting our visitor… – https://ift.tt/4I2QMjm

Wickmere…

Judith and Jim had contacted us just after one of our Norfolk trips to ask when we were next in the area, as their TF 135 was in need of a service and some attention to the clutch as it was having intermittent issues.

We went armed with all contingencies, and found this morning that both the slave and master cylinder had gone, but the clutch itself was still good. The clevis pin was looking like it had done it’s time, but at least the release arm was nice and free.

One of the things they had wanted us to check was a ‘clunk’ from the rear end, this we found to the be rear control arm, that the bushes had completely worn out on. So this was replaced with a new one on stock.

The other problem was with the accelerator pedal, which was sticking. On removing we found that the bushes had gone on it and the return spring wasn’t there, the pedal assembly was duly replaced with a good secondhand one we had on stock.

Minor service carried out and the car is all good to go again, hopefully Judith will notice a difference when she next drives it. Shame not to meet her today as she was away competing. Great to meet Jim and have a chat. What a fab set up they have there, and happily for me, more horses! We look forward to our return next year when the cambelt service is due. Thanks to Jim, for a good brew and the shelter of his newly self-made stable area out of the rain.

Hempnall…

As we were ahead of ourselves, we contacted Steve, in Hempnall, who was booked in for tomorrow morning, he was very pleased of our earlier arrival as he can now enjoy the day out with his wife tomorrow on her unexpected day off.

Steve had bought this fab TF 135 (in HFN) 18 months ago, as he’d been after something fun, especially as his very first car was an MGB in British racing green.

He’s getting through his list of future proofing the car. This afternoon we replaced the underfloor coolant pipes with stainless ones. Good to meet Steve and have a chat.

A cracking day with lovely people and their fab cars, despite the torrential rain, but it’s well needed after so many dry months here.

It’s our last night in our beautiful digs. Sadly though one of the owners gorgeous little dogs went missing yesterday evening, so Jon and I had a walk around the surrounding area to look for her. Everyone has been doing their best all day to find her. Here’s hoping that she will come home soon. – https://ift.tt/VeUifHj

Norfolk…

After a couple of days in the workshop we were up bright and early to head over to Wiggenhall St Peter where it was lovely as always to see Mark and Pam.

The cambelt service was due on the TF 135, a post LE 500 production (paint code 287) cambelt, water pump and tensioner replaced along with new alternator belt as the one on it was squealing a tad on start-up.

Mark had been after a BRM for some time and having done some research he found this one a few months ago. Everything had been done on it, but he wanted the head gasket replacing to ensure peace of mind.

What an enjoyable days work on these two fab examples. As always, great hospitality and good to have time for a chat with them both. Baking hot weather too, and really nice to have strokes with their handsome puss Olly.

From there we went over to our digs, absolutely stunning place, with horses in a field below our window (didn’t know that honestly when I booked it) but oops no telly, didn’t know that either, honest I didn’t Jon!

Monday and Tuesday were spent on a trade car replacing stem seals and piston rings as the car was burning oil, and we couldn’t 100% say it was just the stem seals or just the piston rings, it was decided between us and the owner to do both. Car returned yesterday afternoon.

Nice peaceful spot tonight ready to head over to Wickmere in the morning for a clutch. – https://ift.tt/xtvlasw

We reluctantly departed our fab digs near Lifton yesterday morning and said goodbye to the ducks.…

We journeyed over to Wootton Courtenay, where it was great to meet Terry for work on his Trophy (in FAR). He had bought the car 18 months ago, and was experiencing some coolant loss and over heating, having owned 2 other MGs in the past he was aware of the pitfalls and suspected the head gasket had gone.

Head gasket replacement carried out, the one that was on was an MLS made by BGA, the heat activated bonding agent on this brand of gasket tends not to stick, this is evident when removed as it is often still totally black and hasn’t done what it should.

There were a few other niggles that we put back as they were meant to be. Car fired up and running again, with very quiet VVC mechs much to Terry’s delight, he can get out and about in ‘happy’ again!

From there we went over to Hemyock near Cullompton, where it was lovely to meet James, who had got in touch as he had been left this very nice TF in the will of a friend. The car started out as a 135, but his friend had had it converted to a 160.

James obviously wants to do his best for the car and keep on top of the servicing etc. This afternoon we replaced the cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt.

He had noticed an intermittent drop in coolant, only when the car had been on a run. We found that the heater control valve was the culprit, so this was replaced with one off the van.

We had a chat about some of the issues to look out for and advise on various things he had questions about.

An enjoyable day meeting Terry and James in beautiful locations and some good weather thrown in too.

Back just in time for tea and to see the sunset, over Blue Anchor Bay, for our last night on this trip. A bit tired, but nonetheless a good trip with great people and their cracking cars.

Tried posting this last night, but there was zero signal where we were and the WiFi wasn’t playing. On the long trek back now currently on the M5. 🙂 – https://ift.tt/tmqfJpv

Redruth, Cornwall …

One of the two cars booked in for today was Sharon’s tidy TF 1.6 that she had bought during lockdown. Great to meet Sharon and Ivor who had noticed slightly milky oil and a loss of coolant, so suspected the proverbial and had therefore got in touch to see if we could come over and sort on our next trip to the area.

All gaskets replaced, with no issues and car back up and running nice and smooth again, to their delight.

What a lovely morning meeting them and their pooches Lamorna and Demelza (good Cornish names) complete with Cornish cream tea too, delicious! Thank you both, so thoughtful.

Our first call didn’t really happen as unfortunately Tim had got his dates mixed up and the car was in the spray shop! Not a problem though, good to meet him and have a chat, as the car, a TF 160 that he bought last year came with very little service history. Turns out that he wants to have subframe replacement anyway, as well as cambelt service, preemptive head gasket replacement and a few other bits. So a date has been booked in for all this to be carried out at the workshop at the end of January.

Bit of an improvement in the weather today. An early finish so I got out on a 6 miler and yes Jon fed the ducks, who were very vocal when he saw him with a nice seedy loaf in hand! 🦆 – https://ift.tt/FXBd8a3

Cornwall…

A long and busy day, but none the less a cracking one back in the lovely company of Geoff and Carol in Tregadillett for work on their fairly recent acquisition of a TF 160 (in HFN).

When we were last there in May working on their MGF ‘Rosie’ Geoff asked us to check over the car that he had picked up from the Isle of Wight as he was aware of of some issues, one of which was a coolant leak and the service history was sketchy at best.

Head gasket replacement and cambelt service carried out along with all other service parts, plus alternator belt, new expansion tank cap. Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless, as the ones on it were looking a bit ropey.

Geoff had also treated the car to a brand new roof on a new frame, plus some new heater dials and gear gaiter and surround in chrome.

The car will be going in for some bodywork and Geoff will then be painting up the calipers and cleaning up the headlights.

It’s great that he’s invested in the car, which he was initially a little unsure of, it’s looking transformed already and sounds a very quiet VVC engine.

The rain held off until the end, thankfully. A plentiful supply of tea and biscuits all day, which was most welcome, thank you Geoff. Great to see you both again and look forward to seeing you up in Yorkshire!

Back at our beautiful digs, and Jon’s fed the ducks, who were pleased to see us return! 🦆 – https://ift.tt/2wczGvC

Somerset…

From our fantastic digs in Bradford on Avon we only had a few miles to go to our next booking in Frome.

Jim had contacted us at the end of April about his TF 115 (in CMU), that had developed a coolant leak that only occurred when the engine had been running.

Our usual checks all carried out, and found a minor leak coming from the water pump area. On discussing it with Jim and it also requiring cambelt service anyway he decided he wanted to get everything done.

A really good example and his local trusty mechanic, that services all their other cars, says it should be in a museum, can’t argue with him on that, it is immaculate, all the subframe mounts have the original paint on them, and the underneath is so clean, plus only 19k on the clock. When he bought it, a few years ago, it was in a bit of a ropey state and had been left under a tree. He’s done an amazing job polishing it all up.

An enjoyable day, having a chat with Jim whilst we worked, with the welcome bonus of no nasty bolts. The cylinder head did look like new.

We travelled from there, to just outside of Launceston, and are now in some amazing digs that we stayed in, back in May, for one night when we were last in the area. A different plot this time, which is even better, with lots of ducks for company. Lovely relaxing place with only a short commute in the morning. 🦆 – https://ift.tt/2wczGvC