Year: 2022

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

Back up to the north east this morning and our first call of the day in Blyth to source a coolant leak on Tony’s TF 1.6 (in MBB) that shortly after buying it in May had developed some problems.

He’d taken it to a local garage that wanted an eye watering amount to replace the head gasket. Plus he’d had someone suggest he added the evil k-seal. So he hung on to wait for us to come. Glad he did, as on pressure test the inlet manifold was evidently the problem and coolant was pouring out everywhere along it. The coolant cap that was on it wasn’t the best make, so this was replaced too.

New gasket fitted and all cleaned up, plugs out and inevitable ingress of coolant cleared from the pistons. Correct nuts refitted along the manifold and tightened, which helps spread the load, especially important with the manifold being of the plastic type.

All up and running nicely, and good to hear from Tony this evening that he’d had a lovely run out, making the most of top-down fun in the sun.

Great to meet Tony, and we look forward to seeing him again next year for the service.

From there we went a couple of miles around the corner to see Les’s fab TF 160 as the rear window heater wasn’t working. Traced to be the rear demist relay, new one fitted and all sorted. Good as always to have a cuppa and a catch-up with him and Pam.

Then, from there, we went a bit further south to Seaton Sluice to see what was occurring with the hydragas on Terry’s MGF Trophy (in FAR). We think it’s down to one of the seals being old and degraded on the pipe. The car is getting tucked up for the winter months now, so when we return in the spring for the annual service we will replace the seals.

Mixture of weather with a sea fret that had rolled in, made the coastline look very different. Unfortunately, not enough time for a walk along it. But, as always a good trip up there, with welcoming hospitality.

Jon’s now having fun fitting a new ignition barrel to the van on the drive.

Pictures aren’t my usual posing ones, but you get the idea! The engine bay one is interesting.

Hope everyone has made the most of the weather again and had some lovely runs out and about. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/Jrkg2Cs

Back up in the north east today, with our first call over to Cramlington, where it was lovely to meet Arthur and Liz for work on Liz’s very nice, low mileage TF 135 in JFV that they bought from Blackpool a couple of years ago.

They enjoy going along to shows together with Liz in the TF, and Arthur in his Lotus Elan, that he’s owned for many years, so they were really happy to have it back up and running again after the head gasket had failed back in March.

The cambelt hadn’t been changed since 2017, so today we replaced the head gasket, and carried out the cambelt service.

Once the engine was fired up, it was found that the right-hand side exhaust control valve was stuck in the closed position. This was disconnected, then forcibly opened. Albeit we managed to get it open, we didn’t think it would manage to open and close on its own, therefore it was left in the open position. This will prevent restricted airflow, as all the gases would have gone through just one exhaust tail pipe.

From there we headed up to North Broomhill where it was great to see Kevin again for minor service on his MGF Trophy, which is painted in Trophy yellow, but with an added metaflake when Kevin had it resprayed. New front reflector fitted too. A good chat with Kevin and fusses with his gorgeous dog Monte.

Baking hot day (not complaining) with lovely company. Now on the A1 heading home with not much further to go. We’re back up there tomorrow with a few ‘squeeze ins’. Should have been prepping for the South Wales and Cornwall trip next week, but we can do that on Sunday. 😀 – https://ift.tt/015ZxDl

Straight back at the workshop on Monday afternoon, after bidding our farewells to Pateley Bridge and our lovely friends, Maggy, Phil and Peppa. What a brilliant couple of days.

We went over to Huddersfield to collect a TF 160, that was in need of some work.

Paul had dropped off his MGF with us, on Saturday, after he had driven it all the way down from Georgemas near Halkirk in Scotland.

Both cars tucked up safely for the night, and we returned the following morning to get started on Paul’s MGF.

• Both rear subframe forward mounts replaced with stainless steel.
• Both rear subframe rear mounts replaced with stainless.
• Rear spheres both replaced.
• PRT conversion carried out from the standard pipework originally fitted, complete with all the replacement hoses etc.
• Full underfloor treatment carried out.

Great to see Paul and his Dad, this evening, when they came to collect. Thanks for the ice creams, a nice touch.

Glad you had an enjoyable sunny, top down run back. 😃 ☀️

Head off on the TF 160 and replacement of stem seals and pistons rings in progress… – https://ift.tt/015ZxDl