Month: February 2023

We headed off bright and early to Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales this morning, where it was great to meet David and his son for work on David’s TF 135 Sprint (in LEF), that he had bought in the summer last year, but when they were heading over to Castle Coombe a few months later, for a track day, the head gasket went.

All gaskets replaced this morning, including a new thermostat and housing, as it looked like it was leaking from there also, sure enough when we took it off, it was showing evidence of k-seal having been added, as had the expansion tank bottle. All cleaned up and everything replaced, resulting in a very smooth sounding engine.

Good to meet David, who provided us with a nice big garage, which was certainly welcome on a bit of a damp day and an endless supply of tea too.

Long drive down this morning, but a shorter trip to our fab digs tonight, near Droitwich, ahead of our visit in the morning.

We ventured over to Alsager, near Stoke-on-Trent on Monday, where it was lovely to see Paul again for some work on his MGF Trophy (in JFV).

The VVC plunger, of which we had previously tried to seal last year, having found at the time that the threads had been stripped on one of the bolt holes and left prior to us seeing it! We had made as good a seal as possible replacing the plunger gaskets etc, but the leak became evident again when at very high revs whilst Paul was out on a track day. We returned this time to drill it out and helicoil it and replacing the gaskets again for good measure. Hopefully this will have finally fettled it for Paul and he can have some fun on track again.

We had a couple of days off after that mid-week for Jon’s birthday, thought maybe he deserved a bit of a rest to enjoy some cake and steak! – https://ift.tt/oDlR4YA

Tim brought his TF 160 (in LEF) up to us from Cornwall on Monday afternoon for a few things, so we set to first thing on Tuesday morning to swap out the rear subframe with a galvanized one.

Whilst we had the engine out we replaced the head gasket, the clutch, slave cylinder, cambelts, water pump, tensioner, alternator belt, starter motor, engine bay fan.

New stainless steel subframe mounts fitted, all brake lines and flexis replaced, underfloor coolant pipes replaced, window mech replaced, fuel cap replaced. Then finally an MOT done today and she’s all good and ready for collection to return back to Cornwall.

Prior to the car coming to us Tim had replaced the front subframe himself and had the car resprayed. Now a really fantastic solid car to bring them tons of enjoyment.

Jon came over from Rotherham on Sunday to drop off his TF 160 (in NDJ) with us for us for head gasket replacement, cambelt service and underfloor coolant pipes replacement. We had to revert to our plan B on the cambelt service as the engine mount bolts didn’t want to come out! Full check over of the car too and advised Jon on things to be done next. We look forward to seeing him for collection.

Warren popped over yesterday from Market Weighton, whilst visiting the paint shop next to us, as he was having trouble with the battery losing charge due to the alternator voltage regulator not supplying enough charge on his TF 160 (in LEF). He left the car with us to fit a new alternator, and check everything else over. All sorted and good to go.

It was good to see Les yesterday who came over to see us for a chat and a cuppa, long time no see and a welcome brief distraction from an engine bay!

A full on productive and busy few days, with some really fab looking cars. – https://ift.tt/K6A5WIx