Month: April 2023

Days 10-13 of Scotland trip.

Acharacle, Grangemouth & Gordon…

A day off on Wednesday was enjoyed for some R&R. Thursday morning found us back at Chris’s in Acharacle to fit the underfloor stainless pipes to his Steppy.

Yesterday found us back in Grangemouth to replace the head gasket for Stephen on his TF 115 (in MBB). So pleased to have got this sorted for him and we were able to fit him in due to a last minute cancellation. Initially when we saw the car last week for inspection there was coolant found in the bore. When the head came off though we did notice a piece of the previous water pump sat in the engine mount! Which could have proved fatal for the engine, should it have become dislodged and dropped into the cambelt. A very timely spot and save.

Once the head had been completed and we fired the car up, number 2 cylinder was still misfiring, so replaced all spark plugs, which made it slightly better, but still sensed there was an intermittent misfire. We tried the leads but with still no discernible difference, and then noticed a blue discoloration on top of the coil pack, so it was decided to replace both the leads and the coil pack, and now the engine is running smooth as.

Great to meet Stephen and have an in-site to what his work entails as a metallurgist, so interesting.

What a fantastic run down from Dalnabreac, where we had spent the last 5 nights, through the Highlands, taking in Glencoe, Bridge of Orchy etc, we just got through Glencoe as they were shutting the snow gates. Wow, what a stunning place and huge contrast in the weather!

We then continued south, after we bid our farewells to Stephen, and on to Lauder, to stay in our last digs of this tour.

So for our final call we headed a few miles along the road to Gordon this morning, where it was lovely to see Alasdair again, not forgetting his beautiful dog Seamus, good to have cuddles with him.

Minor service and health check carried out for Alasdair on his TF 135 in British Racing Green, ahead of his travels throughout the summer, which will see him heading down to Portugal again.

While we were there Hamish popped over from a neighbouring village in his MGF Steppy to say hello.

Thanks to Alasdair for his hospitality and warm welcome, we bid our farewells and then headed back home. We look forward to seeing him again in a few weeks time to n the Highlander.

What a trip this one has been, fabulous people, fantastic MGs, amazing locations, with a total of 1,360 miles, 15 cars, 12 people, 6 lots of digs over 13 days. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 – https://ift.tt/hdC6bZL

Day 8 & 9 of Scotland trip.

Acharacle in the Highlands…

Busy and brilliant couple of days spent working on some of Chris’s amazing fleet of MGs.

First up was his TF 160 (in LEF), that had been converted from a 135 with the previous owner.

Head gasket replaced, cambelt service carried out with all other service items, new thermostat and housing, oil cooler bypass, underfloor coolant pipes replaced, soft ride kit fitted, reverse light switch replaced and few other bits and pieces sorted and replaced to get this car fully up to spec as it will be Chris’s daily commute car.

Next up was his MGF 120 mpi (in CMU) for a minor service, hydragas pump and investigation of an oil leak, which was found to be the offside drive-shaft oil seal, this was duly repaired with a new seal. This car came from Graham Underwood and had been very well restored, a really nice example with attention to detail.

Then it was time for work on his Stepspeed (in LEF), both front brake pipes replaced, CVT fluid replaced, wiring to the fan on the radiator and minor service carried out. Should have been replacement of the underfloor pipes on this one too, but guess who forgot to put in an extra set of pipes when stocking up the van for this trip, yes that would be me 🙄 Wouldn’t mind we’ve got a load on stock back at the workshop, so an order duly placed to have a set delivered, but whether they get here before we leave remains to be seen as we’re a bit out on a limb at this location.

What a fantastic location it is too. Absolutely stunning countryside and so peaceful. We’re staying for an extra couple of days to have a rest and take in some local attractions.

What great company Chris and Sam have been, not to mention their feathered friends, who kept a check on what we were doing, especially when there were a few peas on offer! Big thanks to Chris and Sam for their warm welcome and fab hospitality. Chris had made the epic journey to our workshop two years ago with Sam’s TF so it was good to see him again and the rest of his fleet at their home.

So the next couple of days will be spent exploring the area and taking as much as we can while we’re here. Found a great little pod to stay in overlooking Loch Shiel. – https://ift.tt/L8nO9Cr

Day 6 & 7 of Scotland trip.

Westhill and Inverurie near Aberdeen yesterday and heading west today…

Our commute took as short distance from our digs in Durris to Westhill, near Aberdeen for work on David’s TF 160 (in JFV). An absolute pleasure to meet David, and what an interesting life he’s had as a motor sport journalist and commentator, so many interesting stories.

Having owned many different vehicles over the years he thought he would see what these TF 160’s are all about, so just over a year ago he found himself this one.

The cambelt service was due so he asked us to come over next time we were in Scotland to carry it out. Belts, water pump, all filters, plugs and oil all replaced. A very nice example that the previous owner had kept in good order.

We could have happily stayed all day chatting, but had to get on to our next job. I’m sure David will have some fun out in her over the summer months.

From there we went along to Inverurie, where it was great to finally meet Paul. We’d had various conversations over the last couple of years so it was finally good to see him in person and his ‘98 MGF 1.8 mpi (in JRJ).

The cambelt service was due so this was duly carried out for him. Plus Jon eased off a couple of very awkward caliper bolts that wouldn’t come off when Paul was changing all the discs and pads.

Thanks to his lovely daughter for the plate of cakes! Hope to see Paul again next month at the Highlander of he can get there for a day.

After a very good breakfast at our really fab digs this morning we set off in good time to head to our next destination, over on the west. A beautiful scenic drive so far, we’ll be calling into Fort William for our provisions for the next few days. 🏔️

Happy Easter to everyone, hope you’re all having a lovely bank holiday weekend and getting out and about having top down fun. 🌼 – https://ift.tt/fR5T341

Day 5 of Scotland trip.

Larbert…

Craig’s TF 1.6 (originally in HFF, then LEF and now looking lovely in MBB) had been off the road for 6 years and he had decided that ‘Tiffiny’ should have a new lease of life and get back out on the road.

A short commute along from our digs we set to work on her…

Head gasket replacement and all other gaskets, new head bolts, alternator belt, water pump, tensioner, spark plugs, fuel filter, new Piper Cross panel air filter, fuel pressure sensor and brake discs and pads all round.

The head gasket had definitely gone, and on removing the head found that the saver-shim had been fitted on the bottom instead of the top of the gasket, rendering it useless. Quite a few bolts were incorrect so we replaced these with the right ones. Had a bit of a near miss with the alternator belt as out of the 5 ribs on the belt only 4 were there in tact and the other one was in pieces behind the alternator shield, a timely save!

Craig was also thinking about having a remap done, but advised to wait until everything is all settled down and then to have it done.

So she’s all good to go, ready to go for the MOT and then head out and about again and have some fun!

What an enjoyable days work, really great to meet Craig, his lovely wife Rowena and their gorgeous Beagle Marley, lots of doggy fusses! Big thanks to them for their warm welcome, hospitality and good chats while we worked. Plus the added bonus of glorious sunshine all day following a frosty start.

Big thanks also to them both so much for the Easter eggs, complete with mugs for more tea!

We bid our farewells and are now heading on up towards Aberdeen, currently on the A90, where will eventually find ourselves at our next home for two nights that we last stayed at a few years ago in Durris, Banchory. – https://ift.tt/wWncig5

Day 3 & 4 of Scotland trip.

Lochwinnoch, Kilmacolm, Kilsyth, Grangemouth…

A very short commute from our digs yesterday morning to see Neil, in Lochwinnoch, whom we had met last year to discuss his options and help him decide on whether to put his MGF 1.8 mpi (in CMU) back on the road having not turned a wheel for 5 years.

Cambelt service carried out, along with all other service items, hydragas pump up, alternator belt, new expansion tank cap plus we replaced the inlet manifold gasket as we had found when there last that it was weeping coolant.

All done and back to rights and now ready for the MOT and to enjoy some time on the road again.

Absolutely tipped it down all day, so again thanks to deployment of the gazebo we were saved from most of it. An earlier than expected finish we went back to our fab digs for a welcome warming brew and dry off.

A departure from our digs this morning to head over to Kilmacolm where it was lovely to see Bob again and his MGF 120 mpi (in JRJ) for the annual service and pre-MOT check. Unfortunately, for Bob one of the last things tested on an otherwise faultless car was the horn, which failed to work. So we replaced the rotary coupler/squib with one that we always keep on stock. So the car is now good to go again for another year.

Thank you, Bob for the trays of tea, hot cross buns and Tunnock’s! And always so lovely to have doggy cuddles with the beautiful Brodie, what a character.

From there we went over to Kilsyth where it was great to see Colin again and his TF 135 Sprint (in LEF). Underfloor coolant pipes replaced on this visit. Thank you, both, for the butties and mugs of Yorkshire tea!

Whilst I was sat in my admin mode yesterday afternoon (having had a weirdly early finish) I received a message from Stephen in Linlithgow asking if we could possibly come over when next in Scotland to check out an overheating problem on his TF 115 (in MBB). As we were staying over in the area and the car was actually at his work located in Grangemouth, near to where we were staying anyway this evening, we said we’d come over if the jobs today went ok.

We ran all our usual checks, and with the information that was given on the work recently carried out, we investigated various scenarios and found that cylinder 2 had a misfire, which was found to be down to ingress of coolant. At least we’ve managed to find a date to come back and sort for him.

Good to meet Stephen and have a chat, his TF had an interesting stable mate. A Panther, very nice!! No Jon we can’t buy it! (Tempting though 🤭).

So, we’re now in another hotel ready for our call to Craig in the morning a few miles along the road.

What a welcome contrast in the weather today, from a dry morning to a sunny afternoon and evening. Good day with lovely people and welcomes and their fab MGs.

On a very sad note, that I must end with,
we received a phone call from Ian Piper last night informing us that Donna McCallion had very sadly passed away from a brave battle with breast cancer. He asked us if we could share it within the MG community. I’m sure a lot of people will remember her from her involvement in her own Facebook group, her enthusiasm and ownership of a number of MGs. We are so terribly sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace Donna. 😔 – https://ift.tt/wWncig5

Day 1 & 2 of Scotland trip.

An early start on Monday with our first en route, which found us in the very peaceful location of Scotby, near Carlisle where it was great to meet John and to work on his 1998 MGF VVC (in JRJ).

The head gasket had failed, and the cambelt service was due so everything duly sorted for him. He had considered selling the car, but glad he invested in it, as it’s such a very quiet engine and a sound car. It was really interesting to chat to and meet his lovely mum, as John had to go.

From there we headed along to Gretna for our digs for the night.

This morning found us, on our first call of the day in Biggar, where it was great to see Mike again and his TF 135 for fitting of a soft-ride kit. Pleased to report that none of the bolts sheared off as the sneaky things can do! Great to see Mike’s smiling face when he came back from a test drive.

Thanks, so much, to Mike for all things Tunnock’s and the tray of tea. They will keep us fortified as we venture further north!

From there we pootled along through beautiful scenery behind a sheep trailer to Crossford where we met Bob again for work on his Trophy. Thanks to his lovely wife for her warm welcome and hospitality.

Cat replaced, oil change, plug leads replaced, speaker cover replaced and window cheater replaced that we found was broken on our last visit. On doing all of our usual checks found that the car was suffering from signs of the proverbial. So a date needed to return and sort, no time today to sort it, unfortunately.

For our last call today we were back in Glengarnock for work on one of Alan’s fab fleet. ‘Noel’ his TF 135, that he uses mainly as his daily car was in need of a new rear calipers and brake pads.

Really lovely to see Alan and Andy as always and have a catch-up, plus have big fusses with Bruce and Mabel (aka Molly). Thanks both for the many warming cuppas!

We’ve now arrived at some amazing digs for the next couple of nights, with the bonus of a very short commute in the morning to see Neil in Lochwinnoch. – https://ift.tt/1izmv0C