Year: 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

This week at the workshop found us with another of John’s fab fleet in for some work. His TF 160 in the ‘1 of 1 paint’ was dropped off with us on Sunday and we ran John back to Selby.

Full underfloor treatment carried out, brake flexi hoses fitted all round, and a service. There was a bit of a bigger list, but not as much of it required in the end. Gave her a bit of wash today for some pics, and now all ready for John to collect on Monday.

Great to meet Connor who had bought himself a Rover 25 1.4 to use as his commute car for his new job that he starts on Monday. A lovely looking and very low mileage car with only one previous owner, Connor wanted peace of mind knowing that the car was sound. The cambelt service was overdue, so we replaced the belt, water pump, tensioner, aircon belt and alternator belt, spark plugs, oil and all filters.

Connor also wanted to know the emergency access code, so we hooked up the p-scan and downloaded it for him. A real pleasure to meet him and have a chat.

We had prepped for a Rover 75 Tourer coming for a full engine swap, but this is postponed for now. So amongst other things, not the usual crazy full on week we’re used to, just a full on one.

Looking forward to a weekend off to spend with family for a special occasion, which will make a lovely change being clean and scrubbed up!

Then we look forward to seeing Tim again on Monday afternoon, when he delivers his TF 160 to us from Cornwall for a few things next week…

Weather was a bit kinder this week. Have a great weekend everyone. 😀 – https://ift.tt/keFBs1j

HELLO! 👋

For all recent enquiries sent via EMAIL could you please check in your JUNK or SPAM folder as it has become apparent that that’s where our replies have been dropping into! 😫

A tad frustrating for both parties! 🙄😲😵‍💫

🤷‍♀️🤷🏼Don’t know why, a peculiar anomaly it seems, so apologies for any seemingly long delays in anyone receiving their replies. 😮‍💨🧐 – https://ift.tt/UkAsh5w

Our last call of the week was in Darlington, yesterday morning, when we returned to get Nev’s 160 sorted, that we assessed a month ago, when we were in the area.

Nev had bought the car from a dealer that had intended doing it up, but then the cambelt went and subsequently had been left sitting for 3 years. Nev, having owned MGs in the past and currently owning a TF 135, spotted it and thought it was maybe worth a shot to see if it could be saved, despite not knowing the extent of the damage. It had 4 bent valves, and a heavily skimmed head, but fortunately no damage to pistons or liners etc.

So yesterday we fitted with a replacement 160 head, plus a new thermostat and housing as the one on it was leaking was a bit gunked up. All gaskets replaced along with all belts and water pump.

New flexi section fitted too as the old one had certainly seen better days.

The car fired up on first turn of the key. But, when running up to temperature there wasn’t any warm air coming through from the heaters. Traced back to the oil cooler being blocked, so a bypass was put it in, which solved that. What a great result in a very smooth sounding engine, definitely worth investing in. Nev will sort out the underneath and then next will get the bodywork done and he’ll have himself a pretty decent 160.

Great to see Nev and Carolyn as always. Big thanks to them for a steady stream of warming brews, along with butties, biscuits and muffins to keep us going on another long and nippy day. Another one saved, which is fab!

Lovely to see Bob today who came over to the workshop to collect his TF 135 and also John who dropped off his TF with us for work next week. – https://ift.tt/nFZbTwO

Our work took us over to Fotherby, near Louth, this morning where it was really great to meet Colin for work on his TF and his ZR race car.

Colin had rescued this great looking TF 135 Anniversary (in HQM) from a scrap yard in Southampton. He’d realised it was something special, despite looking in a bit of a sorry state, so brought her home and fixed her up and asked if we would come over and carry out the cambelt service.

Next up was his ZR 160, that he’s enjoyed racing over the last 5 years, throughout the UK, which was also requiring new belts.

What a really interesting and enjoyable day chatting to Colin and working on his cars. We’ll hopefully get a plan together to see him on track this year.

Another Baltic day, but so glad of his fab workshop to work in that’s got a ton of history in it, accompanied by gallons of tea! Thanks, Colin. Great to meet puss too.

An amazing sunset on the way back, but not enough daylight to do my usual walk back over the Humber Bridge to home, roll on lighter nights and warmer days! – https://ift.tt/qzkwSoH

Monday morning and we got started, bright and early, on these fab three that were dropped off with us at the weekend.

Graham brought his TF 160 (in MNX) down from Gosforth for a full cambelt service, underfloor treatment and a remote battery isolater to be fitted. Great to see this car again and also to see Graham who travelled down today to collect. We waved him off for a top down run back to the north east.

Bob brought his TF 135 (in JGY) over from Beeford for full underfloor treatment. Good to see this car in again with us, and we look forward to seeing Bob and Lis at the weekend when they come over to collect. Let’s hope there isn’t a huge dumping of snow for them.

Simon brought his TF 135 (in MBB) over from Howden. Good to see this one in again, and also to see Simon and Sal this afternoon, when they came over to collect, following welding to the offside sill, replacement of the alternator, minor service and an MOT.

A busy and productive three days. Great to get everything completed this afternoon and good to be in the shelter of the workshop on another very chill cold spell. Hope everyone has stayed safe on the roads. – https://ift.tt/uVf7pYO

Dursley was our first destination yesterday after departing from our really fab digs in Saint Mellons, near Cardiff.

It was great to meet Rod who had got in touch to see if we could come over work on his TF 160 (in HFF) that he’s owned for the past 10 years and enjoyed many trips around the UK and abroad in.

We replaced the head gasket, and carried out the cambelt service for him. Really nice car to work on with no issues. Plus we were so pleased to find when we arrived that he had a garage as we weren’t looking forward to another soaking!

From there we went on to Gloucester where it was lovely to meet Jack who was needing the hydragas pumping up on his fab 1.3 Metro, that he had learnt to drive in and had kept hold of. Now the car is back to the correct ride height, he will be getting out in her once more.

On to our next digs a few miles along the road, another great spot that we last stayed in during lockdown when we got back on the road again.

I had a cracking walk first thing to our call this morning, but unfortunately when we got there the chap wasn’t in as there had been a bit of confusion over dates. Not to worry these things happen, at least it we had an earlier than planned trip home, which was good to get back and see our very chatty cat! We’ll see Brian later in the year when we venture down that way again. A good few days on the road to kick-start the year.

Looking forward to seeing a few people tomorrow for drop-off day at the workshop. – https://ift.tt/SXkKLfp