Year: 2023

Hereford…

We left our digs in Hambury this morning and headed down to Hereford where it was lovely to meet Philip for work on his ‘02 TF 135 in paint code HFF.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, fuel filter and underfloor coolant pipes all replaced.

Really interesting morning chatting to Philip about his history with cars, his TFs stable mate was a fab MGB Roadster that he’d carried out a full restoration on back in 2004-06.

Thanks to Philip for the really interesting book, cuppas and an amazing lemon cake that his wife had baked. What a beautiful spot he’s in and the sun even made an appearance, making an enjoyable morning’s work.

We bid our farewells and headed on to our next destination for the evening. – https://ift.tt/rY359xv

Droitwich Spa…

Our first call of the week was for work on Matt’s 80th Anniversary TF 160 in paint code MBB. The car hadn’t run in 4 years, what with Covid and house moves etcetera, so Matt was keen to get her back on the road again.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, spark plugs and all filters changed for him, along with alternator belt, brake fluid change and fitting of rear discs and pads. (Matt had done the fronts). Lovely to meet him and have a chat. He’d first seen us working on a car when we had carried out the head gasket on Verity’s Steppy, quite a few years ago now, outside a hotel in Bromsgrove when the Pride of Longbridge event was cancelled due to bad weather.

Really great to see Steve Cotton too, having just recently moved around the corner, who popped over to say hello.

Diabolical weather all the way down this morning, but fortunately it stayed mainly dry while we were working.

We said our goodbyes to Matt and headed a few miles along the road to our digs for tonight. He’s looking forward to getting the car MOT’d and getting out and about on some runs, no doubt with his neighbour at some point who we’re sure will have some plans afoot! – https://ift.tt/rY359xv

Back to it, after a fantastic long weekend away at Pateley Bridge for the Harrogate MG Club show and fun with friends, Tuesday morning found Jon back at the workshop for a few things. Then we were back on the road for the rest of this week.

Wednesday found us in Lincoln, with the first call of the day at John’s, for a full cambelt service on his TF 135 (one of the post LE 500 run cars). We resorted to our Plan C as one of the engine mount bolts sheared off, fortunately we always carry a spare mount in the event of this happening to save on a return journey. Replacement mount fitted and all good to go again. Nice to see John and thanks to Lynn for the bag of snacks.

We then headed a couple of miles along the road where it was good to meet William, and have a chat while we worked, undertaking full cambelt service on his ‘01 TF 135 in paint code LEF.

From there we headed another few miles along the road to Michael’s, where it was good to meet him too, for minor service and brake fluid change on his 2011 TF 135, another post LE 500 run car in paint code 291. The car had a very nice stable mate, a Morgan Plus Four that Michael and his wife will be touring Europe in this summer. Forgot to get a pic unfortunately, though we did get to have a sit in it, what a beautiful car, I can imagine they will have an amazing trip. We also had some friendly feathered neighbours while we worked.

Thursday found us over in Barnsley for work on an ‘01 MGF Freestyle in paint code CMU, that had been parked up for a couple of years. Initially booked in for brakes all round, we found that they were all like new. One of the rear calipers needing freeing off. The alternator was shot, so we replaced this. The suspension pumped up to the correct height. We then found that the cambelt service was due so we carried this out, plus we gave the car a check over prior to it going in for the MOT. Lovely to meet Charles and Denise. Charles is looking forward to getting the car back on the road and taking his granddaughter out for a spin!

Today, Friday, found us on our first call of the day in Stockton-on-Tees, where it was good to meet David for work on his MGF 120 mpi in paint code CAQ.

Head gasket replacement and cambelt service carried out for him and the car is all sorted for him. The gasket had gone in cylinder number 3 that had been nicely steam cleaned.

Then from there we headed over to Loftus, where it was lovely to see Karl, as always, for cambelt service on his ‘04
TF 135 in paint code MBB. Where did the last 4 years go?! Good to have a chat with him before we headed home.

So good to have a welcome change in the weather, let’s hope it stays like this for a while. Have a great weekend everyone wherever you may be. ☀️ – https://ift.tt/rlWowpg

Harrogate MG Club – Annual Show 2023

Nidderdale showground, Pateley Bridge.

Always a fantastic show, the rain thankfully held off for this years event, with a decent turnout of cars from around the country.

Really great to see so many friends and have good catch-ups with everyone from far and wide.

The Dave Challis Jazz Trio were brilliant at entertaining us all as they roamed around the showground playing their instruments, including a serenade too!

Great to have Maggy as a neighbouring stall holder with her fantastic crafts ‘Burn Baby Burn’.

Some fab cars on show, I did manage to have a wander and take a few pics.

Big thanks to Maureen and Colin and the team of organisers for hosting another successful and enjoyable event. We look forward to next year. – https://ift.tt/acnGvmk

Our last job of the week was up in Hartlepool, yesterday, for work on Andrew’s ‘03 TF 160 (originally in paint code LEF).

As Andrew used to paint cars for a living he transformed the look of this car with a ‘Renault red’. We had previously seen a photo when he’d popped it on our Facebook page, but it looks absolutely amazing in the flesh, a really stunning finish to it.

He’d got in touch a few months ago as he’d noticed that it was showing signs of the head gasket having gone. The cambelt service was also due, so this was carried out for him along with replacing the head gasket.

While we were there he asked if we could fit the Toyo exhaust manifold and flexi section that he’d had sat in the garage for a while. Originally meant for an MGF the Lambda sensor fitting had to be adapted to make it fit.

On firing up we found we only got decent heat to the heaters on a few revs, and also the coolant temperature wasn’t going up or down as it should. This was all caused by a blocked oil-cooler, restricting the flow to the back of the thermostat. Bypass put in place and car running up to temperature as it should.

Andrew also asked us to fit a replacement alternator on his wife’s ‘04 MG TF 115 (in paint code CBT) as that had been out of action for a while too.

Happily, both cars back up and running again for them.

A long, but really good, day meeting and chatting to Andrew, while we worked, who provided us with a welcome flow of tea!

A good way to round off a busy week, now time to enjoy a couple of days off, I wonder where that will take us. 😄 – https://ift.tt/pkVncfT

Busy few days at Norris Garage…

We got cracking first thing on Sunday morning with the gearbox swap on Mick’s MGF 1.8 mpi as planned. The heat shield over the back box had come adrift, so new brackets were fitted, which involving removing the old captive nuts and welding in new threaded sections to support it. Good to see Mick and Sammy as always when they came over on Tuesday afternoon to collect.

Dave came over from Hull on Monday with his ‘04 TF 115 for a check over. The expansion tank was blown so we got one ordered in and fitted it for him today. Really good to see him and have a chat, plus he came armed with a box of Jaffa cakes!

Head gasket replacement also carried out on Neil’s ‘05 TF 160 (in paint code JFV). Great to see him and Barbara today when they came over from Colne to collect.

Matthew came over from Seaham in County Durham on Tuesday morning in his ZT 160 V6, that he’d recently acquired from his father, for a health check. Really good to meet him and have a chat.

Lovely to see David and his wife for a chat and a cuppa when they came over to collect his TF after its clutch and head gasket replacement.

Stephen dropped off his MGF 1.8 mpi (in paint code CAQ) that he’d recently purchased from Matthewson’s.

A few things sorted for him; hydragas lift, emergency access code and central locking repaired, slave cylinder replaced and clutch-release arm eased off, drivers side sill repaired and alternator cover fitted. So she’s all good to go for him to enjoy having days out in with his wife. Lovely to meet him and his son Simon and grandson.

An early start this morning, when it was great to meet Gary who came over from Goole in his recently purchased ‘06 TF 115 (in paint code CEV) and wanted us to check it out to reassure him he’d not bought a bad one, having only seen a couple of photos of it. Far from it, the car has a very low mileage is like new. How did however want the underfloor pipes replacing with stainless, which is always a good move. Minor service carried out too and the car is good to go for him to
enjoy.

I think I’ve remembered everything…

Oh yes that was it, we were also asked to sort the head gasket on a rally car, when we had a chance. So we got cracking on that yesterday afternoon, unfortunately, on removing the head it has a fair amount of fire-ring damage so has been sent away for skimming. More on that one later. Fab car though and would love a blast when we’ve rebuilt it!

More developments also on Mik and Sarah’s MGF that has been in with us for investigation of non-running, pleased to say we’re almost there with it, few more tests to do and full report later.

Wish this grotty weather would sort itself out, everyone is a bit fed up of it now, fingers crossed it clears and all the car shows planned don’t get cancelled this coming weekend. 🌧️ – https://ift.tt/PSiV6Wp

A bit of everything this week, we did have a couple of days off, after our last northern trip just to rest our aches and pains!

Then back to it at the workshop on Wednesday morning…

David came over to the workshop from Holton-Le-Clay, for cambelt service on his ‘05 TF 135 in paint code CEV. Great to see him as always and have a chat while we worked and to see the photos of the TD that he’s just bought, what a great looking car, hope to see it in the flesh next time.

Anthony brought over his ‘02 TF 160 for some work that we’d noted needing sorting when he had recently been over for a health check & service, having not long taken ownership of. The front suspension top arm replaced, plus top ball joint as both were definitely past their best.

Back on the road on Thursday, that found us in Droitwich for work on Mick’s ‘00 MGF 143 in paint code MNX, that he’d owned for three years, but unfortunately for the last 2 had been sat as the head gasket had gone.

Head gasket replacement and full cambelt service carried out, along with free off of the clutch release arm and new slave cylinder. The back screen was split so we went armed with a replacement for them which we duly fitted. Cars all now back up and sorted for them, ready to take to for the MOT and for Mick to enjoy once more. Great to meet everyone!

David had driven over from Spilsby on Wednesday to leave his car with us for some work, where we could fit it in next week, so this morning we decided to cracking with it. Initially booked in for clutch replacement, he mentioned that he’d recently noticed a bit of coolant loss. Once in the engine bay, it was evident what the problem was, with significant pink staining from the head.

Clutch replaced, along with a new slave cylinder, clutch release-arm eased off and all gaskets replaced. With a decent mileage, trips abroad and David having done quite a lot of auto-testing in the car,
she’s all good to go again for lots more fun!

Anthony & Olivia came over to collect his TF, ready to take it to the classic car show at Chatsworth House tomorrow.

Neil and Barbara drove over from Colne to leave their TF 160 with us, good to see them for a quick chat before they headed off. Head gasket replacement to be done over the next couple of days.

Mick and Sammy drove over from North Yorkshire to leave Mick’s MGF Anniversary with us for gearbox swap etc, that we will be cracking on with in the morning. Good to see them too, for a chat and a cuppa.

📝 Just as a foot note, as we never like to make a drama out of things…

We would be grateful if appointments that are booked in with us could be cancelled when an alternative booking has been made with another company. It’s entirely down to choice who people wish to use, completely understand that, but just let us know, so that we can offer the date to someone else.

We’re fortunate in that it rarely happens, but such a case this week, of a somewhat sensitive nature, has come to light.

Much as we love our work, it’s not a hobby, it is our livelihood.

Have a lovely weekend everyone, at least the sun has made an appearance for the odd moment. – https://ift.tt/lr9oigJ

Gateshead & Darlington…

Day 7 of 7 – Latest Tour North.

A busy, but also very sociable last day on our trip.

Only a few miles along the road from our digs we found ourselves at Rachael and Tony’s for some work on their ‘04 TF 160 ‘Katy’ in paint code CBT.

A recent advisory on the MOT for top ball joint, this was replaced, and Tony thought it prudent to do the other side whilst we were there. The roof was leaking quite a bit, as the seals had gone along the cant rail, they’d managed to source some new ones, so Jon set about replacing these. Oil change carried out and the alternator belt replaced, as she was behaving like an opera singer!

Great to meet Tim who came over in his ‘04 TF 115 for fitment of a remote battery isolater, as his battery had been running down and had heard about the benefits of these.

Susan came over in her ‘02 TF 160 ‘Racey Tracey’ for replacement of the alternator belt too, as not wanting to be left out of the operatics! Great to see Susan getting out and about again.

Despite the horrid weather it was a really good morning, seeing everyone whilst we got the cars all sorted.

With big thanks to Tony and Rachael for their hospitality organising breakfast for us all, lovely to sit down in their garden and have a chat. Thanks, also to them for my birthday presents, from the gang, so thoughtful.

From there we headed further south, to Darlington, to see the ‘Chairman’, Terry’s MGF 75th Anniversary.

Flexi brake hoses replaced all round for him.

Great, as always, to see him and Craig and have a catch-up. We were sent away with some beautiful produce, from their allotment, and cake for Jon. I’m now looking forward to doing a bit of cooking and baking on our next couple of days off.

Back home now, feeling a bit tired, but nonetheless another great trip, full of amazing cars, so many lovely people and fab locations. Thanks to everyone for making us so welcome, wherever we have been. – https://ift.tt/gCFz4fq