Author: Jon & Claire

Great to see Mark again today In Conisbrough with his new acquisition. Got himself a bit of a gem, a TF135 that had obviously been very well cared for in its previous life.

We went to do head gasket, cambelt service, underfloor pipes and generally check it over.

Dronfield was our destination this morning to meet Scott for cambelt service on his TF160, he has really got it looking fantastic. We also changed the gearbox oil and replaced the Rez pack. He had also sourced a spoiler, so asked us to fit that while we were there, it really suits the car. Really great morning and thank you Scott for all the cuppas, hope you have lots of fun this weekend.

From there we went to see Geoff in Grimethorpe who had called us yesterday regarding a problem with his starter motor. New one on stock on the van, but investigation proved to be a dodgy connection on the starter solenoid. Also whilst there resealed the half way connection on the dipstick. Car looks really good since our last visit.

Kingswood, Hull today to see Gaz for head gasket replacement on his MG ZR160.

He had thought it had been going for a while. All sorted and back up and running nicely. Took a bit longer to do with having aircon. Heat shield over the exhaust manifold had disintegrated, fortunately had one on the van that we had been given by Andy in South Wales so that was fitted.

We are really happy to announce, after a few years of searching, that today we signed the lease on a brand new workshop. This will focus on major renovations and bigger projects that we can’t always complete on a driveway in one day, of which we have been asked to do many times and unfortunately had to turn down.

We are also planning a limited number of cars to be fully mechanically renovated for sale.

We will still, however, be predominantly carrying out our mobile work.

The site has been chosen for its security and ability to provide a body shop, MOT station and salvage yard on the same Industrial Estate.

For now it remains quite a sparse interior until we’ve fully kitted it out, lifts etc all ordered & to be delivered. Sign will be on the wall soon too.

Bookings have already been taken and we’re very much looking forward to adding these new services to our already extensive range. Keep up with what we are doing here on the blog and over on our dedicated MG Restorations page.

We look forward to holding an open day sometime soon and welcoming you all there.

On our way home now on the A66 after cambelt service in Carlisle for Steve. When we were there a couple of weeks ago doing the clutch, underfloor pipes, service etc we had tried to undo the engine bolts, but they had obviously been put in with a windy gun and were seized solid!

So we returned today knowing it was going to be more awkward than normal. We tried heat on the bolts and a big bar, then we resorted to removing another section of the engine mount instead. This worked enough to be able to slip the timing belt through a small gap. Few more bits for Steve to do then he will be putting it through an MOT.

What a great day in Accrington today with Robert for cambelt service on his spotless TF160.

Bob had fitted a secondary fan to the radiator that he wanted to be able to work with the existing wiring and have an override and that would also go off with the ignition. This was all wired up and fitted with a double fuse system, this makes it as safe as possible.

Brake fluid change also done.

Can’t believe it was 3 years ago when we last visited for the head gasket. How time flies.

Kettering was our first call this morning to see Lee for initially full cambelt service and rear caliper replacement on his Trophy. When the plugs were removed we noticed there was moisture on top of a couple of the pistons and the plugs were wet. So we put the boroscope down and saw coolant collecting at the front edge of the piston. Previously the car had been stood for five years, we don’t think it has been run with a weeping head gasket but possibly it had corroded whilst stood. After discussing with Lee he thought it was a good idea to replace the gasket whilst we were there. We look forward to hearing how the MOT goes.

We then went on to Desborough to meet Chris for hydragas pump up on his lovely looking MGF VVC. The car was looking rather low so will now be a bit more of a comfortable ride and able to negotiate the speed bumps more easily!