Author: Jon & Claire

Thank you so much to everyone who came to see us on our ‘first’ stand at Pateley Bridge for Harrogate MG Clubs show.

It was really great to see you all and to meet new people and enjoy the time to have a chat. A proud moment for Jon and I. Thank you to our friends for the teamwork in setting it up and taking it all down, you know how much we appreciate it. Brilliant weekend all round.


Thank you to Maureen Hallam for giving us the inspiration to do this, we weren’t ready for it last year but so glad we took the opportunity to do it this time.

Looking forward to next year to do it again.

Trip up to Borrowby in convoy and lovely to meet Tim for suspected head gasket failure and cambelt service on his really lovely looking TF160 in HFN. After some inspection we discovered that the radiator fan had no power although fuses were all ok, we went looking for relays, with no luck there, although when plugged in with diagnostics we could trigger the fan and power it up for a brief moment. Still a mystery but will consult the wiring diagram and speak the guru Mark Stacey this weekend in a field in the Dales.

All now set up in a field with fab friends ahead of a great weekend for Harrogate MG Club show on Sunday.

Louth was our location today for clutch replacement and clutch release arm replaced also on a TF135 in Trophy blue. Great to meet Mike & Angie, a really enjoyable day, good conversation and a constant stream of cuppas thank you. Glad you can finally get out and enjoy her!

Whilst in the area we nipped across to Rimmer Bros with a few moments to spare before they closed to get restocked on a heap of things.

A long but very productive day today, just back home now from the unit. Subframe dropped out of Daisy and everything transplanted into the new galvanized subframe with new clutch, new flywheel, lightweight crank pulley, slave cylinder, 4-2-1 manifold fitted. All holes in the galv subframe tapped out. All looking great and ready to go back into the car.

Great to receive Sean’s TF135 in Celestial Blue for underfloor stainless pipes and anything else that we spot before he comes to collect her next week.

Fab having a bit of a monogram day, though we may have to think about a second lift!

Just set off for home after a busy one today, first call was in Finningley, Carl had contacted us from New Zealand to ask us to do some work on his two cars. First one today was his beautiful looking low mileage ZR160 in Mirage for full cambelt service. Always a bit more awkward with the water pump, particularly when it’s an aircon model. We then checked over his ZS160 (following an MOT failure) for various things to be done on our visit next week.

From there we went over to see Brad in Scholes for further investigation of an oil leak on his recently resprayed TF160 in Orange Grove. Cam seals on the short belt side replaced. Engine fully degreased. As with all oil leaks this may be trial and error. Car looks amazing, looking forward to seeing it at Pateley Bridge all polished up!

We then went over to see Suzanne in Great Houghton as she had discovered a slight coolant loss from underneath the car. Underfloor pipes had spring a leak so these were replaced with stainless. Couple of other bits done. Great to see you again Suzanne, thanks to your Mum for the refreshing much needed cuppa!

Great day at the unit today and lovely to receive Paul and his fab looking MGF 143 for a few things. Jan-speed manifold fitted with all its usual awkwardness.

Underfloor pipes replaced, power steering reset, slave cylinder replaced and system bled. Additional radiator fan wired in, extra key fob coded, oil change and oil temperature sensor replaced, hydragas adjust and alternator adjuster bracket fitted.

Bless Paul had brought all his cleaning gear to give TS Elliott a good old polish but the garage hadn’t carried out the MOT!! Massive shame, thank you anyway Paul.
Really great to see you as always. Thank you for the beautiful homemade cookies! Best ever!

East Hunsbury in Northampton today for full cambelt service on a well loved and spotless very low mileage TF120 steppy that also needed the CVT oil and strainer change.

What a lovely day in the sun meeting Gary, Chris and their beautiful Poodle Margot.

Tons of cuppas to keep us hydrated, thank you. We we were supposed to be looking at his fab looking MGC GT and doing compression test etc, but Gary had managed to resolve the issue.

Back on the M1 now and heading home catching up with emails etc.

Hamsterley, near Bishop Auckland was our first visit today for cambelt service on Colin & Pam’s lovely looking TF135 in xpg, all going well until one of the engine mount bolts sheared off, when the car had been worked on previously the bolts had been put in cross threaded! To add more frustration the spare engine mounts and bolts we usually carry were in the trusty van! All other things done and all ready to go when we return next week on our next run in the north east. Lovely to meet you both and we will see you next week.

We then continued a bit further north to Seaburn to meet Alison and her sister for cambelt service on Alison’s newly acquired TF135. Big thanks to Rod Anderson for the recommendation. Hope you have lots of fun in her Alison with the lovely MG crowd in your area.

We then ventured on to Hartlepool for replacement slave cylinder and release of clutch arm on Lucie’s TF160. Shame to have missed you Lucie.

Great news today though, the Rough Luck Racing trusty steed is now ready for collection with its rebuilt engine! It’s been a long 6 weeks considering it was only supposed to be 2!
Can’t wait to be reunited & get back to rights.