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Bit of an update on one of the cars that came to us from Scotland…

Bill’s stepspeed was couriered back to Livingston a couple of weeks ago, having had a bit of tlc in the workshop, new drive plate, cambelt service etc, as mentioned in a previous post.

Bill has just been in touch, saying that he has just finally had chance to drive the car and it’s all going extremely well.

Prior to the cars return, we had the car professionally detailed with our fantastic neighbours, at Black Sheep Customs, as we were away when the car was being collected. Thank you to them for fitting us in at such short notice. Some shots of their fab work!

#blacksheepcustoms

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Well that was an easy day, up at the workshop for a couple of things…

Lovely to see Adam and his brother again, Jon fitted a new cat to Adam’s TF 135, that’s definitely starting to get there, as he ticks all the things off the list of things to do to get his car right. The new bumper looks very smart.

Richard dropped off the engine, that he wants us to transplant into his new car. Great to see him and his boys.

A nice early finish, time to relax and looking forward to a day off tomorrow! 😀

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What an enjoyable day in Gillow Heath, Stoke-on-Trent, for work on a very nice condition ‘54 plate TF 135.

Great to meet Ian, who had noticed a slow loss of coolant in the car, and after taking the engine cover off he had seen bubbles coming out of the engine over the gearbox.

Head gasket replacement and cambelt service carried out, few missing and corroded bolts replaced. The inlet manifold gasket was missing and had been daubed with sealant, so this was cleaned up. The engine mount bolts were seized solid, so rather than risking shearing them, we went to plan B, which was successful.

After clearing an assortment of error codes, on the ECU, the engine quickly settled down and now sounds nice and smooth.

R.I.P. to Prince Philip, who sadly passed away today, and who was a previous owner of an 1949 MG TC.

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Durham for our first call this morning, and good to meet Roger, for work on his lovely looking MGF 1.8 mpi.

The car had been losing coolant for sometime, with very little signs of head gasket failure. Though just recently, the coolant levels had fallen more significantly and the oil level had risen. On removing the cam cover it was clear that the oil was emulsifying with the coolant.

Head gasket replaced, and all other gaskets replaced, plus cambelt service carried out. Roger was so pleased to have his car back up and running again ready for the summer months.

From there we went over to Westerton, near Bishop Auckland, where it was lovely to see Mike again and his MGF 143 VVC, bit of an unusual one as it is running MEMS 3 ECU. We last saw this car about 3 years ago when we replaced the clutch. This car was bought, from our late friend Lucy, as a Father’s Day present by his wife. So it was great to see this fab little car again, which is now named ‘Merlin’.

The alternator had seized and the bearings in it had collapsed. On trying to remove it, found that the bolt was stuck in to the mounting. Finally, after various methods, it was successfully removed. Recon alternator fitted and voltages back to 14 with the engine running.

Another very chilly day, but spent in lovely company and lots of welcome warming cuppas.

On a very windy A1, but only an hour away from home now.

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We finally managed to get down to Bedford this morning and get the gear cable replaced on Dan’s MGF.

The short cable (forward to back motion) had snapped. So pleased to get him up and running again, thanks to a change in the diary and a slot opening up.

All running nicely again after Dan had a quick test drive.

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A very tidy, low mileage MGF 143 VVC in Desford, Leicester this morning…

Great to meet John who had got in touch, back in January, asking if we could come and work on his car. He has owned for the last couple of years, but recently had noticed oil in the coolant.

Head gasket replacement done and cambelt service carried out. A Mk II elastomer gasket had previously been fitted with plastic dowels.

All sorted ready for John to enjoy some days out when the weather improves again.

From there we went headed north and went over to Sprotbough. Steve and Marie had got in touch as ‘Ellie’ had decided to spring a leak. As suspected, from Steve’s description of where the drip was coming from, it was the spring clip on the PRT that had lost its spring. This was duly replaced and on subsequent pressure test no more leaks.

Another enjoyable day with fab people and cars, despite the very chilly conditions. We drove back through quite a few bad squalls on the way back. The old bus was rocking about a bit! 💨

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A snowy start to the day, but fortunately it didn’t hang around long…

Although it was a bit of a biting wind in Sharlston Common, this morning, for full service on Chris’s TF 135.

Cambelt, water pump etc were all well overdue, so these were all replaced, plus alternator belt that had seen better days. A few things advised on to get the car sorted and made sound for use throughout the summer.

We then headed over to Harlington, where it was lovely to meet Keith, who had been experiencing problems with his TF 135, with the emissions light being permanently on. The local garage had changed the post-cat Lambda sensor and the cat, but had failed to clear the error codes. Error codes now cleared and they didn’t return. Checked the voltages coming out of the Lambda sensors, all found now to be ok. Good news for Keith as no major issues to be dealt with today.

Date booked in, at the workshop, later in the year, for underfloor treatment and a service.

Nice to meet Elsa and Bob too, I was happy share my mug of tea with Elsa, and play ball with Bob, a dachshund with a fab personality!

Earlier than expected finish, which was nice as it made up for the early start, in order to replenish the stocks in the camper, first thing this morning. A chilly but enjoyable day 🥶

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Well that was a good finish to a long week…

Wolverhampton this morning for clutch replacement on Nathan’s lovely TF 135, that was originally owned by his dad.

Nathan had heard a bit of a bang,
when driving the car home one day and lost all drive, so wasn’t sure whether it was the clutch that had gone or a seized release arm.

It was quite clear what it was, once the old clutch plate was removed!

New one fitted and all back running again nicely.

We then headed north and towards home, with a call in our village, North Ferriby, to see Alister and Bob for hydragas pump up on their MGs, handy that they’re neighbours! Both super condition and looked even better sat waiting for us in the sun.

Trip to the local co-op to get some food, yep you guessed it, steak for tea for Jon! 🥩 The eye is healing very well I’m pleased to report.

Good to be home after a long and interesting week away. Great people and great cars. ☺️

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