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this morning, bit of a change to the original plan, we were supposed to be there yesterday afternoon…

Yesterday mornings job, in Cardiff, took a lot longer than anticipated. We had priced up the job with Chris a few months ago, as he was unhappy with the repairs that had previously been done elsewhere.

So, as planned, we returned to carry out the job yesterday. Chris had sourced two replacement front sills. These were to be cut up to make into rear sills, which was handy, as the more the sills were cut into, the worse the problem got.

The thing to bear in mind is that the sills, when new, are only 0.8 mm thick. So if you can imagine, after nearly 20 years even a quarter of a mm of rust leaves you with just over half a mm of steel, which makes it very awkward to weld to.

Long, full day spent, with Chris being happy with the result. Chris will be carrying out the filling and spraying on this very nice looking, original 1995 MGF.

Unfortunately, poor Jon ended up suffering from Arc eye. We found the nearest A&E in Cardiff and, after the usual waiting time, got him sorted with drops etc. and eventually got back to our digs at 1:00 am. Thanks to Jan & Andy for the caring offer of picking us up 🤗

It was lovely to meet Mike (and Bella), in Pontarddulais, this morning where we diagnosed and replaced a leaking water pump, which sorted the coolant loss issue, he had been experiencing on his very tidy TF 135. Whilst there, we noticed that the alternator belt had definitely seen better days, so this was replaced. Minor service carried out and code read and clear of error codes. A few other checks done.

After a call in to see Jan & Andy in Pontypool and have a bit more of a catch-up and a cuppa, we now find ourselves in Droitwich for the evening, with today’s job being put off until tomorrow…

Good luck if you followed all that! 😳

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What a really good day, bit of a late blog…

We left Bath this morning and headed over to Burnham-on-sea, where it was lovely to meet Nigel for cambelt services on a couple of stunning cars from his fleet, a TF 135 that he had owned from new, sold to a friend and then bought back. Plus a MGF Trophy, that he had recently purchased.

Thank you, to Nigel for the many cuppas and treats, very welcome.

We then went over to Pontypool, for replacement of both rear subframe mounts on a TF 135 that Andy has in, good job Jon enjoys a challenge! As is usual, a couple of the bolts sheared off. So the welder etc was deployed to sort. Working by torch light, but at least it can go for its MOT tomorrow.

Really great to see Jan and Andy for a much needed catch-up. 🤗

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A very tidy TF 135 to work on this morning in Warminster…

Phil had bought the car at auction last year and wanted everything sorting to make it sound, plus he had noticed signs of head gasket failure.

So head gasket and cambelt service carried out. Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless as his were a bit on the rotten side.

Fab car with lots of great additions and in super condition and low mileage.

We then went over to Trowbridge for cambelt service on Matt’s TF 160. When we got there discovered that the head gasket had gone, so after a phone call to Matt, it was decided that we would return to get everything done all at the same time, including underfloor pipes etc. Another very good looking car with very low mileage.

Last night in Bath tonight and then heading over to Burnham-on-sea in the morning.

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We went supplied with a TT exhaust for Mark’s fab MGF in Bristol this morning…

Rear brake upgrade from Will Naylor fitted, ABS mounting bracket fitted, passenger side door hand replaced and some other bits and pieces. Exhaust fitted and looks very nice and shiny!

Shame not to see Mark though, as he had to go into work. Thanks to William for the tea and biscuits.

Weather a marked improvement, which is always good ☀️

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First call this morning was in Conventry, where it was great to meet Richard, for what was originally booked in as a head gasket replacement, on his MGF 143, which looks fantastic after its recent respray.

Richard has done a load of work on the car, all credit to him, but unfortunately the PRT and the hoses were fed in such a way that they would have caused the car to overheat again and cause the head gasket to fail once more. So with our supplies on board we managed to get everything reinstalled.

Old thermostat also removed and replaced with a straight through disc.

A few final sensors to replace. ECU coolant temperature sensor and an oil temperature sensor which Richard will do. Car now running nice and smooth. Just a bit annoying that the radiator fan is permanently on.

Great to meet you Richard, thanks for the steady stream of cuppas and cake! Plus thank you for buying one of our fleeces 😀

We then ventured further south, to Bicester, where it was great to finally meet Phill, for head gasket replacement on his fab looking TF 135.

All gaskets replaced, and, after sorting out a sticking throttle body, car up and running nicely again, much to Phill’s relief as it’s his daily runner.

Now on our way to our digs in Bath 🛀

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This fab Rover 100 ascot se 1.1 in at the shop today for clutch replacement…

Whilst it was with us we bled the front brakes and replaced the alternator belt.

What a fab car! Nice to have a little test drive in it 😀

Really great to see Simon and Amy again.

Swap over of tools and parts to the camper ready to head south west in the morning.

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As planned, when we were there last week, we squeezed Chris in this morning, in Huddersfield, to get him sorted with a couple of his cars…

Chris managed to source a couple of replacement hydragas pipes for his lovely MGF Trophy as the one in the car was blocked up.

The first one we tried to disassemble for the section that we needed. Unfortunately, the threads stripped and it couldn’t be used once it had been separated. So we used the complete pipe and replaced it front to back. Car now up to the correct ride height and looking good!

We then investigated what was occurring with his TF 160 for an issue with stalling, when being driven. Our diagnostics showed that the throttle was closed too far. The stepper motor was then recalibrated from position 99 to position 21, which would then also allow it to open wider for cold starting. Car ticking over nicely now.

Back to the workshop to continue work on the two visitors we have in from Scotland. The stepspeed is almost done and the TF 135 has a few more things still to do.

A very productive day and good to see the sun ☀️

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Working almost on the doorstep to Brooklands this morning…

Great to see Andy again for a couple of things on his TF 135. Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless and the drivers door lock wasn’t working so this was replaced too.

Shame we couldn’t pay a visit to the museum, always a fascinating place.

We then went over to Carshalton for more work on ‘Betsy’, Jamie’s Midget conversion project that is gradually coming together piece by piece. Jon carried on with the welding.

Always good to see Mark and Jamie, great to have a chat. Thanks to Mark for relieving me of ‘fire-watch’ so I could go for a walk.

Another day on it tomorrow and she will be a bit further on. As mentioned in previous posts it’s always so good to see Jamie’s enthusiasm and ideas for this car. It’s great to be part of it.



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