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Ellesmere Port today for work on Phil’s TF Spark, in Sonic Blue.

Head gasket replacement as the old elastomer one had gone. Plus cambelt, water pump and tensioner replaced. Alternator belt had certainly seen better days so a timely replacement!

Pleased to have had a workshop to work in as it was a bit of a dismal day!

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

Busy few days…

Monday found us in Kettering for some work on Martin’s tidy Trophy Blue TF 135. Both rear upper ball joints replaced. Minor service carried out, couple of other things sorted as we do.

We then headed further south to Luton as Eric’s ZR 160 was losing coolant. Traced it down to the heater matrix.

Back to the workshop that evening to take delivery of a TF 160 Spark, that had suffered some accident damage and was in need of some repairs.

We have made good progress with that over the last few days. Will post all details and pics once it’s completed and put through an MoT. This car is the same spec as ours that we have in as a doer upper.

Simon brought his recently purchased TF 135 over yesterday for underfloor coolant pipes replacement, minor service and a check over. Few other items replaced that were missing or wrong.

More done to the Spark today after delivery of a few things.

Camper packed ready to head over to Ellesmere Port in the morning.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

We would like to pay a tribute to our friend Lucie Bond. We were terribly shocked and saddened to receive a message from David this morning with the devastating news that Lucie passed away last night after a brave fight to breast cancer.

We had the pleasure of knowing Lucie as a friend, having met her 8 years ago when she asked us to come and work on one of her MGs, and continued to look after the many others that she owned over years. We bought one of ours from her, which will forever hold a memory of her.

Lucie was such a great character within the MG community and her help, advice and great wit will be greatly missed. She took huge pride in her cars and liked to keep them all in great condition, not forgetting some of the beautiful interiors her and David had fitted to them.

Our warmest condolences go out to David and their families and friends.

Bless you lovely lady, taken too soon, you will be greatly missed.

Rest In Peace❣️

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

TF 160 80th Anniversary edition in the workshop over the past few days, which was collected by Ben this afternoon.

Great to see this very good example again, that Ben is wanting to keep as original as possible and wanted to take preventative measures to keep it up to its good condition, so underfloor treatment carried out.

Ben had noticed that the oil and coolant were mixing, so head gasket also replaced. All up and running nicely with a very smooth engine. Squealing alternator belt replaced as the old one had a bit of a chunk out of it.

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

Left our fab digs, the Anglers Arms, in Choppington this morning and went over to Blyth.

Great to see Ian for investigation of the oil leak on his very tidy TF 135 (that was produced post the LE run). Found a minor weep out of the gear selector arm, all cleaned up and topped up the gear box oil.

Pegswood was our next stop and lovely to see Robert and Patsy again for work on their, also very tidy, Stepspeed. CVT oil strainer and oil replaced. One of the bolts on the sump was proving to be awkward, but after a lot of patience and persistence it came undone!

Thank you, Patsy for the amazing brownies, cakes and a very lovely surprise a Christmas cake to take home with us. So thoughtful and really appreciated. We look forward to having a piece, I will hide it from Jon until its unwrapping day!🎄

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

Big barn to work in today, in Northumberland, and great to see Robin again for work on his MGF and TF…

First up was the MGF 120 mpi in Nightfire red that we found to be a faulty temperature sensor to the gauge. The second one in two days. Also the ECU temperature sensor was only reading -150 degrees so kept over fueling the car, thinking it was cold, so this was also replaced.

Next up was the TF 135, which was failing to start and making all kinds of strange noises.

The cam timing was checked, code read with no errors found. Tried starting and succeeded the first time, but severely misfiring, so plugs changed, as they were really badly sooted up, coil packs and leads changed, still would only start randomly. The crank sensor was then changed and found to be the same symptoms so changed back. We think it could possibly be the fuel pump as it’s not sounding too strong and the pressure when released is quite low. Still strange though, as it also won’t start using ‘easy start’. First job is to replace the fuel pump and see what happens next.

Travelled up in the camper again so we could be self sufficient throughout the day.

Found some great digs just near Morpeth for the night, such a shame we can’t visit our relatives in the area though 😕

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

Main service carried out on Karl’s Trophy today, plus some other things, in Altringham.

We’ve been looking after this car now for approx 4 years since Karl bought it as a “full restoration” 5 years ago. It’s gradually getting to where it should be and we’re pleased to be part of its journey.

So cambelts replaced today along with the usual water pump etc, and interesting to see again this week the bigger of the water pump bolts snapped off and just left in the block! We, luckily, managed to remove the stud and replace with a new one. This may be the source of his coolant loss, Karl will keep an eye on things, but it may be the gasket fitted prior to his ownership that has gone again.

Also fitted today was a Daytona back box and tail pipes. The car had been converted to using a TF cat, but instead of blanking off the hole for the additional Lambda sensor on the TF it had just been left with a hole!

Coolant temperature sensor was found to be faulty whilst running the car up to temperature, replacement sensor fitted and that issue resolved.

Hard top catches fitted as these were missing. Some more bolts etc replaced. It’s all gradually coming together for Karl, next step is a respray at some point. Fab car, glad he’s kept going with it.

Great to see you today Karl, and have a catch-up. Glad you’ve managed to get the correct tyres ordered. See you next time!

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.

Busy day at the workshop. Aiden came over this morning for pre MoT check and then MoT done at Pickards. Bit of welding done by Jon that was required to the sill. Couple of other things sorted. Aiden and his wife and their dogs enjoyed a decent walk around the area whilst we were sorting their car, social distancing observed.

Bit more work done on the 160, including rear pads and discs replaced.

The Beast (camper) went over to Pickards for replacement of track rod ends, tracking and steering rack gaitor. Was a bit of a smoother and quieter ride home this evening!

Adam popped back over in his TF 135 as the EML light had come back on. Error code cleared and will see how it goes. He had, unfortunately, picked up a nail in his tyre at some point, so we supplied him with a replacement wheel and tyre.

Camper reloaded with all the gear ready for next week. Think we may have a day off tomorrow! 😃

Posted today to the
Rough Luck Racing Facebook page.