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An early start yesterday morning to head down to Great Leighs, near Chelmsford, where it was lovely to meet Pat for work on her really nice looking MGF 1.8 (in HFF).

Pat and her husband had previously owned a Metro and a Rover 200, both of which the head gasket had gone, so they just wanted this one sorting for peace of mind. New head gasket fitted, cambelt service carried out and new alternator belt fitted.

While we were there Clive Walsh popped over to meet us, we already had him booked in next March for some work, so it was great to put a face to a name, we look forward to seeing him again next year and working on his MGF.

After leaving our digs this morning in Braintree we headed over to Kelvedon, near Colchester where it was great to meet Vince.

Vince has owned his TF 135 (in JFV) for a number of years, which unfortunately had been stood for most of that time after suffering from some issues. Vince set about replacing one of the valves and refitting the head etc a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, after all his work and effort the heat activated bonding agent had not taken, resulting in failure of the gasket. So he asked when we would be in the area, as he didn’t fancy doing it all again.

On starting up though, with it having not run for a few years the fuel pump had seized. Eventually we got it running, but will definitely need a replacement pump, which Vince will source and sort himself.
It was really good though to get it up and running again for him after so long. Vince can now have some fun. Good reg plate!

Decent run back home, and a quieter night ahead. City centre pub on a Friday night in Christmas party season wasn’t the best choice, but really good digs all the same, in budget and Jon gave his steak a 10/10.

Looking forward to seeing everyone dropping off and picking up at the workshop tomorrow. – https://ift.tt/ytZhjl2

A very busy and productive few days at the workshop, getting everything done on time and a vision in red awaited us on Tuesday morning…

Steve’s low mileage MGF 143 VVC that he had brought over from Scotter on Sunday had its minor service done and replacement of underfloor coolant pipes followed by an MOT. A really nice example that we had previously replaced the head gasket on. Good to see him again today when he came to collect.

Patrick’s very tidy TF 115 (in CMU), also dropped off on Sunday with us, from Harrogate, and came in for underfloor treatment, check over of a few things, followed by an MOT.

We refitted the rear screen with his original that we received back from Ireland, Patrick said not to go to any extra bother, but us being us just felt it should be back with its original hood. It’s just what we do! 😀

Bob’s lovely MGF 1.8 mpi ‘Muffle’, also left with us on Sunday, came in for underfloor treatment and replacement of the underfloor coolant pipes. Once up on the lift we noticed that both front forward sills ends were pretty rotten, so Jon set about refabricating them. Everything looking really good again and ready for collection at the weekend.

We’ve still not been able to get the second lift installed, due to one thing and another, so it’s been a game of musical cars, shuffling them in and out!

A bit of time too today to get started on getting ‘Dirty Nancy’ track prepared, a full update on her when she’s ready to go!! I’m sure a few of you will remember her as Ruth Evans’ previous MG. We’re very excited about giving her a new lease of life.

Van stocked up with what we need, ready for a couple of days away, with an early start in the morning as we head down to Chelmsford. – https://ift.tt/H1D5ylj

A day off yesterday, well it was for me anyway! Jon went over to the workshop to receive the cars being dropped off for work this week.

We started off the week with couple of local calls today in Hull this morning.

Steven’s fab TF 135 was in need of wishbone replacement, as he’d found a bit of a hole in one of them when having a look underneath the car one day. Originally booked in for both, the other side was still solid. But while we were under there we noticed that the front subframe mount was a tad crumbly. So we replaced this with a stainless one.

Good to see him and have a fuss with the lovely Luna, we said our goodbyes and headed a few miles along the road to see Tony.

Jon had previously been to visit Tony for pump up of the hydragas on his very nice looking MGF 1.8 mpi (in JRJ). The car had recently dropped down on the offside. So we went armed with a couple of spheres.

It was very low and on our inspection found a couple of drips at the front. Sure enough, when we removed the sphere it was evident that it had leaked from the bottom seal. Replacement one fitted and pumped back up to the correct ride height and now looks a lot better.

Good to meet Tony and have fusses with his lovely woofer Bow.

A blue car day, with fusses with woofers (always good) no rain and enough time to enjoy a walk before the sun set. – https://ift.tt/gp35NYu

A busy, but productive and enjoyable day in the north east today…

Our first call was to High Felling, where it was lovely to see Rachael and Tony again for work on their TF 160 (in paint code CBT) ‘Katy’.

Cambelts, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced. The drivers side window had started to become a a bit slow and clunky to go back up. So a new motor was fitted and all the runners greased up, window now glides up and down with ease. So that’s Katy all sorted and tucked back up again.

Gary and Liam cam over from Billingham in their TF 135 (that we affectionately nic named Madam!) The heater control valve that we replaced last year was leaking again. Gary had sourced another one from DMGRS so we fitted this one for them, hopefully this one will last a bit longer. Great to see them both again.

Huge thanks to Rachael for her, as always, friendly and welcoming hospitality, not to mention the bag of gifts we left with! Felt like Christmas. We shall look forward to seeing what’s in there when we get home tonight.

After bidding our farewells to Rachael, Gary and Liam we headed up to Cramlington.

Great to see Alan again whose LE 500 was due it’s annual service. Plugs, filters and oil all changed.

Alan had noticed that the oil temperature gauge wasn’t working, so we swapped out the oil temperature sensor, although the ECU could read it the gauge still wasn’t registering. We then checked the power supply to the gauge which was all good, so it is due to a faulty gauge. One to be sourced and refitted.

He had also been having difficulty in getting 1st, 3rd and 5th gears, as the system operates in reverse we needed to lengthen the cable by an 8th of an inch, which has sorted that out for him. Really nice to have a cuppa and a catch-up.

We then headed a couple of miles along the road, where it was good to meet Andrew who was in the process of replacing the head gasket and cambelt among other things on his fab TF 135 (in Trophy Blue) that he had bought during lockdown. Having enjoyed many miles in it, the head gasket went so he set about the work as a bit of a project. Really nice to meet him and have a chat. We look forward to seeing the finished result.

After a very soggy start, and having to deploy the gazebo, the rain eventually disappeared after a couple of hours, and we had sun for the rest of the day. Now heading back home down the A1 with lots of snacks to munch on on the way. – https://ift.tt/1XdDSet

Our first call today was just outside of Chester-le-Street where it was great to see David again and his TF 135 Spark (in CEV).

Minor service carried out, new discs and pads fitted, rear window switch and relay fitted. We did go with a supply of wire for it and also for the speakers, but all wiring was already in situ, just not connected, so that saved us a job.

Thanks for the butties and the brews David. Hope the MOT goes well.

From there we went over to Coxhoe, where it was great to see Jason again and his fab TF 160 80th Anniversary edition (in PBT).

Cambelt service time again, both belts, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt all replaced. We spotted very small hole with a bit of staining around it on one of the hoses, sure enough on pressure test it was leaking. Replacement hose duly fitted and new clips have sorted it.

Thanks so much, Jason for the box full of all the things that we like! So very kind and thoughtful of you. Nice to have a munch as we head back home, with a slight detour to the workshop to pick up some bits for tomorrow.

Luckily we had dry weather all day, considering what a deluge we drove through on the way up this morning. – https://ift.tt/d0QZ6rx

Huddersfield this morning, and thankfully the weather made a bit of an improvement, after hearing torrential rain in the early hours.

We ventured back to see Andy and his Rover 25 to replace the head gasket. Plus, we noticed last time that the radiator was past its best. Andy had bought a replacement, so we fitted this for him today too. Good job, it was a lot worse than thought when we took it off, it was the original one so had certainly done it’s time. Fab car, really pleased to have everything sorted now for Andy.

From there we went back over to Sheffield, as our visit to see Tony last week had been delayed due to the hideous weather.

Underfloor coolant pipes replaced with stainless ones and a minor service carried out on his great looking MGF 120 mpi (in JRJ). As is found sometimes with underfloor pipes replacement you can sometimes get a half to one litre air lock, if you’ve counted them in at least you know it’s there. Even though you get coolant out of all three bleed points it does sometimes take a bit of finding. Normally jacking the rear of car up and down helps.

Great to see Tony again and have a chat and a cuppa while we worked, car now all good to go! – https://ift.tt/Y3zAqDn

Our last call on the road this week was in Burley in Wharfedale where it was time for David’s TF 135 (in MBB) to have the cambelt service done. Almost 5 years ago when we were last there, seems like longer, good to see David again .

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, plugs, filters, alternator belt etc all replaced. The brake fluid was also changed.

Yesterday morning, Thursday, found us in Tickhill, near Doncaster where it was great to meet Lenny for work on his MGF 1.8 mpi (in CDX). Unfortunately, not long after buying the car the proverbial happened. So he parked the car in his garage until we were able to get there. Glad he had a garage as tad dismal when we set off and slowly worsened. So pleased to see that he did have a garage as I think the gazebo would have provided us with the minimum of shelter!

A nice car to work on, with no other issues found and an enjoyable morning chatting to Lenny.

We had planned to go back and see Tony in Sheffield, for work on his MGF, but the weather was too bad, so we agreed between us to go back on Monday, hopefully when the conditions are slightly better.

We hardly ever give in to the weather, if we did we would never get anything done, but lying under the car on axle stands on a sloping drive in torrential rain just didn’t seem like the best plan. Thanks for your understanding Tony, look forward to seeing you again next week.

Wednesday morning we ventured up to Langtoft for full cambelt service etc on David’s MGF as all booked in and confirmed, but it seems he forgot to check his diary.

We, therefore, arrived a little earlier than planned at our next call in Beverley, where it was lovely to meet Adrian, who had asked if we could come over and check over his TF 135 for some issues he’d been experiencing. On carrying out our usual checks it was found to be head gasket failure, which he had suspected. The underfloor coolant pipes need replacing too. A date booked in at the workshop for Adrian to bring the car over, and do whatever else needs doing should we find anything.

One of the places where we were storing some of our cars needed their space back for a while, so we drove 4 of them over to the workshop, all started up first turn of the key. Really must find time to get these sorted and sold. Well one of them will be our dedicated track car, as was the plan. Looking forward to getting ‘Nancy’ ready for some fun at Cadwell Park next month.

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow for collection of their cars. Hopefully the rain will stay away for the day. ☀️🤞 – https://ift.tt/KXYqvyW

Paul’s LE 500 (paint code 109) completed today, following a few things that were picked up on on the last MOT.

One, of which, was the reluctor rings that would have inevitably caused a problem with the ABS, as they were corroding very quickly. This is a problem we have come across on a few occasions with the LEs. We replaced the rear drive shafts along with the front stub shafts.

Rear brake pipes replaced, and clutch pipe and flexi section all replaced too. Good to have the car back in again and get everything sorted out for Paul.

Great to see Peter and David today who drove over from Ashton-in-Makerfield today in the TF 160 that Peter bought from us last year for a remap. ‘K-maps’ map all done with a few subtle pops and bangs! Lovely to have a chat and a brew with them both.

The TF 135 that we had in for Fiona and Jason had, we discovered, signs of head gasket failure, so they asked if we could do this for them while we had it in. All done and sorted today for them and the car does sound a lot smoother.

Back on the road for the rest of the week, taking in Driffield, Beverley, Sheffield, Doncaster and Wharfedale.

Then it’s back at the workshop on Saturday morning for collection day! Best stock up on the teabags! Hope the weather is as good as it has been for top down drives home for everyone. – https://ift.tt/06LImrg