MG Rover Addiction - is there a cure? - Page 4

marinabrian · 10th May 2018, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas

Meet the new addition to the family, a 22 year old MK1 MGF in flame red...

I have always wanted to get my hands on one ever since I attended the MG car show at Athelhampton House, so I've been on the lookout ever since.

Ideally I wanted one in the colour red with the cream leather interior, plus chrome anti-roll roof bars and with a hardtop. I've fulfilled nearly 3 of those 4 requirements, so I'm somewhat a happy chappy.

She is not perfect, but she has been garaged all her life which has aided towards her good looks, she ain't bad for 22 years old.

The wife said to me only last week that she wouldn't mind one of those MG sporty soft-tops. Well! that was all the persuading I needed. So yesterday I presented her with this sporty little number, I gave her the keys and said off you go... and I haven't seen her since.

The pouch has already taken ownership.

Your dog is too small to be driving Wes, plus they enjoy the passenger seat much better

Brian

Groundsman Willie · 10th May 2018, 23:22

The guy I bought my 75 from was building a home brew turbo conversion mgf. He'd been at it for a couple of years, not sure if he was going to finish it to completion as he was emigrating.

klarzy · 11th May 2018, 06:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Rover

Have you tried the drug called Ford yet highly recommended.

No cure for rust yet how ever.

First car I owned was a mk1 escort mexico..

Lancpudn · 11th May 2018, 06:45

Nice one Wes

, the car looks to be in really good shape.

Dallas · 11th May 2018, 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinabrian

Your dog is too small to be driving Wes, plus they enjoy the passenger seat much better

Brian

Look at that great expression, total enjoyment

These little dogs seem to love the open air dont they, we couldn't get ours to come out, she was staying put.

MSS · 11th May 2018, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fusilier

Wes

Yes still got mine, currently tucked up in Man Cave with cover over it.

and one of the most important things in my opinion is to check the underfloor pipes and if steel then get them replaced with a set of stainless steel one's.

Stu

That is really not very nice - you should sell it ASAP at a lowish price.

Please let me know when and where it's advertised as I may feel kind and help you out.

Fusilier · 11th May 2018, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by mss

That is really not very nice - you should sell it ASAP at a lowish price.

Please let me know when and where it's advertised as I may feel kind and help you out.

Sorry, sadly not for sale, and don't think I will ever sell it, had the car for 14 years and have covered 6000 miles in that time, and it now has a new bigger brother sat next to it in the man Cave

Stu

MSS · 12th May 2018, 04:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fusilier

Sorry, sadly not for sale, and don't think I will ever sell it, had the car for 14 years and have covered 6000 miles in that time, and it now has a new bigger brother sat next to it in the man Cave

Stu

I really do admire your taste in cars, Stu. I remember seeing pictures of your S type in silver a couple of years ago and commenting on it being an absolute beauty.

Dallas · 16th May 2018, 21:44

Well! It has been one week of ownership with this little MGF, and so far I am looking at spending hundreds of pounds to put several things right.

She certainly isn't shy at coming forward, but she is being very difficult in telling me exactly what is wrong, or unless its me not reading her signs correctly.

She's an old girl at 22 years old being one of the first mk1 MGF's, and she is in need of saving it seems. The two main issues are O/S rear sill is badly corroded which will need cutting out and seam welded etc, then there is her engine whine when warm (either waterpump, tensioner or something else). Had the aux belt off and the whine/drone is still present, I cant even inspect the cambelt due to the two top bolts are knackered, they just turn and turn. This is obviously going to make a new belt, waterpump and tensioner change difficult as the cover will not come off...

I've had quotes from £250 all the way up to £1000 for each job

garages services down this way live on a different planet, soon Dorset will not have any cars left on the roads due to the excessive garage repair bills down here.

I'm in a catch 22 situation, the previous owners who are a lovely couple have said the head gasket including new radiator has been done, cambelt including waterpump along with a new clutch has also been done. The work was done by the owner, so there are no receipts to show the work was ever carried-out. I have no reason to disbelieve them as they seem like honest and friendly people.

The head has obviously been done as she drives lovely, she doesn't overheat and the water level stays at the weld seam in the expansion tank, plus there is no smoke, no mayo in the oil or filler cap. We have driven her everyday this past week, taken her for long journeys and she just eats up the miles.

Her under carriage seems solid, no severe rust, its just the O/S rear outta sill skin that has suffered. The arches and vents are good, just one small bubble section has started on corner on rear arch. Is it true that the early MK1 MGF's are the ones to have, as they dont suffer rust as bad as the TF's, subframes etc?

I even ordered her a hardtop to help keep her dry in the winter months, but this has arrived damaged, so yet more problems. There are a few other bits and bobs that will need doing, but the small jobs are the ones I like

I really want to bring her back to a good standard, but the money involved is what's going to be the deciding factor, paying these extreme garage prices is whats going to make it difficult.

I'm just not sure whether I'm sitting on a ticking time bomb, does anyone have any ideas on how to get the timing cover off without damaging it, the bolts just keep spinning?

Dallas · 17th May 2018, 19:58

I've been busy not fixing the whine noise

instead I thought lets retrim the door cards.

If Edd China can do it, well! so can I.

You can buy these leather trim covers on ebay for £50, but I thought I can make them myself for a few pounds using fake leather...

This is the result.

They originally looked like this...

Some hard work doing the dirty stuff...

Some more cutting... and

... this is the end result...

10th May 2018, 23:22	#32
Groundsman Willie Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8t Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Newbury Posts: 842 Thanks: 783 Thanked 423 Times in 264 Posts	The guy I bought my 75 from was building a home brew turbo conversion mgf. He'd been at it for a couple of years, not sure if he was going to finish it to completion as he was emigrating. __________________ Dave

11th May 2018, 06:45	#34
Lancpudn This is my second home MG ZS EV Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 15,587 Thanks: 4,591 Thanked 3,427 Times in 2,565 Posts	Nice one Wes , the car looks to be in really good shape. __________________ Blessed are the tea makers. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3b...auto-2000_auto

16th May 2018, 21:44	#39
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	Well! It has been one week of ownership with this little MGF, and so far I am looking at spending hundreds of pounds to put several things right. She certainly isn't shy at coming forward, but she is being very difficult in telling me exactly what is wrong, or unless its me not reading her signs correctly. She's an old girl at 22 years old being one of the first mk1 MGF's, and she is in need of saving it seems. The two main issues are O/S rear sill is badly corroded which will need cutting out and seam welded etc, then there is her engine whine when warm (either waterpump, tensioner or something else). Had the aux belt off and the whine/drone is still present, I cant even inspect the cambelt due to the two top bolts are knackered, they just turn and turn. This is obviously going to make a new belt, waterpump and tensioner change difficult as the cover will not come off... I've had quotes from £250 all the way up to £1000 for each job garages services down this way live on a different planet, soon Dorset will not have any cars left on the roads due to the excessive garage repair bills down here. I'm in a catch 22 situation, the previous owners who are a lovely couple have said the head gasket including new radiator has been done, cambelt including waterpump along with a new clutch has also been done. The work was done by the owner, so there are no receipts to show the work was ever carried-out. I have no reason to disbelieve them as they seem like honest and friendly people. The head has obviously been done as she drives lovely, she doesn't overheat and the water level stays at the weld seam in the expansion tank, plus there is no smoke, no mayo in the oil or filler cap. We have driven her everyday this past week, taken her for long journeys and she just eats up the miles. Her under carriage seems solid, no severe rust, its just the O/S rear outta sill skin that has suffered. The arches and vents are good, just one small bubble section has started on corner on rear arch. Is it true that the early MK1 MGF's are the ones to have, as they dont suffer rust as bad as the TF's, subframes etc? I even ordered her a hardtop to help keep her dry in the winter months, but this has arrived damaged, so yet more problems. There are a few other bits and bobs that will need doing, but the small jobs are the ones I like I really want to bring her back to a good standard, but the money involved is what's going to be the deciding factor, paying these extreme garage prices is whats going to make it difficult. I'm just not sure whether I'm sitting on a ticking time bomb, does anyone have any ideas on how to get the timing cover off without damaging it, the bolts just keep spinning? Last edited by Dallas; 17th May 2018 at 20:04..