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Mg Tf - Winter Project Ready For The Spring


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#1 LukeH

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 11:31 AM

Hi everyone.

 

Not content with 4 long years restoring my mini cooper mpi (nearly finished), I decided to pick up another small'ish project for the winter. It is a 2003 MG TF 1.6 that requires a bit of work to get it back up to a good standard. These share a lot of the same parts as my MPI so I know what I am taking on, certainly where the ECU/fueling etc.. is concerned and I have previously owned a 1.8 VVC MGF that I blew the head gasket on.

 

This car has had loads spent on it recently including re-conditioned head, reinforced head gasket, starter motor, clutch, radiator pipes but unfortunately the previous owner did not renew the water pump when the head gasket was replaced. It is now leaking and requires a strip down and cambelt off to replace the pump. Fortunate for me as it was very very cheap at £300 and it's road legal although MOT is due and tax can't be transferred now.

 

TF_Start_Point.jpg

 

 

The keen eyed amongst you might have noticed the odd rear wheel which is a later square spoke where as the other 3 are round minilight style. I will probably source a matching round spoke or change all the wheels but haven't decided yet. It's not a top priority.

 

Work to do;

 

1. Replace water pump / cambelt

2. Replace rear windscreen - has a tear but hood is in excellent condition

3. Strip and clean interior

4. Respray Front and rear bumpers - paint flakey from previous accident damage repairs.

5. Replace offside rear wheel

 

 

Cheers for looking

 

Luke.


Edited by LukeH, 24 November 2014 - 11:45 AM.


#2 Mini-Mad-Craig

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 02:23 PM

Great looking car. I have always been torn between an F or Mx5 gen-1. I prefer the cute face of the Mazda but think I'd choose the MG based solely on my MG-Rover roots.

All the best with the project, following.

#3 LukeH

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 03:17 PM

Great looking car. I have always been torn between an F or Mx5 gen-1. I prefer the cute face of the Mazda but think I'd choose the MG based solely on my MG-Rover roots.

All the best with the project, following.

 

Cheers.

 

I agree that the MX5 is a nice looking car and probably better suited to modding but the MG's are fairly cheap, handle well and they do have those MG-Rover roots as you say even though at times making them awful.



#4 Mini-Mad-Craig

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 05:29 PM

And charcoal grey, what a colour!

#5 Chance

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 06:20 PM

Some cheap ones of these about now

I am tempted by one but I have too many cars already (all mg rover)

Then again mg rovers are cheap enough to buy and maintain...maybe I can fit one in :D

My favourite wheel for the tf is the ones fitted to the 'cool' editions

Great buy!!

#6 Tamworthbay

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:08 PM

I have a set of 16" MG hairpins you can have dirt cheap if you need set of wheels. I could with making some space.

#7 Chance

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:23 PM

I hate to be the barer of bad news but the tf has 95.25 pcd I believe

Same as my Rover 100

Hairpins are 4x100 I think

#8 Tamworthbay

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:26 PM

I hate to be the barer of bad news but the tf has 95.25 pcd I believe
Same as my Rover 100
Hairpins are 4x100 I think

yup they are, came off a 25. Didn't know the f's were different. That's a shame.

#9 LukeH

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:43 PM

Shame but yes it is a 95 pcd and wheel choice is limited. Mgf and TF are the same so are montegos and metros

#10 LukeH

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:44 PM

This is actually a really dark metallic blue rather than charcoal grey. My last one was charcoal grey.

#11 LukeH

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:47 PM

Some cheap ones of these about now
I am tempted by one but I have too many cars already (all mg rover)
Then again mg rovers are cheap enough to buy and maintain...maybe I can fit one in :D
My favourite wheel for the tf is the ones fitted to the 'cool' editions
Great buy!!


Do it you know you want to! :-)

#12 Ben_O

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:48 PM

This is great

 

I was offered one of these last year for £300. It had failed it's MOT on emissions.

 

I was really tempted but ended up passing up on it.

 

I still regret it

 

Best of luck with it

 

Ben



#13 LukeH

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Posted 24 November 2014 - 08:50 PM

This is great
 
I was offered one of these last year for £300. It had failed it's MOT on emissions.
 
I was really tempted but ended up passing up on it.
 
I still regret it
 
Best of luck with it
 
Ben


Having owned one a couple of years ago for a few months before the head gasket blew I can honestly say they are great fun. Being pushes along by the rear wheel drive and mid engine is a nice feeling.

#14 LukeH

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Posted 25 November 2014 - 03:50 PM

Small update - 25/11/14

 

- Car cover purchased from Argos for a bargain £15.99 minus £5 voucher I had, so £10.99. It fits really well as if it was purpose made for the MG so should keep the worst of the bad weather off the hood/paintwork.

 

- Water pump and cambelt kit ordered and I think I will attempt to fit it over the Christmas holiday as I have nearly 2 weeks off.



#15 Black.Ghost

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Posted 26 November 2014 - 10:15 PM

Love it. I know many sway to the MX-5, but I have always preferred these and the F. Every time Summer rolls around I find myself having a look. 

 

A friend had a MGF 1.8 non VVC I believe it was. Really nice little car. Until it met a barrier on a motorway that is. 






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