Set off a couple of weeks ago in my recently acquired 74 (auto) Stag. I spent the past 4 months (with a lot of assistance from my travelling friend (MGB V8) doing preventative maintenance/fault finding (repairing) and generally replacing items where budget allowed-on my car. The list below covers roughly what was carried out
Suspension - Struts/springs refurbed front - replaced rear
Filters
Fuel pump replaced
Bearings
Hoses
Gaskets
fuel line replaced
Carbs serviced
Radiator overhaul
Header/expansion tank
Brakes - replaced all components
Diff leak
Replaced anti roll bar
Water pump replaced
Electrics overhauled
New bumpers s/s from Vietnam. Quality item
So with confidence abound we set off. Ferry from Tyneside to Holland then drove into Germany then back into Holland, through Belgium and down to Normandy. World Wars tour, covering approximately 2,000 miles. Not a problem with either car until the day before we returned to the UK. I noticed a leak into what had been a consistently dry V.
Water was coming from the Thermostat housing unit. I had most things in my tool bag except for hex key. The hotel handyman came to my assistance and let me use his. So using liquid gasket the problem was soon fixed. Interestingly the gasket to this unit was replaced during the work I carried out prior to the trip, and the remnants of the gasket after the leak was similar to soggy paper maché and I did not anticipate the gasket failing so soon. Acquired from Rimmers. Anyone had any similar problem?
So the following day drove to Chunnel - was impressed with train. 33 minute journey and back into Blighty. Set off for the long trek home to the NE. Got onto M20 and got stuck in a jam. After 2 minutes going nowhere noticed steam coming from under bonnet. Had a quick look and decided I could not trace the leak and it was quite a significant one. So called recovery service and what an efficient service that was courtesy of Grove & Dean insurers. Was back home in 7 hours. Car is garaged up awaiting diagnostics when I return from work in 2 weeks. Temperature gauge showed no sign of overheating so hopefully damage to block may have been avoided. Will keep you posted of what I find
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Suspension - Struts/springs refurbed front - replaced rear
Filters
Fuel pump replaced
Bearings
Hoses
Gaskets
fuel line replaced
Carbs serviced
Radiator overhaul
Header/expansion tank
Brakes - replaced all components
Diff leak
Replaced anti roll bar
Water pump replaced
Electrics overhauled
New bumpers s/s from Vietnam. Quality item
So with confidence abound we set off. Ferry from Tyneside to Holland then drove into Germany then back into Holland, through Belgium and down to Normandy. World Wars tour, covering approximately 2,000 miles. Not a problem with either car until the day before we returned to the UK. I noticed a leak into what had been a consistently dry V.
Water was coming from the Thermostat housing unit. I had most things in my tool bag except for hex key. The hotel handyman came to my assistance and let me use his. So using liquid gasket the problem was soon fixed. Interestingly the gasket to this unit was replaced during the work I carried out prior to the trip, and the remnants of the gasket after the leak was similar to soggy paper maché and I did not anticipate the gasket failing so soon. Acquired from Rimmers. Anyone had any similar problem?
So the following day drove to Chunnel - was impressed with train. 33 minute journey and back into Blighty. Set off for the long trek home to the NE. Got onto M20 and got stuck in a jam. After 2 minutes going nowhere noticed steam coming from under bonnet. Had a quick look and decided I could not trace the leak and it was quite a significant one. So called recovery service and what an efficient service that was courtesy of Grove & Dean insurers. Was back home in 7 hours. Car is garaged up awaiting diagnostics when I return from work in 2 weeks. Temperature gauge showed no sign of overheating so hopefully damage to block may have been avoided. Will keep you posted of what I find
image.jpg
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