Welcome to Steve's amateur garage, hopefully helpful videos on classic car maintenance and up keep. Concentrating on my MG TF, VW T2, Ferrari 360 Spyder and Jaguar E Type, but we are always looking to expand our collection of interesting cars. Hopefully we can impart hard learned advice and encourage like minded individuals to go for it and take the plunged into classic car ownership, with all its up's and downs ! Being a true amateur mechanic and car enthusiast, you will be able to follow my adventures, maintaining, restoring and living with a variety of cars. Hope you enjoy the ride.
I’ve recently changed the front bearings of my TF using the same kit, I did it slightly differently by clamping the large nut in vice with the long bolt from the kit sitting vertically and the hub horizontal.
Hi, Many thanks for your comment, I agree, had issues with the sound, possibly too loud and it distorted so put the music in, I will know better for the next one. Regards Steve
I have just come into possession of on MG Midget ( year 1971) and was interested in your comment about the ignition light being on. My ignition light is on constantly, is that a problem?
Hi, Many thanks for your comment, most appreciated. Usually the red light would indicate the alternator is not charging the battery, so be careful you may find the battery will run down. On my MGTF the red light came on while driving home one evening, I got about ten minutes of driving before it final coughed a spluttered to a halt, almost made in home!
@@SteveMoore-360 Think my midget has a dynamo rather than alternator. Just not sure if the ignition little red light is supposed to stay on all the time.
Hy Roger, in Germany was a Owner with an 1970 ots, series two with a towbar in the 80th and 90th, he got permision by the registration Office for 1360 kg. I by myself construted for my 2+2, as well from 1970, a towbar, original was this build for the Ford Siera, and that one can tow 1450kg. Wishes, Dieter
Hi Roger. Many thanks for your comment, always appreciated, that’s an easy one to answer, it towed our family caravan, we had 3 or 4 years of caravan holidays up and down the country when we were growing up, they were the good old days. Regards Steve
Good morning Steve, really a very good video. You showed with full physical contortions how this construction is constructed and attached to the E-Type. Was this towbar available for purchase through the accessories distribution or was it customised. Something like that in the UK, had it to be accepted by a MOT Inspection Workshop and the Goverment Car registration Office. I would like to keep in touch with you directly via e-mail regarding the e-type. Let me know if that would be possible. About your E-Type, do you know the you Tube Channel from Maikel Lemke? He is a Friend of me and we playing together with the Parts and E-Type components. Thanks for your perfekt Video. Best wishes, Dieter
Hi Dieter, Many thanks for your message, glad you liked the video. Please feel free to contact me directly on stevemoore3@hotmail.co.uk I think the tow bar was made specifically for my dad’s car by a local engineer, he had a marine engineering firm and would have been capable of making one off tow bars for all types of cars. Yes I watch your friend Maikel, he is very knowledgeable and interesting to watch. Look forward to hearing from you. Regards Steve
I think that you’ll always regret selling it ; I prefer the coupe to the roadster, as do many. History and originality obviously cannot be replaced and one in this unrestored condition must be a very rare example. If it were mine, I’d do what I could myself to get it running and then get the bodywork sympathetically restored by a specialist. There are so many mint examples around which look amazing but lack character. If you keep that lovely patina I’m sure you won’t regret it.
Nice selection of classic cars and a great day out! The Ferrari looks stunning, although I do really like your e-type, thats my kind of car, I dont mind it being slower! Regards.
Is there any after Market products to stop the leaky roof on a rainy day 🤔, such as specialized roof seals?....(I've seen some videos of leaky roofs)..🤔...
Hi Karl, No I do not know of any after market products for roof seals, but I do use Wurth Rubber Fit, it helps to revive rubber seals, use it regularly. It will never stop a leak but I am sure it helps. Regards Steve
Hi Karl, Yes, my ball joints were replaced about three years ago with Hill Engineering ball joints, they are much better than the originals and not had any knocking so far. Regards Steve
Hi Steve, an wonderful early and very original e-type. I‘am going on in the moment on a restauration of an early hadertank and aswell i change a Brand new hadertank, made out of brass, to a stile, looking similar to the originals with the weldet flange around. Regards, Dieter
Hallo Steve, i‘am Dieter from Germany. I owner of as well an 2+2 Jag, but it‘s a series 2. I konstracted a towbar for my E-type to tow our 1971 Caravan. Can ey get from you more Information and picture‘s from You about the towbar on your E-type? Best regards. Dieter
Hi Dieter, Thanks for asking, I may shot another video this weekend and show the tow bar in detail. Will upload it next week and I hope it will help you. Regards Steve
Beautiful e-type. Credit to your brother. Engine bay looks stunning. Nice exhaust manifolds. Do those triple carbs stay in tune for long or do they need regular tuning?
Hi Roger, I will have to get back to you later in the season on that one as Tony only acquired the car end of last year, so hopefully he will take it out a few times this year, weather permitting and then we will discover how reliable it is. Thanks for your comment most appreciated as always and watch out for more E Type content coming soon. Regards Steve
Thank you. Seeing so many 21st century Ferraris in one place was enlightening for me. I begin to understand why Frank Stephenson rated the Roma higher than the 296. Also, the 360 looks more like another model instead of a 25 year old design. No one mentions fuel consumption but can the 360 really be as thirsty as 11 mpg city and 16 mpg highway?
Hi Many thanks for your comment most appreciated, you are right the 360 still looks like a current design and yet it is 23 years old. I still say wow every time I take the covers off it. Have not checked the fuel consumption, will have to do that but 16 mpg on a steady run seems a bit low! Regards Steve
Appreciate the video. I have a 360 and need to replace the shock absorber bushings (Silent Blocks on top, bushings on the bottom). Are they pressed in? If so, can they be carefully "tapped" into place with a socket that fits over the end of the bushing? Also, are they cemented with Hysol epoxy? Lastly, must the spring be compressed to remove the shock absorber from the car? Thanks.
Hi, Many thanks for your comment, most appreciated. Firstly the shock absorbers can be removed from the car without compressing the spring. I have not replaced any Silent blocks or the bottom bush, but the workshop manual says push them out with a press, no mention of glue to reassemble. Ball joints yes, glued back into place. Hope that helps and good luck with the job. Regards Steve
I’m only three minutes in and I’m already thinking , geez….you can’t sell it. You have to restore it! Or maybe do something like Chuck @ Monocoque has done to a similarity rested car and sympathetically recommission it.
Hi, Many thanks for your comment and yes I am sure the daily use had helped its reliably. I have had a few Audi TT with similar mileage but the alarm will have stopped working, the radio will definitely have been changed and the key fob will be intermittent! The little MG is starting to impress!
Seems a pity to sell the Jaguar but if you get more enjoyment from the Ferrari then maybe it's time to have a spring clean. Looks like you have your hand full with all the others! Happy Easter bytheway.
Hi Roger, Good to hear from you as always, yes plenty of jobs to keep me entertained, probably for a lifetime! Just thought I would throw the E Type offer out there and see what , if anything comes back! Happy Easter to you too, I am off to the garage for a full day of rubbing down. Regards Steve
That family provenance you have with the Jag makes me surprised you'd part with it for anything. 30k is pretty reasonable for any E Type these days in my opinion and from the sounds of it that is only a three owner car? People do also get fixated on mileage and I'm guessing that doesn't have that many having been laid up for so long? I'm with the concensus and a partial resto to roadgoing standard would be my suggestion too. Running and driving would certainly make that 30k look cheap and likely wouldn't take that much work, might be worth doing that to get more for it if you decide you do want to sell after all? TF is looking good, my 160 is at about 97k but has been used all winter so will need some pampering in the next few weeks, bit of surface rust on the sill and some above the rear bumper in the centre which I am guessing is where the bolt goes through. Will have to get after that soon as keeping on top of it early seems to be easier than a big fix. Still an absolute hoot to drive so hope you enjoy yours again very soon now she's out.
Hi, Good to hear from you as always, yes keeping on top of the bodywork issues early is far easier than tackling it later. I am sure using the TF as my daily driver has helped in the reliability stakes, it is really pretty good. I will take the hardtop off soon and enjoy some open top motoring. Regards Steve
My other half swears by ko-cho-line leather dressing. Used it on some of my straps and boots and it is pretty good, worth a try to help the strap longevity?
Having recently subbed as you know, I've just been slowly catching up with your other content. For me, that's a no-brainer Steve, the provenance and family history mean you just have to restore it. That won't be cheap or easy but it just has to be done, what a wonderful machine it is. My other half has an MGB GT that her grandad bought new and we do whatever we can to keep it running and driving - and this is where things like these need to be, out there on the roads being driven and inspiring new people.
Hi, Many thanks for your comment, most appreciated and thanks for watching my videos. Consensus of opinion seems to be not to do a full nut and bolt restoration but do a sympathetic get it back on the road restoration, the idea is growing on me, will make a decision soon. Regards Steve
Hi Malcolm, Many thanks for your comment most appreciated, I will let my brother know about the red light choke warning light, and I believe he has purchased a replacement header tank. Roll on summer!
So could have done with this video about eight months ago when I tackled mine on the drive. I swapped that inner spacer and bolt for the Mike Satur stainless kit as that's such a heavy corrosion area, I wanted to make future swaps easier. I had no tool that could get purchase on the curved underside of the arm so ended up having to lever it off by popping it off the ball joint with a 4ft crowbar.... joy!
Hi, Many thanks for your comment and subscribing, most appreciated. Well done on swapping that arm out on the driveway, that’s never easy. Please watch out for more MG content coming soon. Regards Steve
Hi great car with your family history. I would keep it, fix it to roadworthy and get a MOT. Then enjoy it, fix things a long the way but don´t start a full restoration at this time of your life, I got myself( 67 years) a Mercedes 219 2 years ago and first year I had no time or money to get it moving but last year within 2 months it was MOT and I enjoy it a lot as a driving barnfind. I sold a 230SL to a friends approximately 20 years ago . He will be finished with the pagoda this spring. At his 80 years birthday. I dont have to write more. Good luck with the Jag
Hi Kim, Many thanks for your comment, most appreciated and very wise. Glad you are enjoying the Mercedes and hopefully we will have many more years left to enjoy our cars. Regards Steve
Hi, Many thanks for your comment, most appreciated. The re conditioned engine had a slightly larger capacity, Not sure why the cable did not just slot right back into place, but it would not, the small adaption I made to the throttle pedal lever has been working well, so far ! Regards Steve
The car appears to be complete, and that’s a rare thing. Given you and your family’s history I would try to get it up and running again, then enjoy using it. It does not need to be concours condition. Good luck and let us know your final decision please.
The question is, "can a ameture mechanic with limited ability restore this XKE"? And the answer usually boils down to >> do you have sufficient open garage space, to tackle a good drive it restoration....remember, floor space congestion is a big mood killer to motivation. // The overall patina looks charming, so a full body off paint restoration would negate the existing positives, with this roller and cost a fortune (for lost ROI). // Personally I would love to ship this car to Canada, convert it to LHD and drive it. Convertibles gives me an ear ache, and I always loved hardtops over rag tops. Like the iconic 1963 Corvette split window, a 1966-67 Chevelle/Beaumont coupe or a 1967-68 Shelby Mustang hard top best. Best of luck Steve, in your decision making.
Bring it back to the road , start with rubbers, fluids etc and give it a mot ….drive it again and then decide whether to do bodywork ….that interior and family history is too good to let it sit any longer
Great stuff. I paid about the same for a 2110 cc brand new 10 years ago with a freeway flier for £1000. Then added a Berg locking shifter and a ton of other stuff. It's now nearly finished and ready to use... The renovstion has only taken 13 years. 😅😅
Coincidentally I’ve just bought my two brothers out of my dad’s e type after he passed away a few years ago. He bought his in the 70’s when I was about 5 or 6. He sold it in ‘81 when his business went bust and we bought it back in 2001 when I saw it advertised. It runs well, I’ve spent money on mechanics but the body needs doing now and it’s bloody expensive. I’ll probably do the minimum and just keep driving it. Went to Le Mans Classic, Goodwood etc last year. They don’t all have to look like concourse trailer queens. Just sympathetically revive the mechanicals and get driving it. The interior is perfect. Mines a S3 roadster by the way. Automatic which is actually quite good in today’s traffic. I’m based near Stockport.
Hi, Many thanks for your interesting comment, most appreciated. And that is a coincidence! Agree most people are saying just get it back running and leave the bodywork as it is, something I had not really considered but the idea is growing on me. Roll on summer and we can get back out driving these wonderful machines. Regards Steve
@@SteveMoore-360 Well, if you go to a Vintage Sports Car Club race meeting you will see all sorts of cars worth millions that look like they haven’t been washed for 100 years. It’s a different approach to how you want your car to be. If you go to Jag meetings you will see cars that have had absolute fortunes spent on them to make them look factory fresh. If you do that you never really get that money back when/if you sell it. It’s just about different approaches to what you like about your car and what you want from it. I prefer the VSCC approach. Paintwork is unimportant, over-restored looks wrong, originality is a one-time thing. Can’t be reproduced. I would do any structural stuff that needs doing and gently revive the mechanics from its long static break, get your brakes, suspension refurbished as necessary, all rubbers, fluids, general service items taken care of, petrol tank cleaned or replaced and drive it. Then you will find out what else it needs and just keep on top of it. Enjoy, it’s a rare thing that people love to buy in this condition. So many others have been messed around with.
Wonderful jaguar. Absolutely beautiful. An extremely early one too. Your brother has great taste. I prefer the 3.8 and 4.2 coupes and not the later V12's although they are easier to drive. My father used to take me to school in his 4.2. How lucky was I!!
Great looking car. Fabulous. I heard that the new type of unleaded petrol deteriorates certain rubbers in the injectors etc, do you think that's true? Do you add any corrective additives etc?
Hi I believe E10 petrol is potentially destructive to older cars ie pre 2002, or we should say the rubber components on older cars and the advice would be to use E5 in them. I use Shell super performance petrol were possible ( E5) and have had no issue with it so far, and no I have not used any additives. In the VW I have replaced the old rubber fuel lines for a new more resistant rubber pipe and so far they have not shown any signs of fatigue or deterioration. Many thanks for you comment Regards Steve
Hi, Yes, most people who have commented, seem to be of the same opinion, and I am starting to come around to that idea, it would be a sort of half restoration, but could be the way to go. Regards Steve
I guess the problem is that a professional restoration is very expensive and 2+2 varieties are less valuable than a bunch of others. I would sell it to a “hand-on” enthusiast who could make it road worthy with their own Labour and minimum cost.
Hello Steve For me I am disappointed that the car is in the mother country and not Australia! I would love to have it! Great to see you are looking after the leather, however having been laid up for all those years it obviously will require some mechanical attention to meet roadworthy requirements, the rust issues are always an unknown factor, you never know what you are going to find until you start, wiring is also an unknown issue after all this time , fuel tank ?? It goes on and on. Good luck with your decision journey I hope you get to work out what is best for you and the car. Still love to own it! Keep us updated on your journey. Regards Steve H.
Hi Steve, Many thanks for your comment most appreciated, and glad you like the car. So much interest in this car it is by far the most watched video I have produced so far. Consensus of opinion seems to be not to fully restore it, but to just get it back up and running, I would call it a half restoration. Stay tuned, more videos coming soon. Regards Steve
