I don't think you really understand the main point of a "project"; generally it's a hobby, done because people actual enjoy reviving an old car rather than making money. A reasonably tidy MGF with a failed head gasket could be bought for a few hundred pounds and be back on the road in a very relaxed weekend of spannering.
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I don't think you really understand the main point of a "project"; generally it's a hobby, done because people actual enjoy reviving an old car rather than making money. A reasonably tidy MGF with a failed head gasket could be bought for a few hundred pounds and be back on the road in a very relaxed weekend of spannering.
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Generally "project" cars, to me, are interesting, or have some sort of value other than money to the person involved. I don't see an MGF as interesting or unique, and because the OP doesn't already own it I don't think there's any emotional connection.
I don't think a project car should be brought because its cheap to fix. When I think of "project car" threads on Retro Rides, its all about an awesomely unique car I've never seen before, something awesomely 80's, putting a big engine into a small car or a car the OP has been dreaming of owning for years etc. The only time money is considered is when it runs out
Jonny69 has project cars. Someone replacing the head gasket on a Corsa? Not so much.
Thats my opinion, but as I said earlier, it takes all sorts
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I'm quite aware of what projects are thanks very much, my car history is littered with them, like i said above i don't see the point in this one, you end up with an MGF which potentially could have cost him more than buying a working one and he gets the joy of finishing it just in time for winter, yes he gets the joy out of turning a broken dog into a working dog, but in this case i fail to see the point of expending lots of effort for little gain.
A much better plan would be to buy a working car, MX5 or even an MGF if he must, this would mean he would get use out of the car NOW instead of a few months time, he could even use this working car as his basis for ongoing projects (supercharger, turbo, suspension upgrades, fit a torsen diff).
Or do i still fail to understand what a 'project' is?
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Nope
Apparently so. What makes you think it would take a few months to get it working? That would be closer to a restoration than a project, and a ridiculous proposition given the number of cheap MGFs available that would need relatively little work to get back to a working state.
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Hi chaps, thanks for all of the feedback. Apologies for the delay, have been putting in mega-hours with work.
I should have stated more clearly that I would be more interested in the project as a learning-curve than owning the car at the end.
My largest job to date was a clutch change and it was quite satisfying to complete (although a lot of hard work having never done one before!).
I am keeping my eye out for a very cheap £100-£200 car with something like HGF which I can hone my skills on. I'll be sure to post up if I pursue with anything.
I should have stated more clearly that I would be more interested in the project as a learning-curve than owning the car at the end.
My largest job to date was a clutch change and it was quite satisfying to complete (although a lot of hard work having never done one before!).
I am keeping my eye out for a very cheap £100-£200 car with something like HGF which I can hone my skills on. I'll be sure to post up if I pursue with anything.
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Care to elaborate? It's actually not that common.
If a car isn't looked after and basic maintenance is ignored, then yes you will have problems. If you change the coolant regularly, keep an eye on the coolant level and make sure any leaks are fixed immediately, you will more than likely have no issues.
HGF is usually caused by overheating in the K series engine, the exhaust side of the head runs quite close to the elastomer bead breakdown temperature. A lack of coolant will therefore not take long to deform the elastomer, and break the seal causing the usual oil-water emulsion.
Also, the inlet manifold gaskets are a common source of leaks, but most people (you being a case in point) assume it's HGF and replace anyway.
Kindly learn about what you're talking about, before you spout one-word drivel.
Nope
Yea it is
Nope
Continue to justify your car to yourself bro, but don't go trying to persuade other people to make a decision you were probably forced into to make your self feel better. HGF on K series rovers come as regularly as oil changes, you factor them in.
I am sorry about your car.
You drive a Rover as well or something?
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
My only experience of HGF on a Rover is the immaculate 414i my gf's parents owned from brand new for 10 years. It had HGF twice despite being perfectly well looked after. No car they have had before or since has ever had HGF.
Obviously just a co-incidence, right?
Obviously just a co-incidence, right?
I bought my summer project just over a month ago It's already had the body removed from the chassis and stripped down into component parts! I *hope* to have it restored for the end of summer.
It's a 1991 CSK (2 door limited edition).
It's already had the body removed from the chassis and stripped down into component parts! I *hope* to have it restored for the end of summer.
It's a 1991 CSK (2 door limited edition).
[TW]Fox;18849384 said:
Probably not the first time, the elastomer seals on the earlier gaskets were a weak point, coupled with nylon dowels etc. The second failure suggests either it simply wasn't repaired correctly the first time (a relatively common situation caused by people who don't know what they are doing working on a engine they don't understand) or the coolant level was rarely/never checked and a leak led to the failure.
Or all K series engines were rubbish and prone to HGF despite Rover apologists need to reassure themselves their cars are not grossly flawed and that Rover went bust because \***£=POLITICS=£***/ and not because the cars were really really rubbish.
My understanding is that they were a problem in the MGF because of inadaquate air flow to the engine bay, this was addressed when they made changes in the MGTF. Having had a few of these amoung family and friends failure is very common. My sisters one for example had HGF on about 25k miles. After the gasket was replaced with a performance gasket it didn't happen again while she owned it.
A friend of mine who also owned one for a fair bit longer than my sister also suffered with HGF twice during the time he owned the car. That's just the two people I know that have owned one. From my own experience I was driving behind one that went pop and started bellowing smoke all over the carrigeway on the A13.
From this I would say that HGF on the MGF is pretty common. To the op, if you are thinking about getting one then make sure that you get the head properly skimmed and get a performace gasket in there, that alone should give you many happy miles of motoring.
Edit: forgot to mention, I just got my project for the summer. An 02 porsche Boxster S, It doesn't need a lot doing, mainly wheels, replacing the lights all around for the face lift lights and a bit of work on the interior. But the garage is getting a good clean this weekend to accomodate my new toy
A friend of mine who also owned one for a fair bit longer than my sister also suffered with HGF twice during the time he owned the car. That's just the two people I know that have owned one. From my own experience I was driving behind one that went pop and started bellowing smoke all over the carrigeway on the A13.
From this I would say that HGF on the MGF is pretty common. To the op, if you are thinking about getting one then make sure that you get the head properly skimmed and get a performace gasket in there, that alone should give you many happy miles of motoring.
Edit: forgot to mention, I just got my project for the summer. An 02 porsche Boxster S, It doesn't need a lot doing, mainly wheels, replacing the lights all around for the face lift lights and a bit of work on the interior. But the garage is getting a good clean this weekend to accomodate my new toy
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