Turbo back from bodyworks

[Jeff Turbo]

MG Turbo back on


Erm these were suppose to be the same. Correct part number though. I have put them on the car and it sits........a bit higher than it did before. Will have to have another look at it after i've removed the gearbox.

[G51 NAV]

Nice. On a Monty T, how can you tell when the door graphics are in the right place? Was the MG a certain distance from the door edge?

[Jeff Turbo]

Nice. On a Monty T, how can you tell when the door graphics are in the right place? Was the MG a certain distance from the door edge?

Thanks John
Yes it is. I looked at various photos of Montego Turbo's and guaged it from those. I leveled the car then drew two lines using a non permanent marker pen using a tape measure and a level. You only get one shot at it so it has to be right first time. Bit old school doing it this way but it works.
Thanks Matt from MGM group for making them up again for me

[G51 NAV]

Ah right.

It's probably a symptom of my OCD but it's one of those daft things I'm pernickety about I've seen Maestro Turbos with after-market door graphics slapped on virtually any old way; even very accurately repro'd ones which you'd think people would make an effort to fit correctly.

(I've also seen rubbing strips put back in some 'inventive' positions too. You'd think the correct position for those would be self-explanatory).

EDIT: Re: last minute positioning, I've heard you can buy a substance which you spray onto the paintwork before fitting vinyl graphics. It evaporates very quickly leaving no trace (so perhaps it's alcohol based?) but gives you a few vital seconds to straighten-up graphics which are fractionally cockeyed or misplaced.

[Jeff Turbo]

Ah right.

It's probably a symptom of my OCD but it's one of those daft things I'm pernickety about I've seen Maestro Turbos with after-market door graphics slapped on virtually any old way; even very accurately repro'd ones which you'd think people would make an effort to fit correctly.

(I've also seen rubbing strips put back in some 'inventive' positions too. You'd think the correct position for those would be self-explanatory).

EDIT: Re: last minute positioning, I've heard you can buy a substance which you spray onto the paintwork before fitting vinyl graphics. It evaporates very quickly leaving no trace (so perhaps it's alcohol based?) but gives you a few vital seconds to straighten-up graphics which are fractionally cockeyed or misplaced.

Ta for the tip.
I've got to finish my sons EFi door yet and put the EFi decal on it. What it's called John?

[G51 NAV]

Not sure Jeff, if I come across it again I'll let you know. I know it wasn't just purified water because apparently it evaporates fast and doesn't diminish the final adhesion

[Jeff Turbo]

Mechanical improvements started. Clutch to remove next then a major clean up. Gearbox plug selector pin was an absolute pig to get out. It wouldn't budge so I has remove the arm aswell.

[Guest]

MG Turbo back on


Erm these were suppose to be the same. Correct part number though. I have put them on the car and it sits........a bit higher than it did before. Will have to have another look at it after i've removed the gearbox.

Original springs could have settled with age, but do look (in pic) much shorter length - assume they have they the same no of coils?
Yellow splash is std spring for 1.3 (heavy duty!), auto 1.6 and manual 2.0 according to my lists, that is 385mm (15.16ins) free length. Remember they did used to originally look as if on stilts.

The shortest std spring is 368mm (white splash).

[Jeff Turbo]

Gearbox cleaned, new diff seals in and now ready to go back in.


Black bits all cleaned and painted


New clutch in tomorrow and hopefully the gearbox.

[G51 NAV]

What did you clean the g/b with Jeff?

[Jeff Turbo]

What did you clean the g/b with Jeff?

De-greaser twice over, scrubbing brush, rough cloth and lots of elbow grease.
Although it's clean it looks cleaner in the picture. Before I put the gearbox in I will give another going over but i'm not interested in a concourse finish as the car will get dirty when I use it.

[G51 NAV]

Nice tip, t/y.

[Jeff Turbo]

Nice tip, t/y.

I am also tempted to use an alloy wheel cleaner on a patch under the gearbox just to see if it would work

[G51 NAV]

Possibly, but take caution: some of them - especially Wonder Wheels - are very acidic and can stain.

[Jeff Turbo]

Possibly, but take caution: some of them - especially Wonder Wheels - are very acidic and can stain.

Ta John.
My local, buy my cheap tat shop, has a wheel cleaner and I assume it's not a quality product and should be ok.
I will only do a small patch underneath so if it doesn't work it can't be seen although their other cleaners aren't too bad. Cleaned the washer bottle and expansion tank very well.