So I bought a 16v NA on a bit of whim for £700, back in January 2017
(rather than continue with my 20v NA project, which is on hold until I am brave enough to lift out the engine and cut out the rot)

He was MOT'd and had tonnes of paperwork with a recent cambelt change too.

Quite a looker I thought and increasingly rare.


There was a long list of things to do though, even on the face of it.

- Sunroof did not open (clunk clunk noises)
- Drivers door did not shut properly (noisy when driving)
- Clutch pedal needed pumping now and again to keep up from floor
- Brakes a little spongy
- Cloth seats faded and green on tops
- Temp gauge VERY cold all the time
- Sticky disgusting centre console

So what did I do first - yep that is right connect up startrek of course

cold - warm - warm bad lambda -

What happened next was really annoying

Parked up in a quiet side street whilst I caught the train into london for work.

This...


Which will have to wait until sometime in the future when I get the car resprayed.

That aside it was time to have a look at the obvious engine work required.

There was tape holding pipes together

Missing hose clips and general mess

Oil in the plug chambers

The customary leaky rocker gasket

So that thermostat - they are like hens teeth on a 16v

Check out my HowTo Guide for fitting an inline stat.
A machine shop in Wymondham was doing lots of engine prep and had been selling a Rover retro fit option - which we adapted for the Coupe.



clicky clicky url for How To guide

Something easy is to do a full service just to get a base line at least.


Whilst I am there I can refresh all fixings and have a general clean up in the engine bay.

So next the brakes - but first the wide back tool



Then to get them rear brakes replaced

My youngest found a sticky console which needed attention lol


The MOT also flagged up a hole in the floor on the passenger side


Which meant a complete strip out of the interior

Well, I'm back on this project now...
Rear wheel arches, drivers door, bonnet and boot lid all being repaired, restored and/or painted.
Had the exhaust manifold restored, repaired and strengthened.
Digging out some old but good wheels and tyres.
Re-service required as has sat for so long.
Need bonnet badge now lol
Exciting :-)