Motorsport is expensive* - New wheels acquired - no expense spent!24/05/26

[Westbay]

9 hours ago, 320touring said:

As this forum has it's fair share of Rover/MG lickers - does anyone have any advice re specific things to look out for when I am giving the car a once over?

@RoverFolkUs?

..change the brake fluid ....

[320touring]

38 minutes ago, Supernaut said:

Oh, I'd be interested in seeing this go down Crail drag strip / having a catch up.

Welcome to come along, but be aware I can't guarantee being there until the first 2 activities are done (cos if it carks it, it's going in the bin😂)

[320touring]

16 minutes ago, Brigsy said:

Perfect vehicle for teesside. Stick some decent brake fluid and pads in up front as its heavy on the brakes.

 

10 minutes ago, Westbay said:

..change the brake fluid ....

Aye, brake fluid is on the list. A look on Wednesday should tell me if the bleed nipples will play ball.

Apparently it's got solid discs up front and drums in the rear, so obviously heavily track focused.

[Supernaut]

8 minutes ago, 320touring said:

Apparently it's got solid discs up front and drums in the rear, so obviously heavily track focused.

Motorsports machine!

Solid discs are more aerodynamic, the air just slides right over them instead of through them! 

 

[Westbay]

11 minutes ago, 320touring said:

 

Aye, brake fluid is on the list. A look on Wednesday should tell me if the bleed nipples will play ball.

Apparently it's got solid discs up front and drums in the rear, so obviously heavily track focused.

... and run (a lot) hotter than vented = more heat transfer ...

 

Good luck with your nipples!  😂

[320touring]

16 minutes ago, Westbay said:

... and run (a lot) hotter than vented = more heat transfer ...

 

Good luck with your nipples!  😂

I'm sure if they're adequately lubed and heated, they should turn on  out

[JMotor]

11 hours ago, 320touring said:

As this forum has it's fair share of Rover/MG lickers - does anyone have any advice re specific things to look out for when I am giving the car a once over?

@RoverFolkUs?

There will be other things. This is only from my own experience with 45's.

Front lower ball joints. They can shear if they're quite worn out. Upper ball joints would be worth a look too.

Rear trailing arm bushes wear out. Are a pest to replace.

Front caliper sliders can seize in, can be cause of crap braking.

(Doubt it) Gearbox might be a bit weak. Think it'll be the IB5 Ford unit in that one? 

Overall 45's are quite fun cars to throw about. K-Series are willing engines that love rpms. Above problems are cheap to sort and not too bad to do. 

Hopefully it lasts long enough to provide some fun with. 

[320touring]

20 minutes ago, JMotor said:

There will be other things. This is only from my own experience with 45's.

Front lower ball joints. They can shear if they're quite worn out. Upper ball joints would be worth a look too.

Rear trailing arm bushes wear out. Are a pest to replace.

Front caliper sliders can seize in, can be cause of crap braking.

(Doubt it) Gearbox might be a bit weak. Think it'll be the IB5 Ford unit in that one? 

Thanks for this.

I'll give all the balljoints a look over, see if any play noticeable.

The rear trailing arm bushes were done in 2024 as per the invoices up thread, so hopefully in fine fettle.

Calipers will be part of the check over.

 

Re gearboxes, how do you identify them? Any advice re oil for them?

Cheers

[Brigsy]

1 hour ago, 320touring said:

 

Aye, brake fluid is on the list. A look on Wednesday should tell me if the bleed nipples will play ball.

Apparently it's got solid discs up front and drums in the rear, so obviously heavily track focused.

Perfect. Drums are good, ive burnt the paint off the rear drums on my extravan on track.

Set of part worn semi slicks be worth investing in. What size rims?

[320touring]

50 minutes ago, Brigsy said:

Perfect. Drums are good, ive burnt the paint off the rear drums on my extravan on track.

Set of part worn semi slicks be worth investing in. What size rims?

They're 14" rims and I don't have any way of fitting tyres. If I get any it'll need to be on wheels that fit, and the Rover uses an odd centre bore, although I may have a plan in hand..

[hairnet]

19 hours ago, chaseracer said:

What level of weight reduction are you aiming for?  And the car...? 😉

<runs, hides...> 😁

[hairnet]

19 hours ago, 320touring said:

 

 

Not going to do any stripping for weight as driving to Teeside in a stripped car would be rubbish 🤣

kinda wimp are ye

youll get a shot of exo mibbe?

[JMotor]

2 hours ago, 320touring said:

Re gearboxes, how do you identify them? Any advice re oil for them?

From a quick google fu.

IB5 

Found a post with some info on them here. https://www.mg-rover.org/threads/general-gearbox-informations-regarding-rover-45-mk2-with-ford-getrag-ib5.875937/

R65 (earlier PSA based 'box), https://www.mg-rover.org/threads/r65-gearbox-what-oil-do-i-need.293792/

Hopefully that helps.

[320touring]

Cheers man that's useful. Given it's last year of production it's looking likely it's an IB5, will know for definite when underneath for a mooch about

[chaseracer]

9 hours ago, hairnet said:

Fair 😄

[gm]

22 hours ago, gm said:

just waiting to see if i’ve got the day off work 

Lets hoon !

[320touring]

Yaas! Look over for the Rover is booked for Wed, so I shall seek to reserve my place on Thursday if nothing too scary come to light!

 

[320touring]

I decided to get in about this tub after work tonight.

First up, I did a light check - all good, which was great news, as I hate the contortion ritual of fitting bulbs.

Then it was time to check tyres.

First up, pull out the spare as it had plenty tread..

Nice!

Ehh, maybe not, it appears to be the original spare. Still holding air so will be suitable for it's original role.

 

Right rear looks ok, 2018 dated, if getting a bit low on tread.

Right rear similar

But it looks a bit scabby on the sidewall

So I think 2 rear tyres may be in order & Likely just go with Part Worn.

 

Both fronts in grand condition (as they should be, being only a couple of years old)

 

I then had a bit of a nosey round the engine bay - oil was clean and up to the max on the stick - so it can at least do one of the 3 shifts before a change.

 

Then the coolant check - up to the mark and pretty clean

And brake fluid

 

Handily it was also easy to check that a new alternator and belt had actually been fitted.

 

[hairnet]

proxes stat

[320touring]

I decided to deploy stealth mode - essentially making it giffertastic again to minimise any "pull me " vibes.

Names removed 

Hubcaps deployed

Headlamps given an initial pass to tidy them up

 

I did an initial pass over the interior - door shuts, door cards, dash, centre console and inside of windows

 

Then I decided to check the cabin filter and relocate the ECU slightly

Before

During (no filter found)

After - ECU tucked up further and wiring behind the centre console as far as possible.

 

This done, I turned my attention to the important stuff-

Trying to fix the heating being stuck on hot.

Centre console out

Disconnected cable found ( on the direction control side but it moved with the heat dial? ( @RoverFolkUs @JMotor any suggestions?

I got it back on, but it hasn't changed anything. The direction selector doesn't seem great either.

 

Lastly, I tried to work out how to get USB Charging for my phone - these just look like normal connectors for a a radio, don't they?

Backup option would be to go for a USB adapter - likely less hassle and cost tbh.

[hairnet]

cops will look at pic you posted and just think giffer no?

[hairnet]

flat cap and blanket on back seat works

[The Moog]

Change the brake fluid! 

I didn't have a big enough lid for the pressure bleeder and didn't want to risk the nipples as it was day before Knockhill, so sucked out the old fluid and refilled the reservoir with fresh fluid in the hope that would be enough. 

Yes they are radio controls.  Had the whole centre console out to get the ECU out.   In short term if not replacing the radio, you can take the switch 12v from there.  I would cut plug off and then stick a socket in with inline fuse. 

[JMotor]

9 hours ago, 320touring said:

Disconnected cable found ( on the direction control side but it moved with the heat dial?

Hmmm.

Hard to tell. Are the cable outers secured in properly? Or have they been mixed up? 

Truth be told, I've not needed to touch the heater controls on any of mine. My last 45 was a posh 'un with yon climate control panel thingy.

[320touring]

1 hour ago, The Moog said:

Change the brake fluid! 

I didn't have a big enough lid for the pressure bleeder and didn't want to risk the nipples as it was day before Knockhill, so sucked out the old fluid and refilled the reservoir with fresh fluid in the hope that would be enough. 

Yes they are radio controls.  Had the whole centre console out to get the ECU out.   In short term if not replacing the radio, you can take the switch 12v from there.  I would cut plug off and then stick a socket in with inline fuse. 

Yeah will try the nipples on Wednesday to see if I can get it bled.

I think I'll just go with a USB socket fitment/cigarette lighter adaptor as easiest

52 minutes ago, JMotor said:

Hmmm.

Hard to tell. Are the cable outers secured in properly? Or have they been mixed up? 

Truth be told, I've not needed to touch the heater controls on any of mine. My last 45 was a posh 'un with yon climate control panel thingy.

Couldn't really see too much. I've asked on the owners groups on FB to see if anyone can provide info.

[Supernaut]

Those do look like standard ISO plugs on the radio wiring though, so any* radio should* go in there with minimal* hassle.

[hairnet]

rocky training regime and diet yet?

[320touring]

Initial drive just done in this. 

Things I like

Suspension quiet and compliant 

Gear box has a nice, right, positive engagement 

Seats are nice and low - much better than a Clio 182

Double wishbone front suspension seems positive re direction and good at bumps.

Brakes engage immediately (will do a fluid change)

 

Things I need to get used to 

This K series doesn't wake up til 4k

Length and width Vs Clio/Zoe

Not having concerns re range when at 1/2 a tank of fuel 😂

 

Things I don't like

The steering wheel feels shite

Heater being stuck on hot. I may be able to fix that one 

[hairnet]

you keep mentioning giffer

wull @jaypee be their

[Westbay]

14 hours ago, 320touring said:

Initial drive just done in this. 

Things I like

Suspension quiet and compliant 

Gear box has a nice, right, positive engagement 

Seats are nice and low - much better than a Clio 182

Double wishbone front suspension seems positive re direction and good at bumps.

Brakes engage immediately (will do a fluid change)

 

Things I need to get used to 

This K series doesn't wake up til 4k

Length and width Vs Clio/Zoe

Not having concerns re range when at 1/2 a tank of fuel 😂

 

Things I don't like

The steering wheel feels shite

Heater being stuck on hot. I may be able to fix that one 

Sounds like a good "starter for ten" ...