I've sold my Lotus..............
Discussion
..........and bought this


Thought I'd get rid of the reliable Toyota engined Elise and buy a Rover powered V8 sports car instead.
So does anybody know of a garage thats good with V8's and can stop the oil leaks, and where can I get a radiator repaired...
Mike n Helen
(If you can't the pics, try this link instead http://photos.orange.co.uk/album/5779583 )


Thought I'd get rid of the reliable Toyota engined Elise and buy a Rover powered V8 sports car instead.
So does anybody know of a garage thats good with V8's and can stop the oil leaks, and where can I get a radiator repaired...

Mike n Helen
(If you can't the pics, try this link instead http://photos.orange.co.uk/album/5779583 )
Edited by mike n helen on Saturday 9th June 23:51
Edited by mike n helen on Sunday 10th June 10:14
It's a Sebring TMX, hence the cheesey number plate B16 TMX. It's a kit car with Austin Healey styling and the noise of a TVR from the 3.5l V8.
However with the noise comes the reliability,
and the oil leak's, sorry, chassis protection system
. This one also has a leaking radiator which will need repairing too. I've found a place in Newcastle, adrad.co.uk, anybody got any experience of these guys???
I must get the oil leak fix though as it's really p***ing me off that I have oil on the drive which only got bloack paved a few weeks ago. So if anybody can recomend a reliable garage to sort out my oil leak....
Mike n Helen
However with the noise comes the reliability,


I must get the oil leak fix though as it's really p***ing me off that I have oil on the drive which only got bloack paved a few weeks ago. So if anybody can recomend a reliable garage to sort out my oil leak....
Mike n Helen
Edited by mike n helen on Sunday 10th June 10:29
Edited by mike n helen on Sunday 10th June 10:30
That'll be Advanced Radiators, down past the end of Scotswood Rd. I had to use them with both my Tivs (can you believe it???
). Had a (triple) re-core with one, and they helped me find a few random, not-on-anything-else bits for my second one.
They are superb. Simple as that.
I've also used them many times for my customers' cars. They just know what they're doing.

They are superb. Simple as that.

I've also used them many times for my customers' cars. They just know what they're doing.

Edited by WorGC on Sunday 10th June 11:02
mike n helen said:
as requested..

Thanks too for the feedback on the radiator, looks like they are guys to help me out, just need to find V8 specialist now.
Mike n Helen
OOH that looks nice love the seats could do with a pair of those in mine , About your oil leak it could be something simple like a loose sump plug , or sump gasket worth getting under and having a look if it is should be an easy cheap fix for any good mechanic .
Thanks too for the feedback on the radiator, looks like they are guys to help me out, just need to find V8 specialist now.
Mike n Helen
OK, RV8 oil leaks... from the top:
Rocker cover gaskets. Originally cork, they were replaced by rubber ones in the 90s. Retro-fittable if it's an earlier engine.
Head gaskets. Originally tin, they were superceded by composite ones in the 90s. Can be retrofitted: the tin ones are noted for leaking.
Oil pump housing.
Oil filter or remote filter adapter.
Quite common is the oil pressure switch leaking when the plastic body cracks due to overtightening of the nut.
Sump gasket.
Front crank oil seal.
Rear crank oil seal.
Assuming LT77 transmission: O-ring round the selector going into back of the gearbox (obviously this will leak transmission oil not engine oil).
Ditto for the output flange seal.
Nice car. I thought 'Healey' then I looked again, saw the flared arches and thought 'Cobra'. Then I looked again...
Rocker cover gaskets. Originally cork, they were replaced by rubber ones in the 90s. Retro-fittable if it's an earlier engine.
Head gaskets. Originally tin, they were superceded by composite ones in the 90s. Can be retrofitted: the tin ones are noted for leaking.
Oil pump housing.
Oil filter or remote filter adapter.
Quite common is the oil pressure switch leaking when the plastic body cracks due to overtightening of the nut.
Sump gasket.
Front crank oil seal.
Rear crank oil seal.
Assuming LT77 transmission: O-ring round the selector going into back of the gearbox (obviously this will leak transmission oil not engine oil).
Ditto for the output flange seal.
Nice car. I thought 'Healey' then I looked again, saw the flared arches and thought 'Cobra'. Then I looked again...

mike n helen said:
..........and bought this


Thought I'd get rid of the reliable Toyota engined Elise and buy a Rover powered V8 sports car instead.
So does anybody know of a garage thats good with V8's and can stop the oil leaks, and where can I get a radiator repaired...
Mike n Helen
(If you can't the pics, try this link instead http://photos.orange.co.uk/album/5779583 )
If i remember right Lyles the Alfa independant at the top of west road west end of newcastle have an original healey 3000 in the showroom or it might have been a 100/4 lovely looking car though .

Thought I'd get rid of the reliable Toyota engined Elise and buy a Rover powered V8 sports car instead.
So does anybody know of a garage thats good with V8's and can stop the oil leaks, and where can I get a radiator repaired...

Mike n Helen
(If you can't the pics, try this link instead http://photos.orange.co.uk/album/5779583 )
Edited by mike n helen on Saturday 9th June 23:51
Edited by mike n helen on Sunday 10th June 10:14
Wedg1e said:
OK, RV8 oil leaks... from the top:
Rocker cover gaskets. Originally cork, they were replaced by rubber ones in the 90s. Retro-fittable if it's an earlier engine.
Head gaskets. Originally tin, they were superceded by composite ones in the 90s. Can be retrofitted: the tin ones are noted for leaking.
Oil pump housing.
Oil filter or remote filter adapter.
Quite common is the oil pressure switch leaking when the plastic body cracks due to overtightening of the nut.
Sump gasket.
Front crank oil seal.
Rear crank oil seal.
Assuming LT77 transmission: O-ring round the selector going into back of the gearbox (obviously this will leak transmission oil not engine oil).
Ditto for the output flange seal.
Nice car. I thought 'Healey' then I looked again, saw the flared arches and thought 'Cobra'. Then I looked again...
Thanks, I think that just about covers every gasket on the car Rocker cover gaskets. Originally cork, they were replaced by rubber ones in the 90s. Retro-fittable if it's an earlier engine.
Head gaskets. Originally tin, they were superceded by composite ones in the 90s. Can be retrofitted: the tin ones are noted for leaking.
Oil pump housing.
Oil filter or remote filter adapter.
Quite common is the oil pressure switch leaking when the plastic body cracks due to overtightening of the nut.
Sump gasket.
Front crank oil seal.
Rear crank oil seal.
Assuming LT77 transmission: O-ring round the selector going into back of the gearbox (obviously this will leak transmission oil not engine oil).
Ditto for the output flange seal.
Nice car. I thought 'Healey' then I looked again, saw the flared arches and thought 'Cobra'. Then I looked again...


I've tightend the sump and checked the other areas, and think I may have a small leak from the front water pump/distributor housing. I'll wait until later in the year and have good look when I can get it on an inspection ramp.
Just waiting for some good weather now so I can get out and enjoy it.

Mike n Helen
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