IDRIVEACLASSIC repairs: Changing cylinder head and gasket - A Series Morris Marina

[@sawleyram7405]

A million miles better than the rubbish on TV at the moment. Informative, educational and entertaining!

[@volvo480]

I am completely blown away by the production quality and the presenters. This is quality Sunday morning television! You should do more of these videos together.

[@idriveaclassic]

That’s the kindest thing. Thank you xx

[@icdroid]

I remember these cars from my early years. I'm in Canada and the were sold as Austin Marina's here.

[@MrFredo007]

@@idriveaclassic Good job,Steph! Best regards from Peter/germany

[@SmR8008]

Love how you maintained a Glam look throughout😊. Iwould have been caked in grime after half an hour!😄

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaaha. I thought I’d looked like a chimney sweep by the end 😂😂😂

[@macpablo1169]

I'd have been caked in grime after about 30 secs.

[@jonnycando]

@@macpablo1169 I certainly don’t keep even remotely clean when servicing vehicles….

[@cambridgemart2075]

I end up with dirt in my ears, my nose, pretty much everywhere.

[@SE45CX]

I replaced some fuel hoses under the car. I couldn't prevent gasoline pouring down my sleeves and onto my torso.

[@blackpool321]

Where else could you see such a glamorous mechanic doing relatively major engine work ?

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha. I love that I thought it was nothing and everyone’s losing their mind xxx

[@artoodiitoo]

If I´d try to do this on my car myself I´d find it extremely scary, like attempting doing heart surgery on a family member xD

[@SE45CX]

@@artoodiitoo I hope you succeed one day on this job. A video that I found useful on this topic is from KZbin channel FordTechMakuloco title: "My Best Method For Cleaning Head Gasket & Other Engine Surfaces" kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6qYoWCZisyYa9U

[@RiderVirago]

Oh my goodness, what a trip down memory lane. It would be over 30 years since I sent my Marina to retirement, but every step of the process was so familiar. Cars were so much simpler back then. Great to see you getting into it Stef - I always think you bond better with a car if you do significant mechanical repairs yourself.

[@raypurchase801]

I regarded my Marina as the world's most conventional car. Four in-line cylinders. water cooled. Rear wheel drive. Everything accessible. Nice.

[@raymondbradfield6273]

Steph, you are an inspiration to everyone who watches your videos. Your 'can do' attitude is so .heartening.

[@timelwell7002]

The words 'Slap it on like I do with my foundation every morning' and 'Spray it on liberally like I do with hairspray' are not phrases which mechanics usually use... Great stuff, Steph. Keep 'em coming!

[@idriveaclassic]

I did it because it made me laugh and thought it would liven up a dry video 😂😂😂

[@timelwell7002]

@@idriveaclassic It was funny - and informative - great combination.

[@chrisjones6017]

I really mean this. You really should do more car maintenance vlogs. You have a good way of showing and explaining things

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Chris I will xx

[@9973bill]

I chucked the 9th pushrod away when I did mine, as I couldn't remember where it came from. :-D

[@peterbrown5201]

She should have blocked off push rod holes when blowing around all that crap. Especially the 9th one😂😂

[@NotAnotherWhiteBox]

I think you're a natural at these "how to" videos. Very engaging, humorous and fun. I love how you admit to the problems and difficult parts of the job. Finally an instructional video that inspires me to do this to my own car!

[@idriveaclassic]

Aww thanks Cameron. Adore you xxx

[@tjfSIM]

Really enjoyed watching this, thanks loads Steph for taking the time to show and talk us through what you did. The joy of working on old engines, when you could actually get to things without removing a black plastic cover! I used to love helping my Dad when he was working on his Mk2 Escort, and later Volvo 245 back in the 80s :) He doesn't enjoy working on cars anymore, and spends most of his time taking apart old projectors instead 😂

[@idriveaclassic]

That must’ve been such a nice set of memories!

[@tridaks]

Fair play Steph. Good to see you showing that working on cars isn't such a dark art after all! And that smile on your face as you pull away at the end is the kind you get when you know that you got stuck in and fixed it yourselves. :-)

[@idriveaclassic]

I despise people who withhold information and pretend it’s a dark art. It’s selfish x

[@simonredfern2584]

Great vid! I would like to see more of this sort of thing on the channel. Thanks steph!

[@idriveaclassic]

Your wish is my command!

[@joecrx1]

Me to

[@marksterriker4724]

The Morris marina brings back so many happy memories for me. My grandad owned a British racing Green 1300 super, the clutch went half way home on a day out, he told me and grandma to get out and push , so we did, he shouted that he would see us at home , we got the bus , he drove home going through all the red lights cutting people up at roundabouts , but he got it home 🤣🤣. The Good old 1980s .

[@johnobiro5202]

I stumbled across this. I had a Marina back in the 70’s, it was my first car in fact. I remember I had to replace a valve in it. Great times. Thanks.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Wow...... From the thumbnail that gave me goosebumps. My late mum’s old Mini that I learnt to drive in over 40 years ago was “BOP 218K”. Great memories of old cars and better times.

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahhh no way!!!!

[@diamondweightloss9510]

This is some proper in-depth stuff thank you Stef

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks so much! Xxx

[@D...M...A...]

@@idriveaclassic see my post its vital... love , me

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

Your confidence as a presenter has really progressed - it's particularly noticeable here when you're showing tasks that might be new and unfamiliar, yet you present them clearly, effectively and with good humour - well done!

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahh that’s such a compliment. Thank you!

[@michaelhalsall5684]

As a complete novice I can say the BMC A series engine is the only one I know how to work on. You have done a brilliant job and this would be a great training video for any DIY motor mechanic!

[@mikebull1972]

Took me back to working on Moggies, Minis and Marinas! Excellent video, really well produced.

[@jmurray01]

Love this kind of video Steph! Glad to see she's back up and running again.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! Xx

[@craiglessels5384]

Superb. There's nothing more satisfying than driving a car that you've put your own efforts into. Remember, the quality of the finished product is directly proportional to the effort expended in the preparation 😁

[@idriveaclassic]

It really is!

[@KiwiStag74]

Well done, Steph! Good on you for having the guts to go on camera for your first-ever serious maintenance issue. Your explanations were easy to follow and with nothing missing from them.....and no parts left over at the end! I hate it when that happens..... Great result and I could tell by the way she was cranking over that all four cylinders were now compressing evenly again. She sounds good and you're right - nothing feels better that being behind the wheel of your own car - especially if it's a classic and especially when you've just fixed something and its running better!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks so much Lance xx

[@tomwilliams3762]

Could make a good segment titled Engine Rebuild For A Novice 👌🏻😂 excellent work there, seriously. Love or hate classic cars for what ever reasons but it goes to show how easy it can be to keep them alive. Very well done Steph, I really enjoy all your videos and this is no exception. Absolutely fantastic 10/10 💪🏻

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Tom!

[@markonmotoring]

Don't think I've ever seen someone working on an engine comparing the process to applying foundation or hair spray. 🤣 Joking aside its great to see you being so hands on Steph. Something a bit different but really enjoyable to watch. 👍

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha love to throw a bit of humour in there! Xxx

[@markonmotoring]

@@idriveaclassic Definitely. Though your not claiming to be an expert mechanic, it really sounds as though your learning and the stuff you talked about was knowledge from experience rather than something you've read or overheard.

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh god yeah. You pick up a fair bit after 12 years of ownership.

[@lusciousthelock4861]

Good work! So many people don't like getting they're hands dirty these days. And now you know more about your engine too. It's all good.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks for watching lovely xxx

[@TheStobb50]

Thank you, I love the A series engine so easy to work on and very reliable

[@noexpensespentstudios]

The A series is so forgiving to work on and there's so much space around it in the Marina engine bay it's almost a nice job to do. Dress put me in mind of the traditional gaffer's brown overcoat, which is exactly the right sort of thing to wear for this job. Really good video, sensible content, and encouraging for anyone scared of tackling this job themselves.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you xx

[@acdcbackyardbabies]

I lost it when you said “It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever stuck my finger into” 😂 brilliant video Steph, more like this please!

[@idriveaclassic]

Well. 😂😂😂

[@alansimpson835]

Great video. Lots of very useful content combined with your usual enthusiasm and self deprecating humour. Bet you're glad to have her back in daily service again.

[@idriveaclassic]

So much! I really missed her

[@simonc858]

Fab video, I have memories of Dad putting spark plugs under the grill, I am sure that was the Marina Coupe we had! Worked every time

[@replevideo6096]

Works, but he needed to sort out the cause of the problem not the symptom. It was either running too rich or the engine was so worn it was burning oil. I don't know why I'm saying this because I was a bigger bodger than your dad.

[@simonc858]

@@replevideo6096 we did not have that car long, my mother swore it hated her! So it was not around for long 😎

[@robertlambert8719]

Happy memories of when I was a young mechanic. I used to love working on the A series ; so much room to work. Hope you never have to take the head off again, but if the worst happens, I would suggest taking out the head studs. It makes it soo much easier to clean the block. I'm now a mechanic of some 40 years experience, so take it from me, you've done a smashing job. Great to see the Marina back on the road. They were once so common, now you rarely see one. Your Marina is a very early one, so well worth keeping. I noticed it has no brake servo; has it got drum front brakes? If it has, that's very unusual. I can only ever remember seeing one back when they were still being made, and believe me, I worked on lots of Marinas. Thanks for another awesome video!

[@garyhardwick8489]

Well done Steph,good job. Good to see the Morris up and running once more.

[@auntbarbara5576]

You are Aunt Barbara's hero!!! love from The Long Island :)

[@tomhowell7695]

What a cylinder head swap... what the heck! great work Steph, love your show.

[@jefferysmith3930]

That was just fantastic. Sort of had the feel of a cooking show but with engine repair. Great camera work, lighting and commentary. So Nice to see you wrenching on your own car. More repair videos, please Stef.

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahh thank you x

[@Andy-pf7me]

Superb!! What a woman! No "ums" and "ers" just good clear natural commentary with great personality. Brilliant.

[@idriveaclassic]

I’ll be pinching this testimonial for my dating profile bio. Hahahahaha.

[@Andy-pf7me]

You're welcome x

[@marclaw4511]

That was impressive work and i enjoyed watching.I'd say you could do most things on that great car now.

[@timhudson8927]

Absolutely loved this, really brought home mechanics down to real life, you should do some maintenance videos, best video I’ve seen in ages. Well done you.

[@abuhamza1970]

One of the very best videos I’ve seen in a very long time. Love your enthusiasm and honesty, especially the way you’ve managed not to scrape your knuckles and leave bits of skin all over the engine bay. Thanks again and I can’t wait for the next vid

[@idriveaclassic]

You’re too mind thank you x

[@11carbuff19572011]

Hiya Steph. Just love that vid. Really shows that older cars are much easier to work.on than modern ones these days. I first got into cars as a kid apparently, my late dad shown me how to use the various service tools, and I also remember the odd instructional TV series and reading through various workshop manuals that I first saw in my local library, and collecting back issues of motor mechanics mags since. Love ya Steph, great guide. I still think it's based on the original format as I first remember in the early years of daytime TV.

[@Pfirtzer]

Kudos to you for showing us this stuff you do on your car. I know lots of guys who don't have a clue how to repair their car or even exchange oil,airfilter or oilfilter. Nice job and thanks for the tips.

[@idriveaclassic]

It’s hilarious how many men act like I’m an alien for having an old car and doing work myself.

[@theblackstridersofficial2562]

Exactly how I learned to be experienced enough to tackle any problem with any car by having to sort my own car out and marina engine is straightforward enough - good learning experience and I would always be happy to offer advice if needed in the future - making mistakes is ok especially when they are easily put right and it's the only sure way of learning sometimes

[@ciaranmurray6623]

Fair play Steph you obviously have nerves of steel and the patience of a saint. Great video as always 😊

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha well I knew I could call Kev if I messed it up. he wouldn’t have let me struggle 😂

[@pj100565]

Good one Steph - thank you! I needed this 5 years ago when I did the head on my Traveller for the first time. It was a daunting experience for the uninitiated, but I got there in the end!

[@idriveaclassic]

It’s nerve wracking isn’t it xx

[@pj100565]

@@idriveaclassic to say the least! I did remember to number the pushrods and tighten everything up in the correct order with a torque wrench. I didn’t grease up the pots or stuff them with rags though 😮. The thermostat housing was a b*gger to remove and I ended up shearing off one the studs - much swearing ensued!

[@geoffcrabbe4323]

That Is A Class Video of an A Series Marina...when cars got you there without all the car crap they have today...With some love and care they done it.....

[@Bob-v8b3i]

Great to see you are a true Gear Head Steph.

[@RichieRouge206]

Honestly what a great video! You fixed the head back on - always an absolute pleasure watching girls doing car stuff as they are more than able to! The A-series is such a fab little engine - I grew up with them and they are a joy to work on. The quality of filming was excellent too! Well done Steph! Please do more vids like this!

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh I definitely will be!

[@glenjarnold]

Fab video! My great uncle had a mustard coloured Marina in the late 70s/early 80s and kept it in pristine condition.

[@jjmcrosbie]

Good video - instructive and helpful, especially for first timers. One seldom mentioned feature of the Marina range was that it was deliberately designed to be easy to maintain. Everything comes on and off with no trouble (assuming the head bolts aren't so corroded that they snap!). It didn't need much maintenance anyway! I did rings and ends on my 1800 Marina - which is identical in its maintenance methods - and found that the absence of a a front axle made it so much easier, compared with an Oxford/Cambridge for example. Compare that with today's technological miracles!

[@johngrubb1590]

Working on a engine like that is a dream you can get at everything, it's a genuine pleasure, good on you Steph.👍👍

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks John xx

[@triviace]

Congratulations! I didn't realize that you possessed mechanical skills,You Go Girl!

[@idriveaclassic]

Hahaha. A lot of people didn’t!

[@CarSpyTV]

Great work, Steph. Nice fix, well filmed, and clearly explained.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you so much!! Xx

[@RobinTheMini]

You deserve a programme on the BBC!

[@idriveaclassic]

You’re too kind x

[@colingill31]

Took me back 50 years doing ( well watching a friends dad ) the same job on my Standard Pennat and being amazed at the transformation in performance. Great vid.

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahh thank you x

[@furiousdriving]

'Not the worst thing Ive stuck my hands into"...very James Herriot! Its a daunting job first time, shame we missed the swearing..

[@Pfirtzer]

I remember watching James Herriot, Siegfried was my favorite character and always loved Robert Hardy one of the great actors.Steph;s remark made me chuckle up loud too much inuendo there.

[@idriveaclassic]

To be honest, I grew up on a farm and I’ve had to undertake/see some horrific stuff. I do not need to worry about what’s in the vaccine 😂

[@AdamMacleod83]

Ahh nice one Steph, and top points for the comedy, you crack me up so much with your one liners. I wanna see the uncut version with all the swearing 😂👌❤️ xx

[@idriveaclassic]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JESS-ge2zl]

A once a month or so blooper reel! Would make fantastic watching 😁

[@jackharriet4814]

Great stuff Steph. Fair play for getting stuck in and the commentary was delightful as usual.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Jack

[@dandandan389]

Really enjoyed this, would love to see more maintenance videos from you :)

[@idriveaclassic]

They’re coming x

[@jmills1549]

Takes me back.... Tech was so simple back then... No computers... Easy.... Fuel was so cheap... The good old days

[@darranyoung6077]

Great honest vid, glad to see you both back on the road! Mechanic chic at it's best 👌

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you ever so much xx

[@paulbyrne9703]

Good for you Steph your a woman after me own heart you just got stuck in good on ya girl I love your Chanel as always

[@ncjunkgoian]

Took me back to when I was given my brothers Marina after he blew the engine up. I fitted a barn find engine and reseated the valves, cleaned it all up etc. That was in 1990...

[@philnewstead5388]

Well that brought back memories, I was a mechanic in a BL dealer when these were new, the valve failure is probably due to poor tappet adjustment in the past this failure was quite common if the tappets had been overtightened. Glad to see you used grease to hold the RC gasket in place and not the gasket sealant I saw them using on an episode of Wheeler Dealers the other day not only is it unprofessional it makes it so much more difficult to clean everything up next time you adjust the tappets. As an aside we used to recommend that our customers had the head retorqued and the tappets adjusted approximately 500 miles after a head gasket change.

[@robbiecpfc]

You did a great job and well done on getting it back together. Always good to take your time and double check everything as you go along especially if you're bit of a novice mechanically. A thoroughly enjoyable video on a Sunday morning.

[@idriveaclassic]

Yeah I hope the ‘check snd check again!’ Came across in the video. It took ages because I didn’t rush xx

[@y4nnickschmitt]

Awesome. I think this job couldn't have been done any better or more thorough. Cheers.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks so much that’s so kind of you!

[@davidburke1794]

WOW. Thanks for posting this. You've made this so real. I've been working on British motors for 30 years. And this one of the only car videoing we both enjoy sitting watching on the big tv on a cozy evening. And yes, there other methods in the states, but really, this is fantastic video. Thank you.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks ever so much! Xx

[@jrbs]

I wish my mechanic was as stylish as you! 🙂 Definitely worth going through the gap settings twice...👍

[@michaelclutton8446]

You did well, brings back memories working on stuff like that with my dad, great times

[@idriveaclassic]

Yeah it’s a memory I’m going to cherish myself actually. Had such a laugh xx

[@bingethink3491]

Top job. Reminds me of doing the same thing to a Vitesse many moons ago. Great to see a full-service manual too!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you cx

[@anthonygregg862]

Hi Steph. Amazing video getting the car up and running again and seeing your marina buzzing around again. Brill

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you for watching! Love this car xx

[@philipbarker4420]

Well done Steph, great video, you have hidden depths! Great to hear Tina alive and kicking again at the end...

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahh I’m so happy she’s home xx

[@RichardMaguire110]

I loved this video, it takes me back to when I was young working on iron push rod engines. I remember the cross over to metric sizes in the 70's. there were three standards; imperial Whitworth and BSF, AF (acoss flats) and metric.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Excellent video Steph, clear step by step guide and you still remained glam throughout. As you mention and a slogan used by my work a few years ago Preparation is everything.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@magform]

You are amazing, Steph! I have pulled the heads on everything from lawn mowers and model airplanes to American V8s. I find the worse to work with to be the cast iron straight six cylinder head, and yes, I have smashed fingers. The most time consuming for me was any overhead cam motor, not only the added weight, but the timing chain or belt alignment. You certainly stay much cleaner than I do. We used gasoline to clean all surfaces when I learned. It was convenient and cheap, about $0.25 a gallon at the time. And you don't use mechanics gloves! So much of auto mechanics is feel, smell, and sound. Sight is necessary, but if it does not meet the other three, I am always checking everything until it is just right. Great job!

[@danielpothier9990]

Wonderful job, great video, a gram preparation is worth a Kilo of cure! The Marina Lives On!

[@truirf]

Awesome. I always thought this sort of thing was too hard and practically gave away a Triumph 2500 TC back in Australia about six years ago that had been given to me. Should have stuck at it. Inspiring!

[@idriveaclassic]

Honestly I would’ve done the same a few years ago x

[@discerningmind]

Hi Steph, I'm catching up on videos today. Great video here! I didn't know you have mechanical skill. Very impressive. That adds to you enjoyment of vintage cars too. I've always found valve adjustments with the nut and bolt type annoying. In the past when assembling a valve cover of that type I'd adhere the gasket to the cover with an old fashioned product called Aviation Gasket sealer. That would hold the gasket in place to reattach the cover. Now a days we have silicones for that. And I'd leave the engine side of the gasket dry, as that would absorb motor oil on it's own. What you did with the grease is fine but it's messy. Thanks for bringing this video to us!

[@adamtoms2726]

Well done. Very informative and great to have your Marina back on the road again.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks for watching Adam.

[@rx7fbforum]

Great job... a positive 'can do' attitude is a great asset to have...... I bet you had a real sense of achievement when it fired up.... I've done loads of head gaskets and still get that feeling when they fire up for the first time!

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh deffo. I was scared x

[@johntheman2006]

Great stuff. Nice that you don’t gloss over difficulties. Thanks for sharing.

[@idriveaclassic]

Absolutely not! It’s important to be honest in case anyone feels disheartened xx

[@martinnorth2680]

Think that's one of your best videos, love the road tests but great to see mechanical bits too

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks martin!

[@allanmollison6971]

I literally had just done this process with my Morris minor engine. Those overhead valves look a lot easier to adjust than the side valves in the side of the block. But my engine didn't start afterwards unlike yours. I tighten up the manifold and ended up breaking one of the manifold studs in the engine block. We all live and learn by doing and making mistakes. A job well done Steph, I enjoyed the video.

[@idriveaclassic]

Honestly these things happen. Well done. Proud of you from afar for cracking on! Xx

[@donaldasayers]

Ran a Marina for 10 years and a Marina based kitcar, a Marlin for another 10, this brings back memories. Engine parts are easy, just go to a Mini specialist. Gearbox is Triumph derived and some parts are available, but first/second/reverse synchro rings are like rocking horse poo. Back axle, brakes and internals are all triumph. Front suspension is unique to the Marina and front uprights are not now available nor are the famous "Walford" repair trunnions. So keep those lower trunnions well greased, even to the extent of dismantling them once a year to clean and lubricate. Good Luck.

[@johnjtm1097]

Good to see you get down into the oily bits Steph. I love how you take pride in looking after your own car.

[@idriveaclassic]

She’s my life to be fair. It would be silly not to.

[@bricksandstuff2631]

This film has taken things up a notch or two.

[@Mark-26]

Absolutely fantastic! I really enjoyed watching you explain things and work on your car. 👏😎

[@colinburrows4375]

I wouldn't go back to this now after having cars that just start every morning, but I remember doing all this work and much more on my Marina's, I must have done just about every fixing job there was to do on one or another of the 4 marina's I had, but that familiar whine of the old gearbox and engine sound does bring back memory's, If there was a Zombie Apocalypse and you needed a car to fix yourself these are easy, as modern car's are to the most part not fix it yourself friendly, I remember many a cold day having to fix these for one reason or another (I hate the cold) not so bad when I was 18/19 but now in my 50's I like to just get in and push the start button and go, Thank You for the trip down memory lane, Enjoy yours they aren't as bad as top gear would have you think.

[@idriveaclassic]

I mean I’ve never had her not start. Just burn a valve. I did 20k in the last year so tbh that’s good going.

[@lucythemoggy1970]

Steph, this has been an amazing video! you should do basic mechanic vids more often! I think you have done amazingly well. when I had to get lucy ready for her welding, to save labour, the restorer said you can take the engine and gearbox out. I thought are you joking! but I managed to do it, and I was so pleased with myself. Liked the amusing one liners you came out with. made the video more fun to watch. Well done you. 5 stars x

[@idriveaclassic]

You’re braver than me. I wouldn’t have attempted that!

[@robmk3]

What an excellent video, One thing that's good about older cars/engines is proper workshop manuals.

[@gryfandjane]

Great episode, Steph! After 25 years with my MG Midget, I’ve been into the engine any number of times, so this was all quite familiar.

[@niccrane8699]

Fabulous video! Perfect to snuggle up on the sofa on a Sunday morning with a coffee. We love all your videos, thank you :)

[@idriveaclassic]

Aww thanks so much xxx

[@stevehoulihan726]

Excellent. Very well done you. Ok it's a simple engine to work on, but still an engine and still needing a lot of care and attention to detail, as you emphasise. Brilliant work.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you Steve!

[@farr64]

Hi Steph ..Great video as always ..I have to give you credit for getting down to the job,and looking so stylish too.I know you put loads of effort into your video's because it shines though. Never miss any of your video's.Sorry i do not always comment on them but you will get a thumbs up from me every time .You come across as a lovely lady who lives down the road ..If you are ever in Cornwall and need any help give me a shout.Waiting for your next video take care...

[@peterboyle2711]

Well done, many people of your age wouldn't even know where to start. Modern cars are so complicated they just shy away from any maintenance. I must admit an A series engine is an easy engine to work on ,I have done loads in the past.

[@idriveaclassic]

I think a lot of it, is older folk aren’t always willing to share knowledge and it can be scary cracking on solo. I know knowledge transfer wasn’t forthcoming in my early years as a classic driver.

[@peterboyle2711]

@@idriveaclassic I think ,as today, that many of the "older " drivers didn't actually have the Knowledge to pass on either. When I started messing about with cars I was self taught, helped by the fact I was doing an Engineering apprenticeship, many work colleagues helped me along.

[@darrensmith6999]

Terrific video Steph really enjoyed it took me back. Pleased your Marina is happy n back on the road. Go safely (:

[@idriveaclassic]

Touch wood she’s been great today on the test drive.

[@AndrewKNI]

A fantastic video Stef. The best one ever. Reminds me of working on my old Vauxhall Viva in the early 80's. Well done for taking on such a vital job. Laughed at your comment "I have stuck my hands in worse!" :-)

[@idriveaclassic]

I, for one, do not need to worry about what’s in the vaccine.

[@brianandrews7099]

I have been bitten by the Marina bug, but when your living in the US, this isn’t a simple task! I found a car … a 4 door (I can’t find a coupe) but I can’t find any sources for Marina body, trim, and … well, basically any parts that don’t interchange with an MGB or Triumph that are popular to restore over here. I believe the finished product will end up with many “close enough” and “make it fit”parts from other cars to replace the bad parts that I can’t locate or afford! The harder I try to talk myself out of it, the more I want it!

[@gareththompson538]

Fantastic video Steph, I really enjoyed this. You definitely need to do more videos like this. You made it look so easy to do 😀

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Gareth! I wanted to give confidence to people at home to try it themselves x

[@stewartturner3181]

Great tinkering video 😀 and a bit of a trip down memory lane. Remember helping my dad do the head gasket on my mums Anglia many many years ago 😁

[@idriveaclassic]

Ahh that’s lovely!

[@GazzaView123]

Good work, Steph! Enjoyed watching that. It took me back to when I was a kid, watching my dad decoking the cylinder head of his Triumph 1300 on the kitchen worktop much to my mums annoyance.

[@idriveaclassic]

We once rebuilt a cylinder head on a chalet dining table in France on Minors on Tour 😂