28/07/2026
Update on the classic Rover 2000 in the workshop recently with a bit of a list: overheating after 15 minutes, a misfire, and wipers that weren't playing ball.
Classic cars usually mean chasing down a few interconnected issues, so we started from scratch:
Engine & Tuning: Compression was good, but it was running very rich with an oily rear cylinder. The carb was way out of tune, mostly caused by an old, blocked air filter. Fitted a new filter, retuned the carb to spec, and repaired a vacuum leak on the brake booster.
Electricals: Tracked the wipers and brake lights back to missing live feeds in the loom, so we sorted the wiring and renewed the feeds.
Valves: Checked the valve clearances and found all exhaust valves out of spec. That explains some top-end noise, so it’ll need shimming down the line.
With everything set up, we took it on a proper 22-mile test drive up over Brent Knoll to put it under load. It ran spot on—no overheating, no misfires, and gave us a good excuse to stop for a milkshake on the way back.
Good to see classic iron like this back on the road and running properly.