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MG TD TF 1500 - Bills's TC

Rolled it outside yesterday and washed the dust off of it.


MG LaVerne

Put it on the lift this morning to get a look at it. Found this on the exhaust pipe. It also has Bill's name and address on it. I'd have thought it would have burn't off in short order. Must have shipped without any packaging?


MG LaVerne

I'm wondering about this


MG LaVerne

We determined that this TC was built in November 1948 and came from Ireland. Factory mount? Aftermarket?


MG LaVerne

Wonder if these are still under warranty?


MG LaVerne

Apparently one size fits all...


MG LaVerne

I'm guessing I don't want to break these.


MG LaVerne

Love the steering wheel. Would this be correct for the car?


MG LaVerne

I've seen them listed as black or pearl. Would you consider this pearl?


MG LaVerne

Looks like a micro adjuster on the distributor. Factory?


MG LaVerne

Can't say I'm thrilled about the tri color combination.

I'm going to have a lot of questions. Never gave it any thought before but I see by the rim design that they won't take a standard balancing weight and there are none. Would the wheels have been balanced with the spoke stuff I have seen? Or just not at all as these are?

Also I see that the knock offs are steel. I think I've run across some before but not for years. Everything I've been around are brass. Anybody want to enlighten me on those?


MG LaVerne

LaVerne -
Aftermarket Lucas brake light (70's?)
Pearl wheel is standard on EXU, I believe - black is standard for all others.
Micro adjuster is stock TC
I use lead wire wrapped and crimped around the spokes for balance, or attach weights to the rim with double-sided tape
Knockoffs are steel; brass would deform too quickly, I think

Looks a LOT nicer than my TC (which I hope to pick up soon from Southern Maine - should I drive it the 250 miles home?), which has a good deal of wood rot.

Bravo!

Tom Lange
MGT Repair

t lange

Exhaust label was from Moss' old address. They moved from there I believe in the mid 90's.

The third brake lamp is a later generic model, not correct for TC. License plate mount is also home-made.

The tires are 4.75-5.5 which is larger than stock, but should be ok except for being a bit harder to mount and dismount on the rear.

headlamp photo is too tight to see which model they are but they appear to be replacements from the 60's or 70's. It's also running reducer rings. They should be 8" lamps rather than 7".

Steering wheel is not original. Correct wheel would be a solid black 3-spoke model.

Yes, the distributor adjuster is correct.

Don't see the photo of the knockoffs. Originals look different than today's reproductions. More flat and sharper edges.

I don't like the color combo either, but it's not my car! First thing I would change though, is the red frame. But since this is nowhere near a factory correct TC, it doesn't make sense to nitpick it too much.
Steve S

Good day Sir:

Yes, the distributor/micro adjuster is a factory item.

The headlamp reflectors are Lucas 7" semi sealed and the headlamps are equipped with the 8" to 7" Lucas reduction rims enabling the 7" TD units to be employed.

The steering wheel is a factory unit and I believe is known as the pearl style. It was mainly for later export models, EXU/NA being one, but I cannot comment on KN vehicle equipment. There was a black version similar in design and most "home models", also the bulk of earlier exports, came with a plain, steel, black coloured, three blade steering wheel.

As to the rear number plate, backing piece with tail lamp, I feel, this may be a jury rig set up. Again I have little knowledge of car applications sent as "kits" to Ulster. There does not appear, from the angle shown, to be a clear glass or plastic segment to act as rear number plate illumination. I suspect the lamp shown is used as a braking lamp and only one lamp was ever placed on the TC' It is a Lucas ST 51 unit, fixed to the rear, off-side (right) and at the off-side edge of the backing plate. The clear lens, facing across the car, lit the number plate and red section, to the rear, preformed the tail/braking functions. Both, did so poorly. In many cases, a single lamp was assisted by the addition of a second lamp but again, this was not that greatest either. The ST 51 is commonly nick-named the "D" lamp due to its shape.

Well, I am no "GURU" but those are my findings.
Cheers all and have a brilliant 2014.
J.Emdall, TC6768/TD3191, Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia, Canada

kernow

The steering wheel is a "Brooklands" wheel. Very correct period accessory. The "correct" wheel is a three spoke metal wheel, with a black plastic type coating on it. The EXU had a pearl covered version of the same three spoke all metal wheel.
The distributer adjuster is very correct. The rear plate and plate light were cobbled together. The TC should have one "D" lamp to the side of the plate.
This car has the reducer rings for the headlights, so 7" lights can fit in the 8" buckets. could have been shipped that way to Ireland.
-David
D. Sander

The original tire size is 450-19. Ford Model As tires are the same size. The only two options are Firestone, and Dunlop. The Dunlop tires are getting quite pricy. I think they are north of $200 each, but they are still available. Some people hate the Dunlop. I personally don't like the Firestone. I have two Firestone available for free if anybody wants them.
-David
D. Sander

Thanks for the input fellas

Allstate (Sears) on 3 rims. Wouldn't trust them across the street. Even worse is the one with the earlier rim. India brand.


MG LaVerne

Made in Great Britian


MG LaVerne

Knock offs are all steel. The ones on my B, TF and the MGAs I had here were all brass


MG LaVerne

Yes the headlights have the step down rims. Doesn't show in the picture but I think they were marked as P-700


MG LaVerne

Ok, looking at that photo I believe those headlamps are late 1950's. They probably have a replaceable bulb, and are therefore not the sealed variety found later.

Jack, the steering wheel is aftermarket. Most TCs have Brooklands wheels these days, so often people assume that was the original wheel. It's just that the factory wheel was not very sporty looking so many people had the dealer change it out, or bought it from a catalog to replace the original. Original home market wheels are now very rare for this reason. My car still has one and even though I love the Brooklands wheel, I keep it on the car because of its rarity.

David, in addition to Dunlop and Firestone, 450-19 are also available in Michelin, Commander (not sure if these are still in production), Excelsior, Waymaster and Blockley. I prefer the Dunlops as well.
Steve S

Steve, I forgot about the Excelsior, I did not know about the Michelin.
-David
D. Sander

I'm not sure what to make of this mirror.


MG LaVerne

I don't see a big hole in the cowl where I would have expected to find a Desmo mounted.


MG LaVerne

Those two holes are the mounting holes for the TC mirror. It was held by two screws holding a little piece of mirror glass, maybe two by three inches. A lot of people replace them with the TD TF mirror, which was used on the TC EXU.
I think the moss catalouge has a drawing of the proper mirror.
-David
D. Sander

See item 27


D. Sander

Good day all:

The TC earlier models, to my knowledge, were sans a scuttle top rear view mirror. However; the hole in the top, centre of the scuttle was used by some previous owners to fit an after market mirror. The hole originally housed a large, ugly, round headed wood screw, designed to hold the scuttle to the coachwork cross piece dash to bulkhead.

My information is that the EXU was factory equipped with the Desmo (TD) mirror.

The TC had a windscreen support rear view mirror, right side, held by two screws into the support.

Emdall, TC6768
kernow

Don't forget that in late 1948, the works started to make the TC for export (EXU), so there are quite a few differences, including the 7" step-down adapter for sealed beam units.

In fact these had been fitted to my PA, and I am now on the prowl for the rims and interiors for a proper 8" installation. I have the sealed beam set up, but want to return to the original, home market 8" interiors

If anybody reading this has any of these old 8" internal parts for the Lucas L140 lamp, I would be willing to pay any sensible price. A new pair of L140 lamps cost around £495 see http://www.vintage-headlamp-restoration.co.uk/MG8inch.html - I just don't have that kinda bread.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

Yes, but the car in question isn't an EXU! Should have 8" unless they installed sealed beams in Ireland as well.
Steve S

No, you're right. But the factory also provided the 7" sealed beam lamps for the home market, and that is what I have on my PA.

Incidentally, for someone wanting some exotic choices for a 7" lamp, go to Headwinds and have a look. See:- http://www.headwinds.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=headwinds01&Category_Code=030303

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.

P:- Also subscribe to StreetRod magazine ... have for years.
Gordon A Clark

"The hole originally housed a large, ugly, round headed wood screw, designed to hold the scuttle to the coachwork cross piece dash to bulkhead..."
I've seen many all original TCs, and restored two. I've never seen evidence of this screw or a hole in the sheet metal there.
-David
D. Sander

The spare wheel "knock on" is also steel. The good thing about them being steel is that the damaged ends can be built up with weld, filed back, and then re-chromed.
The round headed wood screw was on all TC's. Anybody who would like to know the finer details of a TC should read Mile Sherrell's excellent book "TC's Forever".
Max Irvine

Just had a look at my totally original '49 Australian delivery TC and it has the brass wood screw in the scuttle centre where the rear view mirror mounts.
Peter Malkin

I must not be in visioning the right area on the scuttle.
D. Sander

Any idea when you might fire it up? Maybe 3rd Saturday of the month?
Ed
efh Haskell

Not sure Ed. I want to get Bill out here to go over it with me and discuss what he wants to do. The engine oil on the dipstick is remarkably clean...looks like new oil. The tank will have to be drained and flushed. I see some signs of water marks around the core plugs I don't like. I did turn the engine slightly with the hand crank to make sure it was free. The brakes will need a full rebuild. All the suspension rubber needs replaced. I'd think a good examination of the steering and suspension is in order and there is verticle play in the wheels/hubs that bothers me. I think we need to set a plan for exactly where he wants to take it. The interior is shot with the exception of the seats and some of the finish has peeled off the leather in spots. It may be repairable by an upholstry shop? The tires are unusable and the wheels more than questionable. I haven't taken one off yet to have a look at the hubs but I'd guess they are toast too.
MG LaVerne

Wayne Corini would just give Roger 2 days and some Marvel Mystery oil and call it "restored". I know you better of course. Keep us Nuts posted!
efh Haskell

LaVerne - do you want me to send you a set of brass core plugs?

Best, Tom
t lange

Not yet Tom, I think I still have a set in the shop.

I think wheeler dealers needs to do a TC ...just so I can see what Ed tackles on one.

I'm pretty sure Wayne would recommend we don't touch it and just take it to auction and since it's not his..I'm pretty sure at no reserve and he get's his commission...thank you very little.
MG LaVerne

The stub axles will probably be cracked. Safety items first. While your at the front hubs, check the splines on the hubs and wheels. I just installed tapered bearings in my new hubs with the spacer. To make the car safe to drive all the steering parts need close examination. The tie rod will probably be bent. Check the frame for cracks as well as the steering drop/ pitman arm. Check the steering balls and shanks for wear. Make sure the handbrake is reviewed and made right if necessary.
I'm going through all of this with my 48 TC right now and you will be surprised at what you find. Also, you need to have good leaf springs and dampers all round with rebushed links. $$$ . Complete brake system overhall, etc,etc.

Good luck, I'll be following your progress!
ZBMan

I printed off the MG T ABC safety check list and will use that as a starting guide.

I appreciate all the feed back.
MG LaVerne

This thread was discussed between 28/12/2013 and 30/12/2013

MG TD TF 1500 index

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