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MG TD TF 1500 - block casting numbers

I recently acquired a 54 TF, restored a decade ago by persons unknown. Trying to identify what kind of block/head I have.

Head is stamped 29 H7 22952. Info at T Register site (http://www.tregister.org/) suggests this means head is pre-1952, which means it should be fitted with plugs with 1/2" throw. Head currently fitted with plugs with 3/4" throw. Motor runs fine but I imagine it would go better with correct plugs!

Block is a bit of a mystery. Has MG hexagon fixed to block, and this identifies the engine as Type TD2, number 27727. However stamped on block, just below distributor and towards firewall, is the number 622083. This number does not match up with any of discussion on block casting numbers I have seen to date.

Can anyone shed any light on this number? (I imagine all will become clearer when I need to take the head off - the shape of the water transfer holes may help - but I am hoping not to need to do this for a while).

regards to all John Crighton
J H Crighton

I've made a slim wire with a 1/8 inch 90 deg bend at the end and I slip that into a spark plug hole. If the measured distance is less than 3/4 it requires a 1/2 lenght spark plug. If it is more than 3/4, then it needs a 3/4 length.

The numbers for the block are found stamped above the metal tag. Mine were so faint, my engine paint job almost obliterated them. You may try looking there.

dave
Dave Braun

errr...

Those block numbers I'm talking about are the s/n of the engine, so you can verify if the tag is correct.

dave
Dave Braun

Neil Carins' book on MG engines states that the 22952 head is the "oval hole" head which does use 1/2" reach plugs. If you have 3/4" in there, be careful removing, as carbon can build up on the threads. If you can't back the plugs out, off with the head to remove. The TD2 (and block serial #) would inticate a TD block. Oval hole blocks (which you should have if sn is correct), should have casting # 168421 at the left front of the block, under the generator. The oval hole blocks have a cast in MG octagon, with the block # of 24146 or 24445. George
George Butz

Thanks guys. Turns out to be a TD head, and should have 1/2" throw plugs. Apparently the car has been running with 3/4" throw plugs since restoration. No interference with valves, so no damage/problem. Heard that some racing afficionados deliberately use plugs that intrude slightly into combustion chamber - believing it improves ignition!

Can't find block casting number either near MG hexagon or below dynamo. I can wait until we take the engine out

Tks again

John C
J H Crighton

Hi John,
Just for additional info.,the rare mgtf1500 motor has the following numbers on the Block and the Head:the Block has AEF 117 cast into it and the Head has AEF118 stamped on the top face.
I purchased a 'to be restored'TF1500 two years ago here in Western Australia and checked these on the motor before completing the buy.I also checked the motor/chassis number match with BMHT in England and received a Certificate which confirmed the match.
If you ever come across a TF1500 Block/Head,let me know.They are as rare as 'Rocking Horse S..t!!

Cheers
Rob. Grantham
ROB. GRANTHAM

The block casting number is towards the front on the dynamo side, but immediately below the tappet chest cover. The dynamo prevents the number being read easily, and a mirror is usually needed; it would be very unusual if there were no number. Your other number, 622083, is in the region where the date code is, but these were cast on with the block, and you say youp number is stamped on. Although the date code is not easy to decipher, it is commonly a six digit number. As I did some research into these numbers, I will see if my records throw any light onto your number.
Roger Wilson

Roger

Thank you for that. When I said 622083 was 'stamped' on, I should have said 'cast'.

Yes, I can feel a number just under the lip below the tappet cover. No wonder I was not able to see it easily from above! I will investigate with a mirror.

The only other info that has come to light was an observation from a local T Guru who observed that XPAG engines usually have a MG hexagon cast on on the left side of the block. This is absent on my car, which led him to suggest that it may be a Wolseley block.

He suggested also that a good method of checking the spark throx length required is to use adental pick and count the number of threads in the spark plug hole

regards

John C
J H Crighton

thanks to Roger's suggestion to use a mirror, I discovered the casting number - 168421. I also discovered a "w" below.

This is consistent with the useful note on XPAG and XPEG block and head casting numbers in the july 2004 edition of 'Totally T-Type'. In mid-1952 changes were made to both block and head castings to encourage more water flow via the rear of the engine. The cast "MG" logo on the block was deleted, and all blocks from then on bore the Wolesley "W" logo. The revised block had a casting number of 168421.
J H Crighton

Roger,

I was interested to to see the comment from a 'Guru' regarding XPAG motors and the 'MG' casting on the block.I assume he was talking only about TC and TD motors.TF's,both TF1250 AND TF1500, ORIGINALLY never did have 'MG' cast in the block.

Cheers
Rob. Grantham
Rob Grantham

Hi,
Whoops!My note regarding 'MG' castings should have been to John C., not Roger.Anyway,it looks like John has found the relevant detail in 'Totally T-Type'.

Cheers
Rob. Grantham
Rob Grantham

John,
Apologies for the delay in coming back to you, but I only access this site when I am at work, which is a school, and we are on holiday just now. However, I was passing , and thought I'd log on. I'm glad you have found the block casting number, and have confirmed that the other number is cast rather than stamped on. Unfortunately, I have not made much headway with these numbers, as every time I think I know how the date code works, I see another engine with a code that ruins my theory. I try and take engine and date code numbers from T types at any MG meeting that I go to, to give more information to help solve the code. Thanks to Rob for pointing other things out.
Keep on driving (MGs).
Roger Wilson
Roger Wilson

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2006 and 08/08/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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