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MG TD TF 1500 - Carburetor and air filter interfering with bonnet

I have a 51 TD Mk II that has a replacement xpeg 1500 engine. I bought the car in pieces. As I rebuilt and assembled things I discovered that the carb linkages were incorrect. After doing research, the linkages that were on the carbs were from an MGA so I replaced them with proper linkages and all seemed well. The car runs well, etc. However...once I installed the bonnet, I found it didn't close properly as the front carb was interfering. I have vokes pancake style filters.

So my question is, the car should have H4 carbs and I wonder if perhaps I have different carbs that have a longer throat length? Anyone know if there are differences and how long the throat should be from filter mounting plate to manifold mounting plate? Anyone else have this issue with the vokes on a TD causing this kind of interference? The carb/filter assembly pushes the front of the bonnet on the left side out almost a full inch.
J Cosin

There are no '51 Mark 2s. Marks came with a blister in the bonnet for the extra room like the other side for the generator. They didn't use the Vokes filters. Our '50 had H4s with original style air filter; the aluminum air manifold had the corner ground down and still left dents in the bonnet due to inadequate room.

I solved the problem by substituting a supercharger.
JIM N

Thanks for your feedback but I will correct you that Mark
II production began in 1950. My car does have the bonnet bulge on both sides as well as Andrex shocks dual fuel pumps etc and has TDC stamped on the chassis and the ID plate confirming it as a Mark II. There were 31 Mk II’s made in 1950 and 470 in 1951.

You are correct however that vokes filters are not original to the TD in general including the Mark II. The vokes are all I have and the original air cleaner and manifold are very difficult to source so I’m trying to make it work. A supercharger is not for me though.
J Cosin

J,

I have a TD that is fitted with 1 1/2" carbs and Vokes air cleaners and they do not touch the bonnet.
In answer to your question, the TD carbs are 4 13/16" flange to flange. I also have an MGA and is carbs are 4 13/16" flange to flange.

Question on your Vokes, are they parallel with the flange or angled, the Vokes should be angled as on the TF for them not to interfere with the bonnet.

Bernie


B W Wood

Bernie. Thanks. Can you clarify what you mean by angled? Is there some shim involved?
J Cosin

Bernie - I'm surprised everythning fits under there, since you also have a Laystall Lucas head, and headers. The head moves the carbs outward a bit (look at the thick manifold flange), so interference is most likely.

Jonathan - check the pattern on the Vokes screen; if they match Bernie's picture above then you have TF filters; if not, then you have MGA filters, which are probably engineered slightly differently. TF filters are angled slightly to conform to the tapered side panels.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Original TF filters have round holes in the filter screen. MGA's have the diamond pattern. The filters shown above while having an MGA type screen have the angled back plates that were needed for the TF. The MGA back plates were flat. The TF carb assembly also has some insulating blocks between the carb and the intake manifold that a TD did not...so combine that with the Laystall head and there ya go.
L E D LaVerne

The Vokes were off a TF but the mesh was stuffed so just bought a sheet of screen and cut to shape, never thought about the pattern.

As Tom said the back plate of the air filters is angled so no shims or blocks.

The Laystall head is 12mm wider than a standard head so everything is a bit tight, but just fits if you alight the engine dead vertical, if you run a standard head then no problem.

Mine is a standard TD so no Mk2 blister on carb side.
B W Wood

Thanks to everyone for their advice

Turns out I have MGA filters. If anyone has TF filters (or at least the backhalf that mounts to the carb, consider me interested.


J Cosin

Here's a comparison pic of the front and rear Volks air cleaner backs. If you look carefully, you can see the angle in the front carb back plate. PJ


PJ Jennings

My TC has an XPEG head carbs and air cleaners. I took the rear TF air cleaner off and replaced it with an MGA air cleaner. I put this filter, and an MGA air filter on my TD. Now both cars have air filters that look the part' have the crank case breather, and the hood closes.
D. Sander

This thread was discussed between 16/10/2018 and 18/10/2018

MG TD TF 1500 index

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