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MG TD TF 1500 - Correct Points Gap for 1950 TD

I'm posting this for a friend who just bought a '50 Td (mine's a '53, but I'm new to TD's)- what's the recommended points setting?

Ira Spector

Ira,
OK ...here we go into the dark world of lucas! If distributor is Model D2A4 service # 40162D the gap should be .010 / .012" (.25 / .30mm) ....If 40162E onwards gap should be .014 / .016" (.36 / .41mm).
The car could be fitted with one of 3 cam types : SYMMETRIC / ASYMMETRIC / HIGH LIFT.
For Symmetic and Asymmetric .010 / .012" for High lift .014 / .016. Distributors bearing the suffix "E"
or higher are high lift....previous to "E" would be Symmetric or Asymmetric. Unless someone has changed it, a '50 should be previous to "E" series. Strongly suggest bring a 6 pack to room temp before attempting so as not to anger the "lucas-gawds"...NOT DOMESTIC BEER!
Cheers,
David
55 TF 1500
David Sheward

Above correct, except that cams can and have been switched. The high lift cam (14-16 thou)looks square (slightly rounded corners), while the others look basically very rounded. Best to install electronic ig. and get rid of the points anyway!
George Butz

Thanks! He got it running around .12
I,m thinking about putting a pertronix kit in mine. is it worth it?
Ira
Ira Spector

The cam, more than the distributor should dictate the correct points setting. The early TD originally had a different cam than the late TD. However, many early cars have been converted to the late cam, so one needs to know which cam is in the car.

Regards,
Lew Palmer
Lew Palmer

This thread was discussed between 04/05/2001 and 07/05/2001

MG TD TF 1500 index

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