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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - ENZED Pistons - Any good???

There's a set of Repco Enginneering ENZED pistons for sale on ebay which I'm interested in. They are the 4 ring variety. Is anyone familar with Repco? If so how do they compare with what I could buy from Moss? Also why 3 ring or 4 rings - does it really make a difference if properly engineered?

As always thanks to everyone who contributes to this board. You have no idea how much I appreciate your wealth of experience. This TD restoration occasionally gets the better of me and reading this board and knowing I'm not the first to be tested by this challenge helps keep me sane!!!

Best regards,
Jim
Kalamazoo
Jim Budrow

Jim......on all the BMC engines that I have rebuilt I have used Hepolite pistons. But Repco has a very good reputation with engine parts, so I think they would be ok. Who knows what you get from MM. I use Repco brake pads on my Volvo and M-B and have found them to be outstanding.
Email someone like Matthew in Aussie land and ask him, he's T-Car guy. mbmagliton@msn.com
Hope you get them cheap.
colin stafford

Hi Jim, Repco engine parts are as good as original in my opinion. I am not all that keen on their oil scraper rings however as they are usually the type that come in two stainless rings with a spacer in between. I prefer the one piece cast iron ring.
The 3 piece rings are pretty well unbreakable so are safer to fit on the other hand.

I am using 4 ring Hepolite pistons and find that they are difficult to fit as the bottom ring has to be assembled on the piston and then fitted from the bottom of the engine which is awkward, then the piston must be pushed up out of the top of the bore and the top 3 rings fitted. Oil control is excellent once fitted. I had none of the running in problems that is currently being discussed on this forum.

Cheers,

Paul

Paul van Gool

Colin and Paul,

Thanks for your comments. I have a high regard for your opinions so I will likely bid on the pistons.

Colin - I tried to email Matthew but the address posted doesn't seem to be valid, but thank you anyway.

Best regards,
Jim

Jim Budrow

Gday Jim,
Sorry you couldn't raise me. You could also try to contact me via The Original mgtf midget site. In Australia REPCO is a long established company with a good reputation. Unfortunately I am several spanners short of being able to call myself a 'mechanic' so I will leave comments about pistons to those who are more qualified than myself.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

I used the four ring variety of pistons when I rebuilt my engine and have been very well satisfied with them. Ohe possible advantage in using this type is that the lower rihg helps stabilize the piston in its normal travel. This stability means the piston is not able to "wobble" in the cylinder and helps prevent a wear known as "piston slap".
Jim Merz

Last time I used a set of of pistons with the four ring setup they went into the bore without any trouble, if, you use a long ring compression sleeve that closes all four rings at once.
These may be hard to find nowdays as most modern pistons are short skirted and have no lower scraper ring.
colin stafford

I believe that I have a 'long' ring compressor from the 'old' days but I'm not sure how well it will work with these small diameter pistons. Last time I used it (10+ years ago), it was either for the MGB or GTO - now there's a difference!

Thanks again for the help!

Jim
Jim Budrow

Hi Jim, doesn't matter how long your ring compressor is. XPAG pistons are not fitted from the top down as the bore is too narrow to allow the big end to pass down through. pistons must be fitted from the bottom up, revolving the crankshaft as you go, and there is barely room to do this. The bottom ring must be compressed and fitted into the bore, and with the crankshaft in place this is the awkward bit. It is easier if you have the crank out. There is no room in there for your hands with the crank in place.

These problems do not exist with 3 ring pistons. It is the fourth ring down low on the piston that makes it difficult as there is no room in there to use a ring compressor. You have to fit this one by hand. If you have the crank out however, you would not have these problems.

The top 3 rings are fitted by pushing the piston up out of the bore without the rings on them, fitting the rings, and then using the ring compressor to fit the assembly in the usual manner. only then can you bolt the big end in place.

Cheers,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

This thread was discussed between 03/03/2003 and 06/03/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.