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MG TD TF 1500 - Gordon, step away from the car and drop the tools.

Ok... its been pretty quiet here lately...
When i got around to cleaning the interior a few months ago, i pulled apart the rear view mirror...think i posted how amazed i was that it had about 14 parts to it.... The mirror silver was worn and i put it on my "soon to be replaced after doing a thousand other important items" list.
About a month ago i picked up a "dollar store" locker mirror...took it apart, cut it to size and reassembled the frame... As i was putting in the last little screw i heard...."SNAP" and turned it over and saw the broken face....laughed and replaced the original...
Yesterday i stopped in at the hardware and got an actual piece of double diamond mirror...guessed at the width and got extra length... Was off by a quarter inch, so had a piece big enough for two instead of 6....
Cut one piece to size and found it a tad large...the rear of the frame wouldn't go in around it.
Cut the second one smaller and it fit... added a rubber surround so the mirror didn't rest on the chrome front (seemed like a good idea at the time). Screwed in the four little screws and thought there was a funny sound with the last couple turns...however, all was fine... nice shiny new mirror. Went out to the barn this morning to put in yet another brake light switch, but thought i would clean my oil/water temp glass (inside and out) (this will be another story)... Looked at the mirror and there were two cracks through it...both radiating from the two lower screws.... like who knew the engineers had allowed just enough space for the screws to go "behind" the mirror glass and that there was no room for the little rubber piece (put the mirror right inline with the screws).... DUH!!!!!!! Anyway... cut a new one this morning, threw away the rubber gasket and finally (after about $6.00 worth of mirror...and two hours of time) have a new pristine rear view!!!!!
gordon.b.lawson '53TD

Unsure of others, but this is common for me. Take it apart, put it back together wrong. Typically this occurs three times prior to getting it wright.
Bruce Cunha

I always have a camera in the garage/workbench. Whenever taking anything apart, take lots of pictures at every step.

Used to be more of a hassle with film, but these days with digital its all too easy.
Will

I have used a digital camera since I started restoring my TD more than two years ago. I have now a collection of more than 2000 pictures (of course at your disposal).

The digital camera turned out a very good investiment, indeed.

Jesus
Jesus Benajes

Would love a shot of the back of the dash showing the ammeter attachment......
gordon.b.lawson '53TD

You guys are not playing by the rules. Three reassemblies is a good start but not even approaching a record. Also photographs are strictly forbiden. The cat should sleep in the tray of neatly cleaned and disassembled parts at leat once prior to reassembly.

Safety Fast!

Jimbo6
1953 MGTD
J. M. Haskins

Lets see... rear view mirror taken apart 5 times... master cylinder removed, disassembled 4 times, Seat removed and repaired twice...
Ammeter taken out and put back 3 times...
Clock stripped 3 times (still not working)
Tachometer removed/taken apart/put together 3 times....

I must have some kind of record....!!!!
gordon.b.lawson '53TD

I consciously made the decision NOT to take pictures on my disassembly. Why? Because it was obvious that so much of the car was assembled incorrectly. There was just tons of stuff that was just WRONG, and to put it back together the same way would have been perpetuating the mistakes of previous owners.

Luckily, I have the factory parts list, which has excellent illustrations of every aspect of the mechanical systems. It's a little light on interior and coachwork details, which is why I'm glad this BBS exists. I've had so many of my questions answered here, that I should give posters here partial credit on the restoration. Whenever it's done. If ever.
Mark B.

Mark,
Keep at it and don't get frustrated. I am lucky enough to a small stable of playtoys, and my TF, although not perfect in every detail, and requiring more fussing than almost anything else that I've ever owned, has proven to be the most fun of them all. I've gotten more grins per mile from it than Carter's got liver pills.
Gene
Gene Burgess

Mark, I agree with you on the excellent sources of information you mention. Nevertheless, let me justify my sometimes paranoiac keenness for keeping a picture record. For somebody who is familiar with the constructive details of the car, and/or works on them on a regular basis, it may be more annoying than useful stopping work, cleaning hands, and taking pictures. However, for me, who never had before, and probably will never do a total disassembly and renewal of a TD, it makes a lot of sense to keep a record of the whole venture, at least for having a good collection of memories in the future…. But I see also some practical reasons:

First, I have a reference of how everything was put together initially, perhaps not original, but often at least in working condition. This point of reference has proven very useful in moments of desperation. And this information can be of course shared with others. Also, I have an excellent record (aside from taking notes) of the different jobs done, and the date of them. And, should I ever have the need of demonstrating the type of work done and care taken of, I have pictures that document the before, during and after.

However, it is often frustrating to learn that, independently of the number of pictures of a particular assembly you might have taken, you always would need to look at it for a different angle…

Jesus
Jesus Benajes

This thread was discussed between 20/11/2004 and 22/11/2004

MG TD TF 1500 index

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