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MG TD TF 1500 - ground cable

i dont find any information about the position of the ground cable between gearbox and frame. has anyone a picture or info about the two points to connect?
MG TD/C 1951

Michael
MT Trykowski

The cable goes between the left side frame tower and a screw in the bellhousing. Images are in the archives. I'll look and see if I can find some. Bud
Bud Krueger

Check the two threads that were reactivated: Grounding cable and Engine Breather ... Bud
Bud Krueger

Good question. Checking both threads it seems there are a few variations in the fixing points. Obviously one end goes on one of the gearbox flange bolts & the other onto one of the tower bolts, but which two exactly? Is it 8 o'clock on the flange when viewed from the rear & the inside rear tower bolt? Does the 8 o'clock bolt also secure the breather pipe? Of course you can put them wherever they will fit but it would be nice to know how they were originally secured. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

thank you all for the info

michael
MT Trykowski

Dave's site has a clear picture of it as I remember.
efh Haskell

As long as you have a good, tight connection between the frame and the engine block, it should work perfectly. If you want it to look original, then I'm sure someone else can tell you what that should be.
S Maas

Hopefully someone out there should know how it was fitted originally. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Best solution if you are not into originality is to make a direct connection from the battery post to the engine block itself, resolves a lot of ignition and unreliability problems. Check my archived posts for an image.
G Evans

Just scroll down a bit to the thread "grounding cable (mgtf)" There are pictures showing where the ground cable attaches from the bell housing/engine bolt to the frame bolt. I would further suggest putting something like Koper Kote or other such coating to insure a good, corrosion free connection at each end of the ground cable. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Seems there are a few options there Dave. Just wondered what the correct one was. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

There is/was no cable on my car that I can see anywhere. Moss lists a replacement, but I imagine any grounding cable would do, and would rather not wait to get it shipped, I'm sure one can be found locally. About what length is optimal?
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoff, it's the form of the fittings on the ends that are the 'unique' part of the cable. It's tough enough to install one of the OEM ones, a generic would be even worse. Bud
Bud Krueger

I can make one using large electrical eyelet connectors and a piece of strap. The eyelets need to be big enough for a 5/16 bolt, I think. Looking at the pictures it looked like a pretty straightforward install, so I'm not sure what you mean, Bud... btw thanks for reactivating those threads they were very helpful. I definitely have no cable anywhere I can see grounding the tranny or engine.
Geoffrey M Baker

Peter - If you are looking for absolute originality, I am not the one to ask (while I shoot for originality, I am not fanatical about it). My take on the pictures show the cable coming from the bell housing bolt at 9 o'clock (looking from the transmission), going to either of the inside bolts holding the firewall support to the frame. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Thanks Dave. I'll have a look through Chris's gallery. Hopefully he'll have a pic clearly showing this. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

not the best pic


mog

Yeah Mog. One end appears to be floating. I guess the fixed end is on the inside rear tower bolt? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Geoff, look at Ed Haskell's images in the 'Engine Breather...' thread. That's the type of termination that that works well and is on OEM cables. The grounding cable is optimally on the bellhousing bolt at 8 o'clock. The breather pipe goes to the 9 o'clock bolt. Bud
Bud Krueger

Thanks Bud. Looks nice. Guess I'll order one at some point. :)
Geoffrey M Baker

When I ordered new battery cables from Rhode Island Wiring they came with new ground straps. I haven't installed them because my old ones are in place and seem to be working but the ones from RHW look like they will fit so you might check them out. Jud
J. K. Chapin

Thanks Jud, I'll probably just order the Moss version, it's probably the best connection. But many thanks for the offer!
In the meantime, to test my starter tomorrow, I'll dig out the biggest wire I've got and make a homemade job...
Geoffrey M Baker

I have the 4 RIW cables. Best available in terms of originality & quality. I very much doubt the Moss versions come anywhere near the RIW gear. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

My supplier had a ground strap in stock.
But now I look and guess what? Whoever originally removed the ground strap also removed the bolt from the base of the tower! It's only been missing for 30 years now...
So what is the bolt size and thread?
Geoffrey M Baker

This thread was discussed between 07/12/2015 and 14/12/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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