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MG TD TF 1500 - hill climbing

What sort of CONTINUOS gradient would a TF1500 with a good radiator and possibly an additional electric fan be comfortable with. Anyone know? Thinking of an average of 9%
JK Mazgaj

If regarding the cooling system, I suspect a lot depends on the ambient temperature. Is it possible to pull a 9% grade continuously in top gear with a standard final drive ratio?
John Quilter (TD8986)

Unless the hill climb is planned at a slow pace, the car’s movement is supplying the cooling airflow. Is a second fan serving a purpose in this theoretical climb?

Regards, Tom
tm peterson

The reason I ask is a bucket list ambition to drive the THE GROSSGLOCKNER HIGH ALPINE ROAD in Austria in my mgtf 1500
JK Mazgaj

As you climb, the temperature drops. The air mixture is richer. Both phenomenon tends to better cool the engine.
But engine yield decreases due to incorrect mixture
And of course mechanical power needs to be increased. Unless you climb slower.
So don't hesitate to downshift and climb slowly if engine overheats.
This is very dependant on external temperature. But I've climbed several passes in Pyrénées with no problem.

Picture is a cold and misty afternoon at 1750 m after 19 km, 1100m climbing. Average slope 8% with a maximum of 10%.
Climbed with a very heavy right foot (TD stage II, 4.3/1 rear end ratio).

At the opposite I had to slow down for a 400 m climb with a 7% average and 12% max at much lower elevation in a hot summer day.
Anyway, don't be affraid. Climbing mountains is the best experience our cars can give us.

Laurent.



LC Laurent31

One TC, two TD's, and a TF just finished a 1,047 mile five day run through mountains in western Virginia and the eastern part of West Virginia. The TF was stock and in good condition while my TD has a 4.30 rear ratio with a good engine. The TC was also stock. We drove up and down 9% grades on a regular basis to altitudes as high as 4,000 feet. None of us could get up the grades without downshifting. The trick is to just keep the revs up close to 3,000 rpm or a bit higher. I had to work a bit harder with the 4.30 ratio but it really wasn't a problem. The temps were in the 60's and the water temps never exceeded about 90 degrees C. Depending on the curves encountered you'll lose forward speed so you'll have to pull second gear on occasion. A bigger concern is going down the slopes. You'll learn to like third gear. We do this every year and run the little guys as they were intended. Never have had a heating problem in any of the cars that go with us if the engine is worked properly. As an aside, we went 4,000 miles and except for my starter motor that failed( hurray for cranks) there were no other problems. As a collective group we've gone almost 20,000 miles in the mountains with no problems that couldn't be fixed on the side of the road. Great cars!
Mark Strang

Don't forget about mixture adjustment. As you climb higher and the air thins out, your mixture will change.

I burned a set of valves on my TD just going over the Grapevine in Southern CA. I also burned a valve on my MGB going over the Rockies.

Others with more carb experience can add recommendations to prevent this.
Bruce Cunha

Thankyou all. Bruce as you comment perhaps others may comment regarding carb adjustment.
JK Mazgaj

I am surprised you would burn a valve with a mixture that is slightly rich. Airplanes do it all the time and they have greater altitude changes. the main reasons for leaning at altitude are performance and economy not the valves..now if you do not enriched the mixture as you descend then you may damage a valve.

Regards, Tom
tm peterson

Well....aircraft (piston powered) do have a mixture control for each engine in the cockpit to address altitude changes. I don't think running an engine a bit rich would cause burnt valves. I think running it too lean would cause that.

Jim
Jim Rice

Jim, typically aircraft don’t lean during climb out. They set up mixture once established at altitude.

I have never seen a burned valve in an aircraft engine from too rich a mixture.. but that is based on only 46 yrs experience.

Regards, Tom
tm peterson

Lean conditions burn valves, not rich.
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 07/11/2022 and 11/11/2022

MG TD TF 1500 index

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