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MG TD TF 1500 - Interesting TD

This TD on eBay is sort of interesting, in that it has a non-XPAG engine. Anyone know what it is? Flat-head Ford?

Tom
t lange

Which TD?
efh Haskell

Car is listed here;http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1950-EARLY-MG-TD-BLACK-PLATE-RUST-FREE-BARN-FIND-/280729017553?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item415cc0dcd1

Item number 280729017553

I cannot ID the flathead someone has grafted in there. Appears to have a Carter W-1 carb. Used heavily on Chrysler Corp stuff. Not Willys. Picture from the drivers side suggests perhaps more than 4 plug wires? Any guesses, guys?
Dan Craig

It's a very small flathead 4. Maybe English Ford? (my wife had one of those b4 we got married, but don't remember back 50 yrs very well) The "extra" plug wire may be from the center of the distr. to the coil. Seats look to be redone TF seats. No pic showing the transmission either from above or below. Strange things can happen in CA.
Al
A W Parker

"complete and mostly original" ????
Is that a joke?
It was red/blue/black.
What about it is "mostly original"?
Certainly not the unnamed 4 cyc flathead engine.
David Sheward

Definitly not TF seats ...not even close.
Shape is all wrong and way to "skinny".
Must need to sell as looks like they could not afford a bucket of soapy water and use of a hose.
David Sheward

Carbs are on the wrong side for a CJ2 jeep. A lot of boats used 4 cylinder flatheads, so it may be difficult unless you get more information from the owner.
Bruce Cunha

I think it is a 6 cyl, maybe a Plymouth. (I've repressed my Plymouth knowledge, but it looks familiar)
Seats are probably American, by the tacky chrome braces attaching the backs.
Beautiful detail touches, steering wheel, gauges, license lamp, etc.
It's joke but could be a decent start on a good one, since the sheet metal and rust situation looks pretty good.
I reckon these people haven't got a clue about either "classic" cars or buying a car, given the crappy pictures.

FRM
FR Millmore

Must be real fast to have the need for 4 horns.
thomas scott

From the water jacket, it may be a 6 cylinder Studebaker. The intake/exhaust appears different, but it could be the angle.

Here is a picture of one.


Bruce Cunha

If you're going to change the engine I prefer this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/53-TD-Corvette-powered-/300591088422?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item45fca00326
Gene Gillam

Pretty close Bruce. Odd choice-probably what ever was layin out back of the barn. More shots of Stude engine in this auction. Dan
280724739626
Dan Craig

Plymouth not quite right, but close. Good on the Studybuster, other choice is 48-51 Ford with the distributor low left. And the blue on the engine is right for Ford, don't know about Stude. But he should have kept that astonishing air filter!

FRM
FR Millmore

....where do you think the battery goes...seems to be a large wonking horn in the battery box....interesting 2nd fuel pump at the back....
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

I ask him about the motor ...no answer yet.
David Sheward

I have studied the pics of the engine compartment and decided if that is a 6 cylinder, and it is, the last two cylinders must be located inside the drivers compartment. Would be nice to see a shot from the front looking back to see how the firewall was modified.
Richard Taylor TD3983

They say in the description...4 cyl gasoline... and I just see 5 plug type wires...one for the coil in both the photos... judging by the position of the carb, it is equal distant between the front 2 and rear 2 plugs?
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

"they say" ?? !!! A lot of stuff.
I see six wires, and the coil on these proposed 6 cyl engines tend to be mounted on the side of the block by the distributor.
Looks to me that the carb is too far back for a 4, but about right for a 6.
Wonder what sort of gearbox it has?

FRM
FR Millmore

He adds below that it is a period flat head six, so not sure if he knows what it has in there.

You are probably right Gordon, carb position does look like it is a 4..Hey did you ever get that red rexine sample I sent ya.
Richard Taylor TD3983

Little sliver of gearbox appears in one shot-possible overdrive actuator hangin out the side?
Dan Craig

I did tell him that is not an MG XPAG engine...
Should I ask if the horns work next?

"I will get it running and relist. It shouldn't take much, fresh gas, new battery and some fondling"

Oh me, of little faith.
Looking at the wiring, I think I would want several people close by with fire extenguishers.
David Sheward

You know what they say David, where there's fondling there's gonna be heat....uh.. or did you day that was an earthquake:)
Richard Taylor TD3983

Richard...yes, thank you....still need some original green, and biscuit...
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Always confuses me when folks talk about how little it will take to make a vehicle operable again when they have already exhibited how little knowledge of the machine they actually have. Optimists, I suppose. Or salesmen.
Dan Craig

I can't believe it is a 6; that really wouldn't fit. Poor photos make confirmation difficult - any local folks want to look at it?

IF it had the original engine and trans it could - at considerable expense - be returned to semi-original. Even then, expect to spend an easy thousand for instruments, another couple of thousand for seats and interior, another few thousand for brakes, etc., plus a whole lot of labor. Not worth it, IMHO, without the engine and trans, and I doubt it will meet the reserve.

My personal favorites are amazingly pleated door panels, the impossibly large third brake light, and the rear-mounted antenna with a ball on it. No fox tail?

Tom Lange

t lange

Oh, come on Dan.... a little polish, a little leather....just an xpag and gearbox..... on the road for $1000.00 .... and oh what fun with the wind in your hair (or not)......
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Looks like a 6 cylinder Hercules Red Seal engine I had in a welder once. They were used in some cars in the 30s, 40s and 50s and quite a few industrial applications. Hard to tell about this one though. PJ
Paul J

Can't be much wrong with it - it ran when it was parked...20 years ago. Only takes 2 things to bring 'em back to life - time and money. In this case, lots of both. Might make donor for a project like the example Gene linked to. Perhaps with an all aluminum 5.0 Ford for less nose weight and more bonnet clearance?
Hey Tom - got yer rain gear handy? Looks like it might rain a bit at your house. Stay safe, Dan
Dan Craig

Dan - It's downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, so I'm not going to worry about anything at all. I'll be on an island a few miles off shore, watching the splendid waves and feeling the wind in (the precious little that's left of) my hair.

Tom
t lange

Dan

Carb on the one you list looks pretty close. Note the rounded bowl and the place where the fuel line comes in. Also look at the cover over the spark plug wires. I think Studebaker is it.

Hope he posts a few more engine pictures. I would love to see what they did to the firewall. My guess is they cut it and rebuilt it to the edge of the tool box, taking out the floor of the battey box.
Bruce Cunha

Way back in the early sixties we put a Studebaker Champion 6 banger in my TD. The engine sat way back and low. The electric overdrive was also a part of the package. Ran real well but overheated a lot. My dad sold it as soon as I left for boot camp in 1962
J Hageman

Sold For:

US $7,750.00
David Sheward

Wow

Good for the seller.
Bruce Cunha

Hope the buyer knows what he got into on this one!
David Sheward

Hope J Hageman discovered it is his old car and bought it.

FRM
FR Millmore

The world is truly a small place these days. Wonder where Mr Hageman last saw the car at? DC
Dan Craig

My beloved TD was sold by my Dad without me knowing it
I would buy it back in a instant. I have the engine out of that one in my present 51. Bright Red and looks just like my first. Dad also did the same thing to me with my first car a 32 five window. Sigh......
All these dastardly deeds took place in Whittier California in 1959 for the Ford and 1962 for the MG. Let's not talk about my 55 Chevy.
James Hageman

This thread was discussed between 25/08/2011 and 30/08/2011

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