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MG TD TF 1500 - Lock-wiring of MG TD XPAG Eng Cam Dowel Bolts

Does anyone know how the MG TD XPAG engine dowel bolts are lock-wired? Fig P.22. in the Workshop Manual shows the centre bolt wired to the upper 'leg' of the rear dynamo mounting bracket. Figures / drawings on pages 42 and 55 of "The M.G. midget (Series "TD") Operation Manual Sixth Edition support this.

I have found a picture on the internet that shows the centre dowel bolt lock-wired to one of the oil gallery plug bolts below it. These plug bolts are not drilled for lock-wiring on my engine (no. 16876).

However - I cannot find anything that would indicate how/where the rear cam bearing dowel bolt is lock-wired.

I did not take this engine apart so have nothing to refer to in that respect.

I realize that such lock-wiring is probably not really necessary, especially if one uses thread-locker on the bolts when installing them.


Thank you for any assistance that anyone can provide.
C. G. King

Your take from the WSM on the centre bolt wiring is correct. The rear is apparently wired to the oil gallery line. I struggled to accept this when I first asked the question. I've lockwired the centre bolt as per the WSM but I'm not lockwiring to the oil line. Just doesn't seem appropriate to me regardless of what the WSM says. I'll probably end up taking the wire across to one of the bolts on the gearbox bell housing. I'll probably have to drill a hole in the head of the bolt that I choose to use. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

See the thread, appropriately, "Engine Lock Wire" in the archives for the proper positioning of the two wires.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Thank you Mr. Hehir and Mr. Lange for your responses to my cam bearing dowel bolt lock-wiring query.

I am new to bulletin boards in general and to this one in particular - but I was able to find the "Engine Lock Wire" thread.

Original or not - I won't be lock-wiring a bolt head to an oil line. 30 years in the Air Force tells me that would be a no-no. I suppose one could loop the lock-wire around the "banjo" union between the oil-line and the block at the union - if one were so inclined. That would satisfy the requirement for lock-wiring the dowel bolt head (assuming there really is one?) - but even that's a bit "iffy" in my opinion.

Again - thank you very much for your input. I think I'll be using thread locker in this particular application.


Charlie King
'52 TD 16504
C. G. King

My RAAF training as an instrument fitter led me to the same conclusion Charlie. I think you'll find this BBS will answer most if not all of your queries. Welcome aboard. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Charlie, are you the gent who wanted to look at my TD lock wiring at the Ancaster Flea Market?

If so what did you end up doing?
... CR
C.R. Tyrell

Righty tighty lefty lucy
Mike Hart

Mr. Tyrell:


Yes - I am he. Again - thank you for taking the time to show me under your TD's bonnet that day.

I have not lock-wired either of the 2 dowel bolt heads. Instead, I have used the 'blue' (medium strength) thread locker on both bolts.

It will be a while before the engine is completely assembled and ready for initial start - and then another quite a while before the car is road-ready - so I won't have any results, with respect to this deviation from what is "original", to share with anyone in the near term.

Again - thank you showing me your TD and thank you also for your continuing interest.


Charlie King
'52 TD 16504
C. G. King

First of six photos:

#1 - Lockwire center dowel bolt, my TF7211. Not wired to dynamo. Instead it's wired under the bolt below. I don't know if it is original.

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

Second of six photos:

#2 - Lockwire center dowel bolt, unrestored TF9052. Wired underneath dynamo bracket.

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

Third of six photos:

#3 - Lockwire center dowel bolt, TF6688. Wired underneath dynamo bracket.

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

Fourth of six photos:

#4 - Lockwire oil line, my TF7211. Lockwired to banjo. This had to be done after the bango was installed. Otherwise the lockwire would prevent the crush washer from sealing. In the photo, the twist looks like it is around the line, but it isn't. I don't know if it is original.

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

Fifth of six photos:

#5 - Lockwire oil line, unrestored TF9052. Lockwired to oil line.

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

Sixth of six photos:

#6 - Lockwire oil line, TF6688. Lockwired to oil line.

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

Mr. Cook:


Thank you very much for taking the time to post the pictures of the various methods of lock-wiring the dowel bolt heads.

That gives me a much better idea of what would be considered "original", what might not be "original", and what others have done.

It has been a great help / source of information for me and, I suspect, for others as well.

Again - thank you.


Charlie King
'52 TD 16504

C. G. King

Charles -

I have owned my TF (TF7211) for two and a half years. The lock wires were on it when I bought it. However, it has been bored 0.020" over, so it has been apart at some point in time. The bolts were probably lockwired when it was reassembled. That's why they are different from the original lockwires on TF9052 and TF6688.

> TF9052 is the gold standard of originality. Less than 6,000 miles. I'm sure the lockwires on it are original.
http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/Pictures/TF9052/Thumbnails/mgtf_tf9052.htm

> TF6688 is also a pretty original car.
http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/Pictures/TF6688/mgtf_tf6688.htm

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Mr. Cook:


Again - thank you for the 6 pictures - and also thank you for the 2 website URLs with additional pictures of the TFs.

To all who have responded - I am overwhelmed - thank you very much.


Charlie King
'52 TD 16504
C. G. King

Charlie if you Google "ECI Technical Note" the first item is worth downloading. It spells out all you need to know about lockwiring & then some.
Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

> Link to the ECI Tech Note on lockwiring:
http://www.eci.aero/pdf/10-3.pdf

> Automotive application:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-how-to-safety-wire.215935/

> VIDEO - Lockwire overview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwkL0qfyFL0

> VIDEO - Lockwire detailed techniques and examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwFjUX6SaY8

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

This thread was discussed between 02/05/2016 and 07/05/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

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