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MG TD TF 1500 - Maiden Voyage

Well gang, it's been a while since I checked in, but I'm happy to say that, after a five year "restoration" - using the term very loosely - (or was it six years?...time flies when you're having fun OR dealing with TD's), that I finally took my '50 TD out for its maiden voyage (all 200 yards of it)!

This car has not been on the road for at least 15 years. I took it all the way down to its slightly bent frame and back. I've still got to install the bumpers, figure out why one of my marker lights burns brighter than the headlight next to it, and a few other small projects (the kinds of projects that will always be there), but I couldn't wait any longer to get her on the road (I used to drive this car in high school during the Carter administration!).

I really had no expectation of covering any great distance on the maiden voyage, and certainly was concerned about venturing into a position where I would have anything but a downhill glide back home to my driveway (if it became necessary to push her back home for any reason - imagine).

After a couple of hundred yards, in which I achieved 3rd gear and some portion of the neighborhood speed limit of 25mph, I approached the critical decision point of the crest of a small rise in the road that is followed by a long downhill where, if I proceeded, I might have to actually rely on the 57 year old engine or a tow truck to get me/us home AND face the embarrasment of my now-grown-weary-with-all-this wife...

I could sense the spark plugs had each gathered up a good tablespoon of coal-mine-quality carbon on the short, 20-25 second journey (I know what the Wright Brothers must have felt like at Kitty Hawk and I bet my grip on the wheel was as tight as theirs!) and were about to give what little gas that didn't leak down the carbs their final spark. So, reluctantly but wisely I turned her around and sort of chitty-chitty-bang-banged back home, silently coasting the last five yards into the driveway - Ahh the satisfaction of achieving flight!

Now begins the endless process of finding the sweet spot in the tuning of the carbs, setting the mixture, and exorcising the ghosts that have me the proud owner of a quite fruitful coal mine of carbon build up on my plugs. I'm sure I'll need the sage advice of this group to achieve a tuned vehicle worthy of a trip beyond the limits of the neighborhood - say to the grocery store - but I'll start with a simple question: Which way do I turn the jet adjusting nut to lean the mixture?
Robert

I can't answer your engine questions, but IF you have turn signals installed and you have dual filament bulbs in the side lamps, the bulb that is bright may be in upside down. They are orientation sensative and it may be burning on the "flasher" filament when you have your lights on.

Cheers

Larry
L Karpman

To lean the engine, you turn the adjusting nut tighter, or clockwise. But since it is upside down relative to your orientation, turn the flat closest to you from left to right.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Thanks "L"...I don't have turn signals on this car (very early TD), but I notice that my parking lamps on the front do not match exactly, so the bright one may be a replacement that was bought at some point that is meant for turn signals.....least of my worries at this point as I need to establish a level of confidence in the reliability of the setup of my engine/carbs through some daytime test runs before I dare venture out in her at night (though I can fondly remember driving her on summer nights back in High School!)...
Robert

This thread was discussed between 04/07/2007 and 05/07/2007

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