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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - MG TD Mark 2

Hello there everyone in the T series world.I am trying to gather as much info as I can on Mark 2's and so far came up with whats in Clausegers T series book.I need this info for a Mark 2 rebuild and as general knowledge as a owner to see what sources of information is out there that I do not know about.I know the Mark 2 is a TD with modifications.I like to see more on the subject of the mods if it is available. Anyone else knows of any good sources of Magazine articles or any other information( including books )on the mark 2's specifically could you pass on the information to me or post it please.Thanks.
Tilak Gurusinghe

One of our Michigan T-Club members, Joy Matousek has a fully restored, frame up, just finished, and first shown this weekend, 53 MG TD Mk II w/supercharger. This cars is really beautiful. I will try to get her email address for you. I'm sure she can help you.
colin stafford

Most of the differences between the TD and the TD Mk2 were in the cylinder head and carbs. The Mk 2 had higher compression ratio, obtained by planing the head. It also had somewhat larger valves, enlarged valve ports, stronger (150#) valve springs, larger (1.5inch) carbs, and a larger manifold connecting the carbs to the aircleaner. (I think the aircleaner itself was a bit larger also, but I'm not sure about that) There was a small teardrop-shaped bulge on the right bonnet side-panel to clear the front carb, and small emblems sayimg "Mark II" on each side of the bonnet. (These emblems were often added by owners of non-Mk2s, who thought they looked sharp.) The only chassis changes I recall were the addition of adjustable "Andrex" friction shocks at all four corners, and (often, but not always) chromed radiator slats.
Incidentally, many people think that if the number plate says TD2 xxxxxx, this indicates a MKII, but it does not. It only means that the car has the larger 8" clutch, instead of the 7.5 inch ones used on the TC and early TDs.
Carl Fritz

Carl Fritz is rigth in every aspect but other aspects are to be considered: The 1 1/2" carbs are different of those fitted to the TF. In the MK II sales brochure you can see a picture where special coolong fitting were added to the brakes, as well as this is mentioned in the written literature. Not all the MK II had the bulge in the bonnet, just the late MK II, not all the MK II had enlarged air filters, just the late MK II, the chrome slats were also on the late MK II, the early ones had painted as the rest of the TD. On ther book called T Series restoration guide by Green you can look into more details. Maybe not many people know but the dark green TD with green slats that appears on the cover and that the license plate finish in "610"is a MK II, of the early ones.
Also some people argue that some MK II had bucket seats but I do not know of any.

Dick Knudsen has also writen a few words on the subjet on the New England T register.
Jose Vargas

FWIW: I have been told that MKII's had the 4.875 rear axle ratio compared to the standard 5.125. I have also heard that the exhaust manifold has bigger pipes. MKII's usually have the extra friction shocks.

Get an old good parts manual. The original I have has a special section devoted to changes for the MKII.
Blake J.

i forgot about the rear axle... Anyways is Blake willing to photocopy me the TD MK II parts catalog devoted to changes... I ve looking for this material for a while and this is the first person that mentions having one. It would be greatly apreciated. Please answer to my e mail.
Jose Vargas

Sorry, Jose. I have an early RHD Mark II #5905 And there is a bulg on the RH side of the hood for 1 1/2 inch Carbs. Mine has 1 1/4 " Carbs. I read somewhere that some MK II owners switched back to the smaller Carbs because the larger did not work too well in the city. Over Carbed as they say.

There were only 51 RHD MK II's built and I doin't of any other out there.

George
George Merson

George, I had a Right hand dsrive 53 TD MK 2 in Sri lanka till I sold it foolishly in 1994. I learnt that was the only MK 2 imported to Sri lanka and had MK 2 badges on the sides and 1.5 " carbs with the special air cleaner and manifold.It had the tell tale bulge on the side to accomodate the larger manifold.This was the best driving TD that I ever owned and it never gave me a days worth of trouble.Being a tropical country it was a daily driver till I left Sri lanka in 1979.The car still is in Sri lanka and is fully restored now and the color changed from BRG to red. I have a original Mark 2 sales flyer put out by Inskip Motors of New york in 1953 that give the Extra features on the TD Mark 2 as

8.6 to 1 compression ratio

Oversized valves

Stronger valve springs

Twin 1 1/2 " SU carburetors

Racing coil

Twin fuel pumps

Hydraulic shock absorbers plus Andrex friction shocks

High speed rear axle.( 4.85 )
Tilak Gurusinghe

This thread was discussed between 07/05/2000 and 13/05/2000

MG TD TF 1500 index

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