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MG TD TF 1500 - Points and condenser question

I have a 1953 TD that was completely reconditioned about 17 years ago. I have had the car 7 years and drive it most every day. I drove it 3000 miles over the past 3 years and probably 6000 miles since I have owned it. It runs great.
I just put in new plugs and changed the oil and filter.
My question is, is it appropriate change out the points and condenser as part of routine maintenance? If it is running well is this necessary on any scheduled basis?
I did add oil to all of the shock dampers and that really helped the suspension.
Thanks for any advice on this.
Bill Chandler
Ann Arbor, Michigan
W Chandler

Hi Bill - I would clean the points and leave the condenser alone. Most new condensers seem to be failing due to poor quality. Check the rubbing block on the points and make sure the point contacts are even and not pitted and rough - also put a little lubricant - a dap of grease on the points cam lobes.

There are many other areas to check and maintain to keep your car reliable - you don't mention them, but I assume you are checking over your other areas: fuel filters at tank and fuel pump, fuel bowl sediment removal, oil in carb dashpots, clutch adjustments, gear lube for rear end and steering, gearbox oil, waterpump lube, generator oil, coolant flush, spring u bolt tightening, and so forth.

Sounds like you have a nice TD - so nice to hear it is being driven so frequently.

Safety Fast
DLD

Back in the medieval days, when all we had were points and condensers (I prefer capacitor, the modern term), a tune-up every 10000 miles was the norm, and points, capacitor, and plugs were changed. I'd say you're well short of the 10K mile change, so I wouldn't worry about it. But they are cheap, and there is no downside to replacing them now if that makes you feel more confident in the car.

Definitely, keep the existing capacitor if it's working.
S Maas

If they work, I wouldn't replace anything. Replacement capacitors are not always reliable.
Steve Simmons

Many thanks for the comments.

DLD: Where are the gas line filters on tank and pump?

Bill
W Chandler

Line filters is behind the fuel line at the tank. You will need to run out the fuel to get to it behind the line fitting. Fuel pump filter is on bottom of pump under large nut at base. There is also filters at the inlets of the carbs
W. A. Chasser Jr

Bill, before you ask the next obvious question, the filters are made of fine screen material. So, you don't have to worry about replacements. The screens can be checked and normally cleaned if necessary with a soft blast of air.
Jim Merz

Both Steve's recommend not changing anything as long as everything is working properly. I would go a step further - DON'T change out the capacitor. Capacitors don't wear out and as Steve S. stated, new automotive capacitors today are not reliable (I would take that one step further, the vast majority of them are junk). The capacitor that was in our TD up until I went with a Pertronics had never been changed from the time I bought it (1974) and was quite possible the factory original and it never gave us a bit of trouble. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

This thread was discussed between 16/03/2016 and 17/03/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

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