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MG TD TF 1500 Rat Rod? BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
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MG TD TF 1500 - Rat Rod?
| Several months ago someone started a thread about building a rat rod (at least I think that was the phrase) from a pretty beat up TD. I searched the archives and couldn't find the thread. Just wondering what ever happened to the project. Sounded like fun. Jud |
| J K Chapin |
| Don't know the thread you reference, but I was doing some random reading and stumbled across this one a few days ago... MG TD, with a Z44 with 355 HP. I like that he used the frame from the original Radiator, and the same hubcaps... Not sure I want to take my MG there, but it is a feat of work... I think it is even the same gas tank! http://www.britishv8.org/MG/EdLaBrush-MG-TD.htm |
| Dean E |
| along the same line...in auto restorer they are running a continuous series written by john gunnell. he/his shop, is redoing 3 MG T series cars. one a full body off, one a drive as you restore and one that was too far gone for a restoration is being rat rodded. regards, tom |
| tom peterson |
| Jud - that was I, I believe, trying to decide what to do with a very ratty Mark II ex-racer from the airport using airport transfers tonbridge circuits in the 50's. Here is the link: http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=8&subjectar=8&thread=2013060316485619873 So far I have focused on the engine, which I discovered has 0 miles after a thorough and total rebuild (unbeknownst to both the seller and me), but was absolutely full of mud wasps. I've counted 27 lemon-sized nests in the engine, trans and body so far, including nests all over the body, in the closed glove compartment, in the intake ports, exhaust manifold and INSIDE two cylinders with open valves! The engine has sat since the late 50's when it was rebuilt, so everything is very gummy, and I am having the parts all washed by my machine shop. I'll have the block crank, rods and head magnafluxed and get new rings (just to be on the safe side) and then put it back together. I'll leave the body as is for the time being, but will replace the bailing wire throughout the body with the correct bolts... Tom Lange MGT Repair |
| t lange |
| Thanks Tom. I'm looking forward to following your progress. I'm a traditionalist trying to keep my '53 TD driver as stock as I can but I have to admit that the V8 TD at the top of this thread (Buttercup if memory serves) is an awesome piece of work. Jud |
| J K Chapin |
| Sweet lil' buttercup...that looks like it would be a hoot to drive! |
| David Sheward |
| John Gunnel is a friend and also has a Magnet and a TD (not including the rat rod he is building. http://www.gunnersgreatgarage.com/ |
| Bruce Cunha |
Here are some pictures of a TD is saw a few years ago in Key West. Quite inspired me to get back to work on mine. Lot of ratty but sound TDs around that quite frankly aren't worth restoring, if you need an engine and a lot of chrome, or a couple of front fenders, so why not make something fun? Oh, that's a Volvo B18 engine, much nicer than a V8 in that it gives reasonable horsepower, looks right, and requires no butchery of the firewall - the dirty secret about V8 swaps in T's is that you have to set the engine back into the firewall, which means giving up all that great legroom as well as the great big toolbox, two of my favorite things about the T's.
 |
| kylemorley |
And another. Can't seem to get this to list multiple pictures on one post.
 |
| kylemorley |
| kylemorley, New Hampshire, USA And another. Can't seem to get this to list multiple pictures on one post. Try a free program called Picasa 3! Store photos, create collages of many photos etc. PJ |
| Paul sr |
| Marv Stuart, how about posting some photos of your hot-rod TD? |
| David Werblow |
Dave, here's the engine room. Marv
 |
| Marvin Stuart |
| If I was ever going to mess up a TD as a hotrod, the Ford flathead would be the way I would go.Marv, that engine is beautiful.. |
| Tom Maine |
| On the other hand, there is something terribly wrong with a flattie and an alternator... It also needs a Tri-power set-up to look really nasty! Tom Lange MGT Repair |
| t lange |
| Marvin, Is that a V8 60? Jim |
| J E Carroll |
| Sure looks like a V-60, only 17 studs. I have an old Peterson book on engine swaps somewhere that has a section on doing a V-60/TD, seems to have been a popular swap at one time. I got to agree with Tom, the alternator looks out of place (not that I should speak, my 1948 flattie has an alternator too but then its only an 8n). |
| kylemorley |
| Been thinking of building an MG TD special/hot-rod myself. The Ford V8-60 is an interesting option but difficult to find here in Europe, besides its rather heavy I guess ? The French Ford/Simca "Aquilon" engine is a lot more powerfull (approx 80 bhp) but also hard to find. A Triumph Tr2 engine might do the trick and installing it in the TD chassis is fairly easy according to a period Hot-Rod Magazine article. But somehow I think the XPAG is still the best choice. Anyway, a few months ago I bought this....  |
| Nick Herwegh |
| ....and I'm planning to turn it into something like this.... Nick (TD3232)  |
| Nick Herwegh |
| I could never bring myself to rip put my original engine and install a flathead V8, but I do admit that V8-60 looks *really* nice in there. OTOH I can't help thinking that my current engine is an I4-57, and lighter to boot! ;-) |
| Rob Edwards |
| FYI: From http://www.wrljet.com/fordv8/flathead.html With a displacement of 221 cubic inches, only 20% more than the 4-cylinder Model A, the 1932 flathead produced 62% more power, 65 HP @ 3400 rpm. Overall weight is 585 lbs. Bud |
| Bud Krueger |
| Popular Mechanics many years ago had an article where a small block Chevy was put in a TD. As I remember it was a beautiful job, very professional. As far as the alternator on the Ford flat head, there is an alternator that looks just like the original generator with the original type sliding front mount. Very expensive though. I have one of those 1939 60s with Offy heads, duel 97 carbs out of a midget open wheel racer. A bearing went out and I never rebuilt it. Still in the back of the shop collecting dust. Hasn't been run in 30 years. PJ |
| Paul sr |
| I've seen an 8N flathead conversion at the Eliot, ME tractor show. Kyle, was that yours? |
| J E Carroll |
| Kyle, was that a Funk conversion on the 8N? PJ |
| Paul sr |
| Nothing so spectacular as a Funk; ust a plain old garden variety 8n - all 8ns are flatties just as they came from the factory. |
| kylemorley |
| Paul, you have mail. |
| Tom Maine |
| I thought you were referring to a V8 flathead conversion, not the L head original 4. |
| J E Carroll |
This thread was discussed between 25/09/2013 and 06/10/2013
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