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MG TD TF 1500 - Rebuilding a Totally Dismantled TF


Hi Gentlemen,(and Ladies)

I am in the process of purchasing a TF1250 which was totally dismantled by the seller, with a view to restore. The seller, who is suffering a serious illness, has given up, so this is why I am taking this car off his hands. I admit that I am of two minds, but the challenge is in my DNA, and the thrill of restoring a T Type is overpowering any negative emotions

I have restored three MGB's in the past, but given that I have never had anything to do with restoring/repairing a T Type, I wondered if there is a member here, who could give me some pointers of what to expect, or is there a record of a restoration that I could follow?

Naturally common sense will prevail but I have to almost completely rebuild the partly re-wooded tub, and this is my main concern. I am a carpenter/joiner by trade, so working in wood is second nature, however is there a right or wrong way to rebuild/restore the timber framing in a T Type tub? Any other suggestions of possible pitfalls would be most welcome.

Maurie Prior, Glen Innes, NSW, Australia.
R M Prior

Happy to discuss your challenge Maurice - we are in the process of doing exactly the same, although our TF was dismantled in the 60’s for extra difficulty points... 😬

I will send you a phone contact via PM.

Cheers,

John.
John Hunter

Can’t find you in the system here Maurie - send me an email and I’ll send you back my phone number.

jhmedia1@me.com
John Hunter

Maurie

My best advice would be take nothing for granted, what has been done historically by POs may not be correct.

Your costs are going to blow out because the $A is no longer valued at $US1.50 which it was when I did my TF.

Be cautious purchasing from Moss, Anglo Parts Catalogue schematics are a very good resource.

Declan Burns produces some excellent components.

Engine data refer to the WKF Woods document it is factual and helpful.

If your into creating originality talk to Rob Grantham in WA and Mike Middleton in Vic.

Chrome works are hard to come by, talk with other Classic Car Brand Restorers they know options that may not be obvious. There is a guy in Wagga who does excellent work.

Pending on your attitude to originality there are good options to improve electrical and engine reliability that do not compromise the ability to restore a Concourse quality vehicle.

Hugh Pite in Canada is a invaluable resource for information and parts.

If you are going to drive the vehicle do a diff ratio conversion.

Plenty of people in the T Type world who will chime in to your request use them they are a invaluable resource.

Graeme


G Evans

Maurie, start by studying the pictures at Dave Braun's site: http://www.dbraun99.com/MGTD15470/

There are many threads on this bbs about the pitfalls and triumphs of rebuilding a T-series car. Browse the archives and study them all.

All the contributors here are happy to share their experiences in hopes that you can avoid some of the mistakes and do-overs that we've all had.

Lastly, remember that these were hand-built cars so no two are truly identical. What fit on mine probably won't fit on yours without some modification. By measuring four times you may have to cut only two times.

Take and post lots of pictures so we can follow your progress and cheer with you when something finally goes right.

Good luck.

Jud
J K Chapin


Maurie.
Google "Hutson TD build video". Although this is a video about building a TD body, it will give you an idea, and some pointers.Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions when needed.
Also when you get this car can you let us know the chassis number please.
Cheers .
Ralph.
R E J Stewart

Maurie
There are loads of documented advice, tips, how-tos, restoration examples done by the many members of this forum.
While there are of course specific differences between the TC, TD, & TF, I'd saw the lion's share of "things" and "processes are quite similar so you can look at a TD restoration and be close for the TF. Just substitute, say carb size or engine CC's, or wire vs disk wheels as needed.
And of course, do as we all do, post questions, thoughts to this forum. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE THE BEST AND MOST ACTIVE OF NEARLY ANY CAR FORUM IN THE WORLD BAR NONE!!! There are no dumb, stupid, IDK question.

1) Learn how to do searches of this forum!! A wealth of information at your fingertips about EVERY subject/.

2) Some Go-To web sites (you'll se reference over and over in this forum)

Dave Braun's pictorial restoration and technical docs web sites
http://www.dbraun99.com/MGTD15470/
http://www.dbraun99.com/Technical%20Index/

Bud Kreuger's Technical doc and info site
http://www.ttalk.info/index.html

(In particular look at the Fasteners page and learn the "mad metric" whitworth, lingo and difference from the B!!! You'll need a whole new set of sockets and wrenches/spanners!!)
http://www.ttalk.info/Fasteners.htm

3) There is a fellow down your way doing a excellent YouTube documentation of his TD restoration.
(Channel name os "MG Rebuild" for YouTube search)
or here at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoIS99yhpqDY55_i2EhufGQ

4) Lots of stuff out there with a basic internet search

Good Luck!!
Randy








R Biallas

This board and the people on it are invaluable for MG T help. The archives are worth gold. Best of luck.
Peter Dahlquist

Welcome aboard Maurie.

Glad to see a TF brought back to life.

There's lot's of good information here. This board is the most active, knowledgeable, and helpful so take advantage of it with your questions if you need help. Be sure to use the archive search function. A lot of your questions can be answered right there. In addition to just browse other topics you have in mind as you plan ahead your restoration.

Attend as many T type meets / shows as you can to view other TF's and to meet owners. Take your camera so you can reference if you need to. If you are lucky to come across a TF survivor car, take special attention to that. Panel fit, upholstery, colors used on the dash, piping on the wings and the side of grill, undercarriage, engine compartment.

Speaking of camera, use it a lot. I must have taken hundreds of photos of the tear down of TF1414. This was very helpful during assembly. Store them on a cloud to prevent data loss on the phone/computer. Having them on a DropBox app came in handy while trying to solve something when working on the car.

Check out Chris Coupers website Original MG TF. Lots of folks on this board has helped contribute to this excellent website. Be sure to check out the Gallery for survivor cars. This will come in handy as you assemble the car. https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtf/

Frank
TF1414



Frank Cronin


The seller of the TF that I wanted to rebuild has pulled the pin on me and has decided that he doesn't want to sell it now. The thing was, that he answered a wanted advertisement of mine for a TF project and chased me to buy, now he has backed out of the deal.

He claims that he has recovered slightly and thinks he will finish it himself. I wished him well naturally, but disappointingly, I am finding this change-ability happening a lot lately. People contacting me and offering to sell something and then deciding not to sell, even though a fair price had been agreed upon.

I am getting to the point where any offers to sell a car or parts of T-Type MG's has to be viewed with some cynicism, over whether they have some kind of hidden agenda. I think there is an underlying issue not evident when talking to them, as it has happened three times now - each time a whole/parts car was being offered.

Maurie
R M Prior

I had the same happen many years ago, price agreed, hand shake. Got a call next day, wife wanted more money. That was a Twin Cam MGA.

Next morning there was a 51 TD advertised, two days later it was mine. Sold that when I bought my TF1500.

Full circle from 1966 when I helped a coworker tinker with his 54 TF.

Still have the TF1500 and love it.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Peter, I would have paid more money if that were an issue in these cases, but it seems these "sellers" are really not genuine, and are playing games. As an example, I had a fellow answering my wanted advert, offering his project MGTF 1500 for sale, promising to send images, and after waiting a week or more, I was told he will get back to me. After a month or more, he still had not told me the price and kept telling me how long he had owned it etc. I still do not know how much he wanted for it so I gave up in the end.

I really believe, that these older TF owners, are suffering from relevance deprivation, and need stimulation to make their miserable lives happier.

By pretending to offer to sell a TF needing restoration, and then deliberately avoiding to place a price upon it suggests mental issues, otherwise, why would you bother?
R M Prior

This thread was discussed between 07/11/2020 and 19/11/2020

MG TD TF 1500 index

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