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MG TD TF 1500 - Safety Wire?

I finally got my block back from the machine shop, and I'm finally reassembling. What kind of wire do I use for safety wiring the bolts, like the flywheel bolts and cam pin bolts? Is there a special product sold for this purpose, or can I just use something like picture hanging wire of the correct gauge? If it's a special product, where do I get it?

Thanks in advance, MB
Mark Barrington

Mark,

I had trouble finding the same wire when I rebuilt my engine. The kids that work in the chain auto parts stores have no idea what it is. I finally found it at a local auto supply store. Best bet is to check the local airport using airport transfers tonbridge engine shop. They use this wire on everything! Another place is a race shop.

Good luck!
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621


There isn't any special wire for this purpose, when I worked on aircraft engines we used to use ordinary soft steel wire
Harry
H.E.W. Walker

Saftey wire should be stainless steel. You can get it at racing suppliers such as:

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/ProductSelection.asp?Product=3129

or go to www.mcmaster.com and search for "safety wire"

Mark Sherman
mrkshrmn@hotmail.com
Mark Sherman

You can get both the safety wire and pliers at Eastwood Company, http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/search/searchresultsmain.jsp?fresh=1&searchType=advanced&iMainCat=0&iSubCat=0&attribute14=0&attribute15=0&attribute16=0&RS=1&keyword=safety+wire
Ron Boisvert

Thanks for the tip on Eastwood, Ron. I didn't think of checking them. I'm also going to make a stop by Harbor Freight tomorrow or Friday, since they have a retail store nearby and a friend of mine told me he had seen it there.

Another Question: Is there a preferred orientation for installing the pistons? On my MGB, each of the pistons had a mark for the front, but the pistons I bought have no markings besides the oversize marking +.040. These are Aerolite pistons, supplied by Moss. The pistons seem to be symmetrical, but I'll at least install all of them with the marks in the same end. I guess toward the front. Any ideas?

The neat thing about +.040 pistons is that it increases the displacement from 1466cc to almost exactly 1500cc, making my TF1500 live up to its name.
Mark B.

Most automotive parts houses will have safety wire. It comes in various thicknesses. Last one I purchased came in a nice plastic on paper package that allows you to dispense only what you need.

For things like cam bearing retaining bolts, I use thinner wire, but for the flywheel bolts, I use a heavier guage.

There is really minimal stress on these wires if the bolts are tight, but I would still go for wire made for that purpose.
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 03/11/2004 and 04/11/2004

MG TD TF 1500 index

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