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MG TD TF 1500 - Speedo Face in SI units

Does anybody have a speedo face in SI units (old - "metric") for a TF. My present one swings (I guess, like most everybody's) but in mph and I would prefer to swing in kph.

I realise that the odometer will still read in miles, but I can't see going through an entire speedo change when just a face change will help me avoid any speeding tickets.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

I have become very adept in the mental calculation, based on 50m = 80ks. Never been booked for speeding in the TF so far, though there might be othr reasons for that.
Bill
Bill McGee

This is the third car i've had with good old miles on the speedo.... means so much more at my age ... (never did get the hang of metric).

In town you go 30-40, on the highway you go 50 -60....
As my tach doesn't bounce and my speedo does:
(and i have a stock gears)

1000 RPM = 15 mph = 25kph
2000 RPM = 30 mph = 50kph
2500 RPM = 37 mph = 60kph
3000 RPM = 45 mph = 70kph
3500 RPM = 50 mph = 80kph
4000 RPM = 60 mph = 100 kph
4500 RPM = 65 mph = 110 kph
5000 RPM = 75 mph = 120 kph

(rough guide...give or take...don't go to a conversion table cause they are rounded off)
g.b.lawson '53TD

Tyres & Gears!
Pulled out the old GPS for a check on the TF last weekend:
P205 70r15's (huge radials on 60spoke wide Dayton wires) & 4:33:1 rear gearing.
GPS confirms 70MPH at 3500 / 75MPH at 4000
/ 80MPH at 4500.....very shocked look on face of BMW-Z3 driver we passed at 5000 rpm! My speedo bounce is real close to right between the "Hi & Lo" bounce. I still like the winding backroads better...robustly drifting through those "25MPH" curves at 75..hope my insurance man doesn't read this post.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Oh where can i get 4:33 gears?????
g.b.lawson '53TD

Out of an MGA rear end!
David Sheward

Thought they were 4:55... what years/model had 4:33
gordon.b.lawson '53TD

Notsure on that Dave Zyp in Cinti, Oh. did the conversion for me. I think I have that right. It defintly made a big differance in when I shift. 1st gear now usable for other than pulling tree stumps! You might want to check archives as some have reported a little "doggy" with stock 1250, but ok if supercharged. I'm running stage 3 tunning on a 1500 and works well for that.
David Sheward

4:55 probably better for the 1250 stock!
gordon.b.lawson '53TD

Sorry gents, the MGA gears are 4.30, not 4.33. As I recall, it's 43 teeth on the ring gear and 10 teeth on the pinion.

David, you must have a very non-linear tachometer if those are real numbers. If 3500 = 70 mph, shouldn't 4000 = 80?
Bud Krueger

I have the Moss 4:55 in my stock TD (well it was stock until I threw a rod last weekend). For my engine, the 4:55's appear about right. If low end isn't critical, the 4:30's might be better if you do a lot of 55mph+ driving. A little easier on the engine.

Dave- You are a very brave soul. I was tacking 3500 when my engine blew. No warning signs at all. The engine had been rebuild about 20 years ago, but has around 10,000 on the rebuild. In the rebuild, I did not have to replace the original crank.
Bruce Cunha

Thanks folks for all your sage advice, but I am still looking for a TF speedo face in KM/h.

Anglo show one in their very excellent colour catalogue, but the last time I bought anything from them, it nearly cost me a king's ransom. I ordered 2 halogen bulbs in January when I had a metre of snow on my lawn, asking them to please send them by surface (sea post). They sent them by DHL Express who asked me to pony up almost $85 for four lousy bulbs, which I promptly refused.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

John Marks of Vintage Restorations (in the UK) does a surpurb job of rebuilding/restoring instruments. His rebuilds always feature the complete refacing of the dials. I bet that he would rebuild with kph dial ( and convert odometer is required). He advertises on the BBS.
Don Harmer

I suspect that all halogen bulbs for our cars sold througout the world originate with Anthony Pearson in Australia. He is a TC and a Y owner. You can order direct the cost is reasonable and the lighting improvement is significant. Web site is >www.welcome.to/cvb< No commercial interest. Terry
Terry O'Brien

Don (Harmer),

I'll try John Marks. I don't want to rebuild the unit. I just want a new Kph face and will survive with the odometer in miles.

Thanks.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Don't know if the p/o put something non stock in in the 70's, but my lights are incredibly bright... don't dim all that much at idle either? The high beams seem to light up about 1/2 mile. (the lucas driving lamp shoots about 3/4 of a mile in a straight pencil beam).
gordon.b.lawson '53TD

This thread was discussed between 26/08/2004 and 28/08/2004

MG TD TF 1500 index

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