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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Steel main bearing caps

In a post back in Nov 2012 steel main bearing caps got a mention by Len Fanelli as part of a discussion of performance engines with custom rods and pistons.

They are readily available for A & B series engines in either 2 or 4 bolt configurations. Tuning guides for the A series suggest that strengthening at least the centre cap is recommended in engines built to rev beyond 6500.

Does anyone have any knowledge of a supplier of these parts for our cars? Perhaps the bottom end is regarded as strong enough as manufactured. Any thoughts by those with knowledge on this subject would be of interest.

Michael
M R Calvert

I can't imagine what the benefit could be for a road engine. But that's me.
Steve Simmons

I'm with you, Steve. I'd think that using high-quality bolts (ARP or similar) would be sufficient to prevent the bottom end from sagging out.
Kevin McLemore

It is good insurance when supercharged,17 psi of boost pressure, methanol fuel, & 7,000 RPM!
I have 3 customers with this set up and a Roller Cam Kit.
Len Fanelli

I think we're talking about road engines here. I can't imagine touring with 17 pounds of boost at 7K RPM!
Steve Simmons

Michael
Have you checked with Bruce Smith from Sportsparts at Normanhurst in Sydney, telephone 0298751144. Worth a call for he supplies big end bolts for TD engines which operate at a higher performance level than the standard TD engine.
John...Sydney
John Walton

Thanks John. I will give him a call.

Tom Lange and FTFU have ARP head studs & nuts and also ARP big end bolts for T series rods. (I believe Tom supplies FTFU). To my knowledge ARP studs for the main caps are not currently available. Tom told me that he has considered commissioning main cap studs from ARP but at this time is unsure that there is sufficient demand in view of the high setup and manufacturing costs. Any one interested might like to indicate this so that Tom can gauge likely demand.

My interest in high specification steel main bearing caps came from reading ‘The MG midget & AH Sprite High-Performance Manual’ by Daniel Stapleton. He says that they provide “safer high engine rpm and greater bearing life”. They were subsequently mentioned by Len who as we know has clients in the racing fraternity as well as those of us who will probably never race.

My position is I would like to build an engine that will deliver significantly more horsepower that standard and which will safely rev to high rpm. To that end; billet steel crank, custom rods and pistons, supercharger, Len’s roller cam set up, ARP fasteners where available, steel flywheel, etc. I am aware quite a few on this forum have gone down a similar path. If those who build high performance engines say that both A & B series engines benefit from having at least the centre main cap upgraded why not our engines? Cost is obviously an issue, but with the money being spent on some engines clearly people are prepared to pay for proven improvements. A two-bolt steel cap for an A series engine is less than $200.

My initial post was essentially to see if there was anyone in the forum who had direct experience with this specialised area. I was certainly not suggesting that this is a recognized weakness - just the pursuit and sharing of knowledge.

Michael
M R Calvert

Michael,
Email me for I may be able to help.
John...Sydney
John Walton

Try Greg Smith bugatti@bigpond.net.au
Len Fanelli

Thanks Len. I will.
Michael
M R Calvert

This thread was discussed between 01/01/2016 and 08/01/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

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