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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 - T-Series Must-Haves

As the (probably) newest member of the T-Series community out there (my '54 TF, BRG/tan, arrived at 2:00 this afternoon!), I have the following question for the better informed out there:

I'm not new to MG's, as my dad's had a TA since before I was born. My first car was a '78 MGB which I drove through college. At 30 I bought a '56 MGA which I drove until the kids came and I just didn't have the time to take care of it properly. I sold it about three years ago, and have regretted it ever since. And then I turned 40 several month ago, realized that the kids didn't require as much time as they did a few years back, and I convinced my wife that a nice rubber bumper B wouldn't cost much and could be a practical third car.

After a few weeks of looking for the right car, I realized that I didn't really want a B--been there, done that and all. I really wanted what I've always really wanted: a TF. But TF's are in a much different price range than a rubber bumper B. Long story short, I bugged the crap out of my wife for about two months solid and she finally relented. Great wife.

And I did shop hard and get a good deal: same owner since 1966, bare metal respray and new interior eight years ago, engine rebuild five years ago, and less than 1,000 miles since. Paid for a two hour inspection, and the mechanic tried to go in and outbid me! So I'm happy with what I got.

The question is this: With my B and my A I had a list of "must-have" spares and tools that went with me everywhere. I still have my tool roll, but what other things does the community at large think I should lay in right now and never run out of? You help will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Andy White

when everything that needed replacing was replaced, same owner since 1966



A.T. White

Good color choice I'd say. Keep a cell phone and a quart of oil and you should be good to go.


LED DOWNEY

I would add two things to LaVerne's list - Cell phone, quart of oil, AAA card (with towing option) and a credit card. You might want to look at the article, Backup fuel pump in the SU Fuel Pump Articles section of my web site at: http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/, particularly if your TF is one with the fuel mounted in the back, under the car. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I have been 'at the side of the road' 6 times in 5 years of ownership... I carry all of the above (but CAA here in Canada).
I have been flatbedded twice....
The first was a broken oil pressure gauge hose... lost 6 quarts of oil in 2 miles. This was the first run after 26 years storage and was stupidity on my part as the rubber was rotten and I missed it... I added brains to my list to check rubber parts during maintenance.(an MGB braided hose fits fine)
The second time I had a broken 'rocker arm'...not something many have ever had, so no point in carrying a spare....and there are 4(?) different designs for different cylinders so no point....
The other four were dirty fuel pump points... I have a little 4"x4" piece of emery paper tucked in my tool box... I wipe it through the points and am back running in about 2 minutes....
So, in six years I have used my cel phone/CAA card twice, and a 33 cent piece of sandpaper four times....!
(I am a firm believer in 'Murphy's Law'...what ever spare you take with you, something else you left on your bench will break...you can only take so much)
gblawson(gordon)

Hello Andy - I see you are just above me in SC. I am in Athens, GA.

My brother mentioned seeing a green TF around Lake Hartwell area a while back.

Was that you? Are you located in Anderson, SC or near the GA/SC line?

Nice TF - mine carries the same color combination - though mine is a little more "seasoned."

Welcome to the group,

Jeff
J. W. Delk

Andy,
I also have a small fire extinguisher in each of my cars. Have a good day!

John


John Progess

Wire wheels!!
efh Ed

I think the single most important thing to add reliability to these cars is an electronic fuel pump (I have the SU version, now available) and a pertronix ignition (Improves power also).

I drive mine to work every day that it isn't raining.

Larry (California)
L Ayres

Thanks all for the tips so far. I did the backup fuel pump trick on my MGA, and expect I'll do the same on the TF. Of course, I used up a bunch of OEM wire smoke the first time I wired it in, but I'll be more careful this time.

Jeff, I'm in Easley which is between Greenville and Anderson. Just got the car yesterday, but I'll be down to the lake once I've got her fully fettled--plan on taking her (and the wife) up to Highlands next month, so I've got to go over her pretty good to get up to speed.

Regards,
Andy White
A.T. White

Andy,

I am the original purchaser/owner of TF4592 for 55 years.

I have NEVER broken down and have over 350,000 miles on the car including separate trips to Road America in 1957, Pebble Beach in 1958, US Grand Prix at Sebring in 1959, Victoria BC, the Canadian Maritimes several times; all made with the stump-puller 4.875 cwp; and most recently, MG2006 in Gatlinburg TN with the 4.3 cwp.

I find my TF totally reliable, because I keep it that way. However my age and health right now, are forcing changes and I'm having serious doubts about driving to MG2011 in Reno.

If you plan to make your car a regular driver, I reccommend either the 4.3 cwp and /or a 5-speed gearbox.

My most important accessory, before this forum came along, was and still is, my original factory WorkShop Manual. Knowledge is still by far, the best tool!

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.

Gordon A. Clark

Andy,
Congratulations on your new "baby"! She's beautiful and looks just like her twin sister who sits in my garage. I've been fortunate enough to have acquired a few antique cars to play with, but my favourite by far is the TF. You are in for more smiles per mile than you have ever had. Enjoy, and welcome to the fraternity!
Gene
Gene Burgess

In addition to what has already been said, I’d add a Hagerty Plus card. You get 50 miles of flatbed service. I have used them twice in five years and have found them better and more prompt than AAA.
David werblow

For Canadians...if you add 'Premier' to your CAA service...they will flatbed you 500KM/300MI once a year... I got it just before my Maryland trip...additional 26 dollars.
gblawson(gordon)

Andy,

Get AAA Premier... 200 miles towing once and 100 mile 3 times/ year.

Get the Stewart Locke Hand emergency fuel pump.

Join the Southeastern MG T Register and come to our Fall Gathering of the Faithful in Hiawassee on Sept 25-27

(see the club and applications at www.SEMGTR.org)

We tour in groups and among us we carry almost every replaceable part, from rear axle to water pump.

Call me at 770-457-4566 (Atlanta)

Don Harmer
Don Harmer

Great Car Andy. I have had a TD since 1974 and when I travel, I take a few tools, a quart or two of my brand of oil (seems I can never find the brand I like at the gas stations),a gallon of 50/50 coolant (although I have not used it in a lot of years) and what the others said.

I also have a small bit of spares such as extra brake spring, set of points all set up on a dizzy plate (in case my electronic ignition fails), and a spare fan belt. Strip of sand paper for fuel pump points (electronic like mentioned is the way to go, But I have had good luck with the original point system.)

My car has only broken down once in the 35 years I have owned it that I could not fix it on the side of the road and that was a catastrophic engine failure. I really can't say exactly why I carry the bits I do.

Bruce
Bruce-C

Hi Andy, welcome to the fraternity.

I've broken down three times in 25 years, once with a blown exhaust pipe gasket, once with open points, and once with a stuck closed float bowl needle.

I carry my spares in a 9x12 plastic cake pan. The list is on my website, http://www.dbraun99.com/technical%20index/spares%20list.pdf if that link doesn't work even when cutting and pasting it, go to the www.dbraun99.com site, click on "Go to Technical Index Page" and then find the spares link.

One of my theories is to take along things that are easily lost when doing a a roadside repair in the rain.

Enjoy your beautiful car. It will run a lot better with frequent use, but you already know that.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Andy,
welcome to the fraternity from me also.
Comment about "smiles per miles" is dead on ...only thing ever owned that even came close was a Bug-Eye. The TF attracts a crowd everywhere you go or park.

ON SPARES:
I read all the advise here years ago and packed up all kinds of goodies in sealed bags (water pump, dizzy, points, fuel pump,fan belt,ect) I even made a mod to the boot to store it all in. 10 years later it's mostly all still there! Have used a few zip-ties, "free gas card" (siphon hose) and a few nuts & bolts, but that is about it. I have "loaned" a few things to others on the side of the road..and that has been nice to be equipped to do so. I'm convinced Murphy's law has come into play: if you have it with you, you'll never need it ...leave it home ..it'll break!
http://www.ttalk.info/Sheward.htm

One thing about a broke down "T" car..you really don't even need a cell phone. Last time I broke down I was barley out of the car and had several people stop to offer assistance. My biggest problem was getting the car stopped before they shoved me off the front end of a flat bed I put it on.

Cheers & many miles of smiles in a safety -fast mode to you!
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

This thread was discussed between 20/07/2009 and 21/07/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

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