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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 New Guy

Hi,

Without really looking for one, I recently purchased someone's derelict '53 TD project.

According to the PO it all started 8 years ago with his wanting to address sagging doors, which evolved into overall wood restoration/replacement, which begot body metal replacement (no patchwork, new panels), which led to carbs rebuilt, bench tested/set up and polished, the chassis being stripped and powder coated, along with some other suspension parts, a "whine" in first gear in the tranny being addressed and the original engine that supposedly ran quite well of it's own accord when removed. All of the trim, side curtains, top, windshield, door panels, upholstery are all there and in very good condition, usable as is, but in the case of the cushions and back not of a color I want to stay with. In essence, it's a collection of large assembled components and not a lot of little bags of parts.

My goal with this is to restore it to a nearly "factory new" condition to be enjoyed as it was meant....driving it. I would like to maintain historical accuracy in its fasteners (already finding that the original style t-nuts for the floor are going to be a compromise...but what'cha gonna do, right?) which I am learning can add a challenge to the overall project.

I have already had it's rear end changed to 4.3 gearing and have on hand a spare "bone stock" rear should a truly historically accurate assembly want to be performed at some point in time.

As I am completing the installation of my air compressor (I moved here to AZ a little over 3 years ago from CT and brought with me my extensive tool collection....yeah, I'm a "tool junkie" at heart) and the subsequent piping of its air to my garage, I will start this project.

I am looking forward to learning and hearing from others of issues and resolves to challenges that I'm sure to meet along this journey.

J.D. Massaro

This is a wonderful resource, full of lnowledgeable and experienced souls. Check the archives carefully first, then ask away. Someone will amost always have the answer, or know where to send you.


Tom
t lange

Welcome JD to this terrific resource, this BBS. If you are not already familiar with Dave Braun's web-site:

www.dbraun99.com/mgtd15470

Do so as you will find this a most valuable resource.

Cheers -- John
John Brickell

Welcome to the group, it's great to see people get interested in this hobby (obsession?). I bought a "T" series in 1958, owned it 20 some-odd years and like a d**n fool sold it (good price for the time). After a number of years I couldn't stand not being one of the select group of people who owned sports cars so I bought an MGB. Whoa, not the same as the "T" series was. So I looked around and bought a TD. Started working on it and a TF1500 turned up. Couldn't resist so now I have them both, restored and driven, sometimes hard.

I try to help with electrical problems in the charging system.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Jeffers

Where in AZ are you, JD?

I'm in Tucson and there is a British Car Club that is filled with people with lots of knowledge and resources here...

http://tucsonbritish.com/default.aspx

I'm sure there is one in the Phx area too!
Geoff Baker

WELCOME TO THE GROUP J.D.. !

I'm still stuck in CT
STEVE WINCZE

Welcome J.D. You found the right site for all the knowledge base you will need, soooooooo have a ball with your new TD.

Bill
Bill Brown

Add my welcome. Try to attend events, GOFs, conclaves too to actually meet the many gurus on this BBS.

Just for future archive searches here is a compilation of the many often mentioned guru's/suppliers websites for more info outside this BBS. (forgive my omission of anyone! just a short list from my bookmarks)

www.dbraun99.com/mgtd15470 - many many in depth great disassembly/re-assembly photos

www.ttalk.info - Bud Krueger's Tech talk, many tech articles

www.mgcars.org.uk/mgtd/index.html

www.justbrits.com

www.mg-td.com - History of the MG-TD

www.ttypes.org/ttt2 - Totally T-Type online free bi-monthly technical publications


www.niagarabritishcarclub.org/mgtnumbers/numbers.html - Gordon Lawson registry of T's - get your MG "registered"


Parts suppliers:
www.abingdonsparesllc.com - Abingdon Spares
www.mossmotors.com - Moss Motors

www.mgauctionwatch.com - Global up-to-date, real-time list of the latest online MG parts/cars auctions (e.g. eBay), organised by MG model and category.

www.britishfasteners.com
www.lbcarco.com
www.applehydraulics.com/ - shocks
www.fromtheframeup.com/default.asp
www.gblandco.com - Gordon Lawson's Wood steering wheels
www.advanceddistributors.com - Distributor rebuilds
www.homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/index.html - Dave DuBois master SU fuel pump rebuilder

And of course all the world's clubs!
Randy
Randy Biallas

J.D Sounds like the PO did a lot of nice work. Glad to see you are working to bring it back. Not sure what condition it is, but you may want to read the threads on the brake and clutch petals. This is pretty much considered the worst job to do on the TD, and if you have the body off, or even the floors out, it is a good idea to redo the bushings. Once done, you should never have to do them again.

What is the upholstery you don't like? Is it new?
Bruce Cunha

Hey, welcome JD. Hope you enjoy your stay here, and more importantly, your TD!

warmly,
Dave
Dave Braun

JD,
Welcome to the club!
You have found the Best site for our cars right here.
Most everything about the T series has been discussed on this BBS.
I'm tempted to re-post Randy's short list under:
"Must Have MGT sites"!

One I did not see though:
Do a youtube search for John Twist.
His videos are a great resource.
Being able to watch "how" is wonderfull!
Cheers and Safty Fast,
David
David Sheward

ONE MORE THING,,,,,
Send a picture of yourself with your car to
GBLAWSON@VAXXINE.COM
to be included in the photo list of Forum members,,
http://gblandco.com/gb/forum/forum.html

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

This thread was discussed between 27/04/2011 and 29/04/2011

MG TD TF 1500 index

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