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MG TD TF 1500 - TD distributor orientation

Can some one post a pic of the correct distributor housing position and the proper position of # 1 plug wire in the cap? I’m preparing to do an initial start on dad’s TD/c-8151 and just want to get the visual positioning correct on the first install. I know how to set the initial timing I just want the casting and wires correctly placed

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

Bill - The shop manual shows the orientation of the distributor. Problem is that their orientation puts one of the clips for the cap against the engine, making it hard to removing the cap. I oriented the distributor in our TD about two cogs of the gear, which sets the distributor clip at about 10 o'clock. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Bill
Here's how mine is oriented. The clips are fairly easy to access. The electrical tie is there to easily identify plug #1. I've since removed it.
Joe


Joe Olson

This was my approach. #1 is at the front closest to the block. Cheers
Peter TD 5801


P Hehir

Thanks Dave, Joe and Peter

I have my distributor set in position as described and in the photos and wires oriented as Peter’s. I definitely don’t like where it puts the power lead and now I understand why they ground out on the gear reduction box. Would there have been an insulation cap on the terminal to prevent accidental grounding? Seems like there should have been a rubber cover or a thumb nut like on the fuel pump or tank sending unit to prevent this from happening

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Some people run a small strap from the grease fitting on the tachometer reduction box to a convenient spot to anchor the reduction box from swinging over and shorting the distributor primary terminal out - a rather inelegant fix in my opinion. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Years ago I spent a couple hours trying to get a TC to start due to the bare terminal. The tach drive was loose, and at rest was clear. When the engine cranked, it flipped over and shorted. Easy to use a generic rubber boot on the wire to keep this from happening. The bracket David mentions works well too ( I think John Twist came up with that idea?), and gives the tach drive a little more support as well. George
George Butz

Thanks Dave and George for your inputs. I vaguely remember the strap fix to control rotation of the tach drive. I will consider the options provided hope to do an initial start up in the coming days. It’ll be the first the cars has come to life in 55 yrs

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Here is mine after a rebuild. I placed a strap on reduction gear, then found I could move the distributer around. As long as the firing order is correct.



M Grogan

By placing the distributor with the flat side facing forward, you avoid the fouling of the ignition terminal on the reduction gear. Then with the #1 plug wire placed at the lower left (looking down on the distributor), the plug wires have a straight run with no crossing. The only issue for some is that the clip is close to the block and is a little difficult to reach. But with a screwdriver to pry it loose, it is a simple matter to free.
There is a diagram in the WSM that shows the distributor in this orientation.
Lew Palmer

This thread was discussed between 29/11/2017 and 07/12/2017

MG TD TF 1500 index

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