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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Air Cleaners

I just installed the air cleaners after rebuilding my car (54 TF). The air cleaners are the standard black cleaner with washable filters and the valve cover venting to the forward air cleaner. I had a really difficult time getting the cleaners installed. The fit between the forward cleaner and the body side panel is extremely close--in fact I had to dismantle the carburetor just to have some room to install the rear bolts. There is no way to install the cleaner back first and then install the filter and front cover. I would estimate the space between the forward cleaner and the side panel to be a maximum of 1/4 inch.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any ideas on what I should do about it? The spacers, carb to manifold, look to be standard.
LD Kanaster

LD, I just installed the air cleaners sold by Moss and I have to agree that it is very difficult to install. While the forward air cleaner is the most difficult, I was able to install it. With it in place the distance between the air cleaner at its narrowest point is just under 1/2". I have the carburator, a gasket and the air cleaner. No spacers! Nothing else. I installed the left bolt first, then the vent tube, hoping they would stablilize the hole for the other bolt. It seemed to work but it was time consuming because I could barely get a Wintworth open end wrench on the the bolt head. I would check to make sure the engine is not leaning to the carburator side because the engine stabilizer could be misadjusted or some other reason.
My air cleaners are 1 3/8" thick and the carb mounting side of each air cleaner has an offset angle face on it to allow for clearance. Good luck!
A.D. Andre de la Chevrotiere

Couple things I have found that make it a bit easier.

I remove the bolts, front and rear, that hold the side panel in place. Prop a stick or screw driver in there to hold the panel away from the woring area.
This gives you aprx 1" more "working room".

Also "ground down" and "bent" a spanner for this job. This really helps.

I install back plate on forward carb first.

IMHO: It's still not fun ...but the above does help.

Running: Spacer and a set of K&N filters I made for the Volks.
David Sheward

The front bolts on both carbs had an extra thick head (about 5/8 inch) with a deep screwdriver slot,

Most of the work is done with a screwdriver from the back, not a wrench.

Only the final tightning is done with a wrench where the extra thick head makes it easier to fit a wrench on it.

These special bolts are often lost with time and DPO's.
Don Harmer

Don,
Do you know of a source for those bolts?
Thought I had them but can't find.
I have just put my Volks on for the first time since owning the car.
BIG improvement over the S&H that have been on it since I bought the car!
David Sheward

Unfortunately, I don/t know of a source of th TF air cleaner special bolts.

They could be made from hex brass stock.

Don Harmer

Hi TF guys
I've never had to move the side panel like Dave S. When installed, my front air cleaner on the bottom edge has at least a half inch clearance.
When I remove them, I undo the REAR bolts and remove the whole cleaner assembly. The rear bolts are much easier to access.
DLK, maybe your engine is tipped a bit too much to the right side and needs adjustment of the stabilizer link?

Tom
'54 TF
Tom Norby

This thread was discussed between 07/04/2012 and 08/04/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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