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MG TD TF 1500 - TF air cleaners on a TD?

I'm doing some winter maintenance including the rebuild of my carbs on my '53 TD. As I was taking off the stock oil bath air cleaner I wondered if TF pancake air cleaners will fit or do they have 1 1/2" carbs? In that case the bolt pattern wouldn't be the same and they wouldn't fit I suppose. Some of the early TF's had the 1250 engine which I think is the same as mine. Did those engines have 1 1/2 carbs too? I also don't know about the clearance under the bonnet if they would, in fact, bolt on.
I've never seen a thread on this subject in the past so maybe it is an academic question and is out in left field.

Mark
Mark Strang

The bolt pattern might not match as you say but I think they will fit...I installed Ram-air filters with little difficur. And they are I think bigger than the TF pancakes... And breathe better than anything else on the market.
Geoffrey M Baker

Mark,
I have a TD with a Lystall head, which is 1/4" wider on the inlet side, 1 1/2" Carbs and the TF Air cleaners fit quite nicely. Not sure what you can do about the bolt pattern though as any adapter would require rotating the Air cleaners, which are angled at the flange.

Bernie
B W Wood

I believe all the TFs, both 1250 and 1500cc, had the 1.5 inch SUs.
Jack Long

Mark
If you decide to pursue the TF filters and are in need....I have a pair for sale.
Email me if you want more info.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Mark I definitely recommend anything over the stock oil bath, my 51TD is MUCH happier since I removed it.
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoffrey, I don't disagree. I just don't feel like making a big project out of it. If the TF filters just bolt on then I'm all for it. In studying it, it seems as if an adaptor plate would not be an easy thing to make and still keep the proper distances from the bonnet. Not having seen a TF filter housing, I might be able to weld up or plug the holes in the filters and re-drill the flange to match the TD intake manifold. I guess I need to locate a filter housing to get some measurements and review the feasibility. I think that I'd then have to blend in the openings to one another to make a smooth transition for the air flow. It might work. I'd also have to figure out how to handle the valve cover breather.

Mark
Mark Strang

Sorry Mark - bolt on they are not. Bolt spacing is narrower on the 1 1/4 carbs. All TFs had 1 1/2 carbs regardless of displacement. TF assemblies are made to conform to the narrower confines of the engine compartment-not really needed in TD applications.Easier to locate pancake style assemblies for the TD and fit them with decent filters. Should be some floating around as the current trend is toward refitting stock stuff.
Dan Craig

Dan, thanks for the info. I'll go with what I have. The car runs well as it is. Mark
Mark Strang

Mark, if you want the very easiest setup check with Moss for their small pancake filters, I believe they will fit without messing around. If you are interested, I also believe that Ramair sells a set for 1 1/4 carbs that require no modifications and are drilled with the correct holes. (The ones I installed were larger, and required me cutting out an aluminum plate to fit and riveting it to the Ramair plates). In either case, they *should* be bolt on - but if you go with Ramair, get the miminum thickness (25mm) or it won't fit. You can also buy a sock filter for your valve cover, I did this, these are widely available. Ramair also sells this (I think it is 16mm? Check the diameter of the tube).
At any rate, whichever way you go this project is very worthwhile and your engine will benefit from it (and you'll pick up a couple of extra horsepower, too.)
Geoffrey M Baker

For a standard pancake filter that should fit, check Moss part 223-100

For Ramair, http://ramair-filters.co.uk/rs-carb-filters/universal-carb-air-filter-with-blank-baseplate.html
This is universal, you can drill your own mounting holes.

crankcase breather sock:
http://ramair-filters.co.uk/crankcase-breather-filters/crankcase-breather-filter-with-clamp.html


Geoffrey M Baker

Mark, pancakes are great but see
http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=8&subjectar=8&thread=2014091615331219727

I frankly still really like the looks and price o the Moss 223-100 (page A26) but don't end up with this. Jud



J K Chapin

This thread was discussed between 23/01/2015 and 24/01/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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