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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 - TF air filters

I am sure that many of you have noticed that the 2009 Moss catalogue, for the first time in years, lists a pair of "original like" air filters for TF's. I phoned them up and was told they are European made. Has one of you purchased a pair? Are they faithful reproductions of the originals??
If anyone bought a pair, would you post a photo?

Tom
Tom Norby

Tom ,
I'd get some dimensions first if I were you.
I have my orginals, but run a set of aftermarket ones. Clearance on front carb is very tight. I actually losen my side panel (at the back) to make it easier to work on mine even with the aftermarkets.
Cheers,
David
David Sheward

David
Of course I know clearance is tight. That is exactly why I ask if anyone has purchased the one Moss is currently selling. Could it be that someone has made up a batch of authentic reporductions of the originals? Unfortunately Moss had no photos or ready dimensions to pass along.
Tom Norby

Tom,
If would help I can measure and do pic's of mine for you.
David Sheward

David
Measurements of your original filters would be great! May have to buy a set from Moss and see if they are suitable. If they are original repro's, this is big news for TF owners.

Tom
Tom Norby

They seem to have 3 sets on their online catalogue without 'new' beside any of them... which ones are you referring to (or did I miss them somewhere else in the catalogue)
gblawson

Tom,
I'll try to get over to the "old" garage today and get that posted for you.
David Sheward

OBTW...you no doubt know this...
I battled with vapor-lock years ago and went with thick spacers between carbs and manifold. That makes it even more of a problem for the stock air filters.
David Sheward

Mr. Lawson
Look at print catalogue, Fall Winter 2009, page 9. 372-165 is TF air cleaner set, $219.95. For years this has been listed NA. Now they have the item. I called and was told it was a limited run of a 'reproduction'. I would have to buy a set to see how they looked as no photo was available. He said they have sold five sets this year, so I am guessing someone on the BBS bought one.
Tom
Tom Norby

If this helps: Outside diameter is 160mm and thickness 35mm. Front filter has the breather pipe fitting. Front plates are stamped VOKES Ltd GUILDFORD in raised letters. Also a part number lightly stamped under the Vokes stamp. Correct mesh has circular holes.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

Tom,
Heres some pic's...sounds like it's going to be somewhat of a crap shoot with the repros.
Hope it works out.


David Sheward

Stupid (Triumph) camera thinks it's 2002 again!


David Sheward

The back side


David Sheward

I was in the shop the other day and they were working on an Austin Healey...the air cleaners were sitting there and looked awfully 'right' for the 1 1/2" carbs...(not sure which engine it had)... they are still available...must measure the openings and bolt holes...
gblawson

I have a set of air cleaners off a Volvo that fit the TD carbs.They are around 1 1/2" deep and do a much better job than the thin pancake gravel strainers that are presently available. The problem is they protrude beyond the line of the side panel so can only be used when running without the side panel. The "reproduction" TF air filters sound interesting if they would fit inside a TD side panel.

George Raham
G. L. Raham

Thanks for the pics and dimensions guys. I may have to take a chance and buy a pair and see if they fit and look correct. I still wager that some BBS reader is one of the FIVE that bought a pair from MOSS this year.

Tom
Tom Norby

Tom,
Do you know if the Moss aircleaners are from the same source as the ones that Moss had several years back?

Those were close to the original design, The parts are interchangable with the originals. However the mesh was the wrong pattern- diamond shaped rather than round holes, The font of the Guildford.. inscription is a different size and there is no part number stamped in.

Here is an image with the original cover on the left the Moss one on the right.
Good Luck,
JB


J K Barter

Image of Moss aircleaner cover from a few years back, don't know if new ones are the same.


J K Barter

JB
Thanks so much for taking the trouble to take the photos. They look authentic enough for my needs.
I'll just have to buy a pair. They look better than the Stellings and Hellings!
Tom
Tom Norby

JKB... that round hole mesh is pretty common at any metal place... easy to cut and bend a new screen....
gblawson

Hi Tom,

Just a few additional points regarding the correct setscrews re the Vokes Air Cleaners.
The original cleaners had three(3)different
lengths of setscrews on each Vokes Air Cleaner.

Like alot of things re the Factory,there
were reasons for thesedifferences.Basically it helps to assist in less swearing and skinned knuckles when you have to remove them from the motor bay.


From memory,the setscrews which affix the 'Vokes'cover plate are only about 3/8thsinch
in shank length.They also have a 'star'type locker washer under the head.

The forward(ie.closest in the direction of the radiator) setscrew which attaches the cleaner to the carbs,has a larger than usual
head which is ALSO slotted.That slot(for a screw driver) is important when you are struggling to release the setscrew in the cramped space available.I don't think the general MG suppliers have these in stock but they can easily be made up on the Lathe.

The other setscrew which attaches the cleaner to the carby(ie.closest to the bulkhead)has a more standard head size with no slot.(easier to get at!).

The gap between the original air claeaners
and Side Engine Panel is about 3/16ths inch to 3/8ths.

Cheers for now.
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

GBLawson-
Thanks for the tip.
JB
J K Barter

This thread was discussed between 05/12/2009 and 10/12/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

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