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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Engine Stablilizer Paint Color?

Are all parts of the Engine Stabilizer painted black in a TF? Item numbers highlighted in yellow in photo.

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

I researched this question on the TD Lonnie and there was no real agreement. If it was painted it must have been after it was installed, as adjusting a pre-painted item, especially one with two adjustable threaded sections and the locknuts, would just strip the paint off. I went with the plated finish. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Thanks Peter,

I agree that whatever color I choose, some touch up will be required. What about the bracket - part #5? Is it painted engine color?

No clear photos of the parts on TF9052 on Chris Couper’s site. It kinda looks like the stabilizer, including nuts and retainers, is painted black. The big turnbuckle appears natural. Can’t see the bracket.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Peter and I went around and around on this for weeks years ago. I am going to leave you with two TD pictures to ponder, that are right next to each other.

https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_heritage_pics.htm

Scroll down to the picture captioned:
"View of the front chassis from the right right side. Note the spring pan nuts are not painted. It is assumed these were hand painted later."

You will see that the stabilizer is not painted, nor are most of the bolts on the chassis. This is also a demo chassis or perhaps one taken off of the line for photos.

Now look at the picture of a completed car just below:
"Closeup view of right engine. This might be a later car. Note the thermostat housing and elbow is black. Also note the headlamp bolt is painted body color."

IMHO it shows that the stabilizer is all black and would have been hand painted after assembly just like the bolts etc. Check out the slop over of paint on the fuel line where it is secured to the frame A support.

This car is still fairly early (no thermostat but does have the newer air cleaner) and has some miles on it (note the staining on the exhaust manifold).
Christopher Couper

My bracket was Black, the adjusting rod and nuts appeared to be cad plated, wasnt painted. ??
PJ Jennings

Will the attached two photos help. I tried to put them on one posting, but the system did not allow it, so I had to use two postings.


R WILSON

2nd photo.


R WILSON

Should have said, it is on a spare engine, so the cobwebs and the rust are not original.
R WILSON

Thanks to all of you. I’ll paint the stabilizer parts black. Although I may make the turnbuckle natural color. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll paint it black.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

I am in the camp with Chris that some parts were painted by hand after assembly. I think this is one of them.

Here is a blow up of one of the factory pictures. This is a later TD as indicated by the double wire hose clamps. In the original picture, the suspension bolts were not painted.

In my research and picture review, I have seen that the nuts/bolts and probably the stabilizer were painted just before the body was put on.

I have pictures prior to the body going on with silver/metal nuts and bolts and black after the body is on.

Here is the enlarged photo of the stabilizer.



Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 08/05/2019 and 13/05/2019

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