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MG TD TF 1500 - TF vapor lock problem?

TF 1500 starts fine and runs great until come to a stop or turn off engine. When stopped at a signal, it frequently will die. If shut down, it will not start easily until time passes.
Saw a Brit Marque tech article about "Jet-Hot" coating exhaust manifold and installing a small fan under bonnet to cool down engine and carbs.
Any comments?
MJ zobrist

Mike,

Firm believer in JetHot...you'll see Sunday when you come over. Ask Mike L. about John Hooper's manifold...I took that over to Pascagoula and had it done...beautiful...got the non-advertised *sparkle* coating which looks fairly close to the original aluminized coating but not as grainy...see image.

As for a secondary fan...never heard of that before...heat shields I have heard of.


Gene Gillam

Mike, as I've said on numerous occasions, the first step with overheating is to make sure your static timing is around 5 degees BTDC, NOT the TDC set out in the workshop manual. This equates to making a mark on the crankshaft pulley 4mm in front of the existing notch. I've a TF as well, and accessability to the pulley is restricted compared to a TD, but flattenning the end of long piece of wire to 4mm will get it right enough, until the radiator is next out.

Why MGs were TDC when other slower cars such as a Morris Minor were 4-6 degrees BTDC is beyond me! Modern hotter burning fuels make a more advanced timing essential, but my experience in the 70s, with a TD and leaded fuel, meant that overheating was a problem, with even slightly retarded timing!

Get the timing right and then 'play around' with all the other 'anti fuel vapourising' methods set out in the Archives if there is still a problem.

Good luck, John.

J.C Mitchell

Check the archives for my battle with vapor lock when I first got my TF in 2000.
Lot's of good advise there!
IMHO (in order)
Timming
Jet-Hot
pertronix
Stainless fuel lines
Correctly tuned carb's
I have not had this problem for years now.

PS: In the "short-term" ...whilst you are tracking down your problem...go to the drug store and get some of those "instant cold packs" and carry them in the car. Mine was killing me, it would vapor lock, I would have it towed home only to find it would start by the time we got there. With the cold packs if it dies on you use them to bring the temp down quickly by holding against the carbs! I still carry a couple of those in my "spares" and have used them on several stranded LBC's going to and returning from car shows...much to the delight of frustrated drivers waiting on a tow truck!

Cheers & Best Regards,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

This thread was discussed on 30/11/2007

MG TD TF 1500 index

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