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Parts

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 - Tired of your SU's?

Well, here ya go:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MGTC-TD-Performance-intake-and-carb_W0QQitemZ170257894227QQihZ007QQcategoryZ36474QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

At least the local blacksmith shop should be able to rebuild it.
Tom

And YET another SUPER RARE "DEALER OPTION" surfaces!!!!

SPW
Steve Wincze

Great looking manifold, but using an American carb just 'isn't right'!!!!
gblawson(gordon)

In looking at the large picture, I could not see how it would be held in place. The manifold clamp does not seem to have something to bear on for the inlet side. Maybe there is something there but I could not see it. Could anyone else see how it would work?
George Raham
TD 4224
G. L. Raham

Hi Guys,

Whether someone drops in a Volvo engine, a Datsun 5-Speed, or a Ford carb, the end result is a "bastard" version of what should be a piece of automotive history... The "T" Series cars are loved and cherished all over the planet for what they are, not for what they could be... Every attempt should be taken to preserve them, so that generations from now there will continue to be an appreciation for this segment in the evolution of the "sports car"...

I consider myself as merely the "caretaker" of my wee car, and will own it and care for it until I assume room temperature... It makes my skin crawl to see these kinds of "modifications"...

Cheers,

Rod Macleod - TF 1500 HDB46/6798 ("Molly")
Rod Macleod

Rod I disagree, as this was an original "Period piece."
Len Fanelli

Gee Rod, I guess I've raised a bastard. I've got the Datsun 5 speed and just mounted a blower to the TF. I have kept the original 4 speed, clutch and dual carbs should some one want to put it back the way it was after I reach ambient temperature. I doubt that anyone would have been interested in what I originaly aquired( preserved basket case). Painted the wrong color also. So shoot me.

LaVerne
LaVerne

Was it Shakespeare or someone who said that there is often more fun on the wrong side of the blanket? I have a Stromberg on my Model A because it makes the car much more pleasant to drive, but would never replace the SUs on the TF because they are the best design of carb around. The only reason people replaced them was that they were too stupid to set them up properly. (The same psychology that says Citroens are trouble but I better not get started on that).Regards, Richard.
R Payne

I'm with Len and LaVerne...
Gene Gillam

This may be a "period piece" but that manifold is not a factory option. I would still like to know if anyone has figured out how this thing would be held in place unless it was part of an "intake exhaust" system that was mounted in a diffent manor.
George Raham
TD 4224
G. L. Raham

Rod, I prefer to think of them as "hybrids". Bud
Bud Krueger

George, the picture aren't to clear but I think I see the cutouts for the head bolts, so I think it would mount the same as the stock manifold.

Rod, I would prefer to see an unmolested T every time over one that has been restored such as mine. Many are aquired like mine though. Disassembled and missing numerous pieces. I feel fortunate to have the original block in the car. Some pieces were there when it rolled off the line, such as the wiper motor, regulator and control box. Other pieces were already replaced and quite sometime ago. The generator is stamped with a 64 date for example and the original steering wheel was long gone. The turn signal switch had been replaced along with the horn button with toggle switch's. I tried to bring the car back to what it was BUT I also opted to try and build it so I could also drive the wheels off of it without having to rebuild as much as possible before I croak. Hence the 5 speed, silicone brake fluid, stainless exhaust system, sealed bearing water pump, pointless ignition, lined fuel tank. Nothing I've done can't be reversed. I don't care much for cars that have been butchered for modifications. There is a TF on ebay right now that has a modern power plant with an automatic tranny that looks like they did a really nice job on but it can never be put back to the way it should be. I don't care for it at all. The supercharger is fed through a stock SU carb and has really transformed the car. It's not a racer like Gene's beautiful TC but driving about 40 miles over the Colorado National Monument yesterday it was pure joy. No longer was I wraping up the engine to shift and then having to down shift again because it wouldn't pull the grades. The down shifts were limited to 4th to third just because of the slow corners. I'll be headed to Denver next weekend for the Colorado English Conclave about 250 miles east of me and have to traverese two 12000 ft mountain passes on the way. I did the journey in June with out the blower and I can tell you that 20 mph in the truck lane with my foot to the floor and the engine screaming , sucks. The car looks as it should except for the dark green paint and chrome wire wheels and you wouldn't know there was a 5 speed in there unless you crawled under the car and had a look. Just my two cents worth.

LaVerne
LED DOWNEY

I always thought a TD was a bit underpowered, and the steering wheel shimmied while the bonnet flexed. Then I discovered that rotten wood providing no bonnet or steering support, an engine with broken rings and a burned valve, and bias ply tires were defining my driving experience.

Then I rebuilt the my TD and discovered it had guts, would cruise easier with a 4.3:1 rear end, and loved unleaded fuel with my hardened valve seats. The steering was solid, and the bonnet tight, but the gearbox rattled and the noises accompanying my drive made me wonder if I had made the right choice to restore 'Tommy'.

After I installed my interior, with modern insulation on the gearbox and toe board, sound deadening material throughout the car, and more leather and thicker carpet than Abingdon thought to provide, I was transfixed. Sure, it doesn't do what the 70 B does, but it does many things differently. Now I can imagine driving the car a thousand miles. I remember in college when 100 miles in my Spitfire was fatiguing.

My sons are planning a party in Appleton Wisconsin the weekend of Oct 3. I'm considering taking 'Tommy'... Slightly modified he may be, but certainly not original.

warm regards,
dave


Dave Braun

LaVerne, I could make out the cutouts for the carb/exhaust studs in the picture, but the manifold clamps each bear on a raised pedestal, built into both intake and exhaust manifolds. This is why I feel that the item for sale is part of an "intake/exhaust" system that has a different means of mounting to the head. Someone buying that item would have a lot of fun installing it in conjuction with a stock "T" exhaust manifold.
George Raham
TD 4224
G. L. Raham

Dave, it looks so good! Did you install the underdash shield? That made my car a bunch quieter. You are sure right- what a huge difference after restoration, compared to before with the rotten wood, etc. I'm impressed- the correct float lids and the mickey-mouse wing nut. Now you just have to peel off the battery label and spring for a Lucas decal! George
George Butz

Here is a good battery label....


gblawson(gordon)

Thanks George,

I didn't install the underdash shield, but I can see what you are saying regarding its sound deadening possibilities. I hadn't even considered that aspect. I'll look into it.

I had to trade for one of the float lids, I've seen cars that must have been delivered both ways, with asymetrical and symetrical float lids. Since I believe the Moss fuel lines are sized for both, and are too long for the asymetrical set up, I made the switch. The Mickey-Mouse wing nut I've always had, and didn't manage to lose it during the restoration! Owning a car for 20 plus years before restoring it is helpful!

The thing that bothers me under the hood is the loss of my original oil pressure line from the block to the instrument pipe fitting. The Moss replacement is braided, and my original wire wound rubber line finally expired. I considered rebuilding it with new rubber, etc. but decided enough was quite enough as I wasn't willing to risk the engine (and firewall) with a burst line.

I've had that battery for about seven or eight years. I know it will expire soon. Of course, to be authentic, it would need the helmet tops and be much larger, I would loose my oil bottle place on the positive ground side. So maybe I'll just get a more respectible brand than "CarQuest". At least it is black. lol.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

On my first drive the 'rubber' hose burst...watched the oil pressure go from 60 lb to 0 lb... (didn't notice the 3 mile long 'line' of oil on the road behind me....! The MGB braided line fit just fine and gives me a bit more confidence!
gblawson(gordon)

Couldn't fit in the car with the undershield in place... my knees rest up a couple of inches under the dash!
gblawson(gordon)

Hadn't thought about the knees... I'm not as long legged as you Gordon, but I'll check that out first.

Is this what I need George?

http://www.britishpacific.com/lrpartsSite/LandRoverAccessories/LandRoverDecals.html

scroll down to the bottom of the page.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Nice label Gordon! How tall are you? I'm 5'10+ and have no knee space trouble. Dave, people notice my "Lucas" battery, neglecting to notice that it is a sealed Die-Hard with the labels peeled off. You can get the helmet head ends from British Wiring. I don't use the switch- just pop the cable off. So far so good with that. My "Lucas" label is a different color (goldish with maroon letter?)- got from Moss or Abingdon. Think the yellow one is more period correct. George
George Butz

I'm about 6'3" or so... with most of it in my legs... no way I could not have them up under the dash a bit....

That yellow label is the one I started with for mine!
gblawson(gordon)

This thread was discussed between 03/09/2008 and 04/09/2008

MG TD TF 1500 index

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