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MG TD TF 1500 - Video on twin TDs stock and modified

Here's a comparison of two pale yellow TDs one stock, one with 5 speed and other mods.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=HZC2A4ZvwUA
John Quilter (TD8986)

For some reason I get an error that my device (a computer) cannot show this video.
Christopher Couper

Sorry, try this You Tube link or search for "This week with cars Steve"

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=this+week+with+cars+steve

John Quilter (TD8986)

Not sure "Steve" knows what he is doing with the TD! Always check the tank with a stick before you take off. Duh!

His 5 speed gearing does not appear to be that much of an advantage. My 1950 TD is stock engine/tranny and at 3000 rpm I am at 50-52 mph...more downhill. The bottom of his gas tank appeared to be pretty rusty, too.
Charles Duffy

Steve's later post indicated he did not run out of gas in the tank but the outlet strainer plugged up. I also thought his report on MPH for RPM was a bit off but maybe his 5 speed car is running the original 5.12 final drive which would negate much of the advantage of the 5th speed. My four speed TD with 4.55 final drive is about 54 MPH for 3500 RPM.
John Quilter (TD8986)

I agree with John. Going with a rear end ratio like the 4:55 is a much better option. Less work, the car is more original, and in this case the benefit is much better.
Christopher Couper

This link might help some view the video. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZC2A4ZvwUA
OR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZC2A4ZvwUA

I thought about posting this video but I thought it'd get some moans and I'd leave it and see if he did a follow up video. There are more advantages to the 5-speed box other than top gearing.

He's got so many cars he doesn't get around to running them much, same as many "classic"/"vintage" car owners rarely drive their car, cars, fleet(s) but he seems to have a very good knowledge and understanding of them especially as many of the cars would have been quite sights even even in their time (perhaps TDs not so much).

Then there's also all the cars that are non-runners and in bits and things like a 70s electric car.

I like that he actually drives the cars, and races some of them, and has many in useable rather than show or concours condition though some are show condition. Better than a totally static collection that many seem to have.

What he sometimes does to get some of them going does even get me cringing sometimes but at least he gets them going.
Nigel Atkins

One of his videos is a tour of his entire facility and another one shows him starting up a large number of his cars. That one made me cringe as 30 seconds of running to prove they start does them no good at all.
John Quilter (TD8986)

My issue with the 5 speed gear box is he thinks the engine speed should be held below 3500 RPM.
It is a sports car that produced the most power @ about 5400 RPM!
Len


Len Fanelli

I agree I don't like those that just start the engines and leave them running without actually driving the cars like many owners do and having so many vehicles and not using them enough, like many multi-vehicle owners do. I do think he's better than most classic vehicle owners as he likes a wide range of marques and vehicles and will, at least occasionally drive them and actually use them as intended, unlike most owners.

He makes me cringe sometimes with his lack of mechanical empathy but he races vehicles so more used to the vehicle has to run whether it wants to or not.

On balance I'd sooner much sooner see him driving his cars in their various states of condition than the shiny normally static or driven at the snail's pace of many classics cars by their owners.

Len,
he races cars, I didn't see anywhere where he said they should be driven at below 3,500rpm just suggesting that for highway or longer distance use a drop in revs with a 5-speed might be useful. To me he's forgetting that the average (note I put average) classic car owner would avoid the highways and not do short distances let alone long distances. I doubt they get much above 3,000rpm in top gear let alone 3,500rpm most of them drive their classic so infrequently they have no idea what it could or should be capable of, they rightly stick to sunny Sunday local shows.
Nigel Atkins

He's going to break a crankshaft lugging that poor engine like that. And honestly, the cars aren't that different. Certainly not "bringing it into the 21st century". I couldn't stand to watch the whole thing (he could use a new editor) but it seems like the engines were basically stock other than a couple bolt-on items, alternator and pertronix. No one could possibly feel that difference. The only "what it's like to drive" part would be the 5-speed versus 4-speed. Maybe I'm being too hard on him, but it was painful to watch.
Steve Simmons

I agree with Steve and Len: These engines were made to spin. Sure you don't want to run them @5500 rpm all the time to keep up with traffic, but at the same time if I am not running at around 3500 rpm I feel like I should down shift, especially if I am going to need to accelerate or need power to climb a hill. He was basically lugging the cars the whole time and it was painful to watch.
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2022 and 03/05/2022

MG TD TF 1500 index

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