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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 - With my Distributor it is a wonder he ran

It has been a while since I posted anything about Tommy, TD 15470, being that it has been the COLDEST January in many a year in Minnesota and the garage is not heated this year. In fact, if we stay below freezing until Sunday, it will be only one of FOUR January(s) on Record in which the temperature never rose above freezing, day or night.

Anyway, I happen to be the Technical Coordinator for the Minnesota MG Group, a bunch that caters mostly to the MGA, MGB and the modern midgets, but has a few T-Series and Triple M owners too. http://www.mmgg.org/index.htm I like being Technical Coordinator because it isn't a board position, and I get to talk to people at length about interesting technical subjects, all under the guise of planning technical sessions. Usually these people are much more smarter than I am, which is a huge benefit because occasionally some of it wears off in my direction.

One of our members, and a contributor to our Technical Sessions, is Jeff Schlemmer of Advanced Distributors fame. I sent Tommy’s distributor elsewhere when I embarked on my restoration because I didn’t know Jeff then. The person who rebushed it was recommended by several T-Register gurus. However, when I started Tommy with coolant in him, the first exhaust pipe almost glowed! Tearing down the distributor revealed the center screw, when tight, was locking down the advance weights, resulting in no advance. I temporarily fixed that by using red loctite and leaving the screw slightly loose. Also, every 250 miles or so, oil was finding its way past the bushings into the distributor bowl so much so that I had to swab the bowl out and dress the points. Something was amiss.

I gave Jeff the distributor at our Technical Session planning meeting last Saturday. He called me today and let me know he was finished with what was possibly the worst distributor he has had the pleasure of rebuilding in a long time.

The shaft had been turned down which is why the screw was locking the advance weights. He replaced it with a shaft he had on hand. The bushings were either NOS installed by the last party… or the guy neglected to actually rebush the distributor, which would explain why it was loosey-goosey. Jeff installs three longer bushings so the entire shaft is secure. He says my oil pushing days are over. I'll take the blame for reusing the rotor... it was loosey-goosey too.

The aluminum separated from the steel while bead blasting the body, so Jeff had to find the center of the body and fix it with three unseen set screws. With new springs, the distributor is recurved for 23 degrees. Jeff would like me to set the static timing between 10 and 14 degrees BTDC, that way I’ll have between 33 and 37 degrees max advance. Finally, the original condenser was marginal so I now have one from an MGB residing on the plate.

I’ve been promised sudden acceleration and much improved performance. With this distributor Jeff says I could easily do 7000 RPM with a roller cam set up and slight head polishing… well that might be a project for another winter.

No interest… etc.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

"I’ve been promised sudden acceleration and much improved performance."

Believe what Jeff tells you, he did the distributor for our TD and the difference in the car's performance is unbelievable. Get a dial back timing light to set the timing 10° - 14° BTDC rather than trying mark the crankshaft pulley - it makes things much easier. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave

Tried to send you an email but your address failed, could you email me?

Brian
Brian Smith

Dave and Dave

As I enter the phase of refurbishing and restoring my TF, would you recommend as a matter of course that I should have the distributor refurbished, i.e., it's one of those things that would automatically need to be done.

John
JL Brickell

And how much does a rebuild like that run?

Mine seems to work fine. Starts good and certainly runs good for the limited running that I've put it through.
l rutt

John and Larry, Considering the age of the cars and the fact that the distributor is probably the same age, it is not a bad idea to have Jeff pass his hand over them. I think that I paid right around $100 to have mine done. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave DuBois

Sorry Dave, for whatever reason the emails I have tried to send you keep getting returned with Fatal Errors. Your email made it to me just fine.

Brian
Brian Smith

John and Larry,

My rebuild was more expensive (but not outrageously so) then Dave noted, but my distributor required an exceptional amount of work. However, Jeff has the tools, the testing equipment and the knowledge to do the job correctly.

I agree with Dave D that given the number of miles our cars have gone, and with the way the distributor is constructed, having them gone over is pretty smart. That's why I sent it off to the first rebuilder prior to even tearing down my engine. It was evident however, that the first rebuilder wasn't able to do quite what was expected, and I'm pleased that Jeff was able to take care of the problems.

He is fair and fast... and for your information, Jeff's website is http://www.advanceddistributors.com/

Definitely worth a go...

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave DuBois,

"Get a dial back timing light to set the timing 10° - 14° BTDC rather than trying mark the crankshaft pulley - it makes things much easier"

I thought our weights advanced at about 600 rpm. I can probably set the idle that low, but if I'm running closer to 800 would I still want to see 10° - 14° BTDC? I'm assuming that if you are suggesting a timing light, that 10° - 14° BTDC is not static.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave B. - "I'm assuming that if you are suggesting a timing light, that 10° - 14° BTDC is not static."

That is correct, initial static settings would still be at TDC. That insures that the engine will start. From there you can use the timing light to dial in the advance. As to where the advance starts, you will have to ask Jeff, since I forget exactly what he told me regarding that (I think that I have it written down somewhere - just can't remember where at the moment). Cheers - Dave D.
David DuBois

The two Daves -- Appreciate your technical knowledge and helpful suggestions. I'll be contacting Jeff in the not too distant future, and timing light is now on my purchase list.

Cheers -- John
JL Brickell

This thread was discussed between 30/01/2009 and 31/01/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

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