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MG TD TF 1500 - 51TD moves again

A year to the day that the engine overheated, Lily Christine IV was on the road again.
On Wednesday I finished a couple of small jobs under the car: firstly, I built a boot for the clutch rod on the pedal box, using a universal rubber boot and a 2.5 inch diameter, two-piece round tin (the kind on every sales counter of every store selling the latest flavor of breath mint etc). I was going to make something on the lathe that would mate the rubber boot to the pedalbox, via the two existing screw holes, when my eye fell on the tin, easily drilled to fit on both sides and joined along the rim by 3 rivets, the two part tin would make it a very easy job to install, along with a 2 inch washer on the inside, for reinforcement. I cut a large hole for the boot on one side, (folding the metal over so there were no sharp edges to cut the rubber boot) and drilled three holes, two for the two screws and one for the clutch rod hole, on the other side (as well as through the large reinforcing washer); then I drilled three small holes around the overlapping rim for pop rivets to hold the two pieces of lid and base together, once in place. Then I slid the three pieces over the clutch rod, screwed the base plus reinforcing washer to the front of the pedal box, slid the of the tin plus boot onto the tin base, aligning the three pop rivet holes, and inserted the pop rivets as the final step to lock it together. The boot is a perfect fit, not too tight, so the rod slides in and out easily, and I *think* the tin will be strong enough to hold up to the abuse it will receive so close to the road... anyway, job done!

I also installed both gaiters for the steering rack.

Then yesterday I took her off the jacks and started the engine and tried to roll forward. After adjusting the clutch, I took her out on a six block drive!
The engine temperature rose to about 175 degrees and held there, oil pressure was 40, rising only a little over that at any time.
So far, so good. The engine still feels a bit rough, I think the carburetors still need some tuning and the plugs are maybe still not perfect. It's running richer than I like... but all in all, a major milestone passed and she's back on the road!
Geoffrey M Baker

Goeff,
I wish you good luck with your past efforts !!!
Now,,, stay away from slow moving parades!!!!!! Unless its a Winter Snow Ball Queen parade in cold weather!

Steve
Steve Wincze

Geoffrey. Glad to hear your back up and running. I'm finally in the beginning stages of getting my engine ready for reassembly as soon as the head comes back from the machine shop. I hope to be out there this summer enjoying the TD for the first time

Bill Chasser
TD 4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

GOOD JOB!
JRN JIM

Geoff, how about some pictures of your clutch rod boot. I have been thinking about such a mod for a long time but you would make the job much easier. I can copy others work better than inventing my own fix. Happy Motoring!
Jim Merz

Here's mine.
Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

OK Jim, I'll take some pictures
Geoffrey M Baker

Here's a picture of the boot and tin mounted on the pedal box.

Geoffrey M Baker

Here is a closeup of the bottom showing one of the three pop rivets.

Geoffrey M Baker

Naturally, it's nowhere near as good as Declan's work; but it cost virtually nothing, the boot was maybe $12 on ebay and the rest of the parts were free.
Geoffrey M Baker

A squirt of satin black Geoff & she'd look just like a bought one. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Declan, can you provide details on your boot as Geoff did?
Jim Merz

Geoffrey,
It looks fine to me. Just add a dab of black paint and you would swear it grew there-well done.


Jim,
I have two versions-one with rare earth magnets and one with self tappers. It would also be possible to glue it in place with black silicon. The holder is made from black PVC. The boot is thin walled and highly flexible.
Second photo shows the final version with 6 magnets.

Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

6 magnet version

Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2016 and 19/03/2016

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