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MG TD TF 1500 - 8 port head and block

Hi Guys,
I might get the opportunity to buy a factory 8-port head and the block to match. The block (XPEG/1466cc) is a special casting with extra metal drilled and tapped for the different stud locations of the 8-port. It also has the "normal" stud locations so it will accommodate "normal" heads as well. Both head and block appear to be either unused or perhaps used for a small amount of testing. They were sent to Australia by the factory when the factory was transferring efforts to developing the MGA. (Early/mid 50s?) They have not been used since.

I have attached an image of the block. Sorry it is not a great photo. Image of the head will follow.

Bob Schapel

R L Schapel

Hi Guys,

Image of the 8-port head attached.

Does anyone know what a reasonable price would be for the matching pair? I am not sure what I should be paying.

Bob Schapel

R L Schapel

Bob - off-line, please.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Tom,why always the secrecy? Some of us would be interested in what you have to say. I know I would and I can't learn anything if ...

Just sayin mate.

Bill Chasser
TD 4834
TD/c 16920
TD 24060
W. A. Chasser

Not secrecy, just my desire to learn a few things before I go out on a limb... I need to understand 8-port heads, I guess, and how they are different from stockers.

Tom
t lange

Looks like the ports are larger and the web is not recessed. To isolate those ports, which appears to be the purpose, a different intake manifold or manifolds would have to be used. Be interesting to see how that was done. PJ

My XPEG head,


Paul161

Bob - I am interested in another engine, but it may have some bearing on your engine. As I think you kn ow, I am continuing to research the EX176 engine, the prototype XPEG engine. The distinctive traits of the EX176 are NO water passages between the head and block (not filled in - never cast there), and a cast pad where the rearmost core plug would ordinarily be, to accommodate the water elbow pointing towards the back of the head.

If yours is marked AEF117, it definitely is a 1,466 block - both the EX176 and the stock XPEG engines have the cast AEF117. (I would have thought that the factory might number these two VERY different blocks differently, but apparently not.) I remember we corresponded and posted on this subject a couple of years ago, as well.

I have heard of 8-port heads for the T-series, but have never seen one - there have been heads for sale on eBay (sold to OZ?), and I think that I have heard of others on cars. One can Google "MG XPAG 8-port head" and find some images - on an 8-port head each intake is fed by one supply of mixture; on a stock XPAG 1/2 and 3/4 are shared, It obviously means that a different intake must be fabricated, since the spacing is different, and the head studs are re-located. I would assume that your head must be a factory head, and is also interesting because it has a modified combustion chamber shaped very much like a Laystall-Lucas head. Do you think that is factory, or a later owner?

These engines are much in demand by vintage racers.

Tom

t lange

A local special racer has a solid block and head. Interesting beast. I agree, leave discussion on the forum so we can all learn.
Steve Simmons

Steve Simmons - can you put me in touch with the racer, so that I can get details of the engine?

Thanks.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Tom, I don't have the owner's contact info but if I see him at the big upcoming show then I'll ask.
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 10/07/2016 and 13/07/2016

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