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MG TD TF 1500 - Best time to paint the engine

Just got all the parts back from the machine shop and wondering if people recommend assembly engine and then painting it or painting the block and head first.
J Cosin

I painted after assembly, but left the aluminum parts unpainted.
Willem van der Veer

I painted it when it was just a bare block and completely grease free. If you knock any paint off during assembly, its easy to touch in. Just keep paint off any mating surfaces.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Willem

Did you clear coat your aluminum parts? Did you polish them?

Thanks

Joe
JWP Policastro

I worked on a TD a few years ago (well, many, now that I think of it), that had all the aluminum bits polished to a mirror finish, including the sump. The car over-heated badly from day one, because all the "tooth" had been removed. The air just flowed over the engine, and did not cool. The owner had also used regular black paint on the radiator, which I had stripped at a radiator shop, and re-painted there using radiator paint. I also rebuilt the distributor, and properly set the timing.

I rough sandblasted the sump in place, and between these things the engine temperature fell by 20 degrees. It took me longer to vacuum and blow all the loose sand than the actual work took!

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Ah. The classic over restoration. :-)

Once saw a car that had all of this plus the brake drums were polished and then over painted too. Same overheating problem.
Christopher Couper

I did not polish the parts and did not clear coat them.

Attached is a picture of the engine just after spraying (there was a valve cover on during spraying).

Willem van der Veer

and the finished result.

In the factory the engines would be red all over, but I like the aluminum parts better this way.

BTW, painted parts like radiators radiate more heat when painted. Something to do with free electrons. Apart from reducing the cooling surface, apparently polishing a surface also restricts the electrons from radiating.

So a (thinly?) painted sump would cool better than an unpainted one and an unpainted sump cools better than a polished one. :-)

Willem van der Veer

Willem

That is the most impressive engine lifting spreader bar I have ever seen, great piece of kit.

Graeme
G Evans

I painted the head and block/pan/timing cover separately. I masked off all of the plug fittings and while they were originally painted, I polished the brass plugs because it looks good. Not a fan of the bare aluminum, but that is just a taste thing. George
George Butz

Graeme,

My engine lifting kit is of cheap chinese quality, but very suitable for the few times that I use it. The spreader also acts a a tilting device.
Willem van der Veer

Willem how long are those bolts that you are using to hold the engine to the stand?

Thanks

Joe
JWP Policastro

Something else to consider is perhaps rust. Bear blocks can rust fast. Maybe a prime coat will be necessary to prevent rust.

Joe
JWP Policastro

Joe, I use the head studs and nuts. No separate bolts.

Willem van der Veer

I paint my parts before assembly, but block and head together. All aluminum parts are left bare. Brass parts are clear coated to prevent corrosion.

Steve Simmons

Other side.

Steve Simmons

Front.

Steve Simmons

I assembled then painted. Regards, tom
tm peterson

Here's one for you now as we are talking about painting engines.

Interested to here how many of you would repaint and old replacement gold seal engine gold. I have an original 1500 TF replacement engine that's been in my 1954TF for 50 years it would have been gold and I am thinking of repainting it gold after its been rebuilt.

Interested to hear what you all think.

D Lamb

Darryl, Only my opinion, but if it was mine, to keep tradition with the car, I would match the factory gold paint as much as possible. From the photo, it looks like your transmission was gold also, was this the norm, did the factory paint them as a unit? PJ
Paul161

Darryl,

Unless you intend to stand by your car at any show you go to to explain why your engine isn't the same color as everyone else's I'd paint it red. Without an explanation most people are going to see a "non-original color engine" and walk on by.

Gene
Gene Gillam


I would venture to say that most people, not MG aficionados, wouldn't have the slightest idea what color the engine should be and if they were knowledgeable about MG's they should know what the gold color signifies. It also gives you an opportunity to interact with the public if questions are raised regarding the color. Thus my vote is to "go for the gold" and stick with tradition.

Jim

James Neel

Celebrate the uniqueness of your engine. When you show your car, put a placard on the windshield with info and brief history of your car. Include info about MG Gold Seal engines. Car-guys like to learn. They will stop, look, learn, and admire.

I vote for gold paint.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

I echo what Lonnie just said. Painting it gold keeps the history of the car intact and also good conversation when the bonnet is up when showing your engine.

Frank

TF1414
Frank Cronin

Go for gold :-)
Dave
D Moore

I did an epoxy primer first, then Moss spray bombs. Aluminum parts left natural, some non original things such as the silicon valve cover gaskets.

MAR Mark

Thanks guys for call the comments on the gold paint. A couple of non MG people thought it might be to blingy. But I agree with you all its a 1250 car with a replacement 1500 gold seal engine and gear box. I have my gold paint bought. Will post a pic when it's painted. Really appreciate the advice.
D Lamb

My 1250 TF at some point in the first 10 years of its life received a 1500 XPEG Goldseal Replacement Engine. After much consultation I have decided to repaint it Gold...below is the completed Gearbox.....get your sunglasses out 😂

D Lamb

Nice Darryl, an attractive colour,all part of the car's history, I could live with that
Neville
TF 0900 / 9848
N J MANN

Darryl,

Looks like a work of art. I love it! Good decision.

Jasper
JL Nederhoed

Thanks guys for the vote of confidence. Just thinking though it probably won't be seen but I will know ☺
D Lamb

Very nice work Darryl.
Re the colour - it has historical context and makes an interesting talking point, (I have learned something). I am in full agreement with your decision.
Michael
M R Calvert

There've been several comments about polishing and clear coating aluminium. I don't recommend it, from aircraft experience: you can find that corrosion tracks under the coating and makes one hell of a mess.

Then you've got to get the clear coating off, and that's often hard.

David
DavePro

I agree with that David, from experience
Neville
N J MANN

Thanks Michael
David I have just cleaned the aluminum in all cases. With a little effort it comes up nicely. I have decided to not paint it in all cases.
Thanks for all the comments
D Lamb

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2016 and 19/05/2016

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