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MG TD TF 1500 - Carbs Leaking

I couldn't figure why my carbs were weeping, which I thought was around the bottom jet seal, but after changing them 3 times with new seals, they still leaked. After much frustration, I found it was the gasket, number 26 in the knock down drawing. I initially replaced them with "O" rings from one of our distributors thinking they would be better than cork as original, that was a mistake! The "O" rings let gas weep by and run down the outside and wound up wetting the bottom of the jet where the lever is connected. I'm going to have Joe Curto rebuild them this Winter, but I have one more show to go to and didn't think I'd make it as the shows tomorrow the 10th. With the cork they stopped leaking and the cars running great. With the new rear from Dave Clark on it's way, I'm done after tomorrow fooling with these damn carbs. Joe will get them. PJ



Paul161

Did you soak them in oil for a few days before installing them?

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Tom, Yes I did, but found out it wasn't the jet seals leaking as I thought, it was the neoprene O ring gasket I used instead of cork, as original, #26 in the diagram. After changing back to cork, the weeping gas stopped. The carbs are fine now, but I'm still sending them out for a rebuild this Winter. The butterfly shafts are loose, for one. Thanks for getting back. PJ
Paul161

I use Bob Johnson for my carb work, and am very happy with what he does.

Tom
t lange

Thanks for the tip Tom, I've decided to send them to Dave Braun, who I've communicated with before. PJ
Paul161

I restored my carbies a few months ago & as it still may be while before I turn the engine over, I'm guessing my cork seals may have dried out. Any suggestions as to what I should fill up the bowls with or immerse the bodies in (apart from fuel) to re-oil the cork or is this unnecessary? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter, I would think that if you soaked the cork seals in oil and not used the carbs, or put fuel in them, the oil should last a long time since it doesn't evaporate like fuel. PJ
Paul161

Thanks PJ. One less thing to worry about. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Hi, I recently purchased the master rebuild kit from Moss and they came with the black neoprene gaskets not the cork...are you saying those neoprene gaskets are no good at all?
SD Denham

The neoprene gasket, which actually was an O ring I'm speaking of is item number 26 in the drawing. On both carbs they let gas weep past them no matter how tight I pulled them in. The tapered cork sealed immediately. PJ
Paul161

May not work for everyone. I replaced the big cork jet sealing rings with Viton O-rings. "Dash" 210 size. You really have to crank the jet screw down hard to seal completely with cork or Viton.

I replaced each of the cork gland washers with two Teflon O-rings. "Dash" 010 size. Total of four Teflon O-rings required to replace the two cork glands in each carb.

Worked for me.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

The nice thing about the original cork is that it swells! I've cured dramatic leaks by simply getting them wet and running the car for a while. But keep an eye on that area... big fire hazard.
Steve Simmons

Tom, I didn't realize that Bob Johnson was Jim Taylors helper and was trained in rebuilding carbs by him. I thought the business was over after Mr. Taylors death. I spoke with Bob the other day on the phone after he called me and also found out he is a member of our club, The Green Country MG Register. He will get the carbs after the new rear is in the car. I can hand deliver them to him, nice. PJ
Paul161

Met Bob Johnson this morning at a club tech session in Tulsa and gave him my carbs for a full rebuild. Saw a pair of Magnette carbs he just built for a club member and they look like new. He told me one of my carb bowl tops is an aftermarket generic one and is wrong. He's going to make it right. Nice fellow and from what I saw this morning, his work is top shelf! 3 weeks to do them up with new shafts etc. PJ
Paul161

Bad idea to replace jet cork seal with neoprene, as this cork needs (to be soaked in oil first) to be squished tight to about 1/16" about. Needs some variation possible. I rebuilt my carbs for the first time in their lives using a "gasket overhaul kit" $20 ea from Abingdon spares. Cork glands and cork jet securing nut seal. Neoprene in the Moss? What next?
D mckellar

White Teflon jet seals and large black o-ring from Tom Bryant(?) installed about 2007. Totally dry since then. Never got more than a couple years out of many types of corks before leaking started since car came into the family in the mid-70s. Will never ever use cork again! Seems to depend on the type of rubber, condition of sealing surfaces, etc. George
George Butz

This thread was discussed between 09/10/2015 and 18/10/2015

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