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MG TD TF 1500 - Earthing strap...where does it go?

Hi Guys Please see the attached pic of what looks like an earthing strap. Is this original and if so where does it go. Thanks in advance Darryl

D Lamb

Darryl,

I suspect the original earth strap was round in section,not flat.

The strap was usually fitted from under the head of one of the bell housing bolts to one of the body stanchion-stiffening bracket bolts.

Cheers.
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Darryl, Mine is a TF, but I think they bolt up to the same place, the upper hole on the left of the battery box. This is where the battery is connected. PJ


Paul161

If it's the one that grounds the engine to the frame, then it's another type as Rob stated. PJ
Paul161

Paul is correct regarding the ground lead for the battery, whereas rob is correct for the engine ground strap. How about that - two guys with two different answers, both correct! That should happen more often. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Thanks guys.

Mine a TF also Paul.

I am assuming that one end goes to the battery as the connector is the same as my battery leads. Only problem I have is that I already have 2 leads...Is this flat brass strap like anything you have seen on your car's.
D Lamb

The original TD strap had a helmet head. The TF was the same, wasn't it?
Joe

Joe Olson

Dave Dubois,

Thankyou for your diplomacy ! I didn't check the photo first up which of course depicts a Battery lead.

Joe,you are correct. The TF originally had a 'helmet head'.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

Joe Olson's pic is spot on for a TD. Rhode Island Wiring in the States sells them. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

If you are not a authenticity chaser earth direct to the engine block in parallel with the body strap, your ignition and starter motor will be glad you did. i have posted images of my arrangement in the past when this has been previously discussed.
G Evans

Darryl, you will have to scrape off some paint to bare metal where the straps connect to the battery box and to the frame. I put a dab of Dielectric grease between the strap and connection point, it helps keeping corrosion from forming, but gives a good connection. PJ
Paul161

Thanks guys. So this is a replacement for the battery earth lead and not original. Looks old though.

Think this on in the pic must be the one Rob was refering to as the engine earth strap.

Thanks for all your help.

D Lamb

I wonder if the helmet head battery connections were on all TDs and TFs from the factory? They seem to be very rare today-- perhaps they were so poor at their job they got discarded quickly. it seems the screws would tend to strip out in the soft lead of the battery post.

In any case, British Wiring also carries these cables and at generally better prices. I don't know if either has the helmet head, though.
David Littlefield

Does anybody had a picture from the earthing strap to the bellhouse for a TF?
J.L.E. van den Boorn

Since we are completely rewiring the wife's TD, I wanted to replace the earth strap which was showing corrosion and wear. Just finished tonight and can say this is the first time I truly hated her car.

The same earth strap could have been installed using available bolts and allowed easy maintenance/replacement (not a cost issue). The people who designed this car made everything as difficult as possible.

Fundamental MG TD design criteria: The more backward and inefficient the design the better. The more difficult a maintenance task can be made the better. And, export as many as possible so they are someone else's problem in 65 years. :-(

WHTroyer

Sorry for your troubles WH. Maybe it was all a vendetta against the Americans....
Not to add to your troubles or anything but you didn't happen to get a picture of where the earth strap is connected.
Thanks Darryl
D Lamb

The trouble with small cars is that space is always at a premium, making access more difficult - there is no getting around it, other than making the things so reliable they don't need any maintenance. But that would take away the challenge and the fun!
Dave H
Dave Hill

Hi Darryl, I will take a picture in a few minutes and post it for you. However, it is so hidden I am not sure you can see it clearly since the car is intact. Connects between the left tower (LHD car - the rearward bolt which is more hidden) and bell housing.

There are lots of pictures on the BBS with some body parts removed that are more clear. Sorry, I don't remember the posters name and apologize for that. Think of the picture shown with the bell housing cover and front floor in-place. Plus, the wings and breather tube with clamp installed. Largest space is just large enough to stick one finger.

WHTroyer

That's perfect. Thanks
D Lamb

At the factory, likely the strap was installed before the tub. I doubt anyone thought these cars would be around long enough to require strap replacement. Many have been removed with engine hoists over the years.... George
George Butz

D Lamb, many people on this forum have had moments when they just had to step away from the car because of frustration, even those who are very knowledgeable with the TD/TF and have restored other vintage cars. IMO, you should not have to remove the seats, carpets, floorboards and bell housing cover just to replace a ground strap (as well as use a 2-foot socket extension from above to reach the tower bolt - try to reach it from below with the breather tube and clutch linkage).

Well, yesterday was my "frustration moment". Hopefully, national bias is not a component of this forum. Everyone produces some products that are less than perfect.

It is well documented that these cars were developed as an export model to capture money from countries all over the world and cost was a greater driver than engineering elegance. Equally documented, by those working for MG at the time, the cars were designed for a limited lifespan (5-years or so according to some) and not much thought was given to ease of future maintenance.

My comments were made (at a low point) with respect to design philosophy and ease of maintenance; and, not about the nationality of the designer. Sorry if you were offended.



WHTroyer

George,
WSM "The Body" fig R22 shows a TD assembled body tub with rear wings being lowered onto a chassis with complete drive train.
Someone posted on this bbs years ago that in the case of the TF "the water pump was put on the line and the car was built about it".
Anybody with a TF and has tried to remove the stabiliser bracket knows this to be true.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee raybar2(at) tiscalidotcodotuk

WH, I'm with you on the ground strap difficulty, they are a pain! Another ground strap trick is to leave it off, pull the starter and watch your choke/starter cables melt. Have done that too. None of these tasks top changing the lower radiator hose on a2007 Mazda 6 or the TD/TF pedal box- same guys designed hose too, haha. George
George Butz

WH not offended in the least. Currently on a break from my restoration but more from a cost issue. Can't believe how much the whole thing is costing. Far cheaper to have bought a recently restored one. But not as much fun!!
D Lamb

This thread was discussed between 14/07/2016 and 20/07/2016

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