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MG TD TF 1500 - Meanest, job on a T-Series

What is the meanest, dirtiest, most ornery job to perform on a T-series?

I’ll start with the woodruff key on the clutch/brake shaft. And the lower radiator bolts on a TF isn't far behind!

What else?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Replacement of the pedal shaft bushes and shaft, along WITH the brake pedal woodruff key, is my choice.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

In a TF, I would say replacing a clutch or just pulling the transmission as the transmission has to come out the top of the chassis, the rear transmission mount crossbar won't allow dropping it from below. Seats, floorboards, trans cover etc has to be pulled. Real pain on a restored car. Now if someone has a better solution I'd like to hear it. PJ
PJ Jennings

PJ, no pain no gain, just think of the lower RPM when you are mixing it up with the SUV crowd on the Interstate.

And the smile on your face too.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Anything in a TF engine bay. ;)

For the most part there aren't any truly horrible jobs on these cars. I'd probably agree with pedal shaft being one of the biggest pains as far as mechanical maintenance goes.
Steve Simmons

I second Tom. Especially on an assembled car, earlier TD with no hole in the bottom of the pedal box. I bruised or cracked a rib doing this once. And the new spacer washers were too thick so the circlip wouldn’t fit. Total do over…George
George Butz III

Hey George -

You made the job of replacing the pedal shaft and bush in my TF look easy. Glad that you did it and not me!

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Transmission, water pump and even the starter motor.
M Magilton

Replacing the rear water jacket cover that has the original slotted screws is up there on my list.

Attaching the pedal return spring is also a fun one.

I do the clutch pedal shaft during restorations, so it is not as bad to do.
Bruce Cunha

I don’t understand why the rear plate on the head is so difficult. There are screwdrivers the are bent at 90° at both ends with the slots oriented at 90° to each other. You can also use a crescent wrench and a coin in a pinch to take the screws off as well.

My vote is for setting up CW&P on a TD-TF differential.

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

Hi Lonnie, Should I just say thanks, I’m really good at doing it? Or add that it was actually with your bare spotless frame with all new parts? Haha. Totally different deal with an assembled car and the box full of sand, crud and rust! Glad your project is progressing. George
George Butz III

Bill Try that on a motor that has not been rebuilt. The screw are nearly welded in. I had a hole develop in my first one and had to grab the heads with a vice grip. I did try most of your recommended tools.
Bruce Cunha

Ring gear?
J Stone

I think the reference to the CWP ring gear, is to the endless switching of the pinion spacers. Some experienced people get it right the first time. Not me. It took a day and 3 in-and-outs!

And even if someone gives me a rare 4.2, I won't do it again.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

" Anything in a TF engine bay".

I have heard this before usually from TC owners !

Fact is if you use the right tool AND have the original fittings/fasteners in place,I have never found anything particularly hard to attack in a TF engine bay. For example,a few persons complain about how hard it is to remove/affix the TF Vokes Air Cleaners. It is a doddle if the original three(3) different types of setscrews are in place.

Of course,the Factory lowered the bonnet line on TFs to give a more attractive,rakish look.
As the late classic car collector Syd Beer once stated
"TFs are the prettiest MG ever made". Agreed. lol.

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

No offense, it was just a joke (as evidenced by the winking smilie). Although it does have a strong ring of truth to it. Of all M.G.s ever made, the TF has the tightest engine bay. I have the scars to prove it. ;) It's a known issue, especially for those running a supercharger. Making the side panels easily removable is also a known modification, not that I would likely do it to my own car. Doesn't make it a bad car, just a bit of a pain compared to others. As far as who jokes about it, not sure why it would be mostly TC owners since the TD engine bay is basically the same, just a slightly different shape!
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 28/01/2022 and 30/01/2022

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