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MG TD TF 1500 - On learning...

Well, the failure of my camshaft bearing (in public, before thousands of people!) has given me so many opportunities in the past two weeks to learn.
I've learned how to disassemble parts I've never taken apart before. I've learned how to remove the engine. I've learned what the oil canister in the sump does, and how it works, as well as why that weird cotter pin is in the flywheel sump. (I didn't figure a lot of this out, you generous people have kindly explained it to me!) I've learned how the crankshaft, bearings and pistons all work together (something we all know in theory - but it's different to SEE it). I've taken apart the the entire engine for the first time. I've learned a LOT of things!
Before this, I had learned about the brakes, the electrics, the wheels, the gas tank, the convertible top, the heater, the carburetors, and so many other parts... but the engine had been a closed book for me ... largely because fingers were crossed and I didn't want to open that book until I had to!
But I have to say I've totally enjoyed learning all of it, and I can say with some pride that at this point the only part of the car I still don't understand is the distributor and how it works... and that will be my next project...
So I'm just going to offer one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books, "The Once And Future King" by TH White... the quote is by Merlin:
"The best thing for being sad,” replied Merlyn, beginning to puff and blow, “is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then-to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the thing for you.”
Geoffrey M Baker

Well said Geoff, fine words. Trouble is when you have finished the T, you will need another learning project.
mog

That's a great message Geoff, congratulations.
And since you truely mastered the LED rear lighting, I am sure the distributor will reveal its secrets very soon to you.
And yes, also in that area our pre-engineers provided us with some real masterpeaces like how the little condensor plays its role in pushing up the spark voltage. And nowadays, it is still hard enough for many of us to understand these things whilst reading how they work but in those days these guys had to invent from scratch. Whow, great engineers!! Huib
Huib Bruijstens

I have been restoring American cars most of my adult life, a dog eat dog business, along with two Metropolitans and when I bought this TF I have now, I thought what a breeze this little thing will be! Well I was in for a surprise, as I never dreamed I'd be working on a 1955 car that was built using 1930s technology. It's been a trip to be sure. I thought I knew all there was to know about building cars, even race cars, which I had a couple of those, but the British threw a monkey wrench in the works with this TF. It's been a process of schooling, mainly from you guys out there and I don't know what I would have done without all the help you have given. I am very proud to have dealt with men of your caliber, who's unselfish desire to help others is overwhelming. What would we have done without the Internet to make the world much smaller and bring people close together on a friendly basis. British car people are tops in my book! All I can give back is gratitude and a Thank You! PJ
Paul S Jennings

Here here Paul well said.
D Lamb

I must say. this is the best site on the web and a lot of us thru GOF's have met personally and I can say everyone I have met I call a friend. everyone is willing to share and give advice on our little cars and that is amazing. I wish I had found this site when I was doing mine the first time. I had great help from the local club and only made a few screw-ups. But the site keeps me active and I enjoy the learning experience of communicating with all of you folks.
T Maine

What I've learned is you are never finished working on a T car!
JRN JIM

This thread was discussed between 29/03/2015 and 30/03/2015

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