MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Sending the head out

I sent the head from my A out to a shop specializing in high end performance work for the works and was unhappy with the fact that driveway trials resulted in a valve stuck open. He took it back and re-did the guides. 2,000 miles later it runs like a banche. But, he won't be getting anything from me again.

Where are we sending heads for a simple, competent "yes, we do 5 Britcars a month and know what we're doing" seat/guide/valve job, perhaps with a slight shave to boost compression a bit?????

I don't care to hear about the cheap ones unless they're at the top of the list otherwise.

MAndrus

Del's Machine Shop is the go to Brit machinist in Sacramento. They probably do 10-15 xpags a month plus the A and B series engines as well as those other BMC motors. Very busy shop and their backlog can be a bit long at times. I have had valve seizing issues as well after their work but I will attribute it to contaminates from race fuel washing down varnish on a 50 year old tank that wasn't cleaned
W. A. Chasser

Mike, he's been trying to retire, but I know of no one better than Lawrie Alexander, http://www.britcars.com. Bud
Bud Krueger

A valve guide running a bit too tight isn't that uncommon. It might fit perfectly on the bench, but once heat expansion sets in it could get just a touch tight. Had it happen on an XPAG once. Freed it up, oiled it and ran easy for a few days, and it loosened itself. Not a problem since. If they do good work otherwise then I wouldn't write them off.
Steve Simmons

Did you have bronze or cast iron guides installed? Forrest TDC/22679
Forrest Rubenstein

Lawrie Alexander closed hi shop. He still does some work out of his home, but he uses Del's shop that Bill mentioned in his post.

I used Del's for my B engine. They did all the machine work,including the head. I was very pleased with the results.
Bruce Cunha

If you're looking for performance, I use a shop in Pittsburgh that's done quite a few of the T-series racers' heads. Although their primary work is big V8's, they seem to do a great job on anything. He's done quite a few cast iron and Laystall heads with great results. My TD with an early cast iron head keeps up with the guys running the Laystalls.

Kurt
Kurt Byrnes

This thread was discussed between 19/11/2016 and 21/11/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG TD TF 1500 BBS now