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MG TD TF 1500 - Tank dimensions TD/TF

Could somebody take a measurement from the top of the tank on the inside to the centre of the hole where the level sensor fits?-I am still toying with the idea of developing a proper fuel gauge for the TD/TF and am building a prototype.
Regards
Declan
Declan Burns

Declan, I also have given this a lot of thought, strangely after replacing the sending unit on one of my large diesel tractors. It has a sender similar to the one pictured, but larger and more durable. If the mounting procedure could be reversed and mount from the bottom along with the sensor being longer, I see no reason why it would not work. The float has an embedded metal strip in it and the electronics in the shaft sensing float level. The one on my tractor is very precise, worth a thought. PJ

Paul Jennings

Declan, its 365mm on my spare TD tank.

Matthew.
M Magilton

To add:
Not vertical, but same angle as sensor wall.
M Magilton

Declan I get 353 mm to the centre screw, though it is a bit difficult to measure. I used a straight edge on the top of the tank & measured from it to the centre machine screw on the sender unit. The tank is sitting on my snooker table. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Many thanks Matthew and Peter,
Peter, what do you mean to the centre screw?
What about the exact size of the hole?
The rubber seal that I have has an ID of 49mm but I think the hole is actually slightly larger. Could it be checked?

Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

My tank has the sender unit fitted so I can't see the centre of the hole. I don't want to remove it as I've used a sealer when I fitted it. This sender unit is secured by 6 screws spaced equally around the rim of the unit. Their locations can be described as 2 at the top, 2 in the middle & 2 at the bottom, just as you've drawn. I've measured to one of the 2 screws in the middle. This should be the centre of the hole in the tank. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Thanks Peter,
That's exactly what I need-is that a TD or a TF?
I found a lovely gauge that would really suit but the price makes it a no go.
http://www.mgbits.com/contents/en-uk/p7083_Fuel_Gauge_(Outright_Sale).html
I will have a go at making my own and have come up with a few designs. I will go for the one in the middle. Maybe the Dutch chap who makes the speedo and rev counter dials can help out as I have close contact to him.
I have ordered a 3mA ampere meter which I can cannibalize and then make the sensor to match.
Regards
Declan


Declan Burns

This is the tank that was fitted to my TD when I bought it in 1969. The strange thing is however that it doesn't appear to have any baffles. This makes it somewhat unique as I've not come across another TD without baffles. It fits the TD perfectly in every respect & I have no reason to suspect that it isn't original. There is evidence of lead repair in places along the top of the tank where it abuts the tub, due not doubt to crud resting there & ultimately rusting out that area. Obviously wasn't garaged for much of its life before I took possession. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

A tank without baffles sounds like a very bad plan. More power to Declan's elbow in coming up with a working fuel gauge - hopefully for the TF as well as the TD. The main issue appears to be a suitable sensor for the tank, that will work when positioned via the hole in the back or through the filler cap. We can do without hacking more holes in the tank. I've seen on ebay a sensor that can be inserted through the filler hole, I don't know if suitable but if I can find it again will copy to Declan.
Dave H
Dave Hill

No baffles would be a major concern for me too. A sharp right hand turn could see spurts of fuel coming out under pressure. Let me know if you want a free tank to cannibalise/repair.

Matthew.
M Magilton

I'll email you Matthew. I never had any spillage concerns when I drove the car for that magic year & a half way back when. I'll again have another poke around with some wire to see if I can feel any baffles, though I'm pretty sure they don't exist. I do remember a sharp right or left hand turn would make the rear end lose contact with the road. Scared the bejesus out of me when it first happened but then I began to enjoy it & soon encouraged this at every opportunity. I do remember a few very white faced passengers though who looked at me as though they'd just seen their maker :-) Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

As far as I remember I could see two vertical baffles in my tank, dividing the space into equal thirds. Each baffle has a hole of an inch or two diameter top and bottom.
Dave H
Dave Hill

A pic of one of the TC baffles.

M Magilton

...And the tank it departed.

Tank was removed by a mechanic for repair, then subcontracted out to a tank expert ... who gave it to the new guy to fix ... who assumed it was dry when the flame got too close.

He 'Only' suffered partial hearing loss I was told.

Matthew.

M Magilton

Matthew, Can you measure the diameter of the hole for the sender?

Thanks
Declan
Declan Burns

Sorry Declan, I do not have access to a tank without sender at the moment.

Matthew.
M Magilton

I believe the fuel tank sensor question has been discussed previously.

The non rectangular profile of the tank is going to require a very clever algorithm to provide any form of accuracy in the sensor output.

Owners may be happy to just have a semblance of an accurate fuel gauge indicating the tank contents. Personally a calibrated dip stick in conjunction with the original low fuel level warning light is a satisfactory option.

Graeme
G Evans

Graeme,
The tank shape is not an issue. I can match the scale of the gauge to suit and keep the sensor linear or the other way around-not an issue.
Here's the correction curve drawn up from my measurements.
Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

Mr Burns:


I have the tank off my '52 TD (16504) and I have attached a photo with a tape rule measurement. I have taken the measurement from the top of the tank on the outside (it was difficult to ensure the end of the tape rule was at at top of the tank on the inside, due to the curvature at the top, while holding the rule with one hand and trying to take the photo with the other). It shows the distance to the sending unit attachment hole half way down the opening to be 358mm.

I will send another photo of the opening diameter measurement using a vernier caliper in the next post.

Please excuse the quality of the focus - the camera didn't seem to want to focus all that well from such a close distance - and I am not a photographer.


Charlie King
'52 TD 16504





C. G. King

Mr. Burns:


Here is the next picture - measuring the opening diameter - again - the focus isn't all it should be.

It shows the sending unit tank opening diameter to be 1-7/8".

Hope this is of some help.

Is I mentioned in the earlier post - the tank is off the car - and it isn't going back on in the immediately foreseeable future - so if you require more info / measurements - I, hopefully, can help.


Charlie King
'52 TD 16504

C. G. King

Many thanks Charlie-that resolves the issue.

Regards
Declan
Declan Burns

I have attached a picture from my files showing the position of the baffles. The photo credit belongs to WG Cassidy of NSW Aust. I am hoping he will not mind me reproducing it (and some others in the series) here.
Michael

M R Calvert

Another photo showing the inside of the tank.

M R Calvert

And another.

M R Calvert

Can somebody come up with the same measurement on the TF?

Regards
Declan
Declan Burns

Started on the indicator prototype and just printed off a paper dial. Next step is the real dial as soon as I receive the dial movement which is on order.

Regards
Declan

D Burns

Side view showing domed glass, bezel and housing.



D Burns

This thread was discussed between 22/03/2017 and 04/04/2017

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