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MG TD TF 1500 - TD chassis and engine identification

Hello,

My chassis number is TD9735 and my engine number is 10140. I have read that TD’s with oval water holes and an 8” clutch were prefixed XPAG/TD2/….

My question is my engine has oval water holes and an 8” clutch and is prefixed XPAG/TD/10140.

Anyone have an idea why the engine tag says XPAG/TD/… and NOT XPAG/TD2/….?

Could the flywheel be changed during its life?

Also, the transmission shaft for the release bearing is 3/4”.

Best,
-Michael O'Brien

Michael O'Brien

Hello Michael

The 8 inch clutch was introduced at engine number XPAG/TD/LHX9408 on 18 July 1951, but for some reason, and we don’t know why, the factory records - and Guarantee plate on the bulkhead and engine number disc - do not start using the TD2 prefix until engine number XPAG/TD2/LHX10237 installed in TD9903 on 3 Sep 1951. Possibly because they subsequently realised that service for the engines might get confused.

So the nomenclature on your car is correct.

BTW, your TD was one of those that had an engine swap before delivery from XPAG/TD/LHX10165 on 28 Aug 1951, 4 days after the car was built. XPAG/TD/LHX10165 was subsequently installed in TD10304 on 18 Sep 1951, so they must have rectified the fault they found.

David
David Wardell

Thank you David!

I was thinking they made the change and had to start making new chassis & engine ID plates and that didn't get to the assembly until sometime later - sort of propagation delay.

Best,
-Michael
Michael O'Brien

Also very possible, Michael. Or they were using up the stock of straight TD engine discs. Roger Wilson thinks the discs were attached in the MG factory, not at Morris Engines Branch where they were made. I suppose we shall never know.

David
David Wardell

There was also the interim-period where they simply punch-stamped a "2" on the round, inner plate, to designate the change. Presumably this was to use up the supply of TD discs before the TD2 discs were supplied.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

As for whether the engine discs were attached at the Morris engine shop or the MG assembly-line, the original engine-disc rivet was peened from the inside, so it would have to be done with the sump off. I think it VERY unlikely that the engines were shipped from Morris to MG with no sump.

Also, most engines had the matching number stamped at the top of the disc plinth, which was most likely done at the Morris engine factory as one step of the manufacturing process, and which would always match the brass tag information. There would be no reason for that to happen at the MG factory.

All the evidence - and logic - point to the brass tags being attached at the Morris engine branch.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

This thread was discussed on 30/11/2021

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