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MG TD TF 1500 - Time for a tidy

Hi

I have been driving my TD around for a while now in a ratty condition but have now decided that the time has come for a tidy.

Barry

B Bridgens

Hi

Strip down just the tank to go, then the engine and box.

Barry

B Bridgens

Your second picture is almost exactly what I did to my TD some 40 years ago. Although no concours restoration, now some four decades later it still shows well, albeit with some patina, but still engenders pride of ownership and plenty of driving enjoyment. I wish you the best of success in your tiding.

John Quilter (TD8986)

Now this could become a really interesting thread. I attach a photo of my TF as found in a Liverpool garage in 2013. It had been there since the 1960s when its restoration stopped due to the unfortunate death of the original owner in a motor cycle accident. Let's see some other photos of as found or prior to restoration.

Jan T

J Targosz

I did my "tidy" a few years ago

Tim

Timothy Burchfield

Nice car John. Ivory looks so good on a TD. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Barry,

Congratulations on deciding to rebuild your TD. I have found that if one
does something related to the rebuild, no matter how small, each day then
it is surprising how quickly restoration can progress. Takes lots of photos of each component before disassembling.

I really do like John Q's Ivory colour TD. Some of the 'Ivory' colours these days come out stark white.

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



Rob Grantham

Not a T but this is how I found my Y, last rego, 1959 and has sat there like this since.
Little bit to finish off but it should come up ok
willy

William Revit

Last rego

William Revit

Don't add the bricks Willy. They'll play havoc with your power to weight ratio. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

"Little bit to finish off..."

Love it!

Regards
Roger
R Taylor

I am pleased and impressed with the number of members that are "Tidying" up their TD.

I originally did mine in 1973. Mechanically, it is great, but the body was chipping and cracking bad. I also did not know MG's when I did the TD, so now, I am doing it up as correct as I can.

I started on the rear springs on mine today. Front suspension is done. Hope to have the differential mounted this week.
Bruce Cunha

Even in 1974 I didn't think this would polish out.
Ray TF2884

Ray Lee

Now, a bit ratty in places but it does for me.
Ray

Ray Lee

My chassis had a nasty kink in it and I had to cut a piece out and replace it--To my surprise this 70 year old chassis was still painted grey inside---as new, I'd like to see some of the new cars about now in 70 years, I doubt they'll be this solid
willy

William Revit

Where the name 'Lazarus' came from. Bud

Bud Krueger

Bud,

The name would really be meaningful if your car came back to life in four days!!

John
J Scragg

My next "project" when I've finished converting my 1500 TF to RHD and 5 Speed box. Been sitting dry stored since 1956!!! Light rust but interior shot.Underside again light rust. Engine turns but not run yet.Totally original as far as I can see even down to a full tool roll although canvass roll has had it.

JK Mazgaj

A bit longer, John. About 7 years. Bud
Bud Krueger

Received a message from Peter Hehir regarding the contents of the tool roll in my recently acquired TC. I've twice tried to forward pictures as requested but my mail has been returned as a "failure notice"
JK Mazgaj

JK, why not post them here? If it is a truly original I'm sure Chris Couper would like to have the photos and details on his site https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/mgtd_tools.htm

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

OK photos here. Not showing starting handle or hammer both in the car somewhere which is now hankered down and stored until I get round to the rebuild. Don't remember seeing any feeler gauges but must admit haven't totally searched the car. A second box spanner has if you look closer a smaller bar inside it.

JK Mazgaj

JK looks original to me but I'm no expert. It is probably worth quite a bit. Thanks for posting.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

The post on the TC tools has enabled me to tidy up the (currently) 28 page T Type Tool Kit document that I'm working on.

There are a couple of tools included that may not have been original. I’m hoping to get a photocopy of the list of tools from a TC Driver’s Handbook to confirm the contents.
Odd that you were unable to forward the pics. pjbm (at)bigpond (dot) com is the correct address. The detail of the shot posted here is a bit hard to read. There should be a nesting set of three tube spanners. The really great find with your TC kit however appears to confirm that there were definitely two Tommy bars with T Type tool kits. The short one for the tube spanners and a longer one for use with the jack extensions.
The three smalls are often missing. The Dunlop tyre valve tool, the points adjusting tool and the tappet feeler gauge. The TC used the canvas roll while the TD and the TF had the bituminised hessian roll. Can you tell me if the jack is a King Dick or a Shelley and if the pump is a Shelley or a Sutty? The size of the wooden pump handle is also a little larger than some of the others I’ve seen which appears to legitimise the larger version, of which I have about 6 in my collection. A much appreciated post. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Hi

Engine and gearbox out and body parts taken for media blasting. Wiring loom taken back and secured. Now to strip and service the engine ready for the body return after repaint.

Barry

B Bridgens

Hi

Body minus engine gearbox and part wiring loom.

Barry

B Bridgens

Hi

Parts finished at the media blasters and delivered to the paint shop for finishing.

Barry

B Bridgens

Hi Barry,

The weather in France is certainly drier than in Scotland. After my TF panels were blasted they rusted in the back of the van as I drove home! Nothing serious and a good rub down with a Scotchbright pad had them ready for epoxy primer. It shows however how clean media blasting leaves steel components.

Jan T
J Targosz

Hi Jan

Yes they can get surface rust quickly but as you say unless it is raining the humidity here is generally low. The sun was shining when we took the panels and body to the paint shop where they were phosphate coated the same day just in case. Generally paint shops tend to be very dry places. Hopefully the main body will be finished in paint next week so I can get the re-assembly started. Engine is ready with new bearings, starter ring, clutch, refurbed oil pump etc etc. It's amazing how these projects grow arms and legs, it started as as a tidy up.


Barry


B Bridgens

Although not personally experienced have read that soda blasting will leave a "film" protecting from rusting for a short time.
Quote
"As long as Baking Soda is on a ferrous metal surface, rust will not form. For rust to form, free moisture and an acidic condition must exist. In most cases, free moisture combines with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form carbonic acid. This acid releases a free metal (ferrous) ion, which combines with oxygen (oxidizes) to form rust. Pure sodium bicarbonate blast media buffers the acids, prevents the release of free metal ions and prevents rust."
JK Mazgaj

Hi

Just to finish of the thread here is the car today, very happy.

Barry

B Bridgens

Nice work Barry - thanks for sharing!
James Auer

That's not a tidy, that's a complete restoration!

Nice work and it looks very beautiful. Congrats.
Christopher Couper

Wow. Nice looking.
Bruce Cunha

Hi

Thanks guys. You know how it is you drive around for a few years in ratty state carefree and untroubled, then one day you think I must tidy the car up, one thing leads to another and you end up with a car that you have to worry about each time you go out.

Barry
B Bridgens

Nice one Barry---looks fantastic
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2018 and 30/04/2019

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