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MG TD TF 1500 - Tool question

I know AF designates Across the Flats on a wrench. But I don't know if AF wrenches will fit Whitworth nuts. Any info would be appreciated. I'm looking at an old tool roll but the spanners are AF.

Tim
TD12524
Tim Burchfield

AF wrenches are, I believe, SAE. 1/2AF will be literally 1/2" across the flats.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Not really Tim. I have a set of Whitworth sockets, a set of open ended spanners & a full set of metric sockets & spanners. I also have a set of AF spanners however they are pretty useless on the TD, except for the exhaust clamps. Maybe they'll fit an MGA? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

AF/SAE spanners won't match up to many Whitworth sizes
There are closer matches between Whitworth and some metric sizes, which are also measured accross the flats
15mm and 18mm are an almost perfect match to the matching Whitworth sizes
Best to look out for a Whitworth set if you're looking for original though
cheers
willy
William Revit

AF (Across the Flats) is a common method of measuring the size wrench needed to turn a given bolt, be it SAE, Metric or Whitworth/British Standard Fine. It is just that, a measure from one flat on the bolt head to the corresponding flat directly across from the other. It is a very straight forward method of determining what size wrench size is needed to turn a given bolt. It works great on SAE and Metric bolts since they are a common fraction of an inch or millimeter. Not so straight forward with a Whitworth bolt head as it is neither a straight forward fraction of an inch or metric measure. See the chart, Wrench Size Comparison chart in the Other Tech Articles section of my Homepage at: http://homepages.donobi.net/sufuelpumps/ Cheers - Dave
D.W. DuBois

This is the comparison chart I use all the time

http://www.vintagemg.com/articlepdfs/wrenches.pdf

David
David Wardell

Thanks David. A very useful document. Filed away for future reference. I'll have a copy of it printed up in A3, laminated & stuck on the garage wall. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir


Peter, that's exactly where mine is. Right above the three rows of Whitworth, metric and AF spanners.

David
David Wardell

If you need to remove and replace the air filters and carbs on a TF, a set of stubby spanners comes in very handy, indeed the job would be very difficult without them. I could not find a set in Whitworth / BSF sizes, but an AF set does the job.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Thank you every one for the Tool 101 lesson. The reason I asked is that I saw a vintage tool set for sale on eBay UK and wondered if it would be appropriate for a TD. Obviously it isn't. Thanks again for the information. This Forum is the best.

Tim
TD12524

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Tool-Kit-TW-Superslim-AF-Spanners-Tool-Roll-Suit-Classic-Car/232353062697
Tim Burchfield

This old world bike spanner is great for manifold & carburetor work.

Seen on Ebay from time to time.

Peter



P G Gilvarry

Looks ideal. Never seen one like that before.
Dave H
Dave Hill

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-S-A-SPANNER-VINTAGE-BSA-CLASSIC-BIKE-TOOL-KIT-SPANNER-BICYCLE-TOOLS/272669124935?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D43783%26meid%3D63def2082510466bbae484933852bb52%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D161960532826

On Ebay in UK
P G Gilvarry

Tim - E-mail me at SUfuelpumps@donobi.net and I'll send you information regarding the tools needed for the T series cars, along with some information as to why the metric fasteners with Whitworth heads are used in the T series engines. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Did somebody mention bike spanners?
Attached a pic of my collection. All different brands.
The best for air filters and the exhaust manifold-tailpipe flange nuts. One BSA bike spanner possibly covers 80%? of T type bolts with just the four sizes.

Matthew.

M Magilton

Many thanks Peter, I bought that spanner.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Tim, you made a wise choice not purchasing that tool roll. There were few if any correct tools for the TD in there. It has taken me several months and a lot of eBay time on the UK and US sites to assemble an almost complete set of tools.
S Griffin

Thank you everyone for the excellent information and advice as usual. Dave DuBois, I requested and you sent me the tools and fastener information 3 years ago when I started my restoration. That info has been invaluable. Thanks. I just thought the AF wrenches were a different designation of the usual British wrenches. Thanks again.

Regards

Tim
TD12524
Tim Burchfield

This thread was discussed between 04/06/2017 and 08/06/2017

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