MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG 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 - Dave Dunlavy: how's the assembly coming along?

Dave,

I have been following your progress on your website. It looked like you were very close to final assembly...

How's it coming?

Good luck,
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

The speedo reads 1045 miles. Went to GoF in Wisconsin last week and enjoyed meeting many nice folks. The only problem we had was a plugged back pressure hole in the master cylinder. I've now pulled all wheel cyl and master and sent for sleeving in Mpls.
Bev really likes riding in the car and we learned to use two rubbermade tubs on the luggage carrier for plenty of clothes. Still plan to go to Ariz/Calif soon. I shall update my website one final time with finishing photos.
I made a video of all the cars at the GoF. It's a VCD, playable on a DVD player or computer. If anyone want's a copy please email me their address and I'll burn them one (CDR's are almost free).

My web site is www.dunlavy.us -
<a target=_blank href="http://www.dunlavy.us">http://www.dunlavy.us>

Don't know if the web link will work as I've not try that before and you can not preview your work here.

Thanks for the interest - all the people that ask questions here really help guys like me that know absolutely nothing about the way English build their cars.
Dave Dunlavy

Congratulations!!

It looks very nice. Did you have any problems during the final assembly?

Good luck,
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

I guess the biggest problems were the paint, door latches, gas tank switch cover leak, engine oil leak at rear of engine, a squeek noise when cold in gear with clutch pushed in, and brakes as mentioned above.

I hired a buddy of mine to help me paint the car. He receintly taught auto body in a Community College at Calmar Ia, until the program was terminated. I have some experience with acrylic enamel but none with base/clear.
I primed the bare metal with Napa EconBody 15210/15212. I used to always use the old grey laquer sanding primer but my guy suggested PPG K36/K201 2 part primer surfacer. It is great - lots of fill and beautiful to work with.
Then he said the red would only be real red if we had a white primer - after simple tests, he was exactly right - has to do with the transparancy of the red paint. We used PPG DP48LF/DP402LF - no sanding afterwards.
The base coat is PPG Omni MBC2379B VW Chianti Red / MH167 hardner (thanks to Bob Figenskau for suggesting that particular red!!)
My paint room turned out very clean results. My first use of the Sharpe SGF98 HVLP 1.5mm gun was instant love!! All was well until then.
The PPG Omni Clear MC161/MH167 High solids urethane set too fast and after two coats it required color sanding (1500-2000-2500) and buffing. More hours than should have been necessary. My guy and I should have gotten the clear to flow better before continuing to paint. The work didn't need buffing to get rid of dirt only orange peal.
Buffing results were great with 3m 051131-05973 but this could have been eliminated by adding 5% acetone as we did on later shoots. Also I use a prodect from Nicsand, Inc which is "Ultra Micro Fine Polishing & Scratch Removal Formula" 10000 grit aluminum oxide sanding gel (1qt & 2 pads are $20 direct from them - they are on the net and at 440.816.1333 Tracy Shaw). This produces the finest finish I've seen. I then finish and clean up with Mequiar's Quik Detailer mist & wipe.
If we had not had the clear set too quick the results directly out of the paint room were fantastic - I couldn't beleive how clean it was.
brake cylinders are sent to Mpls for sleeves. It will be nice to have the car ready to drive again soon.
It was fun to ask questions and share information. Thanks to all that helped and if we get to your town and have your phone number we will call and chat.
I'm going to try another way to type the web address here. It is http://www.dunlavy.us
I have sent all those requesting VCD/DVD's of the GoF - and now have run out of mailers - if you are going to request one now, please do it by mail and send a fiver to cover the cost of mailing. Thanks
Dave Dunlavy

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2003 and 03/08/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.