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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 - Engines that fit MG TD

I would like any info on what engines will fit the MG TD preferably MG of course.(can't afford to buy new Crank for my original engine)

I do have a Datsun 510 1600cc engine that i am thinking about fitting until MG one comes along (if it fits?) I would also at the same time like to have a 5 speed box added to suitable engine
Keith

Keith - Both the MGA 1500 and the MGB 1800 engines can be made to fit the TD. I have seen TD with both engines used in them (they are esentially the same engine). Dave
David DuBois

Keith,As is often said, you can put just about any engine in any car if you have the will to do so. I put '67 MGB engine, trans, rear end, and front suspension in my TD a few years ago and am now doing the body work and interior. I saw a datsun 1600 engine and trans in a TF. There are threads in the archives about putting B engines in TDs. On mine, I made up a front mounting similar to the TD to bolt to the B motor and use the existing TD mounting point on the frame. If your TD is left side driving position, move the B motor as far to the right as you can because the steering shaft will be in the way of the exhaust header, which will have to be custom made. I modified a MGA tube header to fit. The front SU carb will protrude beyond the bonnet side panel. I fabricated a blister at that point similar to the one on the lower part of the same panel that allowed for the TD generator clearance. I fabricated a transmission mount to bolt to the existing TD location and the B trans. If you use a B rear axle, the spring mounts will have to be moved out about 1.5" each as I remember
Oh yes, you will need to modify the raditor to accept the new motor hoses. I had mine recored and a new upper hose fitting put on. It was pressure checked at 10 psi and the expansion tank held. The 67 B motor I'm using runs with a 7 psi cap. These are just the highlights of a conversion. Many details will need to be worked out such as the accelerator pedal and cable, clearance for your brake and clutch pedal and your feet to use them if you use a B transmission, etc.etc.
I hope this gives you some idea of the scope of such a project. MEL
Mel

Personally, I think you would be better off to take your time, save money and fix your correct motor. Yes, you can do the above mods at considerable expense and hack up a perfectly good car. A guy in Orlando had a couple cranks (welded to standard) for $500 or so a few months back- they dated back to his business in the 70's. So, I would sure look around for used (crack tested) cranks first. Also check with Abingdon spares- sometimes they have good used. It cost me around 5K including a new crank to do my entire motor- which should last 20 or so years at least!
George Butz

Hi Keith,

I don't know whether there were too many Wolseley
444's exported to Canada, but if you can find one the engine is almost the same as an XPAG. Certainly the crank is the same. The engine is an XPAW.
The block only has the dipstick on the opposite side.
Everything else is the same. You would end up with a spare head as well as heaps of other usable spares.

A TD with the original engine is worth good money. Anything else, forget it.

A shame I live too far away. I have a spare crank from a 444 lying under the bench.

Good luck,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

From what I remember having read by specialist Neil Cairns, the crankshaft of a XPAW is similar to that oft he XPAG but not as strong.

At any rate, I would not put another engine in a TD. The joy of our cars comes also from the engine. While I am not a purist and try not to be a bigot, I do not see the point of owning a car like a TD without the engine that goes with it. I am sure replacing the crankshaft is less involved and less expensive than fitting another engine.

A friend of mine in LA has fitted an 8-cylinder, 6 liter Cobra engine. The TD flies!

Denis
Denis L. Baggi

If one has a fairly complete car, by all means restore it. In my case, the TD was found in a back yard as little more than a shell; no interior or guages, no radiator or rad shell. The engine had set behind the POs garage for 25 years with a broken crank and a cracked block, cylindar head ports had rusted through in some spots. brake cylinders were rusted beyond salvation, no windshield or mounting brackets, etc,etc.
But the wood was surprisingly good and the sheet metal wasn't rusted out. Yes, I could have found all of the replacement parts and retored the car to TD specs., but I decided to go with later MGB parts and get it on the road again with the goal of keeping the mods easily reversable if at some future date one wants to restore it to TD specs. For me it has been a fun project and a great learning experience r.e. developing and improving welding, and body work skills.

Keith, if your car is complete, don't swap motors, find a good crank and rebuild what you have.
Mel

Hi Everyone
Thanks to all for the sound advice,
I just have to hope that a spare crank rears it head or it will be another few more years that the TD will have to stand unused.

Thank you all
Keith

Thanks for the contact George
Lets hope a Crank becomes available

Many thanks
Keith

I have an article showing a T-series with a Bugatti type 35 straight 8 installed, and another with a flathead Ford V-8. In a nutshell, anything will go into anything short of a Thor rocket.
John Masters

Hello Keith,
If a crank is all you need to get your TD back on the road I may have a spare. It resides happily in a complete and running (until last spring)XPAW engine. I would consider selling only if it would help to keep another TD on the road and original. Alternatively I could give you a local contact who would have a crank. No they are not cheap but by the time you rebuild any engine and do the conversion there is significant time and money spent. George's posting matches my thoughts exactly.
Tony
Tony Cove

Just wondering how much do used cranks and short XPAWs change hands for these days...
Will

I paid $1000 US for a complete XPAW engine with gearbox. No dynamo. My wife thinks that was way too much money. I think it was good value. The owner of the Wolseley was converting to B series power as the XPAW couldn't drag the saloon up the local hills around New Hampshire. Others would know the going rate better than I as I am fairly new to TD ownership.
Tony
Tony Cove

Keith
Last summer I took my Td to Cornwall Ont. Ca. My father was born in Delkeith, Ont.My cousin, who lives in Alexandria, Ont. and has a auto parts store, that he recently closed. He has some parts for MG's. While visiting him he informed me that the engine in my TD was the same engines that were used in Fordson tractors , which were inported to Canada after WWII. Also on the outskirts of Winchester, Ont is a guy that has a restoration business. He has ton"s of parts forMG's, Jags and most english sports cars.If you have an intrest the next time I phone my cousin I will get the phone number for this guy. E-mail me if you have an intrest.

Also if you look in Hemmings Motor news there is a MGTD advertised for sale. It's been there for three issues that I know of. It has a Volvo engine and trans ? installed. You will notice that the other MGTD's that are offer, are at alot more money. They also sell very rapidly. He also is or wants to sell the origional engine. So far no takers. What is wrong here? Me personally, I'm thinking of installing the Jag V-12 and trans. Hell if you are going to wack your car up, you might as well make it fly. Just a thought.

John
John Hambleton

Hi John,
I don't think that our engines were ever used in Fordson tractors. I do know that Ferguson tractors shared engines with Triumph 4 cylinder sports cars such as the TR2, TR3 and TR4.
I think your Cousin is confusing the two.

Cheers,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

Volvo's were common conversions for the TD back in the 60's/70's. Primarily due to having the carbs on the same side. Unsure if they changed out the transmissions.

Understanding how much parts like cranks can run, I still would vote for holding off until you can get the original done.

Bruce Cunha
Bruce Cunha

Hi! Keith, I can suggest two possible sources for information and possible parts.
Bob Grunau: Robert Grunau@pathcom.c

Paul Montgomery: pmonty@vaxxine.com
Good luck.
KL
k a lewis

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2002 and 14/09/2002

MG TD TF 1500 index

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