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MG TD TF 1500 - Help my poor MG!

I have a TF that has sat in my garage for 9 years, since I am now 21 I want to get it out for summer 2002! It is complete. I need advice on what manuals to get and what to do! All electirics work and engine turns. Thanks chaps.
Ian Elrick

Ha ha Ian, 2003 more like!. From experience these take a lot longer than you think to sort. First are you a member of any of the clubs?, they are good sources of info and parts, MGOC and Octagon are good. Second figure out what needs doing, Try and find someone local these Clubs might help. Why was the car stopped for 9 years in the first place? Lots of bits will have suffered for not being used, stuck clutch, seals etc.
Be carefull with using any electrical part, as over the years the wire hardens and cracks, so might cause a short. Adding more fuses and rewiring is an inexpensive repair. Flush any oils and replace with general oils etc, then flush after 500 miles to get rid of anything that might be released by use. Check the brakes by upgrading to a new copper set and fitting new shoes. Fit a new master cylinder and slaves. Any wheel bearings may have corroded, so swap them. Flush the water system and replace any hoses. I think the shocks are the same as the MGA type so should be easy to get. Instruments if they are working great else clean any drive cables. Books well, T series restoration by Green is good, phone the Octagon club http://www.mgoctagoncarclub.com/index.htm. I am bound to have missed bits, but you will get lots of replies, and anything you change should last a few years. Have fun.
Tatty

Yes very funny! Thanks for the advice, the car was inherited and me being 12 at the time couldn't realy drive it, there was nothing wrong with it back then. Where is the best place to get parts? Are NTG any good?
Ian Elrick

I have never used them myself, I use B&G, Moss and of course The Octagon club. Moss and B&G do good free parts books.
Tatty

Ian, do not be put off by Ian's horrer story. He is partly but only in sketching the most horrible and expensive situation. Yes, become a member of a MG Club, there are sevral good ones. Secondly find a proper battery for the car. Put that battery in. Then take spark plugs out, replace engine oil, put coolant in. Check if there is a spark on the coil HT lead. Then if the spark is there next thing is to rotate the the enigine on the starter with the plugs out untill you have some oil pressure on the gauge.
Next is ignition on and do not start. Now the fuelpump should get alive. If not sort that first. If that is ok ign on again and check carbs for horrible leaks. Just a very small drip is no problem. If you have big
drips, then sort that first by fitting new carb cork seals. If that is ok you have oil pressure, a spark and fuel. But still have not spend a fortune. Put sparkplugs back in, Ignition on and fire it up. Next thing is carefully drive and find out if the brakes still work. They may well do so specially if silicone brake fluid was used. If not and the brakes are binding heavily you will need a brake rebuild. If the brakes are not binding and it still brakes, then just go to your MOT station to have it tested. Oh yes wheelbearings. Maybe the bearings were already properly done in the past. Just jack up wheel by wheel, spin round fast and listen for grumbles. If no grumbles don't worry. Just start driving and enjoy this coming season. I have done it several times this way with MG been staanding for 30+ years and they still safely go.
Let me know how you go, enjoy your Christmas, Bas
Bas

You have a great car. Contact Moss motors at 1-800-667-7872 for a free catalogue.. or www.mossmotors.com They have been very helpful with my problem. There are also many other places on the web.

Tom
Tom Patoine

Welcome to the MG fraternity Ian. Quite a few MG's in Scotland and spare parts are not a problem. Call Moss in London for great catalogue - Tel 0208 867 2020 or Manchester 0161 480 6402, website www.mossint.co.uk Also excellent illustrated catalogue from NTG Motor Services in Ipswich, Tel 01473 406031 website address www.g-vis.co.uk/NTGservices. Both clubs mentioned in earlier postings have very good magazines and Scottish club sections with periodic activities. Finally a copy of the MG TD Workshop Manual is a 'Must'. Any other problems send me an email and I'll be happy to give you a steer.
Good luck
Ian Smith
Dunblane
Scotland
Ian Smith

Very incouraging advice. Thanks very much! First off all, should I change the engine oil before starting it up when the engine is cold? Silicone brake fluid was used because I found a half empty container in my garage. The brakes still work but rub slightly when I push it about. Do I really need to fit a new master cylinder? Will any 12v battery do as long as it fits? Should I clean out the fuel lines first and how do I do that? Thank you all for your contributions!

Ian.
Ian Elrick

Hi Ian, Welcome to the club!!. First of all, definately drain the oil in the engine and get a new or a clean oil filter in place. If the oil is really sludgy, pop off the oil pan and give it a good clean then replace with a new gasket. Pull the drums, and take a good look at the brakes. The scariest thing in the world is to have NO brakes when you are moving. Look at the master cylinder and see if it is leaking. Top off the master cylinder and bleed the brakes. If all seems ok, then I would consider taking it for a spin. Also you probably want to look at the distributer and give the pivot point and the cam a bit of lube with thin motor oil and dielectric grease respectively . Set the points, while you are there. Finially, I would also want to check the level in the diff and top up if necessary, replacement of the fluid would be ideal. Good luck. Cheers, Rob
Rob Silverman

When installing the battery, remember that the MG has a positive ground(earth). Some batteries that look identical, have the positive and negative on opposite sides and the cables may not fit.
John Masters

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2001 and 23/12/2001

MG TD TF 1500 index

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