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MG TD TF 1500 - Starting long stored TD

I've been asked by a friend to help him start a TD parked in his garage for 15-17 years. The motor was rebuilt a few thousand miles before getting parked - it didn't turn out to be as fast as he hoped apparently (that's never happened to me!!!).

Anyway any advice on starting a long stored car would be appreciated - like should we pour oil in the cylinders and let it sit for a few days and then turn it over by hand before trying?

Do TDs have mechanical or electric fuel pumps? I'm in the dark on T series cars but have a midget so I'm the local expert(!).

Thanks!
Steve
Steve

Hi Steve,
firstly it has an electric pump. I would drain all the fuel from the tank and replace it with new fuel as the old fuel would probably not fire up.
I would remove the plugs and put a bit of oil in each cylinder and turn the engine with the crank to see whether it is seized or not. I would change the oil in the engine and then turn the engine over with the starter with the ignition turned off and the plugs still removed. If everything is OK I would then turn the ignition on to fill the carbies. They will flood at this stage as the floats will be stuck down. Tap the float bowls with the handle of a screwdriver or remove the tops of the bowls to get the floats unstuck.
Replace the plugs and cross your fingers. The engine should be ready to start now.

When it is running check the timing with a timing light to see whether the ignition advance is working as it will more than likely be seized as well.

You will not be able to drive it of course as the brakes will need a complete overhall. If the handbrake was left on all these years the rear brakes may be seized as well.

I have probably forgotten a few things but this is basically it.

Good luck,

Paul.
paul van Gool

Steve,

A guy named Barney Gaylord, on the mgs-list, has a fantastic website for things MG. Though his first love is the MGA, much of his tech info is applicable to T-series machines. One of his sections is devoted to starting up a long dormant engine. Try this URL
<http://www.ntsource.com/~barneymg/>. I think that it'll answer your questions. Good luck.
Bud Krueger

Hi, have a look at "help my poor mg" on this same thread it has some usefull advice.
ian elrick

This thread was discussed between 30/12/2001 and 04/01/2002

MG TD TF 1500 index

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