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 - T Type Body Vent

Our TD is very warm inside, I have seen a number of pictures of TA/TB with what appear to be vents on the sides of the body cowl.
They appear to be manually opened from the outside and face forward to scoop fresh air.
The most recent one is on page 25 of "MG T Series in Detail" by Paddy Wilmer.
I assume these were after market and I have searched both the archives here and the web in general without result.
They may have been custom made but I am interested in any information folks may have.
Thanks
Norm Peacey

My 1938 MG-VA tourer had them.They were operated by a lever from the inside.
Sandy
Sandy Saunders

Sandy, thank you, I looked up the VA and they are very nice and part of the original coach work.
What I have seen look to be chrome or nickel surface mount.
I will try to scan the picture and post it here.
Norm Peacey

Consider that those vents 'may' draw in the air which has exited the bonnet louvers, with possible engine fumes? This was noticeable in an MG SA saloon that Dad used to own.

Matthew.
M Magilton

When the TF first went into production at Abingdon the factory was currently producing the MG TD and the Riley RME saloon.

The Riley RME had several features which I think inspired the designers of the TF in 1953, including a false radiator grille, dummy radiator cap, flared-in headlamps and separate bucket seats.

The Riley also had very nice air scoops built into the 'A' posts, which you could operate from inside the car. I remember that they were very effective on a hot day. The TD/TF body has a similar panel in the same place and I think it would be very easy to graft Riley scoops into them.
B T Jones

Norm
I have long considered a vent on the driver side of my TC. My issue is stuffiness in the cockpit when the weather equipment is in place in the rain and it's necessary to drive with the elbow out to get fresh air, and I get a wet arm.
The vents are available in England, I think I located them from the Vintage Automobilist.
My concern is that they do not have a water drain, and as I would be using them mainly in the wet, the water would end up in the cockpit. If you require them for dry weather ventilation, I think they would work really good although clearance with the drivers leg might be a consideration.
Charlie
c mac quarrie

One solution:

https://www.etrailer.com/Enclosed-Trailer-Parts/Polar-Hardware/PLR1715.html

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

At one time in the 50's and 60's you could buy popup cowl vents just in front of the windshield.
Christopher Couper

The XK front fender vents have been available in the recent past, at least. The XK fenders are pretty flat in this area. See:

BD-5183 - Vent Box Assy, LH, Complete, All But Late XK-150
SKU: BD-5183
LH, Complete, All But Late XK-150

Begin Product Pricing - we may need to work on this some more - may need to revisit group pricing - 10/5/2010 - Ryan Janis
$242.23

http://xks.com/i-7087006-bd-5183-vent-box-assy-lh-complete-all-but-late-xk-150.html



D.P. Shockey

Thank you to everyone for your comments and information.
I suspect the Jaguar vents are too big, and would protrude too far into the foot area, however they do appear to have a drain.
The Etrailer vent looks very promising and I am going to order a couple.
I agree that the vent may bring in water and fumes if facing forward, especially as I do not use side panels on the bonnet, but wonder if faced backward, the Bernoulli principle would remove the hot air rather than scoop cool air in.
The vents appear to be reversible, won't be able to try until spring.
Norm Peacey

Norm would insulating the under carpet area solve your problem. Be a lot easier than modifying the tub. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter, I have insulated the floor, firewall and tub side panels.
i need to investigate the transmission cover seal, but that is also covered by the insulation.
Seems as we age we get spoiled by AC.
Norm
Norm Peacey

BT Jones
Can see the side vents on the Riley RM in the photo I posted yesterday "Riley off topic".
Interesting that Riley placed them at an angle.

Tom
T Norby

Tom, they probably angled them to be perpendicular to the surface of the fender. Something to do with the flow over the fender. Or just a styling statement.

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

I share Mathhew's concerns. When I place my hand down outside the door while running my TF on a warm day there is a definite current of hot air coming out the bonnet side vents. A scuttle side vent might make the interior hotter rather than cooler. Plus, the crancase draft tube is right there and could pump fumes and oil vapors into the vent.
Jack Long

I think Chris's suggestion of putting it/them on top of the cowl makes a great deal of sense, no heat pick up from the bonnet lovers and probably less moisture pickup as well as the rain seldom hits the base of the windshield when moving.
This is where NA vents were placed for years.
Obviously more thought needed here.
I did crawl under the dash and pulled back the carpet and there is a space between the firewall and the transmission cover as well as the rubber for the pedals has ripped. Will fix those 2 issues before anything else.
Norm
Norm Peacey

Of course there is the old standby: a 4 inch flexible dryer vent host wired to the windscreen stanchions and aimed into the footwell area. No body mods needed and easily removed for shows.
Lew3

This thread was discussed between 11/10/2016 and 14/10/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

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