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T-Series 1951 MGTD oil pressure question

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bfitz

bfitz

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Hi all.
1951 MG TD, engine was rebuilt about 15 years ago. Has maybe 2000 miles since then. Car was always stored indoors. Now my issue: the engine has between 90 and 100 psi oil pressure on cold start up. Will come down to 60 hot. Using 20w-50 from Moss.
My question: do the oil pressure gauges go bad and read incorrectly -OR- [And I kind of think this is it] do you think the bypass in the oil pump is stuck?
This is the only TD I've had experience with, so I'm not up on all their idiosyncrasies....any info appreciated.
 
Welcome! Not exactly sure your question but, most of us dream of oil pressure of 60lb at hot! :grin:

Seriously, oil thins as it heats up so, that drop is perfectly normal - just go out and drive! (and noticing St Augustine you are just getting into the season for it (grumble grumble))
 
There is an oil bypass valve in the pump which regulates the oil pressure and with those pressures it isn't doing it's job. It could possible need cleaning out and reset or replace the coil spring inside. My engine was totally rebuilt and my oil pressure goes to 50 lbs and holds, hot or cold. I could raise the pressure by increasing spring pressure but there is no need, 100 lbs is pretty high and indicates to me the relief valve is not working properly. PJ
 
If you which to check your gauge, its a simple matter to insert an external gauge.
Attached is a lashed up gauge I used at start up. At that time I had no dash in the car.
With a dash you just break at the flexible line and attach using tubing and hose.

Jim B.
 

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thanks for the replies....esp. PJ...I thought those pressures were too high....I've never seen a non competition engine with pressures like this. I'll "T" another gauge in to confirm, but I seriously think that the bypass stuck during the car's inactivity.

If I may impose again, is it possible to use the later '51 and '52 on oil pump on the early '51 engine. What I want to accomplish is to be able to use either the horizontal Telacamit [did I spell that right] canister filter or the spin on adapter.
Thanks for the help.
BF
 
The TD oil pump up to 14223 were the same, but a change was made from 14224 which also fits the TF. The pump head is a little different, but I think the later pump with the later filter will fit an early XPAG block, not sure though, further checking would be a good idea. PJ
 
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