T-Series MG TD idle speed?

[NutmegCT]

I've looked through my workshop manual and owner's manual. Can't find the speed to adjust the carbs for warm idle.

Other than "lower the idle speed until the dynamo light begins to flicker on", does anyone know what speed was expected when new?

Thanks.
Tom M.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Fairly low, as I recall - 500-600 rpm maybe.

 

[DrEntropy]

That's why they call it "tickover".

 

[PAUL161]

Correction, Mine is set at 900 rpm, not 850, it will idle much slower but I like it at 900, my generator comes in at 1000, could re set it but it's fine. When all works well, I leave it alone. My plugs are color tuned and all are registering the same color. PJ

Made a mistake sorry, my idle is set at 900 rpms, just checked.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks gents. Here's what I just found in the 1986 edition of the New England T Register's "T Series Handbook" (articles from The Sacred Octagon):

p. 128 Common Problems. "You may find it impossible to show the idling speed down to the recommended 700-800 rpm range."

TM

 

[pdplot]

As I told you in my article, it may change with the temperature outside - or it may not. 850 sounds good - if it will idle at that.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Tom -

Check here; scroll down to "Carburetion": https://buggods.com/service/1952-mg-td/

Interestingly, some other sites don't have any criteria at all for idle speed...

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks Mickey. Never knew of BugGods before. Also interesting, he refers to the TD having one inch carbs, but most references say 1 1/4" and 1 1/2".

Ask three TD guys a question and get six answers?

 

[Mickey Richaud]

I've heard/seen the 500-600 rpm reference before, but a brief internet search didn't turn up much. Even the online shop manual is silent on an rpm value. ( https://www.ttalk.info/MG-TD-TF-WM.pdf ) Guess it's whatever floats your boat. I would think best practice would be about as low as you could get it and still have the generator charging.

 

[DrEntropy]

Or the gen light flickering.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks gents. I'll have some time to play with the idle on Saturday. Six inches of snow in the forecast.

Doc ... don't say a word ...

 

[DrEntropy]

meh. I remember "snow".

Actually, I'll be in Miami tomorrow.

It's gonna rain.

Temperature is forecast to be a chilly 77* F as the high, will dip below 50* as a low.

I'll be miserable as a result, so take heart. :smirk:

 

[pdplot]

I never heard of a 1" SU on a TD. 1 1/4" for the regular TD, 1 1/2" on the Mk. II.