MG TD Newbie

[RTMG]

Hello everyone,

I am a proud new owner of a Red 1953 MG TD Mark II. I should perhaps say that the TD is a proud owner of me. It has already given me a few moments of anxiety and pain along with a fair amount of pleasure.

The day I picked it up (last Saturday), it sprung a fuel leak as a result of a leaky float in the float bowl. Moss Motors rescued me by getting me replacement floats quickly (we changed both) and my very helpful neighbor who figured out what was going on helped me replace them.

Overall, I am glad I bought this Mark II. It has a heater in it along with a more powerful engine and a few extras.

I just wish the seller was honest and told me that it had a leaky float.

I do have a few questions that I hope someone can answer.

1. There is a link below to a picture - please click on it to see what I am talking about. The dash on this car has 4 L Brackets that are screwed on using flathead screws. Does anyone have an idea what these brackets are for?

2. Does anyone know how the fog lamps turn on? The little black switch right under the horn button turns the heater on and off.

3. Finally, can someone recommend a way to clean the leather and the chrome. I would like to remove some small rust spots and shine up the chrome.

The dash picture:

Picture

A nice pciture of the car:

A Nice Picture

I look forward to many happy years with this TD.

 

[GB1]

Welcome, to the forum. She is a BEAUTY!!!

The L brackets are probably for Brooklands Screens.

Patrick

 

[RTMG]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for the compliment. I do have SUs in there now.

What is a Brookland Screen?

Thanks,
RT

 

[Steve_S]

I've never seen brackets like that. Brooklands screens are the small round racing windscreens you sometimes see on vintage sports cars. The mount behind the standard windscreen so when you fold the windscreen forward, you still have some wind protection. Since those brackets have no holes of any ind, i can't imagine what they are for. Unless someone rigged up Brooklands screens that clip on, but they would sit awfully close to your face.

For cleaning leather, I use Connoly products. Moss Motors sells it. Use the cleaner, and then the conditioner. Follow the directions and it's easy stuff.

For cleaning chrome I use three products. For old pitted chrome I first use Semi-Chrome polish. It is somewhat abrasive so it will clean out the pits and scratches. For good chrome that is dull or dirty I use Mother's metal polish. After using Mother's, or on good chrome that just needs to be shined up and protected, I use Blue Magic. It leaves a thin silicon coating to behind to protect the chrome finish.

 

[GB1]

RT,

Welcome again, similar to the ones in this photo. My MMM has the same mounts on his dash as well. I have the screens safely tucked away in boxes.

Patrick

 

[tony barnhill]

Welcome...nice car...several of us are restoring TD's right now...you might want to drop over by the MG Forum to join it.

 

[RTMG]

I would like to add to my "leaky float" story. When I mentioned the fiasco to an acquaintance in Ohio who is a MG guru, he said "You should be delighted to have an MG story this early."

Scary!

 

[tony barnhill]

Leaky float could just be because it hadn't been driven much & was dry...however, it also portends an upcoming carb teardown for new gaskets.

 

[Brooklands]

Welcome to the BCF. Beautiful new acquisition. As you are finding in your intro, there is a marvelous resource group here that is willing to help, and your experiences will aid others of us as we keep learning together.

Again, Welcome, and Enjoy the Ride!

 

[toysrrus]

Hi There RT;

Where in "Jersey" do you live:

I`m writing from the Pocono Mtns of PA:

We "ALL" welcome you to the BCF & Your New / Old Toy:

I had 2 - 52TDs & 1 - 55TF: Lots of Fun! No Guts but lots of Nostalgic Fun:

Those "L" brackets I have never seen on Any TD; So, ???

Your Car looks Great by the way;

Have a Blast & don`t forget the MG Section here;

Regards, Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif

 

[BIBBER]

RT..>WELCOME>>>if a leaky float is it feel fortunate...I've got a feeling like all LBC's she'll/he'll have a few more surprises during your relationship!!! keep us posted

 

[RTMG]

Thanks every one for your advise, compliments and for scaring the crap out of me!

Any thoughts on how I can turn the fog lamps on?

Russ, I live in River Edge, NJ - (close to Paramus in Bergen County).

 

[Steve_S]

All those switches on the dash must do something. Find the one that doesn't work, and that's your fog lamps /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

I wish I could remember off hand exactly where the switch is "supposed" to be but it's been a while since I've studied a TD dash layout. But the switch should be on the dash and I would venture to guess it's the funny shaped one that you twist. That switch should either control fog / driving lamps or dash panel lighting. You may have a poor wiring connection somewhere, dead bulbs or bad grounds at the lamps.

If no one with a TD in the garage chimes in, I'll look up my wiring diagram for the TD and let you know where it should be and what type of switch.

 

[toysrrus]

Hi RT;

I`m quite familiar with River Edge: I used to live in Clifton (Long Time Ago & surely "DON`T" miss it):

Why don`t you buy my house out here & enjoy all the back country & Mtn Roads that truly suit the fun of driving a TD: Bergen County, (RT 17 & RT 46), seem a bit congested for that car!!

Have Fun anyway & keep the "Pedal to the Metal"!

Regards, Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif

 

[RTMG]

Hey Russ,

I actually work in Clifton - Off of Rt 21 - River Road. Rutts Hut area. There are a few "country" roads left if I dare call 'em that where this car can be driven.

Steve - My wife and I loved your website and your passion which it portrays. As for the funny shapped "twist" switch - that turns on/off the heater (this being a Mark II). I am wondering if one of the other switches has a second function?

The dash panel light goes on with the markers and head lamps, the switch to the far right is a dimmer for the dash panel lights - which I least expected.

I have another question: this car did not come with side curtains or the frame for the curtains. How necessary are they? $1000 at Moss Motors is really steep and I am spent!

I appreciate all your advise everyone. Tony Barnhill - you have a neat webiste also.

Thanks,
RT

 

[Steve_S]

You will find used side curtains for much less than Moss' price. Keep an eye on eBay. You may also want to post a want ad on the UK BBS in the classifieds section.

I have only used the side curtains once in my TC when I was sick and it was raining and 40-degrees outside. It helps keep it warm (er) and dry (er) but I typically leave the top down even when it's raining. As long as you keep moving, the vertical windscreen will keep you dry (for the most part). The top is more useful as shade on very hot days than anything else.

 

[toysrrus]

Hi RT;

"RUTS HUT"!! WOW; I used to hang around there Evenings in My `68 Firebird 400 looking for a Z28 Camaro to beat!

They had the "VERY BEST" Hot Dogs in the World bar None!!

Relative to Your Side Curtains and Top: None of the above are really needed!

The top is always nice to have in case of Rain etc: But, As You may or may Not know? They don`t keep the heat in for a Wintery Cruise: It is a good idea to have them relative to a "Re-Sale" standpoint:

Have Fun;

Regards, Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif