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 - barn find

OK everybody I need some help! I have located a '53 TD literally in an old barn in Denver that may become available. Best I can determine it has been stored for about 30 years. It is partially disassembled but I have been assured that it is all there including a spare engine (with a broken crank).
I am familiar with most of the normal stuff with getting a car running, and I used to own a '58 MGA.
The prior owner "converted" it to RHD, but he saved all the LHD parts. I do not know his skill level but he used to work on MG's for a liviing.
He claims to have preserved all the wood and did a restoration two years before he parked it in 1975. The valve cover is off, but the engine is covered and does not appear rusted (Denver's dry climate).
Any ideas for what to watch for beyond the normal/obvious? I know pricing is something of a local thing, but any thoughts?
I have been following this BBS for some time and it is a GOOD one! Finally joined! Thanks, Tom
TJ Vessely

Tom - You just turned everybody on this board green with jealousy! You'r not supposed barg about barn finds :0
That said, Congratulations! It is not everyday that something like this comes up, and when it does you need to grab it. I am not much on knowing what prices are, but here are two web sites that will give you an idea:
http://www.nadaguides.com/
http://www.manheimgold.com/
You can then subtract dollars for the car being apart, add dollars for the spare engine, subtract dollars for the spare engine having a broken crank, etc. I would try to get a peak inside the transmission to see the condition of the gears (this is a big dollar item to overhaul), check that all the instruments are with the car, etc. Regardless of condition right now, figure at least $10,000 to restore to drivable condition, and that is with you doing the majority of the work yourself.
Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

TJ,
With the price of parts lately I would not be supprised if it cost $13000 to restore the car if you do everything and do it right. That is what it cost me to do my TF and a year of constant enjoyable effort. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

Tom,

Converting a TD or TF from one side to the other is not a simple thing.

The most difficult, is to install a new pedal box to let in a shaft to carry the clutch and brake pedals. This pedal box is welded on to the inside of the box-member of the frame and only then, can it be aligned and machined to accept the bearings and pedal shaft.

I first assume, that the old (lhd) pedal box, is still in place, then as you indicate, if the car has all the bits to convert it back to lhd, you should then have the following:-

¤ lhd rack and pinion assembly
¤ lh brake pedal
¤ lh clutch pedal
¤ lh pedal shaft
¤ accelerator pedal assembly
¤ lh carpet with heel well

Except for the rack & pinion which can be difficult to find, most of this stuff is available off-the-shelf from Abingdon, B&G, etc.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.


Gordon A. Clark

Really cool, TJ.

Of course, you could always keep it RHD and learn to drive it that way. Might be a lot of fun. If and when you ever take the tub off, you could decide then.

There is probably someone in Denver who could help you with your questions. I Googled "Denver MG Car Club" and got this: http://www.mgcc.org/rmc.htm

They seem active, check them out!

warm regards, and good luck,
dave
D. A. Braun

TJ.
I find that driving a RH drive cars is easier on the road than LH drive. To pass I just lead to the right and then can see well ahead of the car in front. This does not expose me to oncoming traffic if I sneak a peek out to the left.
Sandy Sanders
conrad sanders

Passing? What's that? I have a RHD TF (1500 engine) and I haven't attempted it yet. But I only have 370 miles on the clock so far, and have only had it up to 60 a few times so far. I imagine I'll attempt it some day.
Mark B.

TRY IT , YOU MIGHT LIKE IT.
SANDY
conrad sanders

Mark B,
I am amazed at how many times modern cars will cause my RHD 52TD to have to slow down! Passing is required for sanity...how long can you go 30 in a 40 zone before you go nuts?!
Robert Dougherty

Actually, I do pass cars quite often, but most of my driving has been in town on what the british would call a 4-lane carriageway. In that case, you have your own lane to get past to slow traffic, if those in the left lane let you over. I haven't done too much time on two laners out of town. When I think of passing, I think of that, taking a run and pulling into the oncoming lane and getting past while flooring it.

Occasionally, considerate slow drivers will pull to the shoulder and let you by, but that seems to be becoming increasingly rare. I always do that when I can safely, because I hate it when I'm having a leisurely drive and someone is hanging on my rear bumper.

I'm still getting used to the car, and the engine is just getting broken in, so I'm not really pushing things yet. I'm taking my time getting used to the feel of the car before I try to go faster. As my comfort level increases, I will do more.

Mark B.

Recent local restoration costs: Front suspension (rubber only), rebuild brakes (using repro cylinders/hoses, relining existing shoes), rebuild front and rear shocks and associated: $1650, with friend's and my labor for free. Figure at least $6K for motor (if it needs crank- most of them crack or have cracks), $4K if crank OK. George
George Butz

Don't get too green yet! I haven't really seen it in total. So far only the right front quarter minus fender, grill, etc. The rest of it is buried inside a woooden frame that is stacked with miscellaneous god-knows-what.
Thanks for the take on the transmission internals. Hadn't thought of that. As for the RHD situation, I was told he had acquired all the needed parts from another TD that was converted. How or how well he did it will have to wait till I can see the workmanship. It may be better to convert it back and try to repair the damage.
We haven't really talked $$'s yet.
I have a dilema with this. After raising three kids, (Spell that three sets of braces, 12 consecutive years of college, and numerous clunker cars & trucks)I don't know if I will be able to give it the justice it deserves. Secondly, I am also old enough that I would like to drive it for a while before I can't get into it any more. A full restoration on my budget would not be particularly timely. That leaves getting it into driveable condition, enjoying it for a while and then passing it on to someone who will do it right.
What I can't do is leave it sit to drift away for another 30 years. That's just not right!
I originally set out to find a good mid-60's "B" as that would be more to my driving desires and budget.
Thanks again for all the good comments. That is what makes this site so enjoyable. Any more ideas would be welcome.
TJ Vessely

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2005 and 02/08/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

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