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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 - Tach Gearbox

First Posting!!! Been watching for a while but I finally have a question to ask. Did all TD's come with the Tach Gearbox mounted to the back of the Generator? I picked up a '53 a few months ago and have been stockpiling parts to begin the resto. My TD does not have a gearbox on the back of the Gen (or in the box of spare bits)....it doesn't even have the tach cable in the engine compartment. Were any of these electric tachs? If not then I guess I need to pick up a gearbox....there is one on e-bay but it doesn't have the coupler. Should I buy this one and get the coupler from Moss...or should I buy the whole setup from moss for $100. Thanks for the responses.
B G Swenson

Yes, all T-series cars had generator driven tachs. I would buy the whole thing. These can be a real challenge to install correctly, and matched parts would be better. The correct generator has a threaded end fitting for the coupler to screw on to. George
George Butz

George, Thanks for the response. Does anybody know if the Moss Tach Generator is OE or an exact replica? I am definitely going for originality. Also, I read the post earlier about these tachs wearing out.... Is this a concern with the Moss unit?
Bryan Swenson '53 TD

Since you are new at this, as I was a year ago, you should know that In my opinion you are better off buying the original brand and having it rebuilt, in most cases (like generator).

You would be suprized how many things are available in England that arent here as OEM. For example, I got a Horn/Dip switch, new made by Lucas/TRW from an British parts house, shipped in a few days for the same price as a in my opinion mal-designed Moss reproduction from Korea. I like Moss, and use them all the time, but some of their repros are not up to par.

I was suprized that the reduction gearbox you mention is still available new from the original manufacturer, if I am not mistaken. Try NTG Services, or Brown & Gammons on the web. In fact Moss may even sell the original brand. But I would ask and look around a bit first.
Larry Ayres

I have a 54 TF with the tach drive ala Moss Motors. Mine had the original before the gears stripped. The Moss unit is very close and has served my TF well.
Mwhitt

Thank you all for the responses...sounds like these wear out so it might be a better idea to buy a new unit so I at least get some use out of it before I have to rebuild or replace.

1 problem down...999,999 to go!
Bryan Swenson '53 TD

I have a Moss replacement tach reduction gearbox, and it looks original, and works well. The first one died after 75 miles, but Moss replaced it under warranty at no cost to me. The one that failed tossed the set screw on the input shaft, and that may have just been a fluke. The replacement has been in for 1,000 miles with no problems yet.

Now, if you want to ask me about the Moss repro turn signal switch. Ugh. It didn't function very well at all when I got it from them, but I was able to fashion a working switch by combining parts from my old switch and the Moss repro. I couldn't return the repro, since I had cannibalized about 1/2 of the parts from it. Not worth the money, IMO.

Most of Moss' parts are good to excellent quality. But a good portion of what they sell isn't great. I don't want to say anything bad about them, because they have done more than anyone to keep these cars on the road. But they also make decent money from it. I wish they could have more consistent quality.
Mark B.

Mark,

I agree with your comments....I have restored to midgets prior to this TD....some of their parts are hit or miss (especially electronics)...but their customer service is outstanding. I have been dealing with them for 7 years and have never had a problem that was not satisfactorily handled. I just ordered a sidescreen compartment for my new car that showed up banged up from the shipping service....got the replacement two days later. Not sure how they got it there so quick...but they did.

Thanks for the input and advice on the tach gen.
Bryan Swenson '53 TD


Gents - Trust me, you do NOT want to buy a reproduction, originals used hardened metal gears, repros are fiber. Just one minor glitch in the cable and you strip ALL the $&%@^&$%# teeth. Buy an original and have it rebuilt by mick at keystone or get a NOS or rebuilt one from him. He even has NOS complete cables or if you just need the centers to repair your old one, he has them as well. I had two of mine restored two weeks ago and I was very impressed, I knew exactly what parts I needed and that was all he put on. BTW, everyone knows you ONLY use white lithiium grease in these don't you ! Anything else gets stiff & hard and there go the teeth again.
tom p

You can reach mick at MMMGTCARS@yahoo.com .
tom p

I wonder why none of our suppliers don't offer a gearbox kit consisting of the metal gears, necessary rivets and other sundry parts? They are not complicated and we could easily do the rebuilding.
Jim Merz


Jim - They do, but only with the gears, no shafts. When you take the old gear off (tight press fitted) the new gears will not stay on the shaft (or will slip) so you gotta make new shafts as well. THEN when you try to put in new rivets to hold the case together you better have a press with the EXACT tolerence. If you get that case ass'y too tight, the gears bind up and you are now &$@%&%#. You can take MY word for that. You are right, they are not hard to work on but you better know what you are doing. tom p
tom p

You mean like items 89 and 89a on page 35 of the Abingdon spares catalog?

http://www.abingdonsparesllc.com/catpg35detail.html

I don't know if it includes the sundries, but they offer a gear set and coupler repair kit. If the Moss replacement fails, that's my next option. I still have my old gearbox with stripped gears, so I'll use that as a core.
Mark B.

I kind of gave up on trying to keep the tach drive connected,, For some reason they only lasted a few 1,000 miles and they broke!


SPW
Steve Wincze



Mark B Austin, TX - Yep, 35-89a are the gears only, no shafts are supplied. If you are going to try it yourself, good luck. Don't forget to use the white lithium grease !!!! tom p
tom p

Thanks for the comments about my kit idea. I have purchased the coupling kit in the past but somehow I missed the 89a item. Maybe it wasn't available at the time. I never gave a thought to the compression factor from the rivets. I have never disassembled one of the boxes so all this info is good acvice if I ever have the need to rebuild mine.
Jim Merz

This thread was discussed between 06/04/2006 and 07/04/2006

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