1953 MGTD

So I visited my folks in Southern Oregon and got to see their new project, a 1953 MGTD. They used to own a TF when I was a child and I think Dad is pretty excited about this. I am excited as well. Dad has been interested and has been trying to buy this particular car for the last 15 or 20 years. It is in parts, but looks to be all there. Not running yet, but the engine is not seized. I am afraid I am too far away to offer much help other than maybe acquiring some parts for him. Here are some shots of the car:

Changes

OK, I sold the 77B a while back, so I don't own an MG anymore. However, my dad recently purchased a 53 MGTD that he has been trying to acquire for some time. I will post things that I can about that car here (as long as Dad is ok with it). Heading down to see my folks this weekend and may come back with pictures of the MGTD.

Visited Harold's

Yesterday, my wife and I visited Harold's in downtown Portland. Neat place and Bob (parts manager) was great. We talked with Bob for a while and we purchased the front suspension bushings (V8 type), and rebuild kits for both the clutch and the brake master cylinders. So, I have a few parts to play with now and hope to have both cylinders off soon. I highly recommend checking our Harold's for MG parts.

Belt installed and running engine

Well, I got a new belt installed and it will start up after being warm without the aid of starter fluid. The only gages that appear to work at the moment is the tach and the oil pressure. There is a lot of oil on the manifold, so it does smoke a lot when it runs. Here is another video with a little better picture of the engine running.

My MG List of Things

What I know I need to work on, well, at least some of it:

• Breather and overflow tubing
• Air cleaner-need 2
• Carb work/adjustment
• Flush coolant
• Change belt-this is done
• Repair/replace brake master cylinder-repair kit aquired
• Flush brake system
• Lube or replace ignition switch (sticks in start position)
• Replace water flow valve (to heater core)
• Replace cable to water flow valve
• Get MGB electrical book (it looks very good)
• Replace radiator hoses
• Look at clutch controls (M.C., S.C., fluid)-this is in process-MC repair kit aquired
• replace plug wires
• Clean ground terminal in battery box-this is done
• Consider an S.U. fuel pump (maybe solid state)
• Look for doors (crack of doom)-may fix old ones instead
• Test and hook up wiring for Overdrive
• Tires ( I need some)
• replace suspension bushings (use V8)-Parts aquired
• Lube everything
• Replace current fuel pump wiring with more long term (snaked better)

Fuel pump wiring

A previous owner "installed" a light switch for the fuel pump and then wrapped the wire for that around the positive post on the battery. I have figured out the original wiring and am in the process of puting it back corrrectly. The pump is aftermarket, but appears to be fine. Will post a before and after shot shortly.

Update: OK, I wired in what I thought was the correct wire (white) for the fuel pump. No pumping when key is on (or off, which the last part is good). I am currently trying to locate the interia switch which the elusive white wire is hooked to.
Here is a shot of me and the old light switch used to turn on the fuel pump. The MG shirt I am wearing makes me a better MG mechanic. Maybe I need a hat. Oh well.

So after many failed attempts at trying to find the magic white wire for the fuel pump, I decided to run a new wire. Slats from my car club talked about the fuse block, and after looking at University Motors' videos on You tube, I figured I could wire into the #3 fuse on the box. After a bit of work and snaking the wire, the fuel pump now works when the key is in the correct position. Thank you Slats and John Twist!

It's Alive

Paul and Slats came by the other day and spent a big part of the day either under my car or with their heads under the bonnet. They figured out a lot of the wiring and some of the breathing issues. Long story short, the old girl will now fire up (with a bit of help from some starter fluid). I have a bunch of work to do still on wiring and piping of things, but I am so excited that it will now start. I can't express how much I appreciate them. What a great couple of guys. Anyway, here is a shot of them and a short video of the car running. Thank you Paul and Slats!