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MG TD TF 1500 - Valve adjustment again

One last question. The WSM allows an extra 0.001 if adjusting cold. Has anyone done this?
Some time back one of you built a jig for using a dial indicator. I built one but found my adjustments were slower than using the .012 shim guage. There in lies the desire to adjust cold at leisure.

Peter Dahlquist

Peter,
I posted some pictures of the dial indicator jig a while back. In the archive it is listed as "Jig for Adjusting Valves" and was posted 06/14/2010. Honestly, I find it much quicker than feeler gauges, because you can actually see when you have achieved the .012" while you tighten the adjuster and nut. Also, I like being able to see when the opposing valve is fully open since the needle quits turning. I have no problem at all adjusting the valves before the engine cools. We used the jig just a few days ago after completing a rebuild. We set it to .013" to get it started (it ran well) and then followed up with another adjustment at .012" when hot. There is a somewhat fuzzy picture attached, but a couple more pictures in the archived thread. Best of luck to you.
Safety? Fast?
Scott Ashworth - '54 TF

S. R. Ashworth

It's good for a rough setting, but I wouldn't trust it to be right for the long run. Everything in the rocker gear is expanding and contracting with heat, nothing at the same rate.

I agree about the jig. If I have a job for which there is only one way to do it, I do it that way. And I often find that if there are multiple ways to do a job, the simplest is often the better way. And in this case, a tight .012 feeler gauge is best (assuming the rocker tips are not grooved...).

Tom
t lange

Scott, could you publish a photo of just the tool? Its hard to see exactly how it is made or how it might attach securely. TIA
Jim Merz

Here are several pictures. First the pieces of the frame. The front tube is in three pieces so that I don't have to take the hood off the TF in order to adjust the valves. There are only two pieces for the rear.

S. R. Ashworth

Here is the inexpensive dial indicator for which I made a magnetic base to ride along the frame.

S. R. Ashworth

Here they are together looking at it from the carburetor side.

S. R. Ashworth

From adjustment side.

S. R. Ashworth

From the adjustment side - wider picture.
Good Luck.
Safety? Fast?
Scott Ashworth - '54 TF

S. R. Ashworth

Scott - despite what I said, I always like a good (ie new) tool... How much would it be for you to make one up for me?

I always think that the guy with the most tools dies happy.

Tom
t lange

Scott, could you send me a set of images and text? I'd love to put a webpage on Ttalk about your system. I'd borrow them from the BB, but they have a copyright note that I shouldn't ignore. Thanks, Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Perfect photo coverage, Scott. Even an old geezer like me can see how it works. I already have a magnetic base and cheap dial indicator so I will pursue the new project. Many thanks.
Jim Merz

Thanks an awful lot.
I did build the jig and was a little cocerned on "landing" the indicator on the round of the rocker. I used a spring clip to provide a broad flat.
I'll go back and redo adjustments with the jig. Also was not aware of possible distortion of the rocker to the valve stem.
Peter
Peter Dahlquist

Scott,
I agree with Tom Lange. If your going into production I would like one also.
Thanks,
Mort
Mort TD 1851

As for adjusting valves, we just saw John Twist a few hours ago at "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" British Car Meet. He said, if you have any questions on adjusting valves, go look at his video on You Tube.

He says he does .015" on all T type MGs (mentioned .012" is OK, also).

Now, I roll the engine over carefully by hand to register each valve, but he just hits the starter and says anywhere close is good enough. I'm going to continue easing the engine around accurately with the fan.

Jim Northrup

This thread was discussed between 08/07/2011 and 11/07/2011

MG TD TF 1500 index

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