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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - MG tf clutch

Hi, any experience here of later MG tf (not the pre war version!)
A neighbour has a 2003 tf that hasn't been moved for about 6 years. The clutch pedal is solid - won't depress. I suspect the mechanism is rusted up but knowing nothing of these cars I didnt want to press too hard and damage something. I assume its a hydraulic clutch? Is this a known issue?

Engine spins on the starter, but not firing up. I'm not even sure it has any fuel- the gauge didn't show any, but if it does it would be old.
Gear lever selects all gear positions.
GuyW

As far as I can remember the pivot is a steel pin in the alloy casing so is prone to seizing if not exercised for a while when it gets wet.

Is this link any use?

http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/info/Gearbox_numbers/index.htm
MG Moneypit

Thanks Rob. Useful gearbox detail
I suspect as there is no 'springyness' in the pedal that the pedal pivot shaft, or whatever the arrangement is, has seized. If it was downstream of the hydraulics, then the pedal would feel springy even if the release mechanism was seized up.
GuyW

Yes, conventional hydraulic clutch, sounds like time for a new master cylinder. And almost certainly a slave cyl too. Just like the Midget we had in recently which had been sitting for years.

Old fuel can gum up the fuel pump and injectors, so if no kick on cranking fuel pressure check is the place to start.

It would be a good idea to find why it was parked up in the first place - we usually find there is some sort of mechanical or body issue needing repair that got put on the back burner and still needs doing.
Paul Walbran

Thanks Paul.
The reason for parking up - that's easy. the owner died in 2013 and gave up driving. The car then passed through 3 other heirs, each of whom only added a few hundred miles before also giving up driving. With the same excuse. Bad omen? Or are all tf's like that!
Present owner has no interest but needs it gone.

Hydraulics? Maybe, though I would prefer the siezed pedal spindle if given the choice.
GuyW

Paul's probably right, my lotus will do that if it sits for a couple of months. Rock hard pedal. Luckily, so far 'touch wood' if i give the pedal a decent kick to get it moving it comes right---but one day I know the piston is going to stay in the bottom of the cylinder bore----Should get it out and fix it while it's free moving probably, it'd be a lot easier.
Can you pull the pin out of the m/cyl rod to disconnect the pedal then you'd be able to tell if it's the cyl. or the pedal that's stuck
William Revit



"Hi, any experience here of later MG tf (not the pre war version!)"

Just curious what war you are refering too Guy?
MG TF (T-type) was build in 1954/55

Vietnam, Falkland, golfwar, Ukraine?

:)
A de Best

I was leaving that bit up to the reader, Arie. Its your democratic right to select your own personal internationally recognised conflict. The only criteria in this case was that it occurred between the production dates of the two varieties of mgf. In my case I got married in 1971 so that works for me.
GuyW

" -- the owner died in 2013 and gave up driving. "

Yep, that's probably the ultimate reason to give up driving, and become a passenger. 😉

anamnesis

From what I've read, and experience of owing an MGF I would put money on it being the pivot where the clutch lever enters the gearbox. It is a well know seizure point. If it really stuck you could be looking at a gearbox removal. This might help. https://www.the-t-bar.com/forum/9-mgf-tf-pitstop/97069-mgtf-clutch-release-arm
Mike Howlett

Be careful or Arie will select 1667
Karl Thompson

Thanks Mike. That does clarify. I was trying to convince myself that as the pedal feels rock hard then it was likely to be the pedal pivot shaft rather than the gearbox lever. Simply because I think if there was fluid in the movement train there would be at least a feel of springiness in the peddle.

Tbh I have been offered the car as the owner has inherited it, has no interest and needs it gone. I am a bit of a sucker for things that need fixing, so am tempted, though in reality I have too much on to keep me busy already. If it were a simple fix maybe, but not if gearbox out etc is needed
GuyW

"Be careful or Arie will select 1667"

Not researching 1667 yet Karl but do expect to find not much on hardtops from that period LOL!
A de Best

Issue with this tf does come down to this solid clutch pedal. This is probably a seized pedal release shaft as seems very likely from reading online and taking Mike's advice. Unfortunately I dont have access to the car to investigate further. Online some say that unbolting the slave cylinder and use of penetrating oil whilst working the lever will usually free them up. Others say its a gearbox out job which is a whole different commitment that I dont have time for!

Other than that, the car is solid, complete, is covered in dust so needs a good pressure wash and polish. Interior I would suspect hand brake cables might be sticking. Otherwise it should be ok. Mileage 42k Offered for free, if the clutch issue was easier I would take it!
GuyW

No such thing as a free lunch. Your price is the time and effort involved. The constraint is your age. I suspect, not so many years ago, you'd have made the time. I turned down a car not so long ago, that 10 years ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to take on; wise or not.

Such is the passage of time.

I choose to use my time differently now, whereas before, I felt able to cram in a lot more.

anamnesis

The offer is free whatever. But prices of decent runners are low so 'free' doesn't amount to that much anyway even if there were no issues, or if the clutch pedal movement was an easy fix. I suspect if I don't take it she will ring the scrap man which is a shame for what I believe is basically a sound car.

I, appropriately for the season, resurrected this thread as it is unusual to have a 3 day silence on the Spridget BBS. I wondered if the world had ended and I was just spinning in an imagined bubble of my own in some distant star cluster.
GuyW

Yep I agree Guy. Free to you to take, but you'll then have to pay a price in kind. You'll have to invest at minimum, your time, and perhaps money too. You just don't fancy that; I don't blame you.

Yep, does seem a shame. Must be someone out there who'll shell out at least a few hundred for it.

Around here, even the scrappy will pay for the metal. My sister got 350 quid from a scrappy for her mk1 renault 1.8 injected laguna last year.

Silence is golden Guy. Maybe we were all praying. Or maybe not. 🤣🤣.

anamnesis

Go on, Anam, you know you want it 😉

Let's go round again, turn back the hands of time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dcgh0KiCCOpM&ved=2ahUKEwjG56XKquuMAxWiQ0EAHc7oLYEQ9KsOegQIDhAB&usg=AOvVaw0rG3o-Db-KwefHmjtDEQOZ
Bill B

Great choice Bill. I like that song. 👍. Haven't heard it in years.
anamnesis

Without clicking the link, I know which one that is! Would it make me tremble?
GuyW

Guy, well it might! Go on, have a listen...
Bill B

It depends on how you used to dance to it Guy. Lol.

Esp' 45 years ago. Still in flares? 😉

anamnesis

Thought it would be Silence is golden. Tremoloes.
For a long time I genuinely thought they were called the Tremblers as some sort of reference to knee tremblers. 14 year olds imagination or wishful thinking I guess
GuyW

" -- reference to knee tremblers -"

🤣🤣.

Excellent Guy.

That deserves a Mary H. 😉

https://youtu.be/JnxTT7XXMPA?feature=shared

anamnesis

Yep, Mary H, she'll do.
Older but no wiser!
GuyW

This thread was discussed between 14/04/2025 and 23/04/2025

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