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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 - 5 Speed Pictures

Attached is a photo of the Ford Type 9 gear box finally installed in my TF. I've used a bellhousing provided by Andy King. The job was remarkably hassle free apart from lifting the 'box single handed into the cabin of the car. If anyone wants further pictures or details of what was necessary just let me know.

p.s. Andy's front mounting bracket moves the engine over slightly to the LHS and gives clearance for the air cleaners.


Jan T

J Targosz

Enjoy the best mod for a T-type!

regards,

Jan
Jan Emil Kristoffersen

Any mods needed to the chassis?
Max Irvine

Hi Max,

You will see in the attached photo the rear of the Ford gearbox is very close to the tubular cross member and in fact a small web on the 'box has to be relieved. The only chassis mod I had to make was to fabricate a bracket for the rear mounting. This required the two lugs on the cross member to be cut. I used a Ford Corina mounting which cost £5 from eBay. The original Ford Sierra one is much larger, requires more mods to the cross member and is priced at over £30. I have replicated the original lugs and they will be stored with the original parts in case someone wants to refit the MG 'box. The engine steady bracket needed altering and I will submit another post showing this.


Jan T

J Targosz

Here is the front bracket


Jan T

J Targosz

A very professional and beautiful installation, Jan.
Congrats.
Jim Merz

Jan,

First, congratulations on such a well thought-out conversion. I find it hard to believe that Moss or even the originator, Hi-Gear haven't thought of this.

IMHO, moving the engine forward 10 millimeters is the killer as it drastically reduces space between the fan and radiator core. On the TF, it also reduces the clearance of the carburettors to the engine compartment side panel

The key to your installation is clearly, the fabricated rear bracket, as that allows the engine to at least, retain it fore-aft relationship.

I can see however, from commercial point of view, reluctance to have to grind away the web under the gearbox.

I'll be anxious to learn how well it runs and if there are any interferences after say, 1,000 miles.

Well done. Best of luck.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

Nice job, Jan!
Geoffrey M Baker

Hi Gordon,

I purchased a conversion bell housing and front engine bracket from Andy King (mgsparesandrestorations). The bell housing is shorter than the the MG one and the bracket does move the engine forwards slightly but also a little to the left. I now have more air cleaner clearance than before and there is plenty of room for the fan. One problem though will be changing the fan belt. One of my pics shows there is insufficient clearance to fit the belt between the bracket and the pulley. I will have to jack the engine up slightly when I fit the belt. I believe that other conversions require the gearbox web to be ground down slightly. The job to date has been quite easy but you do need welding equipment and possibly a lathe hence to popularity of the "everything included kits". A friend of mine is currently converting his TD and wishes to keep the engine position as original. Rather than cut a section out of the crossmember and fit a bolted in section to the rear, as per the current kits, he is fabricating a dropped crossmember similar to the one near the rear bulkhead. This is the ideal solution but his car is totally dismantled and he will be able to turn the chassis on its side to get really good welds. I will get some pics when the job has progressed.


Jan T
J Targosz

Short of completely dismantling the car, its obvious that the fabrication is best done with the tub off, not something that all of can accommodate.

I'm not surprised you found it hassle-free!

The geometry of the engine interests me. Is the Andy King bell housing any different to that supplied by Hi-Gear? Sounds like it is!

Sounds like your friend is getting closer to the "ultimate solution".

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2014 and 13/05/2014

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