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MG TD TF 1500 - Bell Stainless Steel Exhaust

Looking for Bell exhaust experts.
A few years ago, I found that my TF had a fairly new Bell muffler attached to old mild steel down pipes and tail pipes.
I later found new Bell pipes, so I had a complete set. I found that the muffler had been mounted backwards. I turned it around and put it all together as a complete Bell set.
The question is, was the muffler changed or damaged by running it for 3 years one way?
The reason I ask, is that I've always thought the exhaust was loud. I've been driving lately with the top up and the side curtains on. The exhaust is so loud!
I wish I could compare with another car, but none available.

What do you muffler experts think?

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

I have a Bell system on dad’s restoration project but don’t have any mileage on it yet. I can tell you the tourist trophy system I have is very loud. I would imagine that the glass packing I. The muffler has blown out over time and what you have now is more expansion chamber than muffler. I doubt that the direction of flow would have made a difference over time

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

My question above was answered by a fellow from the US Bell distributor. Our mufflers are not directional, so, no, there is no "backwards" vis a vis function.

Let me rephrase my question about loudness. For those of you with Bell exhaust, do you find that it remains loud? Or is exhaust nicely "muffled"?

Tom
T Norby

Tom, I have a Bell system that I bought from Abingdon Spares over 20 years ago. It still looks, and sounds, like it did on day 1. I've always liked the sound from the system, but I must admit that it's a bit on the loud side when the top and curtains are on. Bud
Bud Krueger

It was only last summer, after (abt) 325,000 miles, and 64 years, that I was obliged to replace my ORIGINAL muffler, It had been patched, then reversed, then rotated , then patched again, etc, etc. Finally, there was no metal left to weld to. So I had one that David Sander gave me and I could see right through it. Sound is totally different and too loud. I've also got a brand new one in stock that again, I can see right through.

I'm getting old and have tenitis (from driving 64 summers with the windscreen down).

Doesn't any supplier offer a muffler that is quiet?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

I have a Falcon stainless system on mine and the muffler has a nice soft tone to it. Not sure if Falcon is still in business. PJ

Only photo I have of it. The muffler has offset in and out pipes, can't see thru it.


PJ Jennings

I bought a stainless system from the Octagon club over 25 years ago and boy was it noisy. I phoned Harry Crutchley who told me it would quieten as it coked up, I am still waiting!
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

For noisy T type exhaust systems, is it worth adding a second silencer towards the rear. I am thinking of the MGB centre silencer, which is available as an oval box or a 'bomb' box. I think either would fit, but the 'bomb' box may look neater at the rear. For checking, the ID of the pipe stubs would be 45 mm.
R A WILSON

Is this what your speaking of? PJ


PJ Jennings

I have a Falcon system on my TF and put one on the TD I had. I also have one on my MGB thats been there now for 25 years. When I bought the MGB system it was advertised with a life time warranty.... no restrictions. It's a bit on the loud side but not overwhelming.

When I later bought the TF system it was advertised with a limited lifetime warranty ...only against corrosion. About 2 years ago it had become so loud that I finally purchased another muffler. Moss USA no longer carried it so I had to order it from Moss UK. I cut the old muffler apart just to have a look at the insides. It has a perforated pipe that runs straight through the can. The can would be packed with fiberglass material when new. Mine was pretty much empty except for a few bits.

If it happens again I will most likely head to a local muffler shop. They shouldn't have any problem fitting something they have in stock and that will be much quieter if that is the goal.


Here is a before and after the muffler change

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Erh9oJhU8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OONcO5EzQ8

And if you listen to this I think you will understand why I changed it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35dgguUOAtc
L E D LaVerne

I have a Moss Falcon system on the TF. The quality of these is not the best. I've fitted about a half dozen, and found broken welds, wrong bends and poor fit. The system ite TF has broken baffles inside the muffler. It has very loud internal vibration, kinda sounds like Godzilla blowing raspberries. Not impressed.
D. Sander

How about that, Now I've had no problems with mine, guess mine was made on Wednesday! LOL! PJ
PJ Jennings

I'm with David...the one I had replaced had some rattling going on a few years before I changed it out. I found that the through pipe weld had broken on one end. The perforated through pipe is not stainless. I was able to poke my welding gun in the end and stick it back together. The BEll system out in my shop for the TD here is a straight through design as well. Only observation to this point is the fit of the exhaust manifold flange to the exhaust pipe is much better that the Falcons.
L E D LaVerne

Gord, I kinda liked the sound of that TF exhaust. It had a nice throaty rumble at idle, but I guess at speed it could be a bit much. It was not nice enough to keep on the car after the restoration, but to good to toss.
I am going to replace my new muffler, the internal rattle is just too much to endure.
D. Sander

Thanks for all the comments. Interesting that no one had a positive comment for the Bell system.
LaVerne, I especially appreciate the videos you posted.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Tom, I think that my posting was a positive for Bell. I'm quite happy with it. Have been for 20+ years. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, right you did. Thanks.

tn
T Norby

This thread was discussed between 07/03/2018 and 11/03/2018

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