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MG TD TF 1500 - Distributor Oil Drain Holes

For some P/M I decided to oil Lazarus' advance mechanism. Removed the plate and dribbled some 3in1 oil down onto the mechanism. Started wiping down the outside of the distributor a spotted some oil draining out of two holes in the bottom of the bell. How could the distributor fill up with oil unless these holes are clogged? Or, are these holes unique to my 40368A distributor? Bud

Bud Krueger

BTW, I don't have an oil problem. I just couldn't find one of the oil problem threads to post this into. Bud
Bud Krueger

hei. I have an 40368 distributor with
holes and have never seen any oil comming out of them
Thoralf. Norway TD 4490
Thoralf Sorensen (TD4490)

Nor have I, Thoralf. The oil that I saw was just the oil that I was dribbling onto the advance mechanism. I wonder if 40367 distributors have those drain holes? Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud,

The TF 1250 and TF1500 both have 40367 distributors. I have just put a wire up into the holes in a body and yes, they go through to inside the distributor.

Like Thoralf,I have never seen much oil coming out of these holes.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

Thanks, Rob. It makes me wonder which distributors are the ones that are giving folks problems with the oil accumulation. Bud
Bud Krueger

My distributor also has the holes.
According to Bob Grunau, the stock TF had the 40368 distributor.

http://www.mg-tabc.org/library/distributor.htm
Rick

Rick,

Lucas Euipment Catalogue of Electrical Items((1948-62) lists the following:
Early TD -Distributor No. 40162.

Late TD- Distributor No. 40368.

TF Distributor No. - 40367.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

So, is it the 40162's that have the potential oil problem? Do the 40162's not have the drain holes? If so, it might indicate that engineers discovered the propensity for sucking up oil and changed the casting. Adds one more step to the P/M for late distributors - make sure that the weep holes are clear. Bud
Bud Krueger

Both the 40367 and 40368 distributors are D2A4 type distributors for cotter bolt clamping, and they were both introduced on the TD at engine number XPAG/TD2/20942, when cotter bolt clamping was introduced. The standard TD had the D2A4/DA42/40368 distributor, and the Mark II (TD3 engines by then) had the D2A4/DA41/40367 distributor*. As the TF engine (initially 1250cc) was the same as the later TD Mark II engine, it has the 40367 distributor.
* Probably fitted by MG at Abingdon. The distributors have slightly different advance curves, which I have posted previously.
Regret I do not have a 40162 distributor.
R A WILSON

I notice R E Miller (UK) on a Thread on bbs td tf in 2012,had this to say regarding TD Distributors- " TDs to chassis number 22734 left the factory
with Lucas DKY4A,part no.40162. Later cars had type D2A4,part no.40368."

TFs of course had the Lucas 40367.

Seems to agree with the Lucas Equipment Catalogue of Electrical Items(1948-62).

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

I have to accept there is some confusion.
TD chassis 22734 had engine XPAG/TD2/23117, but chassis 22735 had engine XPAG/TD2/22815, which is an earlier engine, so having a later distributor seems unlikely. Also, neither of the engine numbers appear in the June 1958 AKD834 TD parts list. However, at engine (rather than chassis) number 22735 the round hole cylinder head was introduced, the round hole block having already been introduced at engine 17969.
It also shows cotter bolt clamping, needed by D2A4 distributors, was introduced at 20942, but lists this as a chassis (not engine) number, and this chassis had engine XPAG/TD2/21321. However, this engine number does not appear anywhere in the parts list. As the distributors were fitted by Morris Engines Division when they assembled the engines, I think the 20942 is actually an engine number, but I accept there may be doubt.
The parts list does show that the TD started with distributor (MG number) 27H5204, but had a new distributor (MG) 168489 at chassis 24489. However, this was a Mark II with engine XPAG/TD3/24794, and this change does not appear in the separate pages for the Mark II. Thus I think the 24489 is an engine number.
The separate Mark II pages, which give engine numbers, do show the Mark II had distributor (MG) 168462 up to engine 26743, and from engine 26744 it had distributor (MG) 168722.
To help resolve some questions (well - hopefully) does anyone have an MG to Lucas part number conversion chart for the MG numbers; 27H5204, 168489, 168462 and 168722.
Thanks in anticipation.
The Lucas 1948-62 catalogue does not appear to mention the Mark II.
R A WILSON

Roger,

All Interesting info. from you. Do you accept that the early TD Distributors were numbered 40162 and not 40368?

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis'), 9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

I hope I didn't imply that the early TD had distributor 40368, as I did say that this distributor was introduced at engine XPAG/TD2/20942. I accept that I did not mention the 40162 distributor, but I did say the TD started with distributor MG part 27H5204, which I have now established is Lucas distributor DKY4A/DA37/40162, with clamp plate fixing. It was first introduced during the production of the TC.
I have also determined that MG part 168489 is Lucas distributor D2A4/DA42/40368, cotter bolt fixing - for the later TD.
In addition, MG part 168722 is Lucas distributor D2A4/DA41/40367, cotter bolt fixing - for the later TDC and the TF.
There is a slight puzzle as according to my TD parts list, whether you work on engine or chassis numbers, the TD had distributor 40368 before the TDC had 40367, which is a lower number, albeit only by 1. I wonder how that happened.
Regarding MG part numbers, that only leaves the distributor with MG number 168462 for the early TDC. There is no information to show that the TDC had a different distributor to the TD, which had Lucas DKY4A/DA37/40162 (clamp plate), MG part 27H5204. So perhaps 168462 was, within MG or Morris, a new or replacement part number for 27H5204 - can anyone confirm this. Then it has to be asked, why does my TD parts list have both numbers, as it should only have the later number.
(see also the link in the second posting in the thread 'ignition advance curves)
R A WILSON

Roger,

Obviously you have done a great and useful amount of research on the T type Distributor subject. It also has cleared much misinformation written by others in the past.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Athos"),TF9177("Aramis").
Rob Grantham

This thread was discussed between 30/09/2017 and 09/10/2017

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