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MG TD TF 1500 - Early TD Tripmeter Adjuster

Anybody have an early TD (flat dial) tripmeter adjuster that they are willing to part with? The instrument is functional but thanks to the PO, the adjusting rod that protrudes from the case didn't come with the car in 1969. The part of the rod that exits the mechanism but stops just short of the edge of the case is there, but the rest is missing. As I don't have a clue what it should look like, if someone could perhaps post a pic showing me the correct part for a Feb 1951 car, I might also be able to pick one up at a local swap meet.
Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter
If you have a copy of the TD operation manual, there's an illustration showing the trip reset on p15. Have a look also in the archive.
You could try George Tandy at tandyinstruments.com.au for something similar but possibly not identical to the original. I ended up making mine using a thin steel tube ended with a knurled knob from the electrical scrap box.
Tim
Tim Wilkinson

Peter

I had to make that extension piece as well on my 53 TD speedo.

For some reason when I came to fit the speedo to the car - that piece was so short - it did not protrude through the bottom of the dash.

I found a bit of outer Choke/Starter cable (the wound springy bit) worked just great as it has to bend a tad when you fit the speedo into the dash.

The shaft that protruded from the speedo had a whole drilled through it for a pin. The outer cable fit over that shaft tightly and I had filed a flat on the outer cable to allow me to drill a smell hole so a wire could fit through it - bent over. The knurled knob inserts into the outer cable and I soldered that on before fitting it to the speedo. Some heat shrink tube over the outer cable gives it a bit more support - but there is no real torque here and it is not really necessary. However it looks a bit more like the one in my first TD though :)

Rod.
R D Jones

Hi,

I have a 1951 TD in my garage and the dash board is intact. Here is a picture of the tripmeter adjuster. Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Michael

Michael O'Brien

Well, I posted my message before reading Michael’s and watching the photo. Perhaps my suggested concept is not fully valid for this type of speedo.
-------------------------
Peter,

Some time ago, I did some emergency repair actually a permanent by now) on another car speedometer.

The ensemble is made up with a piece of choke cable sheath (cut to the appropriate length to be operated from under the dash) and the knob is one of the knurled screws that you can find in the back of every computer box (at least the older ones). Both the knurled screw and the trip reset shaft can be persuaded to go into the cable sheath with some force and remain there by interference

Not a very elegant solution, I recognise, but an easy and cheap temporary solution.

Jesús


J Benajes

Hi Jesus. I like your solution. Very neat. I'm starting to think that the early chronometric speedometers use a different method than our later, magnetic, instruments. From Michael's image it looks as if theirs protrude from the back of the case, rather than from the bottom. Bud
Bud Krueger

My 1950 TD has a chronometric speedo with the reset at the bottom of the dash.
Tim
Tim Wilkinson

Unfortunately I don’t have the operational manual but I am curious about what the operational manual pictures according to Tim’s post. Does anyone have a picture or could point to a website?
Michael O'Brien

Thanks for the posts guys. I think your initial thought is correct Bud. Like Rod & Tim's, mine is chronometric & the reset is at the bottom with a cutout in the sub dash to allow the shaft to protrude. I should have taken a pic of the back of the instrument (which is in the garage some miles away) before I initiated this thread. I do have the tacho in my hand which when viewed from the same angle looks very much like Michael's pic. Unlike Jesus's photo my bezel extends at least 1/2" towards the rear of the instrument & does not have the cast housing for the pop in light bulb..
Just checked page 15 of the driver's handbook Tim & my setup is identical to the illustration. Thanks. I'll keep the suggestions for the homemade jobs on the back burner while I continue my quest for the original part. So, anyone got one they want to sell?
Cheers
Peter TD 5801.
P Hehir

Hi Peter,
I hope these pictures are of help.

R Browne

Peter I think it is probably the same as TC. Did you try Howards instruments for a spare? They have a LOT of gauge bits and pieces.
Max Irvine

No.2

R Browne

Perhaps my photo was misleading in that it is not of a MG T series speedometer.

Excuse me if so.

Jesús
J Benajes

Thanks Rob. The detail is great. No worries Jesus. Also had some great shots sent direct from Max. I now know what I'm chasing. I've emailed Howard's Instruments Max & asked if he has one to sell.
Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 16/01/2014 and 17/01/2014

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