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MG TD TF 1500 - Lost in the translation!

I am getting ready to put coolent in the TD. Two major tasks, left, are to make a plug for the fitting where the sensor for dual temp/oil pressure gage should go. I have not installed one, just a pressure gage, and to "close" the radiator drain tap.

The tap appears to be frozen in the drain position. The handle is parallel to the direction of flow.
I soak in Kroil. try the handle, soak more try again and again and again. Add an adjustable wrench for a little leverage. Try/Spray some more.

Finally I finish the plug and decide to try to remove the drain tap. To my suprise it unscrews easially.

A few taps on the shaft going through the bottom and it comes free.
I clean it up with a wire brush and as I am lubricating it, spraying Kroil into the valve area with the handle in, what I would normally assume is, the open position, I note there is no oil coming through.

Looking through the valve, there is no light. Is it pluged? I turn the handle crowise to the direction of flow, what I would normally call the closed position, and "Let there be light".

I have never seen a valve this way!
Worse I spent several hours fixing somthing that was not broken and now I need a new gasket?

Jim B.

JA Benjamin

Shocking isn't it! My drain cock is the same way. Filled it up for the first time with it "closed" and found it spilling right out again. I'm OK with driving on the left but this makes no sense.
J E Carroll

Is the drain tap on the block the same way?

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

The drain on the block is correct.

I think someone at the factory wanted to tease us for eternity with this thing. We have all been caught at this.

I drain the radiator about every 5 years to replace the hoses and it usually sits there for a few days. When I get back to filling it I spill antifreeze all over the floor because when I did a visual check it was closed :-)
Chris Couper

Maybe someone knows why they did the drain cocks that way. Totally reversed to the way we normally see them. It is correct for the TD's to have them the way they are. I learned that they were open when handle was across the flow as well. And yes the block drain is the same way if it is original.
C.R. Tyrell

Jim - "...and now I need a new gasket?"
Just reuse the original gasket and put a bit of pipe thread sealant on the threads and you will be fine.

As for a plug for the temperature sender, the thread is 5/8 - 18 (standard for temperature senders in all MGs). I don't know that you will find a plug for that, but 5/8 - 18 is a standard UNF thread, so if all else fails, you should be able to get a standard bolt from Lowe's or Agent Orange. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I guess were all guilty of the same thing, antifreeze on the floor, with the tap in the "closed" position! I really think the designer had a good sense of humor. PJ
Paul sr

My taps have a slot machined in the head of the handle showing orientation.
I don't know if this was standard or a mod by PO.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

>>>As for a plug for the temperature sender, the thread is 5/8 - 18 (standard for temperature senders in all MGs). I don't know that you will find a plug for that, but 5/8 - 18 is a standard UNF thread, so if all else fails, you should be able to get a standard bolt from Lowe's or Agent Orange. Cheers - Dave>>>

Yes Dave, I had figured that out. I do have a dual gage for the future but I wanted to return to the starting point I had, (More or less, perhaps a lot less) 45 years ago first.
JA Benjamin

I submitted to fast.
With a lathe I can make almost anything (smaller than a bread box)

Its got a 7/16 FSB head.

Jim B.

JA Benjamin

That works :-) Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed between 19/10/2013 and 20/10/2013

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