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MG TD TF 1500 - Nissan-Datsun alloy drums

I have received a nice set of Nissan/Datsun finned alloy drums (9"). I can see that these have been a successful fitment by others on the front of T series cars (in my case a TF).

If anyone has experience of the necessary modifications to the drum, I would love to hear about it. I did find the attached drawing, but a bit more information would help me as I prepare to trial these.

Many thanks




M Hyde

Hi,
That (very rough) diagram does not apply to TFs and TDs. I drew it up a long time ago, for fitting the Datsun drums to TCs. I should have written "For TCs" as a heading on the master copy! The drums are great for TCs and would also fit Y-Types with the same machining. (Except Y-Types need five smaller holes, where the TC has six larger holes.)
One of the advantages of the Datsun drum is that it has a cast iron liner, which has a better coefficient of friction than the standard TC/Y steel. TFs have cast iron drums as standard.
I first fitted Datsun drums to my race TC 37 years ago and they have served me pretty well. However, they do have one "weakness" when used in racing. I have had a few crack across the cast-iron liner. I believe that this problem can be reduced by warming up the brakes on the warm-up lap.
If you are keen to have the alloy fins, The Datsun drums might be able to be adapted, but there are drums from a very old Mercedes, which might suit too. Can't remember the model .. 220 from 1950s?
Cheers,
Bob Schapel
Bob Schapel

Thanks for stirring me up! See image .... I have fixed the "master"! Sorry if the original was misleading.
I know that some people don't want to modify original back-plates. They can be left untouched but more machining then needs to be done on the drum.

Bob Schapel

Bob Schapel

Thanks for this Bob. Much appreciated. It fills in more of the story around these drums. I will get them drilled to match the TF hub pattern and the centre hole and then see where possible areas for adaptation may lie. The drums cost me almost nothing and they will be the only things being modified.

Away for a week or so now but after that I will chat with my machinist.
M Hyde

Several of our TC group have installed Datsun brakes over the past few decades. But I don't recall seeing them on a TF. If you have an "in" then you can get them undrilled.
Steve Simmons

Thanks Steve. I have no idea how different the TC and YF drum dimensions are. As a start I thought I would see if I can get the TF drums laser scanned with measurements and see how I go from there. Does this sound possible?
M Hyde

I don't have any TD/F drums at the moment or I would compare for you. I'm not sure measuring a TC drum and giving you the dimensions would be accurate enough to make a decision on when we're talking about shaving 1/16" here and there. I think the best thing to do is pull one of your drums and lay them side by side.
Steve Simmons

Thanks anyway Steve. Someone may know more about the differences between TC and TF drums than I do?

I have taken one off and put it beside the Nissan drum. Measuring dimensions is tricky and inexact. I think some laser measurements may be more accurate than I can be.
M Hyde

I am taking my existing drum and the Nissan/Datsun alloy one to my local CNC machining place to get both scanned and see exactly what would be needed to adjust the alloy drum. Seems the safest way.
M Hyde

This thread was discussed between 19/06/2022 and 23/06/2022

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