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MG TD TF 1500 - TD Clock vs TF Clock


Are the TD and TF clocks the same and if not does anyone know how they differ.

Thanks,
Jim
James Neel

Hi,
The dashboards of the TD and TF differ completely and so do the clocks.

The TD has round greenish clocks (early flat and later dished);the TF has octagon shaped blak clocks.

Completely diffrent.
erik 51

No, they are functionally identical. Neither works.

David
David Provan


Thank you David. However, besides being functionally identical are they mechanically identical, that is the question.
James Neel

Mine works!!! But it constantly gives me Londons time!Grin. PJ
Paul S Jennings

I used clocks4classics.com to get mine repaired. He did a superb job and fixed mine in a week. A reasonable price compared to many others as well. The method of repair is a little unusual, but works superbly. Gi to the website for more information.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Dave,

Is your a TD clock.

Jim
James Neel

No it was a TF clock, however many clocks of the era use the same mechanism even if the clock face, etc, is totally different. The TF clock looks like this from the back.
Dave H


Dave Hill

Here's a TF clock works. 3 photos. PJ



Paul S Jennings

#2,



Paul S Jennings

Number 3,



Paul S Jennings

Good photos Paul, but as you will know, its the points that fail, the rest of the mechanism doesn't usually give problems, as long as its clean. However I'm told that replacing the points just means another failure some time (not much later) down the road. That's why I recommended the type of repair that replaces them altogether - this seems to be much easier on a TD where the clock face removes with the mechanism, as you can replace the lot with a quartz mechanism and face. On the TF the face is part if the greater instrument and the clock mechanism is separate, this makes fitting a quartz mechanism more tricky, as you can't just find a clock/ watch that fits the available space. The clocks4classics repair is an electronic circuit that replaces the points but retains the rest of the mechanism. It even continues to tick just like it should.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Paul J,

Can you remove the clock from the TF speedo simply? Does the face and hands come out as one.

Looking to remove the clock for repair then later have the speedo rebuilt after fitting 4.3 rear end and hopefully 5 speed gearbox.

Thanks,

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Peter, The hands have to be removed to pull the clock out of the face. I use a tool the jewelers use just for replacing clock hands, they come in different pin sizes. PJ
PJ Jennings

the TF clock is removed just by removing the three screws and does not affect the fingers which are driven by the brass gear.
Set the fingers at 12 o'clock before removing the clock motor, it just makes it easier when re-assembling.
You can see the gear at the 6 o'clock position in photo.
PS I don't know whose photo this is as I never took note,but thanks anyway
Ray TF 2884

Ray Lee

Ray, thanks.

So the face and hands stay in there?

I am going to have to look at mine real closely, I bought a replacement instrument and would like to have clock rebuilt first.

Thanks,

Peter
P G Gilvarry

The reason I stated the hands must come off is that I rebuilt the whole clock and pulled the long shaft out while doing so to make sure it was free and not sticking. It depends on how far you are going on the rebuild, I had the whole speedo apart.
PJ Jennings

Peter,

Nisonger can repair your clock and convert to quartz. They are in your neck of the woods too.

FYI

Frank
TF1414
Frank Cronin

Thanks Frank, that is who I had in mind for speedo rebuild.

Might be best to just get it rebuilt as standard and then after making the “gearing changes” get a correction gearbox.

Or, maybe smarter, just love a clock that is right twice per day until the gearing is done.

What prompted this was reading about folks that rebuilt the clocks, but it might just be easier to do it all as one device.

Again, thanks,

Peter
P G Gilvarry

My TD came to me with no clock at all so I just totally cheated and fitted a Walmart quartz watch in the hole. Keeps quite good time and batteries only needed every year or so.

John Quilter (TD8986)

I cleaned the original TD clock and ensured that the whisker engaged with an unworn part of the pin and it works a treat. With the conversion to a 4.3 diff ratio I chose to rebuild the speedo and the tripmeter myself by fitting the appropriate sized ratchet gears. I had to import these from a supplier in England. I've written articles on both the restoration of the TD clock, without resorting to the digital conversion, which isn't cheap, as well as converting the speedo and tripmeter to read accurately with the 4.3 diff fitted. These articles will be made available to members of the recently formed M.G. T Type Owners & Restorers Club in the bi-monthly M.G. TTORC Newsletters that will be issued over the coming months. Cheers
Peter TD 5801.
P Hehir

But not available to this forum?
P G Gilvarry

No Pete. I've copyrighted them and plan to publish all of the articles I've written on the restoration of my TD once this task has been completed. There are at least 15 or so so far and I've notes on about another 10. This will probably run to about 150 or more pages and will include many coloured illustrations. I've steered clear of material that has been already covered in the WSM, Green and Schach, except where there are obvious errors in these publications, which I've corrected, offering explanations where required. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Hmmm! Can you help me? Please.

Sorry, I have copyrighted all the information I have gathered.

Is that the “true spirit” of the MG community forums? I see the pillars of the community, Tom Lange, John Twist, Tom Metcalf and others answering questions, taking phone calls and making presentations with no compensation other than the sheer joy of helping another MGer.

I even gave freely of my time to help you with something you needed, as has Bill Chasser and many others.

Good luck with your venture.

As they say, so long.
P G Gilvarry

Another option you have is to replace the contact wire with an optical sensor. With this, your clock still retains the original movement (ticks) but gains reliability. I have repaired my clock several times, but it only lasts about 5 years. Next time it fails I will do the conversation. The company which sells the kit is "Clocks4classics", mentioned by Dave, and is based in the UK. You can buy the kit and fit it yourself or send your unit to them and they will fit it for you.

John

J Scragg

Thanks John, appreciate the information.

Many years ago I repaired the clock in my Rover 75 with the guidance of some techs in the workshop next door. It fan for as long as I owned the car, maybe 2 years.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Settle down Peter. I have answered and will continue to answer any and all questions that are asked on this forum that are within my power to do so. My record speaks for itself. I have made hundreds, if not thousands of contributions and often have gone out of my way to do so. I appreciated the assistance that you gave me and I thanked you for it. But it wasn't just for my benefit. The side curtain rivet kits are available at cost to anyone who wants one. My research on TD's extends WAY beyond this forum and I believe that I have the right to retain or share that information as I see fit. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 23/05/2015 and 21/01/2020

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