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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Driver's Handbook

If anyone has an original TF Driver's Handbook I'm very keen to see a photocopy of page 16 which shows the complete list of original tools. I have an original TD Driver's Handbook & would like to compare both lists. I have checked out Chris's TF site & have sent him an email asking if he has a copy. The inclusion of the head spanner in the TF kit has been disputed & I would like to attempt to clarify this as I'm compiling a document on T Type tool kits with detailed pics of each of the original tools & the TD/TF hessian roll. I'm aware of the different suppliers & the disclaimer at the bottom of the list on Chris's TF site. I've attached a copy of a pic I've taken of an extremely rare & as far as the owner is concerned, complete & original one owner TF tool kit. You'll note there is no head spanner. The Dunlop tyre valve removal tool is beside the pair of pliers. The original hessian tool roll died many years ago but the owner has retained the original leather strap. Your help in resolving this question would be much appreciated. Cheers
Peter TD 5801

P Hehir

Peter, Is this what your talking about? Was in my tool kit and fits the head nuts perfectly. PJ

Paul S Jennings

Nothing like it PJ! Has to be the weirdest tool I've ever seen!! Actually what I'm after is a photocopy of the tools page from an original TF Driver's Handbook. That should contain all the info I require. Thanks for the contribution mate. Have a great Xmas! Hope Santa brings you a red & black TF. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Here you go Peter.

Frank Cronin

Hi Peter,

Can't do you a copy but TD handbook I have refers to'Ring spanner for cylinder head nuts', the TF handbook makes no mention. Also no Lockheed bleeder tube on the TD list, but is on the TF one. TF handbook is called 'First Edition' and is dated 12/53, TD is 'Fourth Edition', dated 2/53

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

John
J C Mitchell

Peter, I have a TF operation manual with a list of tools that came with the TF. There are no photos, only a list. There is no head spanner listed, only a ring type tappet spanner! PJ
Paul S Jennings

Thank you Frank & thank you John. So the mystery is solved. The cylinder head spanner was not supplied as part of the TF tool kit. I will let the gentleman who has the one owner TF know that he was correct all along & that his tool kit pictured above is indeed complete.
Cheers & Merry Xmas!
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

And thank you PJ!
P Hehir

Peter -

Looks like you have already gotten you answer.

Here are links to complete manuals on my Google Drive.

You do not need to "sign in." Click on the download icon at the top center of the screen ... a downward pointing arrow with a bar across the tip of the arrow.

Although they can be view on-line, the downloaded file has bookmarks on the left side of the screen to easily navigate to the desired section) I store the files on my iPad for easiy access in the garage or in my car.

> Operation Manual TF-1500 AKD658A (Copy of the manual that was in my TF7211 when I bought it last year)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxisXBEpc-IWcDFaN3h6Ql9XWms/view?usp=sharing

> Operation Manual TD, 1952
(Download only, file may be too large for preview)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxisXBEpc-IWLWwzcVVjeVBRZ2c/view?usp=sharing

> Lube Chart 1952 TD Operation Manual - full page fold out in original manual
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxisXBEpc-IWenRianNlLWE3Y2s/view?usp=sharing

> Workshop Manual TD/TF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxisXBEpc-IWdHBJQmhEYkRZLWc/view?usp=sharing

> How to print TF Operation Manual as a Booklet (The printed manual will be approx the same size as original, folded and stapled. Or you can skip the booklet printing and print each page to fit the paper.)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxisXBEpc-IWNWNOLV8zN1dMOFU/view?usp=sharing

Note the disclaimer at the bottom of page 16 in the TF Operation manual:
"The tools supplied may vary or be omitted from time to time as a result of the steel supply situation or design modifications."

EDIT: Looks like the BBS software didn't recognize my links, so you will need to copy and paste into your browser.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Nice work Lonnie!
Frank Cronin

And thank you Lonnie!
P Hehir

RE: The manuals on my Google Drive ...

You can hide the bookmarks on the left side of the screen in the downloaded files by clicking the double arrow above the bookmarks. This will make the document larger on the screen.

Bring the bookmarks back by clicking the second icon on the left of the window. The one that is supposed to look like a ribbon bookmark.

>> Anyone have files of MG (all models) manuals or documents that you will share with me? Contact me via email.

I am collecting files of manuals and documents to create a library. I will load onto USB thumb drives and distribute to members of my MG club

Thanks.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Lonnie,

Great work, many thanks.

Jim
James Neel

Hi Peter,

To put the cat amongst the pigeons, look at page N2 of the Service Parts List, where a cylinder head spanner is shown,and several different 'Touch-up paint pencil(s)'. I think the tool kits varied, but personally I would include the head ring spanner, although even in those times who ever used them on the road!

Cheers,

John
J C Mitchell

Hi John. I don't have a copy of the Service Parts list. I've just had a reply from Chris Couper who has a TF 1500 Driver's Handbook & confirms the absence of the CH spanner. I've yet to check & confirm if this was the same with the TF 1250. The relevance of the accuracy of the tool kit today is really more for show. Form over function if you like & would only be debated at a concours, but if I can prevent an owner being penalized for the absence of a CH spanner in his TF kit, then it's time well spent. I've been compiling original tools gathered from all over the place for the past 8 months & now require just two items to complete the first set. A tappet spanner (I have my eye on one at the moment) & the elusive & very expensive Dunlop tyre valve removal tool. The best buy would have to have been the recent purchase of a CH spanner for $2:50! The second set is about half way there. I've also started manufacturing hessian tool rolls indistinguishable from the originals in every detail, that are now finding their way all over the country. The tool kit document is a work in progress & is nearing completion so if anyone would like a copy please contact me at pjbm at bigpond dot com. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Here is one of Peter's tool rolls that I now use giving my original roll (underneath) an honourable retirement. Peter has gone to a lot of trouble to replicate the original and the result is very good.

Matthew.

M Magilton

I went out of my way to dye my burlap black since I found earlier ones that way. I guess they could have provided them both natural and black depending on the manufacture.
Christopher Couper

Thanks Matthew. Your tools look great in their new home. The shield shaped pouch seems to have all three tools now tucked away including the .012" feeler. I had another look at the leather strap from the original one owner TF kit that we have both seen & on that particular roll two biff rivets were used, so it seems either one or two is acceptable. I guess like the question of the handed float bowl lids on a TD, we'll never know the answer to the CH question. Chris I now have pics of 5 original hessian TD/TF rolls in various stages of disintegration & all have an untreated (albeit a very dirty brown) interior with a black bitumen like exterior. Can you post a pic of one with a dyed black interior? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Well actually Matthews above is black inside (or really dark brown). Remember this is no black in dyes. They all are very dark brown so they will fade to brown over time.

Here is another one.



Christopher Couper

And here is I think Matthews set. Note his 1500 Manual and a head spanner too.


Christopher Couper

I've not seen page 16 of Matthew's Driver's Handbook Chris & I do see the CH spanner. Of course just because it's there now isn't proof that it was there 60 years ago. As I'm yet to see a TF handbook listing a CH spanner there is as much evidence, if not more for its exclusion than there is for its inclusion, though practicality does suggest it should have been included. You make a good point about the black/brown question. My research into wiring looms unearthed info from Rhode Island Wiring showing that the tannic acid based black dyes used in the forties & early fifties do turn brown over time. That may well be the case with the tool rolls, though they were impregnated with a heavier pitch like substance on the exterior of the rolls I've seen, that have retained their colour, suggesting the black was bitumen rather than dye based. Perhaps some hessian was dyed black as the first stage of manufacture? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter: Yes the exterior was black for sure. Definitely looked carbon based.

For your info I just soaked my tool roll in Rit Black dye and it came out pretty black but in direct sunlight it still has a bit of brown hint to it. Its either that or getting a black that's based on blue. :-)
Christopher Couper

Thanks Chris. If there is a preference for the black interior your Rit black dye idea seems like the way to go. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 24/12/2014 and 27/12/2014

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