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MG TD TF 1500 - TF idle?

Quick question.

What should be the recommended idle be for TF?

I don't see anything in the WSM. Reading archives and the web, I can't find anything concrete.

Should idle be so the ignition light just starts to glimmer off and on - not too low so it sounds "lumpy" or idle higher so the ignition light is off?

Curious what people suggest.

Thanks

Frank

TF1414
Frank Cronin

I have always been told around 800 RPMS
TRH Hammond

800-900 is good on mine.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

"Should idle be so the ignition light just starts to glimmer off and on - not too low so it sounds "lumpy" or idle higher so the ignition light is off?

I don't think this is a good measure of the correct idle as there are too many variables here (generator output, other loads, relay settings ...)

I like 800-900 rpm too and my light is usually on or flickering at this speed. It's no big deal because it's a very light load for a limited time.
Christopher Couper

Just about 800 seems where Lazarus is happy. With the Dynamator (alternator) the ignition light is not even flickering. Bud
Bud Krueger

800-900 with no light flicker is good for my TFs.


Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

I meant that the light is not illuminated. Bud
Bud Krueger

As people have said, there is no fixed number - every engine will be different, depending on condition, wear, cam, etc.

I tend to like a slow tick-over, and it usually turns out to be in the 750 range. I want it slow enough that it doesn't sound like a sewing machine, but fast enough that it has NO tendency to die. I adjust so that the engine just begins to falter, then speed it up a bit until it smooths out.

When setting the idle remember to blip the throttle after adjustments, to blow out any accumulation and to show where it idle when you are actually in the car.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated.

Frank
TF1414
Frank Cronin

To get a consistent idle the alignment of the throttle spindles with each other needs to be checked. Gasket compressibility and slight rotation of the carb bodies can result in binding and failure for the throttles to close down properly. It is important for the two expansion joints in the connecting bar to be set at ninety degrees to each other to provide some flexibility but if you want a really smooth accelerator and reliable tickover a small universal joint is the answer.

Jan T

J Targosz

Jan I have never seen a coupler like that. Where did you source that item?

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

Model car or boat U/J.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Hi Bill,

Dozens for sale on eBay and they have the correct bore size. Before fitting I could set the tick over and it would be fine but suddenly it would race and I had mastered a technique for lifting the pedal with my toes. I had tried winding up the return springs but the pedal was then so hard it gave me a Bakers Cyst at the back of my knee! The accelerator action is now super smooth and the tickover is reliable. You can see from my picture that spindles are not in alignment. You can rotate the carbs slightly and if necessary adjust gasket thickness but the universal joint only cost me £3 and by removing one of the existing clips there was no need to cut anything. It is important to keep one of the clips though since they act as an expansion joint.

Jan
J Targosz

Jan I did a quick search and did find a bunch of these. I got lost...
Could you help narrow it down for me. Which one did you use or what were the dimensions even :-)
Thanks.
Dave
D Moore

You need the diameter of the shaft connecting the carburetors.

If I have time later I can check.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Found the earlier thread and reactivated it. Jan said that he bought 8mmx8mm joints. Bud
Bud Krueger

This thread was discussed between 24/07/2019 and 29/07/2019

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