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MG TD TF 1500 - where to find idle speed in the manuals?

I'd searched the manuals (WSM and OP manual) for the value of idle speed. No result!

Any hints?
W_Mueller

That's like asking how long tires last - every car is different, and every driver feels comfortable at a different point. Since I basically drive and shift by sound, I like a low RPM at idle. I end up setting it somewhere between 600-750, depending on how the car runs. Obviously if the car falters or hunts, then it either has a throttle shaft leak, or is idling too slow. I recently tuned up a TD with a somewhat aggressive cam that would idle at nothing less than 1,000RPM.

Whatever feels right.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

I agree fully with Tom's RPM range. The one time I may set the idle higher is at high altitudes. That said, I do sometimes dial the idle up to 900-1000 for inexperienced drivers or on cars with a touchy clutch, to make it easier to deal with city traffic.
Steve Simmons

Thank you Tom and Steve

you give the reason for a missing value.

W_Mueller

Herr Müeller, here is what the SU Carburetor manual says.

(a) Restart the engine and adjust the throttle adjusting screw to give desired idling as indicated by the glow of the ignition warning light.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

Thank you Tim

that is a practical solution that doesn't refer to the engine but to the voltage supply.
W_Mueller

I asked too on this board since I couldn't find anything either.

I saw this tonight while just browsing around in my files.

PDF file The MG Midget (series TF and TF 1500)Operation manual.

I've tried to different RPM at idle and found my car likes 950-1000.

Frank

TF1414

Frank Cronin

Thank you Frank - good find in a place I didn't expect.
W_Mueller

My engine idles between 900 & 950, it will go down to 700, but it gets too rough, 900 or above it runs much smoother. I have a Crane cam which has a stock grind, but the duration seems slightly longer than the original cam, runs great though all way up the scale.
PJ Jennings

From the context I think the 1,000 rpms mentioned is while the engine is cold.

Tim

Timothy Burchfield

This thread was discussed between 22/09/2019 and 26/09/2019

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