1952 MGTD - Volvo-Engined

1952 MG TD Description

Before you read the entire description, be aware that this is an uncompleted project. We are moving to a much smaller space very soon, so I have to give up the MG. This is a California car that has always been garaged. It runs well and stops well, but there is work to be done. Mileage is unknown. Manuals and multiple spare parts are included.

Here’s a brief rundown. Feel free to ask questions.

Frame/body: The frame is straight and solid. All of the body panels and fenders are solid. No rust, no dents. The bumpers are a bit deformed. The doors latch properly, and stay closed. The driver’s side door latch is new. The windshield has no cracks, and folds down if preferred. Some of the rubber is dried out and cracked, especially along the bottom of the windshield. The fender piping looks bad. The paint job is awful. The top is good enough to serve its purpose, but it needs some repairs (see photos). The side curtains are original and in excellent condition (hardly ever used). The seats are in good shape. The driver’s side carpet is missing. The passenger side and transmission tunnel carpets are good. (See notes below about the transmission tunnel.)

Engine: The engine is a 1966 Volvo B18, a popular upgrade back in the day. It runs well and does not leak or burn oil. There are two Volvo SU carbs, and they seem to be in pretty good condition. The carbs allow the hood to be closed, but I have not figured out a good solution for the air cleaners. I had to install a Volvo choke cable which has two cables on one pull-knob. This looks a bit cobbled under the dash, but works OK. Plugs, distributor, points, condenser, rotor ... all work well. The engine starts immediately every time.

Fuel/Ignition: The gas tank was recently clean, and does not leak. there were two electric fuel pumps (one for each carburetor) which I replaced with one electronic fuel pump. This works great and is much more reliable than the old pumps.

Electrical: I changed the polarity to negative ground. It just seems easier to work with. The battery is new, the generator is MG. The starter motor works fine. Horn, headlights, bright/dim, taillights, brakelights, platelight all work. Parking lights look good, but are completely corroded inside, and expensive to replace. There are no directional signals. The windshield wiper motor doesn't work (or maybe I have not figured it out), but the (virtually useless) wipers can be operated manually from inside the car. The fuel warning light works, and the generator light is probably working correctly. The voltage regulator seems to be working correctly, and fusebox is OK. None of the instrument panel gauges is working. I haven't found a Volvo-to-MG speedometer cable or tachometer cable. The ammeter is not very helpful, I don't know if the temperature gauge works, and the oil pressure gauge doesn't register anything. I had to put in a new oil pressure gauge line; maybe the line has to be bled. I know that the Volvo oil pump and pressure are good. There are several "after-market" wires that I have not figured out.

Transmission/differential: The Volvo transmission was a difficult transition. I had to cut away a bit of the wooden floor and some of the transmission cover, replace the mechanical clutch with hydraulic, get a driveshaft manufactured, etc.. The new master clutch cylinder is located under the driver's feet (next to the master brake cylinder). The clutch plates are good, and everything appears to be working as designed. The rear differential seems to be OK, but I have no idea how much life is left in it.

Cooling: The radiator and hoses are new. The Volvo water pump seems to be fine.

Brakes: The master cylinder and all six slave cylinders are new. The brakes work well, but are a little grabby. Maybe should have the drums turned.

Exhaust system: Brand new, custom made … has 2 in-line glasspacks

Steering/suspension: I didn't really do anything to the steering gear, shocks, or springs. All seem to be OK. The steering feels a little wobbly ... probably needs alignment

Wheels/bearings/tires: All wheels (including the spare) are straight and solid. I did not change out any wheel bearings, because they all seem OK. Two of the tires are new. The other two and the spare are the Pirellis with not many miles on them. All five hubcaps are in decent shape.