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Engine History
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 3:26 am
by ibertie
I have recently purchase a 1936 MG TA which appears to have a TC engine based on the location of the Engine Tag.
The tag states "Replacement Engine XPAG SO No B4181"
Is there anywhere where I can find out about the history of this engine (whether TB/TC/TD) etc.
Re: Engine History
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 4:46 am
by Marv
Good Question! My last TD, a 1953, (I was the second owner), was not a "numbers matching car and I was told by the son that his father, (deceased), had thrown a rod and destroyed the original engine more or less. He ordered a new unit from the dealer and received a "Crate Engine" which happened to be a XPEG 1500cc engine complete with big valve head and intake manifold. It has a round engine tag that starts with "RS". The dealer supposedly said that the factory just shipped whatever was available at the time.

- crate engine tag.jpg (105.63 KiB) Viewed 2298 times
When I sold the car, the new owner was elated that it had the 1500 XPEG engine and was planning on installing the 1-1/2" S.U.'s on it.
I was never concerned or curious enough to wonder if the new engine would have been for the later TD MKII or for the TF cars. I suppose somewhere in the Abingdon archives there may be a record of replacement engines as to where they may bave been destined for had they not been delegated to replacement units to older cars.[/b]
Re: Engine History
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:20 pm
by Franz Tenbrock
Hallo
had the same problem
perhaps this helps
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=867&p=5303#p5303
my number was under the paint ;-)
Re: Engine History
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:48 am
by ibertie
Thanks Marv & Franz for your feedback.
I will try to find other numbers hidden under paintwork
Re: Engine History
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 4:08 am
by frenchblatter
ibertie, I've just noticed we're almost neighbours. I'm in Royston. If you ever need a hand call me. 0741 9905 741
Re: Engine History
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 7:26 am
by ibertie
Hi Lynne & Norman
Thank you very much for your kind offer.
As a complete newbie in the world of Vintage Cars, my knowledge is zero and therefore a very steep learning curve ahead.
At the moment I am trying to work out the modifications that have been made to the TA in order to best understand what I need to do to keep the car on the road whilst I decide what restoration is required.
Bodywork is mainly cosmetic, new full weather equipment ordered
Best regards
Ian
Re: Engine History
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 8:11 am
by frenchblatter
Ian, ring me or email me at
norman@frenchblat.com and I'll pop over and take a look and advice. Just for the record I was apprenticed on TCs at University Motors. (well TC's had been out of production 12 years but we still got a lot in to work on). I completey rebuilt mine after it had spent 48 years in a lock up in Sheffield. Look at
www.frenchblat.com MG TC. it's all in there - if you can find it

I'm free almost every day next week.