MG T-ABC

A friend suggested the other day that a TC exhaust manifold is different from a TD manifold, but I am unable to see a difference, other than longer TC studs. Both my TC and TD manifolds are all casting 24060.

Any thoughts

Tom Lange
MGT Repair

There is no difference that I'm aware of. The TF1500 manifold has slightly larger ports and it can be spotted by the lack of space between the center to pipes. But as far as I know all manifolds for 1250 are the same.

agreed, my investigation also determined that the TB, TC and TD exhaust manifolds where the same, and interchangeable

Is there any reference that describes whether there were any variations of coating or color for the exhaust manifold?

I think that rust coloured seems to be most popular

I have never seen an original that wasn't aluminized. I can't say that's a definitive data set though.

About 55 years ago I heard about a 20,000-mile TC, that had run into the back of a parked truck in 1952 when the driver fell asleep - the entire front end and frame were pushed back about a foot, and the car was accordion-ed to more than half the bonnet. (The driver wore a wide racing-style seat belt which broke a hip, and broke 2 ribs when he hit the steering wheel and windshield frame.) Other than that the car was bone stock so I looked it over carefully, and saw my first aluminized exhaust manifold and clamps.

The Owner wanted $300 for the car which I could not afford, and it went to Stucker's Auto Parts on Long Island, Six months later I called them about a TB shifter - $35 - and when I went to get it I found they had pulled it from that same TC, and offered to sell me the complete car for $100! I did buy a Porsche 356 pre-A from them for $500, but that's another story.

In any case, yes to aluminized manifold on TC's.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair

I have an original aluminized 24060 manifold here.

They were likely simply going for a color as close to white as they reasonably could get-- that would last a while.