MGTF First Start

[@fredpolito]

Hi Robert, I love all your videos. I watched them all. Please keep them coming. I have a 1955 MG TF 1500 I bought in 1971 when I was in high school. Need to get it running again. Please place any video your future MG TF work on youtube. Let me know if you have any MG TF engine repair notes to share. Your are a wonderful teacher. Thanks again ....freddy

[@charlesfoster141]

Wonderful video. Just wonderful. I love MGTFs and hope to own another before I croak. I have owned two 1250s that were fully restored. I also briefly owned two project cars. Not bad to have owned 4 of the less than 10,000 of these magnificent automobiles ever produced. I am presently trying to buy a RHD project in the New England area. If I raise the funds in time I will buy her. Thanks for this video and your delightful humor. Guy in Columbia Mississippi UPDATE: I was able to buy and retrieve the project MGTF in New England and it now rests in my shop in Mississippi. Better yet, in November of 2023 I purchased a restored MGTF in Florida. I am presently driving it all over. What a joy. Finally, last night, I put a deposit on a nicer project MGTD near Houston Texas. If all goes well I should have it home before the end of this month. GOD IS GOOD! AMEN

[@Robertsbritishcars]

I still need to clean out the gas tank and put in the interior. Then, a summer of driving .... finally. BTW, I also have a '64 MGB needing restoration and a '74 MGB that is finished.

[@rogerkrey]

What a wonderful feeling when a project comes together.

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Thank you so much for watching. Years of assembling components not knowing if they will work or not is finally coming together. Cant wait to see if the brakes work.

[@stephenhampton3547]

Really great job on this one. That is perhaps the clearest explanation (And the clearest footage!) of setting static timing on KZbin. Thanks!

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Thank you for your comment. That is one of my favorite videos. Be sure to watch me stumble my way through the restoration of a 1964 MGB I found in the woods. Cheers, Bob

[@teabelly1565]

Only just stumbled across your chanell via your MGB project, the TF is my favorite MG of all time I was never lucky enough to own one however. (Did own an MGF for 10 years, but they were not genuine MG's) I am in the process of restoring my classic Mini 1275 which I've owned since 1966, reshelled it in 1971, its in very good condition as it's been dry stored these past 30 years, best wishes from England.

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Great to hear from someone across the pond, the center of the sports car world. The TF took a first and a second place in class last summer. The best part is that she drives really well. Tell your friends about my channel. They may get a chuckle watching a yank stumble his way through. Thanks again. Cheers, Bob

[@passinthru4328]

After all that cranking you sounded a bit cranky. Good sleuthing. Great car. Sounds sweeet! Congratulations. Subscribed.

[@itsalldoable]

Hey Robert, I am really enjoying your TF engine starting video and have only watched half way but already subscribed. I am going to enjoy following your journey. Kind regards Paul from 48Spokes (UK)

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Thank you Paul. I'm glad you find it entertaining because I'm not smart enough to make a how to video. I try to show what a regular guy goes through to restore the cars he loves. Next project will be a '64 MGB I dragged out of a tent in the woods of Washington state where it sat for over 20 years. Thank you again for watching.

[@dwel2928]

Just got my '51 TD engine running today. I hope it sounds half as smooth as yours once it's tuned up. Thanks for the great video - glad you include your mistakes too.

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Honestly, I was shocked at how well this engine ran. Timing at TDC, carbs rebuilt to what i guessed to be zero spec. Too bad about the rusty fuel. I actually started it with a rubber hose going from the fuel pump to a can of gas.. Thank you so much for watching, glad you enjoyed it.

[@brightpinkroomba4445]

Good job Dad, this is a fantastic video 💕

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Thank you so much for watching. Years of assembling components not knowing if they will work or not is finally coming together. Cant wait to see if the brakes work.

[@charlesfoster141]

Incidentally, 03/04/2023 is my 51st anniversary. My wife and I married this date in 1972. Time really flies

[@wendymcclay2239]

Great job on the car and the video

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Glad you liked it!

[@brucepiper8249]

Great video & hilarious too 😅, thanks

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Thank you so much for watching. Years of assembling components not knowing if they will work or not is finally coming together. Cant wait to see if the brakes work.

[@brucepiper8249]

Good luck with the bakes… even when they are renewed they are still frightening 😮

[@mikerobinson2026]

She sounds great! TF 5112 sends her congratulations. Her 69th is coming up April 20th.

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Thank you so much for watching. Years of assembling components not knowing if they will work or not is finally coming together. Cant wait to see if the brakes work.

[@MGB-learning]

Great video

[@Robertsbritishcars]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bladerunner6282]

compression numbers appear to be a bit high. and BTW, you had me going there for a moment, in that the first shot of the engine at the beginning of the video showed the plug wires reversed, as if the distributor turned clockwise. i spent about a half hour trying to figure out if the Xpeg engine's distributor turned in a different direction from that of my '53 TD's Xpag engine. haha

[@Robertsbritishcars]

I really appreciate your comments. Thank you. That video spanned four days of me trying to figure out why I had no oil pressure. As far as the compression, I was shocked it was that high, in fact, I ran a compression test on my TR6 just to test the gauge. I think the compression is that high because of the engine work required. If I remember correctly, the machinist took .023 off the block and .018 off the head. I used +.040 pistons and standard cam. I run premium fuel and Champion N9Y plugs. Its surprising how quick the old girl is. Thank you again, more videos to come.

[@bladerunner6282]

/ @@Robertsbritishcars ya,, well a total of 41 thou reduction in distance between head and block will increase compression for sure, but the oversized bore would ameliorate that condition a bit. but anything over 40 thou total removed between an open valve and piston is about max as far as valve/piston clearance goes. those valves will be coming very close to the pistons when open. i'd keep an eye on how it effects engine temp, assuming they don't collide right off the bat. :) and for sure, max octane is warranted!!

[@54mgtf22]

Sounds sweet. Great job 👍 Greetings from Australia. TF6699 born 12.8.54.

[@Robertsbritishcars]

I'm between Seattle Washington and Canada. Cool to have a fan down under. Glad you enjoyed it. More to come.