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difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2019 12:18 am
by bloodysalmon
Quite simply we are trying to establish what the difference is between a TA/TB and a TC radiator shell is?
Prominently the obvious visual sign is perhaps the starter handle hole, but this is knowingly between the TC and TD.

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2019 8:17 am
by Steve Simmons
I don't recall any difference in the shell. Not sure about the radiator but possibly the angle of the inlet?

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2019 4:56 pm
by Tom Wilson
Shape is the same. TA through mid TC radiator shells had a flat flange where the webbing is woven through for the bonnet rest. Mid to late TCs had that edge corrugated, my guess was to improve strength. I have no idea when the change was made.
Tom Wilson

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:02 am
by bloodysalmon
Cheers Tom, I did wonder why I have seen both type, rippled or not around! Crucially though we agree that the shape and fitting should be the same TA through TC.

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 4:34 am
by Tom Lange, MGT Repair
Tom - a related topic: was the bonnet rest material originally webbing or rubber on the TC?

Thanks. Tom Lange
MGT Repair

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:18 pm
by Tom Wilson
Tom, all factory photos I’ve seen (except one) have rubber as the bonnet rest material.
Tom Wilson

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:02 pm
by frenchblatter
Mine was webbing and, I beliieve, original. It certainly looked 67 years old!

It's a very late car, 73rd from last.

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:03 am
by bloodysalmon
Crucially I have had a few TC's and seen a lot too; so I have come to the conclusion that export models appear to have all had rubber and those at 'home' had/have webbing around the rad shell. Input from those in Oz may help conclude this ...

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 12:54 pm
by Steve Simmons
There's an original owner, never restored TC in our club. Next time I see him I will check the padding.

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 5:26 pm
by timberstone
MGTC0820 was original around the radiator shell when brought from Scotland in 1976.
The radiator shell was wrapped around with 1/2 inch heavy cloth webbing strap.
The cloth webbing was deteriorated, so was replaced with rubber strap around 1978, where it stayed 40 years until 2018.
It also became deteriorated.
Having seen new heavy cloth webbing strap on vintage aircraft cowling, there arose the desire to go back to original with the MGTC's current restoration. Fabric shops were searched, but all were found to be nylon or thin and wide varieties.
The supplier, found by Google, was in Canada and they had plenty of heavy cotton 1/2" webbing strap very inexpensively priced. Perhaps the strapping is also available from vintage aircraft suppliers.
Octagonally yours,
BOXLEY (Robert and MGTC0820)

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:27 pm
by Tom Wilson
Catching back up with the topic of webbing vs rubber -
All the MMM prewar MGs used rubber as the cushion wrapping on the radiator shell, as factory photos and parts lists show. I haven’t checked the TA TB or TC parts lists, but it would seem illogical for them to change to a cloth webbing.
One of the problems with cloth webbing is that it abrades the paint over time.

Tom Wilson

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 9:31 pm
by Duncan M
I think it was rubber, but the surface had texture similar to a heavy canvas . Stuff "they" sell now is just rubber strips with no texture on surface.

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:25 am
by bloodysalmon
Hi Tom, I may have to disagree about all Triple-M cars had rubber on the rad shell ... no! I've had a number of original and unrestored pre-war MG's here in the UK and none of them had rubber. It's all stitched cord. The only time I've seen rubber fitted has been on post-war MG's repatriated from the US. Ok, this doesnt set any precidence but does it suggest this fitting could have been different elsewhere to the UK!

Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:22 am
by Steve Simmons
Could it be that the original material was rubber coated woven cloth? Similar to the rear axle limiting straps on MGA, MGB, etc? If the rubber were to wear away then it would leave just the cloth. That could explain why the two different materials are found on seemingly unrestored cars.