difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

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bloodysalmon
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difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by bloodysalmon » Wed Jul 24, 2019 12:18 am

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.
Chris Blood - TC2686& TC3615

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Steve Simmons
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Steve Simmons » Thu Jul 25, 2019 8:17 am

I don't recall any difference in the shell. Not sure about the radiator but possibly the angle of the inlet?
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Tom Wilson
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Tom Wilson » Fri Jul 26, 2019 4:56 pm

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.
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bloodysalmon
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by bloodysalmon » Sat Jul 27, 2019 12:02 am

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.
Chris Blood - TC2686& TC3615

Tom Lange, MGT Repair
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Tom Lange, MGT Repair » Sun Jul 28, 2019 4:34 am

Tom - a related topic: was the bonnet rest material originally webbing or rubber on the TC?

Thanks. Tom Lange
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Tom Wilson » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:18 pm

Tom, all factory photos I’ve seen (except one) have rubber as the bonnet rest material.
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frenchblatter
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by frenchblatter » Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:02 pm

Mine was webbing and, I beliieve, original. It certainly looked 67 years old!

It's a very late car, 73rd from last.
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bloodysalmon
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by bloodysalmon » Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:03 am

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 ...
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Steve Simmons
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Steve Simmons » Sat Aug 03, 2019 12:54 pm

There's an original owner, never restored TC in our club. Next time I see him I will check the padding.
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timberstone
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by timberstone » Sat Feb 22, 2020 5:26 pm

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)

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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Tom Wilson » Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:27 pm

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.

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Duncan M
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Duncan M » Thu Feb 27, 2020 9:31 pm

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.

bloodysalmon
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by bloodysalmon » Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:25 am

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!
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Steve Simmons
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Re: difference between TA and TC radiator chromed shell?

Post by Steve Simmons » Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:22 am

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.
1949 TC8975 / XPAG 9609
1948 TC6011 / XPEG1182 (XPAG6472)
http://www.mgnuts.com

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