Beck TD, Part 89 - Missing!

Beck TD has been running poorly lately. Quite a disappointment, because it had been running beautifully, and my recent work installing a new radiator has also worked out beautifully, with cool running no matter what the weather. The problem was a consistent "miss" that marred the driving experience in both normal traffic and when urging it along. Previously, the engine was willing to run all the way to the 6000 RPM redline, and now it was giving up the ghost at around 3500! Here's a video - listen to the exhaust note for the consistent miss.

Beck TD, Part 88 - Curing The Death Wobble

 It's so common, it even has a name: the "Death Wobble." It's that vibration that sets in at a certain speed in old cars. I was even told that, "All MG TDs do that at 50 mph." But I knew that wasn't so, because I know two TD owners, Charlie and Jake, who can drive 75 or even more without a wobble or vibration. Significantly, both of them are running wire wheels that were purchased brand new during their cars' renovations. Could I do something for Beck and still use the 72-year-old steel wheels? 

Beck TD, Part 87 - The Fan Temp Sensor

A couple of months ago, Part 85 of this blog told the long and convoluted story of installing a new, custom radiator in Beck TD from a manufacturer in China. I'm happy to say that I'm really pleased with the performance of that new radiator! Even on recent hot afternoons (temps around 88 F), on the road the car ran at 160 degrees, which is the temperature at which the thermostat opens. Basically, it runs as cool as possible, even in hot weather.

But, as always, there was one more thing to figure out - the best location for the sensor that controls the cooling fan for that radiator. I've just completed the third try, and I think it's the one that will remain. Here's the story of the wandering home for that sensor...

Beck TD, Part 86 - Stupid Wooden British Cars!

 After the recent radiator work (Part 85), I asked Troy Nace to help me get Beck's body panels aligned. I had already figured out that it was going to be a fussy and time-consuming task! But we had to take a little side trip, due to the way some British cars were still made in 1952. The bodywork has a substantial wooden frame, and wood has a nasty habit of rotting...

Beck TD, Part 85 - A New Radiator!

 One of the consistent threads of Beck TD's 7-year story in my shop has been "messing with the cooling system." In the early days, just getting the radiator and hoses sorted took effort, and since then, the cooling system has been barely adequate on hot days. In Part 82, I went to significant expense to make some changes to the radiator, and while it improved the fitment and look, it still ran hot on 90+ degree days in city traffic. That 70-year-old radiator just wasn't up to snuff!

Members of the Volvo Engined MG group had identified a replacement radiator for sale on eBay from Winner Racing that looked promising, and one member had contacted them to request a custom version for our Volvo application. Their response was, "Sure - just tell us what you need!" I contacted them, and across several emails we worked out a custom version that I bought. In the photo below, their stock TD replacement is on the left, and my custom design is on the right. You'll notice several changes, including a flat tank, relocated inlet and outlet, a custom filler with pressure cap, and more.