1948 MG TC Chassis #TC 4647 Engine #XPAG 5291
This car was built in Abingdon and came off the assembly line on Tuesday the 27th January 1948. The record of this was provided by Mr. Richard Millington of the MG car club of Victoria and comes from original MG factory records.
The T-Series Association of Australia records show that it arrived on the S.S. NESTOR in Australia on the 23rd. May 1948. These records show that it was delivered to a Mr. I.F. Nicholson of Barclay Motors on the 2nd June 1948.
Exterior colour was described as cream with green interior. Very few records of early history exists but a Dr. C.J. Luke, an English doctor, purchased the car from SPORTS CAR WORLD on 21st October 1975 for $ 4,650.00 when it was registered HDS 328 and the receipt incorrectly has engine # XPAG 5201. A letter from him to the next owner is attached and incorrectly identifies the car as a late 1946 or early 1947 model but details that it was in poor condition and sold by a HP company on default. The car was “brought up to good mechanical condition” by John Mullen of MG Spare Parts.
Ron Jarvis, of Griffith, purchased the car from another dealer, Camcar Centre, of Liverpool road, Burwood, Sydney on the 12th June 1977. It was then registered N.S.W. MG 852 and the price paid was $3750.00. The dealer’s notice, at the time, indicates that the vehicle “is a very early and original vehicle and requires extensive restoration”. Also itemised are other problems with the water pump, differential, axle splines, engine rings, noisy gearbox, etc.
Ron has said the car was in fair condition and he restored it for concours events. He said the engine has had new rings and bearings and has done less than 5,000 miles during his ownership. The car at one stage of its life had been painted red over the original cream.
Alex Dumilov purchased the car from Ron Jarvis for $18,000 in December 1986 and it remained registered until 1995. Alex did little to the car and rarely drove it apart from its annual pink slip check. During this time the car was kept in excellent condition – but from 1996 the TC was not used as Alex could not get it started. This malady was subsequently found only to be stuck fuel bowl float valves.
The car was sold to me in March 2000, when Alex decided to move house. He was a willing seller. On receipt of the car there were problems associated with the long period of non-use, such as partially seized brake cylinders and a leaking water pump.
The car has been taken into care and the following work carried out since April 2000.
29/03/2000 Brake master cylinder replaced with complete new unit from H D Rogers, Bossier City, La, USA. $300.00
04/04/2000 The water pump was badly corroded as water had passed the seal and rusted the bearing and housing so it was replaced with a complete new unit from Abingdon spares, Walpole, USA. $190.00
Petrol tank removed, washed, new gasket in petrol low level indicator which is no longer serviceable due to broken resistance wire in unit.
04/04/2000 The water pump pulley was cracked and ran untrue on the shaft. This was replaced with a new unit from H D Rogers, Bossier city, La, USA. $80.00
The thermostat was corroded out and replaced. $ 10.00
Front brake cylinder kits to both front wheels. $20.00
05/04/2000 New rocker cover gasket, spring shackle rubbers, tappet adjusting screw. $80.00. New rear welch plug to engine block. $4.00. Generator bearings checked. Distributor dismantled and cleaned.
07/04/2000 Both carburettors were sent to Midel, Lakemba, NSW, to be reconditioned. $400.00.
19/04/2000 The rear brakes were dismantled, cleaned and found to have stainless steel inserts in the brake cylinders, reassembled with new seals.
New brake linings fitted all round. $60.00. Handbrake adjusted. RHS front cylinder has a brass insert. LHS front cylinder is steel.
19/4/2000 The rear right hand wheel spline was loose on the axle; it had been previously welded up and was replaced with a new axle and hub from Sportsparts, Thornleigh, Sydney; along with new bearings, seals and locking rings for both rear wheel axles. $550.90
27/6/2000 Rear left hand axle and splined hub replaced. Differential oil topped. $439.70.
03/07/2000 Replaceable oil filter housing and filter added, Chrome air cleaners, Radiator cap seal, brake/ clutch pedal rubber dust excluder. $320
15/07/2000 Replaced old oil filter with new renewable filter unit. Use WIX # 51348 or Ryco Z418. ( alternatives are AC PF53, Motorcraft FL793 ) Set all valve clearances to 19 thou. .. they were pretty close anyway.
04/08/2000 Replaced foam rubber padding in seats. $134
17/08/2000 Replaced front LHS wheel bearings $30. ( Bearings are SKF 30304 and 30205 ). Relined both front wheel brake linings. $40.
08/02/2001 Removed and restored both front shock absorbers. New lever arm oil seals (2 of) in both front shockers ( seal # CR 8645 ) Cleaned and flushed insides of units, renewed end cap seals in both units ( which had been leaking) Refilled with automatic transmission fluid . Repainted units with Epoxy Gloss black. Replaced rubbers in linkage arms.
13/04/2001 Compression tested, engine hot, carburettors open
Cylinder #1 160psi #2 170psi #3 170psi #4 170psi
These seem too high.. but checked with carby’s OPEN!
20/07/2001 RH front wheel bearings checked, OK
25/07/2001 Replaced seal in water pump. Seal part # PR 3823 $25.00
28/07/2001 Checked tappet clearances, all OK at 0.019 ” +/- 0.001
05/03/2002 Tail shaft removed, small cut in rear universal welded, both universals firm and good condition, regreased, balanced (required 20 grm added) and refitted
06/09/2002 Two new complete wheels to replace spare and left rear ( two worst rust affected) Purchased from Phil Hallewell Engineering, UK $1100.00
20/09/2002 Two more new wheels same as above to replace all except the original rhs front which is now the spare. Purchased from Phil Hallewell Engineering, UK $1100-00
18/01/2003 Replaced rear shock absorber mounting brackets with slightly heavier gauge ones that have the turned up chassis mounting lug reinforced.
Replaced the complete LHS rear shock absorber unit $100
Replaced the lever arm seals ( seal # CR 8645, 2 of in each ) in both rear shocks, new end gaskets, replaced top cap gaskets with “o” ring seals and repainted units. Refilled with auto transmission 0il.
07/04/2004 New wiper blades $32.00
10/04/2004 Changed radiator inhibitor
08/05/2004 Renewed all high tension leads from coil and spark plugs $3.00
17/05/2004 New distributor cap, points and rotor $56.70
25/09/2004 Changed engine oil and filter
16/11/2004 Purchased SU fuel pump repair kit/ wiper blade $90.00
17/11/2004 Powder coated brake drums $40.00
19/11/2004 Balanced wheels (static only) $20.00
01/12/2004 Replaced all carpets, fixed handbrake push rod $205.00
10/12/2004 Replaced LHS rear wheel bearing and seal ex stock
16/12/2004 Replaced RHS rear wheel bearing $16.00
20/12/2004 Fitted water temperature gauge $86.00
17/04/2005 Checked and regreased LHF wheel bearings
29/08/2005 Replaced brake light hydraulic switch, bled brakes $14.00
28/04/2006 Removed and inspected the differential pinion housing and bearings, these were good.
Found the locknut slightly loose, and the flange was not square. This being the cause of bad vibration above 50MPH. This was replaced with a second hand one from Sportsparts. Changed oil in diff to SAE 85-140.
Bled the brakes. Checked prop shaft universals OK. $60.00
02/05/2006 Replaced both RHS and LHS front spring rear rubber bushes ex stock.
04/05/2006 Checked valve clearances (cold), all OK.
19/06/2006 New bushes in distributor (from Abingdon spares, USA) installed. Distributor thoroughly cleaned and timing reset. $21.00
21/08/2006 Replaced steering box and column with Datsun 1200 box made by Ray Skewes, Melbourne. $712
21/08/2006 Replaced exhaust manifold gasket with compressible gasket $5.00. Cleaned up steering arms, repainted, replaced split pins in ball joints
24/08/2006 Dismantled horn, repainted face and body, new cardboard gaskets made
02/09/2006 Flushed radiator and added new inhibitor.
08/09/2006 New valve stem seals fitted to all valves, tappet clearances reset. $175
09/09/2006 Engine oil and filter changed. (Latest conclusion, running older, broken-in engines on Castrol 20W-50 GTX is ok). New spark plugs $20
12/09/2006 Repaired poor wood edges on rear panel. Fitted a length of aluminium angle under rear edge of side screen box for additional support of whole rear section. Replaced rubber sealing strips at rear of fuel tank
27/09/2006 New medallion, front guard rubber pad set, from Moss Motors $73.00
13/01/2008 Changed gearbox oil; used Castrol EPX 85W/140. Added one litre and the level on the dipstick shows that it reads exactly at the top mark. Replaced oil drain plug gasket. Suggested use is Penrite Transoil 140 or Redline 75W140NS in the gearbox and 80W140 in the differential.
25/01/2008 Compression tested, engine hot, carburettors open
Cylinder #1 165psi #2 170psi #3 170psi #4 175psi
09/02/2008 Replaced RHS rear wheel bearing (slight movement in old one) $16.00
16/11/2008 Oil and filter changed at 11,166 miles.
21/09/2009 Flushed radiator and added new inhibitor.
07/08/2010 Petrol tank flushed, new seal on sender unit, drain tap on drain plug, set timing with strobe about 3/16” advance at 700rpm.
12/01/2011 New braided flexible joint in exhaust system $160.00
18/02/2011 Oil change plus filter at 11,900 miles $36.00
22/02/2011 Parts from Moss, clutch, carby seals $ 185.82US
25/04/2011 Replaced jet cork seals with O rings in rear carby
04/09/2011 Replaced gearbox oil with Redline MT90 75W90 $37.00
12/09/2011 Replaced gearbox rear mounts, stained wood floor $185.00
14/09/2011 Replaced missing felt seal in the speedo/gearbox connection
30/09/2011 Repacked front wheel hubs and replaced outer bearing RHS hub $22.00
27/03/2012 Shackle bush set from Moss motors $27.00
28/03/2012 Changed radiator water and inhibitor.
22/06/2012 Replaced shackle rubbers with new urethane ones in both front rear lower shackles, both rear springs, and front right shock absorber link.
New front upper RHS front shackle rubbers replaced with new rubber bushes
New Urethane bushes in top rear LHS. Both side big rear rubbers replaced with new rubber bushes
01/04/2013 Compression tested, engine hot, carburettors open
Cylinder #1 155psi #2 160psi #3 160psi #4 165psi
23/09/2013 New battery $72.00
29/12/2013 Flushed cooling system with “Techaloy” radiator flush and refilled with SCA corrosion inhibitor added (500ml)
21/01/2014 4 new 4.5 x 19” tubes for tyres from Antique Tyres Melb $216.00
07/02/2014 New chrome wing nut, cone and stud for LHS window frame $40.00
04/03/2014 Replaced gasket on base of thermostat housing and replaced hose to radiator top tank with 21/4” silicon hose and new inhibitor $14.00
07/03/2014 Changed engine oil and filter, changed gearbox and diff oils, refilled them with Penrite 140 gear oil at 13,097 miles $20.00
12/03/2014 Flushed brake system with new fluid, new bleed screw on RH rear (had been modified to 3/8” UNF) $10.00
05/05/2014 Replaced stop light pressure switch on end of master cylinder $37.00
13/08/2014 4 new Excellsior tyres from Antique Tyres (at 13,260 miles) $960.00
15/08/2004 Fit tyres and balance wheels $120.00
17/08/2014 Brakes renovated. All slave cylinders removed, cleaned and new seals. Pistons cleaned cylinders polished, new fluid to whole system. (RHS front brake cylinder seized on trailing shoe, lot of sludge in cylinder)
29/08/2014 Spare brake seal kits, water hoses, master cyl kit $150
01/09/2014 Renew both front brake hoses (Wards Motors) $220
31/07/2016 Bled brake system, new radiator inhibitor.
12/10/2016 Oil and filter change
18/01/2018 Changed radiator water, new inhibitor, 250ml / 6litres. Removed and cleaned drain tap on side of block
14/08/2018 Bled rear brakes, topped shock absorbers; checked timing and points.
23/09/2018 Changed radiator water, new inhibitor, 250ml / 6litres
Checked Valve clearances
#1 16thou #2 16thou #3 16thou #4 16thou #5 18thou #6 16thou #7 16thou #8 18thou
30/09/2018 Cleaned and new rubber kits in both front brake cylinders, bled all wheel cylinders. Checked rear brake wheel cylinders are clean and moving ok.
14/11/2018 Oil and filter change 14,775 miles.
28/04/2019 Bled front brakes, new wheel hub nuts all round.
14/06/2019 Replaced rubber in top rear of front RHS spring shackle
07/11/2020 Oil and filter change 15,256 miles
20/08/2021 Changed radiator water, new inhibitor, 250ml / 6 litres, topped gearbox oil.
10/04/2022 Bled all brakes, replaced fluid, topped shock absorbers
02/04/2023 Changed radiator water, new inhibitor, 300ml / 6 litres, checked rear shocks and adjusted rear brake shoes.
16/04/2023 Cleaned spark plugs, checked points, topped carbys
15/07/2023 Replaced brake cylinder seals in front RHS brake cylinder. Bled all brakes
21/11/2023 Replaced LH rear wheel bearing (sealed type, 6208) plus new seal due to oil leak. Pinch up gap 4 thou”. New paper gasket added. $30
19/06/2024 Replaced #2 spark plug, cleaned distributor contacts, set SU idle mixtures and resting idle.
01/07/2024 Renewed spark plug and coil HT leads and plug clips. $40
21/07/2024 Changed engine oil and filter, 16262 miles Castrol GTX 20-50
19/08/2024 Bled front brakes, greased front suspension and steering
Spares in stock
Fuel
SU Fuel Pump dual point
2 sets of SU carby seals
1 petrol tank sender seal 293-415
Brakes and wheels
2 old paper hub seals
2 brake hub screws
2 rear oil seals 181 x 243
1 rear bearing (used)
2 rear brake seal kits 180-920; 2 front brake seal kits 180-930. 2 new internal springs.
2 master cylinder seal kits 180-900; 1 old cylinder piston, spring, etc from old cylinder.
Cooling System
2 brass plugs from radiator tank, water pump gaskets (engine and thermostat)
5 hose set, new.
Engine
1 valve adjust screw and nut
Exhaust gaskets various
Clutch Plate and thrust bearing.
Others
1 spare wiper blade, chassis mounting spacers (various)
Distributer cap GL 222, Rotor GL 229-C, Old distributer brass bushes, old points set,
New points set, new base plate and points set, new red rotor.
New Generator brushes
Suspension bushes 2 big, 12 small.
2 King pin sets