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Supercharging a TC
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2002 9:34 am
by Al Moss
Supercharging a TC SUPERCHARGER INFO:
Greetings, fellow MG-ers.
Tired of rowing the old T-Series through traffic and up hills? Then read the following.
I bought my TC new in 1948 and loved it from the beginning. When I was selling Funny Ferrin Cars in1950, I took a white TC in on trade. It had a Shorrock supercharger and I contemplated keeping this TC and selling mine. Wisely, I removed the blower, sold the white TC and installed the Shorrock on my TC. Shortly thereafter I made a new set of pulleys out of some scrap aluminum. I provided for a higher ratio and an adjustable idler assembly. From the original 5-1/4 pound boost pressure I ended up with 8-1/2 pounds. Went like a bomb.
A few years later I purchased S. H. Arnolt's entire supply of Shorrock kits and parts. (Sold many complete, boxed kits for less than $200!!) I have since owned and driven many Shorrock-superchared MGs with great success, albeit the occasional seizure and rapidly disintegrating carburettors, due to the vibration.
About ten years ago I performed an unneeded ground-up restoration on my TC. I rebuilt the original engine and Shorrock and packed them away and built up a neat XPEG 1500cc engine--+.040 (1508cc) , 1-1/2" carbs and an original AEG122 cam. It performed as well as the blown 1250. That is until I moved from Santa Barbara (sea level) to the high desert of Arizona. Blahh!!
So, bored readers, I recently installed one of the blower kits from Moss Motors. It took me about three hours to install it (including removing the radiator and jacking up the engine in order to install the new crank pulley). And then I spent about three DAYS modifying the carb linkage and fuel feed to my satisfaction. I mounted the float bowl on the right side of the carb (opposite from their instructions) and made all new linkage for the mixture control, slow running control and throttle. Came out real neat. I also had to modify the carb to allow the hood to close, although the Moss Guru says this should not have been necessary.
When all done, I noticed a substantial improvement in performance but only showed a bit over four pounds of boost, much less than promised. I attributed this to the larger engine capacity, and perhaps the high altitude. Sooo-back to the drawing board. I found a chunk of aluminum and made a new 5-1/2" diameter pulley which I affixed to the re-machined pulley supplied with the kit. Installed a 2 inch longer belt and was dismayed to find that the belt now rubbed on the water pump pulley, due to the increase in crank pulley size. So, I made two 0.110" spacers and moved both pulleys forward and machined a tiny bit off the water pump pulley and now all is well. Tomorrow we'll see how she goes with these mods.
If anyone is interested, I can e-male photos of my mods. I heartily approve of this installation. It would be easier on a TD and damn near impossible on a completely assembled TF.
A few days later: She now goes like a bomb!! On slight grades where I used to have to downshift to third, it now accelerates in fourth. And I love the slight whine at low speeds. A higher ratio (4.875:1) rear end gear set is a big help. An overdrive would be better.
al moss. sedona, arizona
Re: Supercharging a TC
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2002 11:32 am
by Gene Gillam
Supercharging a TC Al wrote:
>If anyone is interested, I can e-male photos of my mods. I
heartily approve of this installation.< ********************************************************************************************************************* Al, Could you have them posted on the T-ABC group website? This would save you having to send them to everyone that might want a copy. Gene Gillam
49 MG TC
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