T-Type (TC/TD/TF)

1945-1955 / Roadster / United Kingdom

All T-Type (TC/TD/TF) problems All workshop issues

Minor Wooden Body Frame

Body Flex

Symptoms

The body creaks and flexes over bumps. Doors pop open over rough roads. Scuttle shake (the windscreen frame vibrates relative to the body) is noticeable.

Cause

Even a sound wooden frame allows more flex than a modern unibody. A frame with any degree of rot amplifies this dramatically. The T-Type body was never rigid by modern standards, it was designed for gentle English B-roads, not Australian conditions.

Fix

Ensure the frame is sound and all panel-to-frame fixings are tight.

Check that the body is properly bolted to the chassis at all mounting points.

Some owners add discreet reinforcement brackets at stress points.

Scuttle shake can be reduced by tightening the windscreen frame mountings and ensuring the frame-to-body connection is solid.

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Other known issues

Minor Wooden Body Frame

Rot in the Ash Frame

Doors don't shut properly or are misaligned. Body panels flex when pushed. Gaps between panels are uneven. The body feels "soft" when jacked up. In severe cases, the body visibly sags or the scuttle area cracks.

Minor Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Oil Leaks, Everywhere

Oil weeps from every gasket surface, rocker cover, timing cover, sump, rear main seal, and anywhere two castings meet. The area beneath a parked T-Type will have oil spots. Some engines leak enough to require topping up between services.

Critical Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Low Oil Pressure (Worn Bearings)

Oil pressure drops below 40 psi at cruising speed when warm, or below 15 psi at idle. A knocking sound from the bottom end, particularly under load, confirms the diagnosis.

Common Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Dynamo (Generator) Failure

The charge warning light stays on above idle, the battery goes flat, and electrical accessories dim. In some cases, the dynamo seizes and the drive belt snaps or glazes.

Critical Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Overheating

Coolant temperature climbs above normal, particularly in slow traffic or on hot days. Steam from the overflow. In severe cases, the engine boils over.

Common Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Timing Chain Stretch

A rattling noise from the front of the engine, particularly on startup or at idle. The engine may feel down on power and the timing may wander.

View all 15 T-Type (TC/TD/TF) problems