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MG MGA - body to frame packing kit

Two questions about the foam used on the frame for body mounting --
1. where does the short foam piece go on each side of the frame that is shown on the diagram near the area where the frame kicks up for the rear axle?
2. there was a piece of rubber about 1/2" wide along the top of the goalpost for the full length of the goalpost on the passenger side when I removed the body. I don't see this shown on either the Moss or Todd Clarke diagrams, has anyone else seen this?

Thanks, George

G Goeppner

Perhaps most of your body packing questions are answered here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/restore/rt632.htm

There is a substantially larger copy of your attached illustration here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/restore/pics/281778.gif

1.) The transverse rubber piece near the back goes on top of the frame to seal under the fixed position part of the battery cover. Many years ago I had a flood coming through that point one rainy night (all through the night) because I neglected to seal there during first restoration.

2.) Not sure what you mean by "full length of the goalpost on the passenger side". There s a runner seal where the body sits on the angled part of the goalpost in the kick panel area.

Before you bolt the body down, take a close look where the four corners of the body cockpit sit on the frame. Refer to web page noted above.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks Barney, I understand the location related to #1 now.

When I removed the body, there was a piece of rubber on the top of the goal post, about 1/2" wide, running the full length of the goal post, in addition to the cork and the two short transverse rubber pieces at each end. This rubber piece was along the "rear" edge of goalpost, and I believe it to be original to the car since the body had never been removed. I don't see this piece on your website, Todd Clarke's information, or the Moss packing kit diagram.

Thanks, George

G Goeppner

I have never seen nor heard of this piece. Probably not original issue. Heater shelf to frame bolts are farther forward along the goalpost. S rubber strip along the back edge of the goalpost would tend to hold the sheet metal up so it would bot lie flat on the cork packing.
Barney Gaylord

Barney, do the short 3" rubber pieces at each end of the goal post also compromise the body contact with the cork?
G Goeppner

I don't think so. This is a very strong corner of the body shell, so it should thoroughly crush the rubber strip there, bringing the heater shelf down into firm contact with the cork seal.

FWIW, I have never installed the 3" rubber seals at outer ends of the goalpost. First time around I didn't know it was supposed to be there. Second time around I decided it wasn't necessary, because I didn't have any prior problem with leak in this area. But before you bolt it down, look closely at this joint from inside the cockpit. There will be a significant hole or gap right in that corner. This is where I applied caulking generously last time around. For production the factory would have preferred a lump of soft rubber to the messy caulking process.
Barney Gaylord

Here's a picture of that rubber bit I've been describing. Has anyone else seen this on their car?

G Goeppner

I had that piece in my kit from Moss, and installed it too (I seem to remember having to enlarge the holes, but it was in 1988 so I'm not really sure any more)

dominic clancy

Yes, I have seen it, but it is a bead of caulking compound which compresses when body fitted and bolted down. It is not a strip of rubber. The cork packing sits on top of this caulking material. See attached photo.

Garry Kemm

This thread was discussed between 04/09/2013 and 07/09/2013

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