MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Need somebody to fit a hood

Looking for somebody in the Surrey or Sussex area who can come recommended to fit a new hood onto my 59 MGA.
Or has anybody done it themselves and not made a hash of it, and how long did it take them .

Thanks Roy
R Mcknight

Hi

About to do this myself, the MGA guru site gives a very good step by step guide which makes it look quite easy.

Barry
B Bridgens

It isn't hard as long as you measure everything very carefully before you start, and make sure that the centre line is the same everywhere. I have to do this again soon as the hood I have (which was made by Moto-Build) is asymmetric ( the side flaps are different lengths) and it has finally got on my nerves and I want to change it before a Hungary trip in May.

The instructions from Barney are great too, just make sure you have a wooden header that fits the windscreen, the last one I had from Moss was WAY off, even the holes for the screen pegs were off centre by a huge amount, so I just took it back when I was at Silverstone and bought another from somewhere in the US that made them specially.

I seem to remember it took about three hours from start to finish

dominic clancy

I had a Moss hood. No holes pre-cut (which is good). But there are different widths of the bow, depending on model and year. Mine fit OK (61 1600). However it was extremely tight front to back and I barely got it closed around the window frame. The pocket for the first frame was 1" off, and too tight to get the frame in anyway. I ended up recessing the metal slat at the back by 3/8" to get the window gap closed.
Definitely measure the centre line 3 times.
Also get the hood warm. You don't need the special tool for the lift a dot fasteners, an X-acto knife is fine.
:0:10^127:0:1

I had a Moto-Build hood.Never did something like that before.I followed the Guru instructions.Two persons, me and my wife and it went well.The front bow is important.At the end you will see that it was less difficult than you thought. And you will have the satisfaction that you did it yourself.Good luck.
Herman
H. Jorens

There is nothing wrong with the hood frame fit and the front hood bow is a good fit and in good condition. Problem is the hood has never been a good fit behind the sidescreens just a big gap. Also it has started to split and tear from the corner of the header bow. As a temp job stapled the corners down. Would not be water tight in a wet drive but I suppose no hood would.
Heard so many stories about precut hoods not fitting properly that I just think a pro would do a better job than me.
R Mcknight

The way the hood will fit is determined by the pattern, cut and sew, long before it gets your your car. Before you cut or tack anything, erect the frame, place the new canopy over the frame, hook it at the back, stretch it forward, and see how it fits around the side curtains and at the front corners. If it doesn't fit well, send it back.

There were, two different metal frames, two different canopy shapes, and three different front wood bows. You need the correct combination or parts for your model car. 1500's had no center latch. 1600's had the center latch. You can use the 2nd type wood bow (1600)on the 1500 model to enable use of the center latch.

In mid 1600 production the canopy and front bow got wider. It is a big mistake to install the 3rd type (wider) wood bow with the earlier (narrower) canopy. If you have that combination of parts, then you need to trim both ends of the wood bow about 3/4-inch before installation.
Barney Gaylord



Dominic,
Do you recall where you got your wooden header? I am in the process of replacing the top on my 1500 and have to replace it and I want to get the correct one.

Regards,
Jerry
Jerry Jesion

Keeping water out is a common problem. I had my upholsterer cut a slightly longer (15mm. or 3/4 inch) front flap (the bit that hangs down the windscreen) and no more rain gets in. I had success on 4 restorations.

Barry.
BM Gannon

no idea, but I think I found the supplier mentioned in the archive here
dominic clancy

here

http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=6&subjectar=6&thread=2004101000214916464
dominic clancy

http://classicwoodproductsllc.com/mga%20roadster.html
dominic clancy

Dominic,
Thanks for finding this! I found their website and there were no parts for As shown, but I am going to email them to see if they still can supply a bow.

Regards,
Jerry
Jerry Jesion

Looked again and Classic does have parts for As. Best get my eyes checked I guess!

Regards,
Jerry
Jerry Jesion

An update on my search for a wood top header. I ordered one from Classic Wood Products and it is a near perfect fit! The holes for the windscreen pins are ~1/16" off, not a big deal.

I was put off when I received it because it did not have a rabbet on the inside curve like the one that I took off the car, but the thickness from the metal mount to the front of the header is the same when installed.

All I have to do is to seal it and I will be good to go!

Thanks to Dominic for the heads up on Classic.

Regards,
Jerry
Jerry Jesion

This thread was discussed between 28/01/2015 and 13/02/2015

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now