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 MGB Technical - Moss Intake Heat Shield - Looks wrong to Me

Last week, I purchased Moss Part Number 451-005 - a carb heat shield for the 62-74 MGBs.

Both the print version of the Moss MGB Catalog and the Moss website list the heat with this description:
Quote:

"Our heat shields are stamped exactly as original and are zinc-plated for factory-original appearance. Our one concession to your health and the environment is that we now use non-asbestos riveted-on heat insulating material."

My car is a 3/71 production MGB and this shield looks nothing like the one currently on the car.

The heat shield seems to be cad plated and carries three tabs (mine has only one) for return springs on the bottom - in addition to the small spring holes found on the lower edge. The shield also lacks a tab that is located on the rear of the face - directly under the rear cab (not sure what this is for). Not sure what to make of this.

The possibilities are:

1. The heat shield removed from my car is incorrect
2. The Moss reproduction is incorrect
3. They are both incorrect

I fear the Moss part is one of those hybrid reproductions that was manufactured to serve the long span of various shields that were supplied for the various models. If this is the case, they really need to change the description on the web and the print catalog.

I wouldn't be so upset, but they made such a big deal about having an "exactly as original" reproduction.

Has anyone else had this experience.

I will call Moss on Monday and try to get an answer from them.

Kelvin, if you see this, could you give me a number so that I could call and speak to you about this and a few other part problems.


Jeff Delk

Mine is original, this was a GA for insurance. I have some that are more helpful its just finding them.

Stan Best

All on the C drive somewhere

Stan Best

Also has a tab in shot

Stan Best

I will try to upload a photo of the replacement and the original shield.

Jeff Delk

The first photo is upside down - but hopefully you can see the three tabs and the two round holes in the shield - holes are up near the top(bottom in the photo).

Here is my old shield

Jeff Delk

I think 'completely different' is overstating it a smidgen, but I do agree that the new item is probably a composite, and were the originals zinc-plated like that? My UK 73 has a combination of edge holes, edge slots and tabs. However by that time US cars were on HIF carbs and UK still on HS so probably not comparable. More tabs and holes on the new one is surely less of an issue than less, unless this is for concourse.

PaulH Solihull

Jeff
Why don't you get the old one zinc plated and rivet on some new (non-asbestos) heatproof fabric. I did this and got some that looked just like the original asbestos

John
John Minchin

I suppose if one is being stricktly original, this 'New' one from Moss is not it. Just an aside, and I cannot recall who, but a company in the UK were manufacturing highly polished heat sheilds in Stainless? they looked Fab,and reflected all the crud at the underside of the carbs, I was tempted. but not original. I suspect all the little tangs and holes would be in the right place but perhaps not? to account for variations? Mike
J.M. Doust

I bought one of those new shields and never used it. It fitted like crap!
I had to flatten the face the spacers and carb fit to so that it actually sealed up.
Avoid at all costs in my experience
K Goldup

Stick to the original, or get someone to copy it. My Gardener ( yes I am too tired to mow the lawn!) used to make small or large Stainless steel tanks , for marine use etc. He is a master welder, and I said once, 'oh, I really need to get some-one to teach me how to weld.' Well, he invited me round to his workshop which he still has, and does a few 'extra' jobs now and again, he retired to a gardening handy-man business. Anyway, he has all the kit; welding, great big rolling machine, bender, hole punching machine etc. I might ask him if I can use his kit, he will see me making a 'pigs ear' out of a project, and offer to finish it for me???
Maybe the heat sheild is a thought then?
J.M. Doust

Gentlemen - thanks for the various responses. My concern is not only the look of the shield - but also the fit of the reproduction. My 71 shield has a definate deep pressing that allows for clearance off the manifold. The reproduction does not have this.

My original has a long split that run down beside the outline of the rear spacing block - so it may simply have to re repaired as best I can and reused.

I am currently looking for an undamaged, used original to refurbish.

I would advise others to avoid this part - if they are attempting to use it on a later model MG.

It may be correct for the earlier Bs. But I know it is not correct for the 71.

Mr. Doust - I admire your sense of adventure! It seems to me though that the shield is more of a pressing operation than a welding task. I would think it would be easy to have one pressed up - since they were able to produce the other one.

Anyone have a used one laying around they wish to part with???

Jeff
Jeff Delk

That cracking is typical, so not a good chance of finding one that is not now or soon to be cracked. I can pretty well guarantee that there is a similar crack forming by the front carb.
Big problem is that the repros seem to not be flat where the carbs bolt on, your manifold issue is additional. A good metalworker can hammer the new one out, PITA but at least it is not fatigued from vibration like an old one. I have welded the old ones up and hammer finished but it isn't easy.

FRM
FR Millmore

Hi John Minchin, do you have a reference for the heat shield material you used? I have to replace the old material on my shield as it's well past its sell-by date. Any one else have any suggestions?
Richard Coombs

Richard

I can't recall a particular brand - i think it was a fibreglass fabric. See the linked website for some ideas. I went around various engineering supply places and looked at bulk rolls of material until I found one that looked similar (ie thread size, thickness, etc) Had it rivetted on with copper rivets.

http://fiberglasscloth.manufacturer.supplierlist.com/sell40-fiberglass_product.htm

be carefull, some places still produce asbestos products with no warnings!


Sorry photo is blurred - more interesting things for camera to focus on!

Cheers
John

John Minchin

That's a great help. I hadn't thought to look for fibreglass products. I'll do a search for uk suppliers.
Richard Coombs

Richard,

I used a product looking identical to John's - I found it at a speciality motoring 'speed' shop ie a business focused on motor-sport enthusiasts.
Roger T

This thread was discussed between 12/06/2011 and 30/06/2011

MG MGB Technical index

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