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MG TD TF 1500 - 51TD Frame/body misalignment

You learn something new every day. I've just discovered that the body (or the tub section, at least) is misaligned on my frame. It's got approximately a 1/4 drop from left to right side. (Transversly, not longitudinally).
I've not been doing a frame up restoration; this is original to the car.
I discovered this when starting a rollbar project. I've removed the back wooden area behind the seat and noticed that the metal interior frame that held the plywood floor is not level with the crossmembers beneath.
Now I need to find out what is involved to straighten it... can someone point me in the right direction? I don't want to take the body apart if I can help it.
I did a search and couldn't find anything specific (lots of threads on completely rebuilding the tub, etc).
Geoffrey M Baker

If the doors fit ok I would leave it alone.
My rear tub mounts have to be shimmed quite a bit more than the forward 3/4 of the tub but I know if I use thinner shims and force it down the doors will probably be out of wack.
Rich (TD 3983) Taylor

Geoff,
What are you using for reference/measuring points ?? Or is it just the visual that the interior frame "appears" to be not level with the frame??
.
1/4" isn't all that much over the width of the tub,,,,, Befor you go shimming stuff,or even worrying about 1/4", I would measure from a few different points,,,,

SPW
Steve Wincze

It's not as bad as I thought. Some of the sheet metal is a bit bent and one piece overlays another, throwing off the level a bit. I'd say it's only 1/8 if that, and not worth worrying about.
Steve, I was measuring from points on the main crossmembers, up to the sheet metal "box" that holds the plywood. But the crossmembers aren't exactly perfect, either!
Geoffrey M Baker

These cars were not built by robots with lasers, but by men with tape measures and gas welders. I certainly wouldn't worry about a quarter inch across the entire tub.
Jack Long

Hi All:
A chap who had worked in the MG factory (I once took a panel beating course from him) stated that if you pushed all the mounting points of a TF body forwards and backwards from the middle of the car you would have a variance of almost 3/4 of an inch between vehicles. He said that the bonnet panels were the last thing fitted and that they were purposely made an inch too long. The front was trimmed, with hand tin snips, to fit the grill shell and then the back edge was trimmed to fit the correct length to the scuttle.
Jc
John Crawley

Side panels also needed to be cut for and aft.

Paul S Jennings

2nd pic, cuts were made with 48 inch sheet metal shears.



Paul S Jennings

Hello Geoffrey. It clearly states in M.G. "T" series maintenance manuals that the tolerances are indeed rather loose , in some instances well beyond the 1/4 inch you have in your car's fabrication . If you are able to correct the fault without major re-work then proceed otherwise accept it as is . Simple addition of spacers or shims just may give you the results you want. John
J .R.C Cavey

Interesting post from John Crawley & pics of a TF from Paul. I could never figure out why my bonnet (the bit over the engine) seemed about 3/4" too long for the car. It wanted to overhang the radiator surround. It was suggested it was a probably a replacement bonnet after a prang. I guess the same applied to TD's. Now I feel much happier about trimming it to fit. Thanks. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 14/11/2014 and 15/11/2014

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