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 TD TF 1500 - Grille/Bonnet alignment TF

Before I removed my radiator and grill assembly, the bonnet did not align with the grille correctly, the lower front of the bonnet down by the front lock area there was quite a gap, worse on the drivers side, I don't believe the car has been accident damaged because I have spoken to the last 4 owners, the owner before me said it looked out after he recently had a water pump replaced and the radiator cleaned out, so what I would like to know is there anything available that could assist me aligning bonnet/ radiator correctly, I did notice that the top bonnet hinge did not locate into the bonnet fully.
as usual any help greatly appreciated.
thanks
george
G Mills

George

Make sure the radiator is sitting on its rubber mounts correctly,

If the radiator shop removed the top tank to clean out the core they almost certainly have re-soldered on the two grill shell mounts and they are possibly not in the correct position. This will make the bonnet tops fitment out of align, making the bonnet sides position different.

I don't have a drawing of the radiator so cannot help with the exact position other than look to see if the grill shell is strained up to fit or has to be pulled down to meet the radiator mounts.

The radiator position is critical to the line up. So many repair shops get it wrong after the radiator has been repaired.



Rod Brayshaw

How about a picture?
George Butz

Thanks a lot Rod I reckon you are right those grille mounts did look a little odd, looked like they were sloping back somewhat, I presume the upright part should be vertical,
I don't have a pic to post at this time as I am away,
I will have to get some measurements relating to the grille mount positions.
the bottom radiator mounts seemed to be positioned correctly with the correct rubber mounts.
would love someone to get some measurements for me.
thanks

George



















G Mills

Could also be that the lacing strip is too thick across the top of the radiator shell?

George, I am keeping a register list of all known Australian TF's if you would like to let me know your chassis number (may even have some history on your car?).
mbmagilton AT msn DOT com

Matthew
TF9097
M Magilton

Will do Matthew as soon as I get back home
G Mills

Still like some measurements if anyone can give me any
thanks


G Mills

George:

Just for interest . . .

A chap that I took a panel beating course from years ago had worked at the MG factory as a young man. He said that the last thing fitted to an MG (TCs at the time)was the bonnet.

Measured from grill to back of the tub, every body is slightly different in length depending where everything is bolted to the frame. He said that the bonnet was fitted to the grill and then the back edge was marked and cut by hand with tin snips.

I am not sure if the same process was used for TFs but I would not be surprised.

Godspeed in Safety Fast
Jc
John Crawley

George

I think you may find every TF is unique. My radiator has obviously been replaced as it is a 3 row version and I have to pack the radiator grill mounts and the body rear mounts to obtain a good bonnet fit.

Other adjustment that you may be able to make is to raise the side panels. I dont know how much clearance is in the mounting holes on a car that has not been molested, it may be beneficial to investigate. Be careful with this process as you have to maintain even clearances where the panel matches to the radiator shell and the tub panel.


Graeme
G Evans

This thread was discussed between 19/03/2014 and 21/03/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now