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MG TD TF 1500 - Material on TD Frame Rails



This is a question for the TD originality expert/ restorer. Can anyone tell me what type material strips were used on top of the TD frame rails? The picture shown was taken from an on-line site, but I have seen remnants of the material on some of my cars in the past, but only small pieces remained(like a thick tar paper if I remember correctly). What was its purpose since nothing actually rides on top of the frame rails in this area, and how far forward did it run originally?

Richard Cameron

The archives has many discussions of this material.
efh Haskell


efh, That doesn't help at all. A title or reference would be useful. If you think I am talking about pads under body tub mounts, or floor board seals, I'm not. If one looks at the image I posted, they will see strips that run over the frame upper arch above the rear axle area. I don't know of any body part resting on this area. Any other educational comments would be appreciated.
Richard Cameron

There is no reason for this to be there (as in your photo). As you said this isn't a bearing area.

It isn't present on my car and there is no evidence it ever was.

I can see processes changing over the production run. How early is your car? Maybe you don't need to be too worried about it.

TD 29350
MAndrus

Dave's wonderful site may help. Click on 'Tub and Wings' section. There is a lot of info on frame rail restoration there.

http://www.dbraun99.com/mgtd15470/
efh Haskell

Also search for the word "bitchathane" in the archives. (Trust me)
Ed
efh Haskell

Through two TCs, a TD and a TF body off restoration, I've never seen anything like this on the top of the frame.
I use 5/16 fender washers with one rubber washer on top of the stack for body tub mount/shim. Good alignment, no squeaks or rattles.
-David
D. Sander

Never seen this on any of the 30 TF's and 9 TD's I have restored.

It serves no purpose.
Rod Brayshaw

I am by no means as knowledgeable as most of the guys on this site. They are all correct in stating that they have not seen an extra strip of steel on top of the frame like this before. I have restored two frames that I had to rebuild and weld in extra steel to make sure they were strong enough. I actually spliced together pieces from several other frames. My guess is some one also added this strip of most likely 1020 or 1010 carbon steel to the frame to stiffen it. One frame that I had to do the most patch and welding on I added a profiled .125 inch thick 1020 steel piece thru the engine area on both insides. Photo is of where I added steel to the bottom of frame.

RER Rosa

Like this?
David

D. Sander

There is currently a frame n eBay that appears to have the strips on it that Richard is asking about
W. A. Chasser Jr

The frame on EBAY is what I saw and initiated my initial question. I just ask the seller on EBAY if he thought the frame was as original and if the material was there when he removed the tub. Here's his response through the EBAY question format:

"As I recall all T cars had the frame to body strips. They rot away eventually and are made of dense rubber. We did remove the body tub and what you see in the photo is what was there"

A mystery for sure.
Richard Cameron

No Mystery, They are not listed in the T series parts books as a part number, and they are not listed in the factory build sheets.

Rod Brayshaw

This thread was discussed between 16/02/2015 and 18/02/2015

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