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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 - MG TF 1500 HOOD SIDE PANEL

Dear All,
I would like to buy hood side panels for my MG TF. Can you share your experience with this theme? Which company is where i can good quality? ( Moss, NTG, Brown & Gammons online shop, K.A.S. KILMARTIN AUTOMOTIVE SHEETMETAL Pty Ltd., or somewhere else..? ) Thanks for your answer in advance.

Tamas

PT Panker

Tamas,

Hutson in the UK make good quality body parts for T types.

http://www.e-typecars.co.uk/mgt.html#

John
J Scragg

I bought one from Kilmartin sheet metal. The panel is not supplied with the holes for the front wings, bolt holes to fix to the chassis or for the fixing clips for the inspection panel. It also needs to be trimmed to length at both the radiator end and the body tub end. All of this finishing work is fairly easy and ensures the fit is correct for your car. I made a cardboard template from my old damaged side panel so that I got things correct on the new panel. In the end I was very happy with the Kilmartin panel.

I am lucky that they are within driving distance of my home. A couple of their replacement panels have been copied from original panels off my cars - TC and TF footwell panels as well as a one or two other things. I don't have any commercial link with them though.
Max Irvine

eBay

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Also try sportscarmetalwork.com
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

make that sporstcarmetalworks.com
Ray
Ray Lee

I bought a set from Moss and they are perfect, they even have the proper holes located in the right positions. PJ
Paul S Jennings

As long as you are replacing the side panels, you might want to think about using DZUS quarter turn fasteners,,, that way you can easily remove the panels to get at the engine easier,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve,
do you mean to cut the panels at the wing line?
The wings are fitted to those panels on the TF.
I have taken off the side panel complete with wing in the past but wont ever try it again.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Ray, I think Steve means to replace the self tappers that hold the inspection panel plates in place.
Max Irvine

Someone mentioned a mod to be able to easily remove TF side panels but I didn't follow up on it. Anyone know anything about that?
JE Carroll

Here are the TF side modifications as forwarded to me by Norm Jambard. See the two images below.
-David

D. Sander

And this:

D. Sander

David,
Thanks!!! I have been searching for the instructions/picture ever since I posted that message,,,,, On the one that I saw, #4 and #6 were DZUS fasteners.... but the wing nuts will work just fine!
With the use of a leather bonnet strap, the side panels can be removed if the weather is really hot and extra cooling is needed,,,,

Thanks again,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Thanks David!
JE Carroll

Why would you want to make such a significant change to the car the is not easily reversed? It just seems like vandalism to me.
Max Irvine

Well, yes and no. It is not a reversible modification. Anyone who has ever had the mis-fortune of replacing a water pump, steering joint, generator or done carburator work would easily appreciate this modification.
I would not recomend this on a nice survivor or an over restored show car.
One of the few faults with the TF design is the absurdity of the side panel in reguard to servicing the car.
There are a lot of cars out there with five speed transmissions, electronic ignition, super chargers, 4.3 rear axle ratios, sway bars, dual circuit brakes, disk brakes, wire wheels. wooden dashboards, tonneau covers, etc. I guess if done, this modification could be reversed with some careful mig or tig welding. To each his own. It is not a small block chevy V8 or a Volvo drive line...
-David
D. Sander

David, I do tend to agree with you but it is something I just couldn't do. I quite enjoy swearing at the designers when I find thing difficult to get at. It is part of the joy of owning these cars, they were designed by mad men.
Max Irvine

I thought about it with our TF, but it just could not bring myself to do it. I don't fault people for doing it, it is a modification that makes sense and also makes life a lot easier. I think norm has done three TFs, but not his own TF.
-David
D. Sander

Max,
Please tell us what you think about this idea after you have to replace your water pump, or do other work on your motor when you are on a trip far from home.

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

I do my own work--draw my own blood and cut the side panels on my own car! Note that I have welded tabs on the inside of the lower portion of the panel. Photos show both inside and out side of panel.

David Werblow

Out-side

David Werblow

I'm giving it some thought. I had a leak in the exhaust manifold gasket on the second day out of Ocean City during the Rallye to Reno that I didn't fix for months later because I couldn't get at it without doing this.

MG LaVerne

Steve and David, Sorry if I caused you offence but to me it seems a shame to cut something that has been on the car for sixty years. The overriding rule is of course that they are your cars to do with as you please.
Max Irvine

Max,

Nothing on my TF has been on the car for 60 years. This is what it looked like the day I got it.

David Werblow

Max, no offense taken. I endorse this modification. It does not change the look or function of the car, but it makes it a whole lot easier to mantain. I don't think TC and TD owners appreciate what a royal pain any work under the hood of the TF can be. They shrink wrapped the body around the engine.
It is not for everyone, and I can respect that.
-David.
D. Sander

David W, I don't understand the problem, from that photo it looks like you have plenty of room to access anything on your car.
Max Irvine

I have a couple of these that were butchered, so I replaced with new and thinking they might be a good candidate for converting to a removable panel. PJ



Paul S Jennings

Were they cut out for Griling shocks?
-David
D. Sander

Thought hard about doing it at one time.
One thing I have noticed....if you remove the top bolts at tub and radiator it does give you a few more inches to work in. For everything else ...I tear it down as LaVerne shows.
David Sheward "IZZY" TF 7427

D. Sander, Vermont, USA

Were they cut out for Griling shocks?
-David

They were cut out for MGA shocks. MGA shocks are the same measurements as a T series Armstrong shock, but the pistons are reversed. I now have the proper shocks on the car. PJ



Paul S Jennings

David Sanders:
I had asked about this mod for my TF project a couple of years back and was unable to get the info, so! I was tickled to see that you came up with the info on this thread but do not seem to be able to print it off clearly (cheap ink jet printer) so I ask you would please email me the information' that Norm provided, to rod-murray@hotmail.com
many thanks as I would like to make the changes to my TF side panels.
best regards
Rod Murray TF 3006 project taking forever.
Rod Murray 54TF 3006

Rod,
They are on their way.
-David
D. Sander

All, here is the text for the side panel modification:

1. Refer to section R.11 "Removing Front Wings, Series TF", In your workshop manual.
2. Clamp the valance to your work bench and mark a compound curve line where you will cut through. Use a saber saw, ear plugs and metal cutting blades lived with oil.
3. Replace the fixed lower valance, fender and welt, bolting through holes 1,3,5, and 7. The upper modified panel should go in at the front first. The panel will drop securely in place because of the compound curve. Adjust the tie at for the 1/16" inch space and bolt the panel in I both the washers, bolts and wing nuts as per the sketches. Holes #4 and #6 are essential to bolt through, thus securing the upper panel from moving up in the event of a collision.
The modified panel is secure, does not rattle, and makes it a joy to work inside the engine compartment with a Uni-syn, wrenches, etc.
Stanly hardware 13 inch shelf supports hold up the hood panels. As small right angle bracket was fabricated and secured to the hood panels. The supports are easy to install with the modified valance panels removed. Note the battery has been reversed for negative ground. This makes more room for the support bracket when the hood is closed without danger of shorting against the terminals
D. Sander

Hi David:
For myself and for others here that might know, the last paragraph of the printed instructions state" Stanly 13 inch shelf supports hold up the hood panels. etc"
I'm not familiar with these shelf supports or see how they are oriented in the drawing portion Does anyone have a drawing or pictures for this change?
many thanks
Rod Murray
Rod Murray 54TF 3006

Hi all,

My car came back from LA where the 'compound curve cut' had already been done, to a very high standard I might add. I didn't know it had been done at the time of purchase, and I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to do it myself, but I agree with David Sander's comments wholeheartedly.

We all know the TF was rushed together as a temporary stopgap, until the long delayed production of the MGA, and looked at from todays perspective we've ended up with a very attractive car. I think the side panel mod is something that the factory might well have done if they'd given it any thought, but as I've said it was regarded as a stopgap, and was not well received by enthusiasts or the motoring press at the time!

Cheers,

John
J C Mitchell

This thread was discussed between 30/12/2013 and 12/01/2014

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