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MG TD TF 1500 - New TD radiator shells?

A year or so ago I read on a website somewhere that there was a company making new brass radiator shells either bare or chromed in the U.K. but can’t seem to find the site anymore. Any one in the U.K. know who the manufacturer or vender was?

I received a (20 yr old) unused Moss shell with dad’s car and to no surprise one stud mount is missing and one is falling off. All are incorrectly positioned and thus don’t line up with the grill slats and the studs would locate the slats too high in the shell if it were to fit. I’ve tried three different original slat sets in the event I had something off an earlier T type (?) and none line up correctly. The Co in the U.K. were making them for TA TB TC and TD

I have three used spare shells and after extensive cleaning found flaws that require straightening, surgery and/or brazing to correct. I had bought a late MKII grill and rechromed shell that I didn’t inspect thoroughly when it arrived. I just now realize the shell was very poorly straightened on one side and is so out of proportion it too is unworthy of my further consideration. Not wanting to buy another used shell off of EvilPay of questionable condition. I’d rather spring for new shell if I can find the vender before I spend cubic dollars on the ones I already have.

Merry Christmas

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151

W A Chasser

Bill,
Peter Edney has them listed on his website.
http://www.mg-parts.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=3_10_176_199&product_id=920
I have no idea whether they are correct or not.

Regards
Declan
Declan Burns

Thank you Declan. That’s the one I was looking for. I’m not familiar with the “ £” symbol. Does that mean British pound or Euros? It works out to be about a $300 US difference in the exchange rate between the two.

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

Bill, symbol is for English Pd / Pd Sterling
Stuart
Stuart Duncan

You should save 20% sales tax on the cost to you. But then may have to pay Import Duty!
Ian Bowers

Bill, here's an online Pounds to dollars converter. http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=100&From=GBP&To=USD

Generally, US buyers do not have to pay the VAT tax listed on the British web sites.

Tim
TF26711
Tim Burchfield

Many years ago an unknown company made repro shells sold by all the suppliers. The crank hole was round, and the center bar too wide among other things not just right. The repro slats sold with it fit. Back then no one cared much about originality, and there was no eBay or internet so they served a purpose. There are often good shells on eBay, but you have to really look at pictures carefully. Most will have missing studs and need some repair. Just because a shell is new and from England does not mean it will fit. I recall Paul's Chrome has a buck to correctly straighten T-series shells, but you may have to fix the studs yourself and pre-fit to your slats. FTFU has shells also at $1100. You still may need to modify screw holes, slats, etc. To me, the grill/shell is the focal point of the car, so make sure it is right. George
George Butz

PS- Make sure you mock assemble your bodywork using the actual shell you will use. I used a different shell for my pre-pait mock up and had issues with the splash apron fit later. Also pay special attention to the vertical fit of the bonnet. You may need to trim the bonnet, move the radiator/shell fore/aft/or tip it to get the lines perfect before final paint.
George Butz

After shipping and duty costs you’ll be paying more than the one from www.fromtheframeup.com will cost you and since FTFU is USA based it will be easier working with them too. I’m not associated with FTFU but I’ll guarantee you’ll be satisfied with the quality.

Gene
Gene Gillam

Try Andy King at mgsparesandrestorations. Also I was Hutsons in Bradford about a year ago and they had a pile of shells for the Naylor TF. Only problem was they were steel rather than brass but if the price was right who would know after a good chromium plating

Jan T
J Targosz

I am with George on this one. Buyer beware on these repos shells. I have yet to see one that is even close. Work with Doug at FTFU to see what he can do for you.

And once you have a shell they are a real PITA to get correct, especially side to side. You can see all sorts of unrestored cars and factory images that show different gaps between the shell and the front splash. It all has to do with how the shell is put together with the grill.

I gave up on mine after many attempts to get it right. Probably a 1/2" difference on one side than the other. If one or more of the studs is slightly out of align it can tweak how the shell sits on the radiator. Only want to fix this is trial and error by resoldering the studs one at a time. So it's really better to get all of this done and then get the shell plated.

Good luck.
Christopher Couper

If the radiator has ever been recored or is a repro, the mounting tabs/ears may need to be bent or unsoldered and moved as well.
George Butz

Wow great responses and advise. No VAT on overseas shipments to the US that I’m aware of. But then you have an unknown with duty fees (legalized extortion) delays and lost shipments at Customs (hung up as long as six months in my experience) and damages.
It is my understanding that the TA TB TC shells are different from TDs though they will fit. Something about the bottom where the crank hole is located. In that regard I don’t think FTFU will be helpful but I will certainly give Doug a try along the Peter Edney and Andy King

Other options:

1)Unsolder the remaining studs from the Moss shell, rob the missing studs from a badly damaged shell and have it replated. Unless there is a way to resolder without discoloring the existing chrome. I don’t know how to do that on my own but must be do-able as the studs on my original grilles don’t appear to have chrome on them.

2)Patch repair defects and braze stress cracks and chaife holes in my marginal used grills and rechrome

3)Cut and splice whole sections of several original shells to make one and rechrome.

All options seem to be more work than just buying a replacement reproduction. Also, the associated cost of restoring marginal shells and not having a quality re chrome shop that I trust to do the work involved makes any of the options problematic. But since the shell and slats are indeed the focal point of any T-Series or prewar MG it is of the utmost importance to me to get this detail right the first time.

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Regarding your option 1, studs are always fitted to an unchromed shell. Thus you could take your Moss shell to a chromer to have the chrome stripped, you or the chromer could then fit* the missing studs taken from another shell, and then have the shell polished and rechromed. The chromer will mask the threads to prevent them being covered with chrome. I have had this done in the UK, although the shell was not from Moss, but the result was an excellent shell now on my TD. I know you say you do not know a trustworthy chrome shop, but I was prepared to travel 140 miles (280 miles round trip) to use a recommended chromer - but then I found one only 40 miles away.
* Solder - silver solder - braize ?
R A WILSON

The bottom of the crank hole is open on TA-TC shells, and closed on TD. FTFU lists both shells.
George Butz

This came to me via my post on the MGExp and thought I would share it here as well for others who may be searching for a shell
———————————————————
Bill,
this is the man who make the shells in GB
http://www.themgk3.co.uk/gallery.html

I bought mine years ago direct from this shop.

Best regards
Horst
———————————————————

Horst also posted that the workmanship was excellent, all the studs are correctly positioned and mounted but the shell was shipped as bare brass.


Thanks R.A. And George for your contributions as well.

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

Bill, Gary Kurkowski on this board may have one for sale. He had a few at one time.
TRM Maine

TRM. Yes thank you. I purchased several heaters from him. He is checking his inventory when he returns to the shop.

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

I stopped by Andy King's booth at Stoneleigh a couple of years ago. The example he was showing (less slats) was of superb quality and was fetching £1,250 ex VAT and carriage. It seems it was the same price for M-Type up to TF.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

The Products at http://www.themgk3.co.uk/index.html - Compound Curves are interesting. Seem nicely made. However, don't be misled by the prices. The grill at £520 probably doesn't include the nose-piece (although it is shown), and chrome plating, crating or carriage (shipping), and it wouldn't surprise me if it came out at around $2,200 ready to ship - not including slats.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Thanks Gordon. The CC website prices are quite old. It didn’t look like the site had been updated since 2012. I haven’t contacted anyone as yet

Bill Chasser
TD/c-8151
W A Chasser

This thread was discussed between 11/12/2017 and 14/12/2017

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