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MG TD TF 1500 - New Top Install Instructions.

Where can I get a detailed set of instructions on installing a new top with illustrations? The Moss instruction sheet is sketchy at best. I finally got the new wood bent to the proper curve after soaking for a couple days and would like to get on with installing the new Stay Fast top. PJ
Paul S Jennings

It may have been a mistake to bend the top bow wood as the correct curve is very near flat. This is so these is moderate downward pressure to attach to the windscreen frame at the sides. This ensures a tight seal which is not possible if the bow is curved to match the frame. (Ask me how I know).
LD Palmer

Paul
I managed to get my Moss top installed using a combination of the Moss instructions, Malcolm Green's "T Series Restoration Guide" and Dave Braun's website.
I was most certainly the most challenging job I have done on my TF resto.
The placement of the top frame pivots is key. I ended up repositioning mine slightly.
In the end, I was very happy with the result.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

I used Horst Schach's book MGTD Restoration but like most sources, it was hardly complete. Dave Braun's website was very helpful too.
Geoffrey M Baker

On a related topic I recently installed a new Stayfast tonneau. I basically did not do it like I should have, or at least partially wrong.

The issue? I did not stretch it adequately on the back during the installation. Not sure why as I have done these before and did do it properly for the area at the seat back and over the dash.

I think you COULD potentially run into the same issue with the top so I offer it up here.

I started in the very back and found the center. I have a center LTD stud so I marked that, installed the snap and then snapped the tonneau in place. Here is where I went wrong:

I pulled the tonneau over the edge and then marked the LTD location. I doubled checked the measurement with a tape measure and the mark was about 1/4" less than the measurement of the stud after I removed the tonneau, but that seemed acceptable.

I put the snaps in and then put the tonneau back on. The corners of the tonneau ride up a bit and don't lay as flat as they should be. It turns out the 1/4" was not enough to take the pressure off the corners so the tonneau is constantly trying to ride up in the corners.

What I would do again, and what I did do with the rest of the cover, is to pull the tonneau further than what it needed to be so when it relaxed the tension would have been all between the studs and it would not have been on the corners. When I did that after the fact the distance was more like 5/8" less than the measurement. This would make the tonneau stretch out more between the studs and give it more 'relaxed' room in the corners.

If I did this again I might even try to put 1/2" of thick foam at the side of the corners and then pull the tonneua over the padding and mark it. The padding in theory would stretch the tonneau for me and when installed without the padding, the corners would be more relaxed.

I might try this now by wetting the corners with padding and see if I can get them to stretch out.

Live and learn ...
Christopher Couper

I had mine installed by a professional upholsterer. Strongly recommended.

David
David Provan

PJ I'm with Lew on the curve otherwise you'll end up with unwanted wind, noise & water. I recall someone advising that the wood be recurved to follow the top of the windscreen but clearly this is not recommended. Perhaps this thread could be developed into the obviously very desirable complete set of instructions, with input from those who have successfully accomplished this operation. Ideally this would include common pitfalls & essential tips, along with a step by step approach. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Thanks for getting back on this guys, much appreciated. PJ
Paul S Jennings

As is often uttered in the land of Oz PJ, no worries... I'd like to see this thread develop, as this is one of the few outstanding jobs left on my restoration & I'm keen to break the habit of doing things three or four times. I would pay to get the job done professionally but there are two very strong reasons for not doing so. I suspect, like Kevin, that I may have some Scottish blood & I've never yet, in all of my 66 years, ever been completely happy with someone else's work. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

I have nothing to offer except one modification I did on both the TD and the TF. I applied a strip of the self adhesive foam weather stripping (about 1 1/2" wide 1/4" thick) to the bottom of the wood bow before I wrapped the covering over the frame. The weather stripping will make a good seal to the windscreen top yet be hidden from view. Oh and I also added a snap on the frame of the TF. I found that the stayfast top will bellow in high winds and or high speeds and this took care of that. It wasn't an issue on the TD with the much stiffer canvas type top.

MG LaVerne

It's hidden from view as well.

MG LaVerne

I recently installed a mohair hood. The job went well and its a good fit, but there are a couple of things that I would do differently if doing it again. I started at the back and didn't pull it quite as far down as I would now -another 1/4" would have been better (there was plenty in the length). This would have given a tad more overlap on the rear outside corners. I used snaps on the back as per DB and others. What they don't say is that you need to be careful with the positioning on the rear corners where the fabric is pulled good and tight, as the snaps can be seen as a significant bump if on the apex of the corner. You also need to be absolutely sure that the thing is properly centralised on the frame, which needs to be perfectly symmetrical to avoid any loose flaps on the sides. I used 16mm staples along the bow at the front - starting at the centre. The hidden snaps on the sides as Laverne suggests seem a good idea. One final thing is the two screws that go above the rear window, I'm not sure whether they should go under the flap, rendering them invisible or on the top by the stitched corners - I did the latter, as that is what appeared to be the norm in most of my books.
Dave H
Dave Hill

This thread was discussed between 12/06/2015 and 13/06/2015

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