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MG TD TF 1500 - Petrol Tank straps and fit

Hi Guys

Quick check on which way around the chrome fixings that attach the straps to the tub go. None of the pictures I have are good enough quality to tell.

I also have an issue with the fit of the tank. For some reason there isn't enough length in the straps with the metal fixings attached to allow me get the bolt through the spare wheel bracket. It all just appears too tight. I have the new moss rubbers at the back of the tank on the brackets but things just won't fit. Without the rubbers alls ok. My tub has been rebuilt and I am trying to understand where the problem might be. Possibly the brackets at the back of the tank have been installed to high. I can check the old wood on this. I wonder where else the problem might be or is the fit of the tank supposed to be very tight...does the tank compress somewhat.

Any help very much appreciated.

Thanks Darryl










D Lamb

Rear without the tank installed..

D Lamb

Finally in relation to the tank sides. These were originally totally chromed. The edges were perfect and the flats had some rust. Is there a knack to painting onto the flats and leaving the edge chrome. The painter tells me the primer won't stick and has painted them totally. He know wants to stick on a chrome edge strip. Not really happy with this solution.
D Lamb

The rubber pads supplied on this side of the pond are a bit thicker and certainly stiffer than what came out of the tanks I have worked with. The bracket orientation on the right is correct. I loosen everything up as much as possible and use a longer bolt to pull the bracket into position on one side of the bracket if needed along with some rubber faced quick clamps. Once I get the correct bolts in place I then begin to tighten everything up. I have had good luck painting the chrome by scuffing it it with sand paper and the using a self etching primer. I would have him remove the painted edges with some lacquer thinner. I wouldn't put any stick on stuff on it. I like many masked off the outer edge and only painted the flat area. What I learned later is that the correct finish would be to paint the outer roll edge to the point where it runs parallel to the tank. I think the consensus is the panels were painted without masking. On the last tank I masked the outer edge only and rolled the tape back.

L E D LaVerne

As seen here

L E D LaVerne

Hard to tell for sure in your photo but the wall supports may be just a but high. This is the position and they run over the top of the lower board just slightly.

L E D LaVerne

Most tank panels I have seen are painted this way which is both a pain in the ass to mask and isn't correct.

L E D LaVerne

A better photo of the position of the tank brace.

L E D LaVerne

Thanks LaVerne you have pretty much answered all my questions. I definately think rubber thickness and bracket location are affecting fit. On the mock up I got it to fit without the tubers and used your trick of the longer bolt to bring the chrome brackets close to get the correct bolt onto.
How tight can these straps go before they break. I reckon mine were pretty close last time.
D Lamb

Its normal for the tank sides to be chromed all over, with only the edges polished, then the centre painted over. I simply masked up the edges and spray painted the centre with etch primer, then grey primer, then gloss. Job done.
Dave H
Dave Hill

In my opinion it looks best if the paint is just on the flat area of the side panel and all of the bead is polished chrome - paint half way up the bead looks odd.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I think so too Dave. I have asked the painter to give it another go.
D Lamb

So in relation to the chrome bracket the larger thicker side faces up/away from the tank.
D Lamb

LaVerne from your pic thick side facing up and slot pointing down. Right?

D Lamb

That is correct.
L E D LaVerne

Thanks again
D Lamb

Even though I told the chromer I only wanted the edges chrome, he did the entire end cover pieces.

My painter also would not paint over the chrome. By agreement he lightly sanded the flat chrome section and masked the edges.

So far that has worked.


Jim B.

JA Benjamin

If you want the original end panel look you will need to scuff sand any place you want to have paint. That means the rounded edges too. If you lay masking tape on the flat surfaces you can then use 400 grit paper lightly on the edges. It just needs a bit of scuffing. The tape will keep you from making a mistake.

Then when done mist coat the rolled edges and coat the center flat area heavier so you sand out any blemishes. Once that is done and you are ready for color I would remove the masking tape and then use some lacquer thinner to remove any tape residue and primer paint edge.

Now comes the tricky part: When you put on the color you have to make sure you are always painting from the center out so you don't put paint on the chrome edge. Just mist the paint on the rolled portions so it does not build up too much. Enough to cover but not to thick.

Once everything has dried (overnight?) then take a rag with lacquer thinner on it and lightly wipe any overspray off of the chrome edge.
Christopher Couper

Thanks Jim.
Great detailed instructions Chris. Think I might give it a go myself.
D Lamb

One interesting item I noted on my straps was they are not evenly located from the outside edge on the upper timber.
Mike
Mike Hart

I just remembered another trick on painting the panels. You can first shoot the paint to the back and then shoot from the back to the other surfaces. As you don't even need to mask off the back since the factory painted the back edge (nearest the body) too. Might keep you from getting too much of a hard edge of the sides that will be chrome.
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 19/12/2016 and 22/12/2016

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