MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

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 - Radiator spire (speed nut) clips

The TF uses these clips to assemble the grille shell to the radiator body, via three intermediary panels.
There are two triangular panels and one bottom panel which when affixed to the grille and the radiator body form the radiator sub assembly.

There are six (6) clips that are used on the grille edge (3 per side) that fit into the pressed depression in the triangular side panels. There are another (8), of the same clip, that mount on the radiator body sides (4 clips per side).

This makes a total of fourteen (14) spire,(speed nut- U type), clips in use for this sub assembly.

Is there anyone aware of where these clips are available?

The clips use flat headed sheet metal screws to hold the disparate parts together.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Peter

P Pichler

Any hardware or auto parts store should stock "speed nuts" in various sizes.
Lew Palmer

This is a specific size and shape of the speed nut.

The mounting edge of the nut/clip requires specific horizontal and vertical dimensions - horizontally it is wider than the depth of the clip in order to fit the depression in the mounting surface of the side panel.
The style is called "U" meaning that both front and back sides are the same length of the clip

Furthermore the hole offset from the horizontal mounting edge is also important to make certain that the screw will align with the holes in the separate panels it will be clamping.

Not having an original clip to obtain dimensions makes it a bit dicey searching for suitable replacements.

I have found that many of the Internet sources for these clips provide no dimensional specification save for the style of the clip and the size of the screw hole.

Interestingly, none of the MG parts suppliers offer these clips despite selling the panels in question.

Peter
P Pichler

Check out Brown & Gammons.

Part # 44 clips for the grill slats.

https://www.ukmgparts.com/catalogue/td-midcat-10-subtd6-radiator-shells-fittings

Frank
TF 1414
Frank Cronin

Hi Frank.

Thanks for your feedback and input.

Unfortunately, the clips you are referring to in your posting are NOT the same as those used on the side panels.
The grille slat clips (24 of them) are quire different than the ones that I reference in this thread.

That said I have indeed asked Pete Schurmer (export manager) at B&G to comment on my requirement a few days ago.

Have not received a response yet.

NTG has assuredly told me that they do not have these clips, nor, for that matter AngloParts in Beligium either.

The hunt for the proverbial hen's teeth continues ...
P Pichler

Hi Peter,
I have a set of the original speed nut & both the counter sunk self tape & round head self tap screws wired up for plating.
Will attach photo.
Speed nut is 16mm wide & 20mm long.
Cheers John
J.K. Chester-Freeman

Trouble with submitting photo will have another go
J.K. Chester-Freeman

Peter,
File must be too large.
If you forward me your email address can send photo directly to you.
Cheers John
J.K. Chester-Freeman

Thanks very much for your reply John.
This posting will have my email address next to my name.

How did you manage to obtain a spare set of these clips/nuts?

Cheers,
Peter
P Pichler

Peter you have mail.
Cheers John

J.K. Chester-Freeman

Recently, I have managed to obtain some details about the spire(speed) clips/nuts used on the radiator assembly.
John Chester-Freeman's image shows the dissimilar clips used to attach the 12 radiator slats to the upper and lower internal mounting rails within the grille shell proper. These clips are substantially different then those used for the radiator side panels employed between the grille shell and the radiator itself.
Thank you John for that submission as it very much contributes to the fulfillment of details for this area of the car.

The attached image shows the definitive spire clip in he first three views (1-3) while numbers 4 & 5 show the two different screws used with these clips.
No. 4 is used with the triangular side plates which unite the shell with the radiator, while no.5 is used to affix the aluminium louvered side covers to the outboard side of the bonnet side panels, just below the front wings. the bonnet side panel inspection holes use the same spire clips.
The screws, in both locations, are Phillips #10, half inch long.

Hope this sheds some light on this issue.

Peter


P Pichler

Here ia a close up of the radiator shell spire clips
(reference 1 -3)

Peter

P Pichler

This thread was discussed between 11/06/2019 and 14/06/2019

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG TD TF 1500 BBS now