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MG TD TF 1500 - Stop Light gaskets

52 TD early rectangular tail lights.

I had routed the wires wrong. under the fram insted of over. I would need to take the wires out of the tail lights to move the wires.

I removed the light and found I had broken the glass lens on the driver side. "S**T". Looking at Moss for a replacement I find they list a gasket.

Looking at my gasket kit (ourchased at least 26 years ago) I find some gaskets, but they don not seem to fit between the chrome frame and the glass.
I proceed to cut them down and then, after remoceling the gasket, I think "Where does the gasket go?)
Since there is a rubber boot between the fender and the glass I had assumed the gasket would go on the other side of the glass lens, between the chrome and the gasket. But perhaps the gasket goes under the glass, between the boot and the lens.

Can somebody point me in the right direction?

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

I skipped the gasket when using the rubber boot. I don't know if it is correct, but the addition of the gasket is just too much thickness.

I've done this to three cars.

Warmly,
Dave
Dave Braun

that was my initial thought until I cracked the lense.

Thanks Dave

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Go to the local RV shop. They have a putty they use to seal RV windows. Stays pliable forever. Use that as packing between the glass and the chrome ring.

My car has had it that way forever and maybe even originally since I have a weird set of rear fenders. They are stuck somewhere between rectangular and round. I have rectangular lights but the fenders we getting ready for the round plinths so the factory just kept moving along.

BTW most of the tabs on mine are broken off too and the putty holds everything nice and tight.
Chris Couper

Jim, I agree with Dave, the boot should be all the gasket you need. Make sure your are using the original bezel screws or similar as they are shouldered and prevent the lens cracking.
Richard Taylor TD3983

Richard, I think you hit the nail.
I had made new screws out of SS without realizing they had a sholder. I will try to find on old one and duplicate it.

Chris, I have several pounds of that puty. I have heard it called "Duct" puty (like Duct Tape. I had not thought of using it here.


Thanks

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Jim, I recall Moss used to include really thick gaskets, likely what you are talking about. No way they would ever fit. Maybe they were for another car that did not use the boot? Speaking from experience, you have to just gently tighten the screws to avoid breaking the ears off of the lens. I have bought a a perfect original lens on ebay recently, so they are out there on occasion. George
George Butz

Years ago, I bought my tail lamp gaskets from Abingdon Spares. There were four pieces in all. Two were the rubber main body as seen from the underside of the fender. The other two were best generally described as an outline of the chrome lens retainer (plinth?). The order of installation after wiring is rubber body with electrical components in the fender, glass lens, outline gasket and finally the chrome rim secured with shouldered chrome plated screws. No glass breakage! The glass is sealed and encased in rubber.
Jim Merz

Are these the correct fasteners?

I found these. The heads are a bit beat up and when tightened the slots do not line up.

They do fit in the lamps and fenders however.
If these are correct then I will make 4 the next rainy day an key them to the holes so the slots are vertical.

Easy to do when you make them yourself.

Thats a fetish of mine.

Jim B.

JA Benjamin

Jim, If those are not the original type screws, they are mighty close. Howvever it's been years since I looked at mine. I guess the most important consideration is the length of the shoulder to make sure the screws don't put a load on the glass.
Jim Merz

Jim, they look like the originals to me, also Moss sells repos if you wanted to go that route.
Richard Taylor TD3983

This thread was discussed between 30/09/2013 and 01/10/2013

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