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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 - The restoration of a TF1500 in NZ


This VHS original video taken 37 years ago was our 7th MG TF out of the 30 we have restored by 2019.

The quality is old VHS, but it may be of interest.

I am still restoring T types exactly the same way as when the video was taken.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd44eqRznw6P9PwqLvDHrLw
Rod Brayshaw

Impressive Rod. This will be of assistance to you Lonnie with your issue. Terrific resource. There is an app being flogged on Ancestry to enhance old photos and I wonder if the video could be given the same treatment? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Rod -

Thanks for posting the video of your magnificent work. As Peter noted, I'm struggling with my TF restoration.

Will you please answer a couple of questions?

1) How do you determine the location of the bottom main rail onto the body frame, front-to-back? It looks like the position is determined by the hinge pillars and the "pockets" of the rear bulkhead.

2) How should the rear bulkhead fit against the hinge pillars?

Both ends of my rear bulkhead are 1/2 inch inward of the hinge pillars. I positioned the pillars and the bottom rails so that the "pocket" of the bulkhead lies flat on the rear of the hinge pillar. But if I clamp the bulkhead to be flush with the side of the pillar, then the pocket rotates away from the back of the pillars. To make the bulkhead lie flat against the side AND the back of the hinge pillar, I must move the bottom rail and pillar to the rear by almost 1/2". This causes the elbow and the rear quarter panel to extend 1/2" beyond the tank board. The latch pillar (and front quarter panel) will be an extra 1/2" back from the front rails and firewall.

I can fettle the bottom rail and move the hinge pillar inward to be flush with the outside of the rail. That will reduce the gap between the pillar and bulkhead about 1/4"+ or less.

The bottom lip of the bulkhead is cracked, so the pockets can be moved easily.

Thanks for your help,

Lonnie
TF7211

Top photo: Bulkhead pocket flush with rear of hinge pillar.

Top photo: Bottom main rail moved aft to allow bulkhead pocket to fit flush with rear AND inside of hinge pillar.





LM Cook

Lonnie

hope this TD image helps, yes the bottom rail is positioned on the angle irons by the B post(hinge pillar) location. The black crossmember fits into the rebate on the B pillar at 90 deg to the bottom rail.

Rod Brayshaw

Thanks Rod,

The tie bar on my TF is the only one that I have ever seen and touched in person. So, I don't know if it's perfect or if I have problems. It is cracked, bent, and floppy. I can't depend on it to define the location of the hinge pillar / bottom main rail.

With no screws holding the pocket of the tie bar to the hinge pillar, the inside of the pillar is almost 1/2" from the tie bar. When the pocket is rotated outward to contact the side of the hinge pillar, the back of the pocket rotates away from the back of the hinge pillar. If clamps are used to hold the pocket tightly against the side of the pillar and against the back of the pillar, the pillar will rotate inside the mortise in the bottom rail. Or, the pocket will sit flush to the side and the back of the pillar if I move the bottom rail to the rear as discussed in my previous post.

I am installing my second set of new wood, because I "over tweaked" the first new set. However, I was able to get the back and side of the hinge pillar fit firmly in the pocket of the tie bar by moving the pillar closer to the tie bar. I fettled the bottom rail and thinned the tenon on the pillar.

Here is a link to a VIDEO of the tie bar:
https://youtu.be/4OM2m4EhCqY

Questions:

1) Do I need to do anything to the tie bar?

2) Should I remove wood to bring the hinge pillar closer to the tie bar?

3) Am I correct that the location of the bottom rail (fore and aft) depends on a combination of fit of the front quarter panel to the front side rails, and on the fit of the rear quarter panel to the hinge pillar and tank board?

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks for your help,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

The tie bar will move as long as its not riveted to the inner wheel well. I notice there is also a small crack at the bottom that needs welding up.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Lonnie

We use a support jig frame to set up the B Pillar wood positions.

Your tie bar looks like it needs repairs. We have a profile that we use to check the set shape and angles.

The tie bar must be shaped correct first.

The TF tie bar is the same dimension shape as a TD one if you do not have a TF one to compare.

Images are TD but the same angle set.

You should not have to thin down the bottom rail like you have shown. Even the moss ones are close to correct thickness.

We also have profiles to check the angle iron angles. These also must be correct before you start.

You need to find a good TF body tub from someone to make some comparisons.

As we use jigs and profiles to build our body tubs, I don't know what else to suggest.







Rod Brayshaw

Thanks for the photos. I'll look at tie bars in nearby TD/TFs being restored by club members to see how to repair mine.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

I don't know if I can be of any help, but I have an original(I'm pretty sure) TD tub intact and off the frame. Tie bar and wheel wells still attached. 2"x4" wooden bars across bottom to hopefully maintain original position. I don't know if any measurements, angles, or pictures would help long distance.

Jim
JV Smith

Hi Jim,

Thanks, I may take you up on your offer as I get deeper into the project. I have tweaked the right hinge pillar to fit the imperfections in the rear quarter panel. My next task is to correct the angle of the mortise in the bottom rail for the latch pillar. After the latch pillar is fitted to the front quarter panel, I may be ready for your measurements.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

This thread was discussed between 27/06/2020 and 03/07/2020

MG TD TF 1500 index

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